Do you Change rugs and Pick out feet?

trary said:
I've recently taken up riding a friends pony twice a week having moved house and sold my two after having babies, but I have some concerns.

I could just be showing myself up as naïve or inexperienced... they don't change rugs from outdoor to stable. The horses come in every night and sometimes stay in during the day if it's wet. I always changed rugs as they can slip and become uncomfortable, also surely the needs of an outdoor horse are different to the needs of one inside?

They also don't pick out feet which was something I did before and after riding and every day. Another friend admits she doesn't do this either and that her farrier advises not doing this if you have barefeet.

They also expect a horse who might hack out for 25mins twice a week at walk to go hunting or jump in a hired out school for an hour. it seems a bit much for an unfit horse... but if you don't have facilities I suppose it's difficult to get a horse fit.

What do you think?
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Modern turnout rugs are breathable so there's no problem with leaving them on in the stable overnight. I always remove and replace them though, because as you say, they could have slipped back. I wouldn't worry too much, your share horse is getting his rugs removed a few times a week so hopefully that will be enough to prevent any serious pressure rubs.

I pick out hooves daily even if I don't remove horse from field. I also pick out on return from a ride in case of stones. If you're finding thrush a problem in your share horse, try using Stockholm tar on the soles/frogs on the days you are there.

I used to work on a hunting yard, horses were exercised 3 times per week, mostly on roads for an hour to 1 1/2 hrs each time. Lots of trotting up hills, the occasional canter on a bridleway and full use made of stubble fields in the autumn (with farmers permission). They went on organized charity rides monthly. Then started with cub hunting in the autumn, to build their fitness, as there was less galloping and more standing around.
 
No I dont change rugs unless there is a change in the weather & I dont pick out feet unless Im riding and can hear there is a stone trapped in the foot but horses are mainly out 24/7. Have recently aquired a new livery who is rather shocked at this especially the no picking out of feet, never had a problem in 30 years maybe ive been lucky.
 
Biska said:
Blimey, you will all think I am OCD. Feet are picked out every time my guy comes in and after all hacks and schooling. Rugs are changed too. I also wash all mud from his legs and dry them at night/before exercise.
It's so ingrained in me that I check my horse's feet I could not hack out without doing it.
I wash a lot of old towels....LOL
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Haha! Very similar to myself! Pick feet out first thing, last thing when bought in, after schooling, after hacking...my boy once had a chunky wooden stick stuck between his hoof and his shoe, took a good bit of wiggling to set free! I check for smells, heat, discomfort.
I also change rugs, again something I have always done but don't judge anyone who does it differently, my horse has indoor and outdoor rugs.
I wash legs too a few times a week.
http://geegeeandme.blogspot.co.uk/
 
My horses are hoof picked and legs and feet washed daily, they are also picked each time they leave the stable and the school. There are rugs are changed at night. If they come in with wet rugs on I leave them in them to dry.
I also hoof oil before bed every day and before riding.

My liveries have their feet picked and washed when they come in but most go to bed in their field rugs at the request and decision of their owners.
 
I'm (totally self confessed) anal about feet; having had a laminitic in the past, I pick out at least once a day, and part of that will be feeling the digital pulses - like I say, am totally OCD.

They're out by day, in by night at the mo; and every night when they come in I either brush their legs down if not too mucky, and/or hosepipe down so they're thoroughly clean before they go in.

Rugs? our stables have had wet and wind coming in; although they don't face the wind directly it has been coming in, on occasions, on an angle. Mare's is the worst stable, so she's been wearing her outdoor turnout rug just so she's kept dry and cosy; traddie boy has the best billet, tucked away with the chooks :) - and is still wearing his turnout rug at night just to protect from draughts.

If they come in with wet turnout rugs, I'll leave them in there till they're both dry, then, if appropriate, change them over last thing, with a quick brush over to take any muddy gunk away.

But IMO picking out feet every day is essential; if you've got a stone in there anywhere it can cause a very nasty hole in the hoof......... I heard a dreadful story once of a girl who lost a pony because she hadn't picked out its feet, it got a stone in there, which made a hole, which meant that an absess could form.......... and the whole hoof got infected, and pony had to be PTS :(
 
Biska said:
Blimey, you will all think I am OCD. Feet are picked out every time my guy comes in and after all hacks and schooling. Rugs are changed too. I also wash all mud from his legs and dry them at night/before exercise.
It's so ingrained in me that I check my horse's feet I could not hack out without doing it.
I wash a lot of old towels....LOL
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Lovely to hear that. OCD is fine sometimes!
 
Harry only rarely wears his turn out, and it comes off at night as his stable is nicely sheltered. I try to pick his feet most days, but it's a challenge as he doesn't like his backs being picked up.

Gem currently isn't rugged, but we're aiming to get her clipped in the next week or so (very thick cushings coat) and once done, she'll be wearing a stable rug at night. Not touching her feet until the veg has been out, but she's currently in and on a nice deep bed.

