Do you put NZ rugs on your youngsters?

[kerilli]

I've got 2 2yr old fillies turned out in a big field with a field shelter. They're going to winter out. I've never rugged up youngsters before, but one is a bit of a wuss and if she gets soaked, she starts shivering and i have to bring her in to dry out overnight. Would you rug them up in a LW or MW NZ for the winter, or let them toughen up, bringing them in occasionally if the wussy one is shivering? Thanks.

 

[hannah87]

i would rug them up - if u want them turned out for the winter then they r better off dry and warm outside then occasionally being brought in when they r wet imo. with regards to the weight of rug i would just play it by ear depending on the weather.

 

[Maesfen]

If they're shivering and wet they'll start losing weight which will make them even colder and so the cycle goes on.
Years ago I would have said not to rug but weather patterns have changed a lot with a lot more wet miserable weather than the usual cold frosty times which horses seem to love and now there are lightweight, easy to use rugs so if the situation is safe then I will rug. (We have one field where they have to go down to a running stream to drink which is quite rough and brambly; it isn't an option to cut back the brambles so I won't use rugs in that field in case of them getting caught up on something; luckily it's up and down like a golf course so plenty of shelter from all directions and they're always toasty warm).
I would think a rug using only cross surcingles and a fillet string would be safer for youngsters, I love the Rhino Wugs or similar with half necks, they're very lightweight to change and easy to use; most of mine I've picked up from ebay - I refuse to put a new rug on a youngster in case they trash it, don't mind so much with a bargain!

 

[Shilasdair]

I've got two youngsters who live out with natural shelter...and I rug them up...usually they go through the winter in a MW standard turnout rug...but I have lighter and heavier rugs for different weathers.
It doesn't seem fair to leave them out with nothing...and I worry about rainscald with the increase in warm, damp weather. It also costs more to feed if you don't rug...
S

 

[Bossanova]

We dont rug our youngsters. Maybe put a lw on the wussy one if it's due to rain heavily

 

[MagicMelon]

I would rug up. Probably with a 200g. Wouldn't make the rug too lightweight or it wont be a winter one (ie. more a summer one, so wont be as tough).

 

[volatis]

I rug ours, more to keep the rain off than anything else. They have a MW which seems quite warm enough

 

[amandaco2]

my yearling is rugged in a summer to at the mo, she is a total wimp.she hates the rain and goes in the shelter at the slightest drip aND COMES GALLOPING to the gate as soon as she sees you wanting he warm straw bed!

 

[flyingfeet]

Often its just owners humanising their horses and when we think its cold we feel the need to rug.

The only youngster I have ever rugged is our one with sweet itch, that said ours are always fat and we keep them in a cattle barn if the weather is bad.

 

[amandaco2]

mine is kept quite slim and i dont want her loosing any more weight
my other horse ish lived out happily ruggless for a few years

 

[vieshot]

My yearling has a mw on! Its pink! He loves it!