Drying a sweaty horse with no stable

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Flashypants

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I have just recently moved my ponies to a field which has no stable or field shelter (but lots of natural shelter). I have one pony in work and the other is dragged out occasionally as he's my 4yr's pony/my pony's companion. I was wondering how do you prevent them catching a chill after ridden work without a box to stand them in with a fleece on? Do you put the fleece under a lightweight turnout? My pony is rugged. The Shetland isn't as he's got more hair than a yeti!! Just wondering as I have never been in this situation before as I have always had access to a box. Thanks.
 
I have used fleeces under turnout rugs without any issues. I don't know if it's completely necessary as I think modern turnout rugs are so breathable that actually horses dry off quite well under them, but it makes me feel better.
 
I sponge down the sweaty bits and put the turnout back on. No fleece. If the shetland isn't being clipped or rugged I'd keep the work slow so it doesn't get very sweaty in the first place, or do a tiny bib clip.
Personally I think wandering about is far better for them than standing in a box after exercise.
 
I used to have a bucas rug which was like a Thermatex but in a Turnout. It was perfect as I had a horse that wouldn't stand in after work. I think mark Todd does one too.
 
I would put cooler/waffle under rug, do chores then as about to leave whip cooler off if horse going to be too hot.. even easier walk last mile home to let them cool down.
 
As long as he isn't soaked with sweat I wouldn't worry, his own coat will wick it away to the surface to dry & if it's that thick he's unlikely to get a chill from a bit of sweat. I wouldn't wash off as that's just adding more wet, just brush the area out later & have a feel to check there's no sores under all the fluff. Does that make me a bad owner?
 
Flashypants said:
I have just recently moved my ponies to a field which has no stable or field shelter (but lots of natural shelter). I have one pony in work and the other is dragged out occasionally as he's my 4yr's pony/my pony's companion. I was wondering how do you prevent them catching a chill after ridden work without a box to stand them in with a fleece on? Do you put the fleece under a lightweight turnout? My pony is rugged. The Shetland isn't as he's got more hair than a yeti!! Just wondering as I have never been in this situation before as I have always had access to a box. Thanks.
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For me I would not use a fleece as they do pull tight over the horse



You could do the old fashion way putting straw over the horses back and then the rug one, as it will gradually fall out and horse may eat it lol
Or what I would do is get a thermatex rug or coolerand put it under the turnout rug, I know the sweat will end up between the two rugs and as a to will not allow the water to evaporate . Unless you can stay with him and then take the thermatex of and put to on.
I would always sponge the horse off those not leave actual sweat off as it is uncomfortable for the horse and a devil to get off sometimes.

I would also have an electric fence small area and do chores till they dry off enough
 
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Nari said:
As long as he isn't soaked with sweat I wouldn't worry, his own coat will wick it away to the surface to dry & if it's that thick he's unlikely to get a chill from a bit of sweat. I wouldn't wash off as that's just adding more wet, just brush the area out later & have a feel to check there's no sores under all the fluff. Does that make me a bad owner?
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This.
If you cool the pony down by walking back, turn it straight out in the field, it will add its own insulation probably with a nice layer of mud and keep warm by walking round. Horses generate from the inside from the bacteria that break down the food. If you have a breathable rug and its clipped you can put that on, the wet will evaporate through the rug. If you have only a canvas type rug, put a layer of straw under it, thatching, but you will have to take it off or replace as the liner will get wet through evaporation from the wet coat.
Think what is warmer. Standing in a indoor school in winter, even with coat and thick boots, or walking outside in the same clothing.
I only time I would think otherwise is if the animal is stood hunched, bum against the wind and not eating and is shivering.
 
I clip mine around the sweaty bits and use a waterproof exercise sheet if it's raining, that way I have a fairly dry horse when I get back. For any sweaty areas, I sponge them off then dry with one of those weird, fake chamois things and bung on a turnout.

They all live out and I just wouldn't have time to wait for a seriously sweaty horse to dry. Two of mine have coats like yaks and take a good couple of hours to dry out completely and I can only ride on my lunch break during the week, or after dark in the field.
 
I just rug sweaty horses in their ordinary turnout rug and throw them out. I've been doing it for decades and never had a problem yet.
 
Thanks for the advice. It's good to know I'm thinking along the right lines. I think I will give my ridden one a on Irish clip but leave the mini for this year as he only goes out occasionally. We only walk with very little trot/canter so he very gets very very hot.
 
if the arnt clip why are they rugged? I just turn mine out to roll and get muddy when I come back off a ride. they dry themselves that way.
 
Downton Dame said:
if the arnt clip why are they rugged? I just tuprn mine out to roll and get muddy when I come back off a ride. they dry themselves that way.
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Because my Connie is very sensitive to flies etc (although not sweet itch - he has been seen by several vets who all have said it's not SI) and I have to keep him covered. I would love for him to be naked. He's in a med/lightweight so not over-rugged. I have tried it and it's not fair on him.

The shetland isn't rugged and never has been and won't be unless absolutely necessary.
 
Bring the horse back cool (walk the last half a mile at least) then chuck them out. If your horse is normally rugged, then rug, it will be breathable, or if it's a nice day leave to roll and brush off before rugging later. I sponge off the girth and elbow areas.
 
Downton Dame said:
if the arnt clip why are they rugged? I just turn mine out to roll and get muddy when I come back off a ride. they dry themselves that way.
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:eek3:

Clipped or not clipped mine is rugged if I want to ride I've no time to chisel the mud off him, life is too short. He's out all year round and for 6 months is naked but when the serious mud arrives the rug goes on
 
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