Help with Rugging

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herbehacking

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Hi there! I have a 19yo Welsh Sec D. He has been having gassy colic episodes and I have been managing this with supplements and exercise every day. I have him in his stable in a rain sheet with no fill however when I come to see him he is sweaty underneath.

Would I be alright to have him in a cooler sheet overnight in his stable (he has an irish clip and is still sweaty)? Or would you suggest another type of rugs? Information would be great on which type of rug you recommend! I had a feeling he is overheating and that’s not great for colic either.

I have also been told to keep him in some form of covering to keep him clean for lessons etc so not covering is not an option at the moment.

First time horse owner!
 

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Your pony looks to be in good condition with only a bib clip?! In these temperatures he doesn’t need anything on.

If in doubt, I always prefer mine to be on the cooler side than too warm.

I’m afraid keeping them clean isn’t a good enough reason to rug for me.
 
herbehacking said:
The yard request that he has a rug on. I can approach and ask for it to be left off and discuss
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It's your horse. not theirs.
I don't understand why you would be asked this - though if it's a request then they have to be open to a refusal. ;)Dry mud is easy enough to get off.

I'm on DIY though - the vagaries of full livery are a bit beyond me.

(Also on my first horse - congratulations by the way! :D)
 
Some yards do have weird rules (I know one that states they must be in 200+ for winter) but if it’s not suiting your horse you need to discuss it with them frankly
A horse cannot cool themselves down when they’re in a rug but can heat themselves up by eating
 
JBM said:
Some yards do have weird rules (I know one that states they must be in 200+ for winter) but if it’s not suiting your horse you need to discuss it with them frankly
A horse cannot cool themselves down when they’re in a rug but can heat themselves up by eating
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And he’s a big eater 🤣
 
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I can see the yard's point; I rug my own cob throughout the whole winter, largely for my convenience. But I full clip him so he's never too hot. OP could you clip a bit more off his coat, if he *has* to be rugged? Maybe a trace rather than Irish clip, then a 0g 1200d turnout on top? The Gallop Trojan Xtras are good value for money.

Btw @JBM that "200g+ in the winter" is a bizarre rule! I don't actually own a rug heavier than 100g. :rolleyes:
 
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I too was going to suggest if he 'needs' to be rugged, clipping more off would be a good compromise.

You have my empathy, as it's not always easy being on full livery.
 
I read it that it's when he's in the stable with the rain sheet on is when he's getting hot? In which case hopefully he may be ok in a thin summer sheet as that would be more breathable otherwise if he's still hot in that then I agree your options are to clip more off or to ask about not rugging in the stable even if you need to rug when he's turned out.

I'd probably look at something like this for the stable as it's wicking if he does get a bit warm and very light.


I think this shires version is cheaper and similar in terms of wicking but I've not seen it in person to be definite:

 
AmyMay said:
Presumably this is your horse. So you don’t need to ask them, you just tell them you want the rug removed.
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You’d be surprised.
I know a few yards or people with horses at yards that make me wonder who owns the horse!

Sweet horse OP! I’d agree leave it off, you probably need to be quite firm and instead of suggesting tell them that he’s not wearing it anymore.
 
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