Bramble, being a delicate soul, is rugged at night. He'll also wear a t/o when we sort out his grazing, and yes, I will be changing them. Not tried his feet yet, but will be starting just so he can get used to it.
 
Don't take rugs off every day but i do readjust them. I pick out my shod horses feet as he gets stones in them from our gravel but the unshod one doesnt always get them picked out.
 
Yikes,you're all going to call the RSPCA on me ...

My boy lives out 24/7. I haven't rugged him (only thermex after schooling session). he will only get rugged if his weight drops.

He's transitioning to barefoot so his feet do get some attention but not every day.

As for fitness, he is having a holiday so I would prefer to bring him back to work gently but I get what others have said re if out 24/7 should have a natural level of fitness but my thinking is it's very different carrying a saddle and a human and coming back into work. Hope that makes sense!
 
No excuse for not picking out feet at least once a day. Yes it's a hateful job, I hate it! No one forced you into horse ownership tho guys! No foot no Hoss! That's it really
 
No I don't, I check him over whenever I remove his rug for grooming/riding but I don't use a stable rug, I leave the outdoor rug on. I prefer it to stay on, his body heat quickly dries it out if it's wet and it means he has a dry rug for going out in the next morning. Plus my yo turns out for me in the morning it's one less thing for her to have to do. Although this has always been my practice even before I moved yards.
 
I personally like to change rug so it's not the sane pressure at constant points on the horse but that's just me. But I know lots who don't.

The grooms will leave wet turnouts on thought overnight to ensure they dry. They also pick horses feet out every day when they bring then in.
I'd not like my horses feet not being picked out daily.
 
Rugs - Sometimes leave on and sometimes change depending on the weather.

Feet - Sometimes pick out and sometimes not. Usually pick out before taking out of stable so as not to track bedding across the yard and like to remove poo and dirty bedding from foot. As it is flinty on the bridleways around here I check after riding but not always when bringing in from field as not stony.
 
Fascinating that what I would consider the potentially biggest welfare issue on the OP's thread, the hunting with scant attention to fitness of the horses has attracted barely any responses, but the changing of rugs and OCD picking out of feet has got everyone giving firm opinions!

As one or two people have replied, surely the risk of major injury comes from the hunting unfit horses than not 'shock horror' changing rugs or picking feet out. I rarely do either and have never had rug issues or feet, shod or unshod.
 
Hunting or jumping unfit horses. Not good. That's right up there with people who recon any horse can do 40 km straight out of the paddock.

Can't comment on the rugs as I don't stable, but the two that I ride are covered 24/7, and have quite a wardrobe. I also don't like leaving rugs on for more than a couple of days without at least giving them a flick over with a brush. Hence anything that is not being ridden, I prefer to leave uncovered if at all possible.

As far as picking out feet - yes after every ride. I barefoot and am super careful about fine road gravel (the sharp stuff) working up into the white line. Same with crusher dust from some dressage arenas. If you get one piece pushed upwards by another bit, you can have all sorts of problems.
 
NZJenny said:
As far as picking out feet - yes after every ride. I barefoot and am super careful about fine road gravel (the sharp stuff) working up into the white line. Same with crusher dust from some dressage arenas. If you get one piece pushed upwards by another bit, you can have all sorts of problems.
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I have barefoot horses, including one who has hunted extensively, and I have never picked a foot out after a ride, not do I ever pick grit out of the white line.

If the horse is disease free and properly fed, the white line should be so tight that ingress by grit is not possible.

Besides which, I turn out immediately after riding and the grit would simply be replaced in the first couple of strides through the gateway.
 
tankgirl1 said:
No excuse for not picking out feet at least once a day. Yes it's a hateful job, I hate it! No one forced you into horse ownership tho guys! No foot no Hoss! That's it really
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Well I can't remember the last time I picked my horses feet out, and he hasn't seen the farrier for nearly 3 months now. So by your reckoning I'm a bad owner?
Hmmm...
When I used to fiddle about with my horses' feet constantly, I had far more abscesses and little lameness episodes. For the last few years I've had a policy of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' And current horse has so far had zero foot problems. So I can't be doing much wrong!
 
tankgirl1 said:
No excuse for not picking out feet at least once a day. Yes it's a hateful job, I hate it! No one forced you into horse ownership tho guys! No foot no Hoss! That's it really
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Do you have any evidence that picking out feet daily keeps feet healthier?

I can't help wondering why brood mares and field companions all over the country are still standing on their feet :)
 
I generally leave turnout rugs on to dry if they are sopping wet as dry quicker but I do like to change when dry mostly because I like to give a change of pressure point, give manes a rest if in full neck. This winter I have also taken to giving them a short while of being ruglessin their stable so they can roll and generally have a good shake - they seem to love it. A couple of years ago it really scared me when a friend said oh no I don't bother changing rugs if not riding etc as keeps them warmer on her horse that lived out. She hadn't ridden for 3 weeks - took his rug off and his coat was matted and horrid and rubbed sore on hips and withers. Turns out she hadn't even groomed. She also didn't realise how much weight he had lost. So I will take rugs off for a quick check / rest at least every third day if not riding. Feet the same. Always pick out before riding and if they are in over night, and before they get turned out ( stop muck spreading over yard and don't like feet compacted with poo for too long)
 
Jesstickle said:
I don't change rugs.

And I rarely pick out feet. Horse isn't dead yet ;)
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Same here!
The need to change rugs diminished with the invention of lightweight breathable ones!
And I just can't understand those who take off wet (on the outside) rugs. No better rug drier than a horse!
Never hose legs either (recipe for mud fever ime)
I've kept my horses like this for many years with absolutely no problems :-)
 
NZJenny said:
Hunting or jumping unfit horses. Not good. That's right up there with people who recon any horse can do 40 km straight out of the paddock.

Can't comment on the rugs as I don't stable, but the two that I ride are covered 24/7, and have quite a wardrobe. I also don't like leaving rugs on for more than a couple of days without at least giving them a flick over with a brush. Hence anything that is not being ridden, I prefer to leave uncovered if at all possible.

As far as picking out feet - yes after every ride. I barefoot and am super careful about fine road gravel (the sharp stuff) working up into the white line. Same with crusher dust from some dressage arenas. If you get one piece pushed upwards by another bit, you can have all sorts of problems.
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To be fair the main title question was do you change rugsand pick out feet - therefore even the op was more biased to these questions!

I think this is obviously a problem, whereas there is obviously a lot of people who don't change rugs or pick feet out and have no problems.

Also, I barely pick horses' feet and never have a problem - however our ground is muddy not stony, and the hard surfaces soon flick the muck out. I certainly wouldn't go picking at the white line in a barefoot horse though!! Surely the more you pick in at it and remove grit etc, the weaker you make it?
 
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khalswitz said:
It's HHO - any subject where people have different opinions will garner a lot of posts...
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Oh. Well I shall join in and fall out with everyone as well then! :D I haven't fallen out with anyone for a while and its getting a bit boring now.
 
Im genuinely really suprised about the amount who don't change rugs and pick feet out, I also thought these were basic standards of care of a stabled horse. So far, this year, my mare's turnout has only been so wet that it needed to stay on all night to dry on two occasions. The rest of the time it dries over night being flicked over the side of the stable wall. I also don't understand the 'not taking off to put a cold stable rug on' brigade. My mare is warm again in her stable rug within five minutes.
 
I fall into both camps. At home they don't get their hooves picked out daily and as they live 'out' they don't get their rugs changed. They're all handled daily, rugs shuffled and checked under, but all their rugs fit well.

At Uni, hooves have to be picked out before leaving the stable, so get done twice a day minimum. His frogs were better at home ;) Rugwise, we're incredibly spoilt and have a heated rug drier - which gets even the soggiest of turnouts dry in 2hrs. On cold mornings they can even have ready warmed rugs put on... His underrug stays on and the top layer gets changed. His stable rug only has a half neck too to try and prevent his mane being rubbed.

With regards to hunting an unfit horse, no way. One of mine is fab to hunt and he adores it, and over Christmas I really wanted to go. He's only been hacked once/twice a week for the last few months and there's no way his legs are tough enough (it takes 6months to strengthen tendon and bone) or that he's cardiovascularly fit enough. I browsed jealousy through Boxing Day hunt pictures instead. :wink:
 
Feet picked out daily and rugs removed and horse checked over. People who leave rugs on horses for weeks on end are totally irresponssible. you have no idea what is going on underneath there could be rubs or worse.
 
Horsesforever1 said:
Feet picked out daily and rugs removed and horse checked over. People who leave rugs on horses for weeks on end are totally irresponssible. you have no idea what is going on underneath there could be rubs or worse.
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I'm guessing people still take off, check condition of horse and adjust even if they don't change rugs. Otherwise that would be a bit daft!
My fal pro rugs state okay for stable and turnout though so don't think irresponsible for using as dual purpose. Think rugs should be off for a while daily though, for grooming or riding or just so they can have a scratch.
Interesting post in pegasus regarding picking out feet... Should be done daily for Thrush, checking for stones, heat, condition of foot, making horse comfortable etc... So must be evidence to suggest it should be done for health of the horse
 
Very interesting thread. My lad is stabled, so he has his stable rug on at night, and his turnout rug on during the day. I pick his feet out every morning (not least to stop straw being dragged across the yard), and every evening, with a spray of tea tree to prevent thrush (he is prone.) He's barefoot and his feet are in great shape.

A horse at our yard is not picked out(tho not rugged), and seems to suffer constant gravel and foot problems. Is very lame.

But in the wild, the feet are obviously left to fend for themselves. Hmmm food for thought for me.
 
Barefoot feet picked out only after hacking to check for gravel in the white line, otherwise left alone, rugs changed at night because turnout has clips on the chest and dont want to risk horse becoming hung up on haynet by them. If turnout rug didnt have clips or if I didnt use nets, I probably wouldn't bother changing rugs but would obviously remove daily to check, groom etc.
 
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