Horse left in snow

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izeko

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Hi,
I dont know much about horses and just wanted to check with someone in the know. There is a field at the back of our offices which has a small pony/horse left in it daily. I think at night the keeper brings him in, but all day long he is left out in the snow and rain. Took a close look at him today and he is soaked through. Is this ok for a horse, or should it have a waterproof thrown over its back.
 
Hi

Thanks for posting up about this, can you tell if the horse has plenty of coverage on its body?...no bones sticking out?
if its brought in at night every day then i would suggest it is OK...some horses dont like rugs or get too hot wearing them.
so long as the said horse has plenty of water and perhaps some hay for the field.
 
Hi there,

It depends on alot of factors. Some horses cope just fine out in the snow. There are several in my field who have no rugs on and they are still fine.

Does the horses look thin? If he is being brought in at night, he is probably being fed and hayed so should be fine. Does he have company?
 
Thanks for taking the trouble to worry about this pony. Ideally if he is living in at night, he ought to have a turnout rug on in the daytime. Do you ever see the owner put him out or get him in? If not, perhaps you could leave a note on the gate for the owner. Probably not an RSPCA case unless his ribs are visible (or feelable if he has a thick coat).

If you are able, try to put your fingers right into his coat - you may find that he is wet on top but dry underneath.

Hope he's ok
 
as long as its got food and water, and its not obviously bony or skinny, it will be fine. Sounds like he is being looked after if hes in at night.
 
I'm sure he is fine, especially if someone is bringing him in at night to dry off. When you say he is soaked through, do you just mean that the outside of his coat is wet? If so, that is what is meant to happen. If you put your hand through to his skin, you should find he's nice and warm underneath.

Horses have evolved to cope with rain and snow, especially native types. He's probably warmer without a rug on than my clipped horse who has a rug on because he has his natural coat to keep him warm and dry.
 
Ideally it should have a waterproof rug, but there are factors to consider as to why it may not be wearing one. Has the pony got any company? or is it on it's own? Food, water are essential. Check to see if it has visible ribs showing.
 
Thanks for all your quick responses. From what i can see the horse looks well fed, no bones sticking out. Usually he spends all day eating the grass, but none of this is really expossed at the moment. He must be being bought in at night as sometimes early in the morining he is know where to be seen. I will keep my eye on him over the next few days.
Lets hope the snow clears soon for everyone.
smile.gif

Thanks
Dave
 
hello

it's very kind of you logging on and asking............

If horse is coming in there is an owner looking after horse???, and yes horse can live without rugs - if you are really worried as there is no fresh un frozen water or hay left in field, please phone RSPCA and get them to do a welfare visit.

As matter how well intend your visits are, i would defo leave it up to RSPCA as these sistutation can get very skicky, eps if you don't have enough knowledge of horse management issues
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ideally if he is living in at night, he ought to have a turnout rug on in the daytime.

[/ QUOTE ] Not necessarily! Two of mine are unrugged in the field, but brought in overnight. If they are happy and in good condition like that, then they don't need rugging, particularly if there is good shelter in the field!

[ QUOTE ]
Probably not an RSPCA case unless his ribs are visible (or feelable if he has a thick coat).

[/ QUOTE ] You should ALWAYS be able to feel the ribs of a horse - thick coat or not. If you can't feel the ribs then the horse is obese!
 
I like your advice TGM.......I think since Spindles Farm everyone is paranoid!! Clearly if he wasn't being looked after he would not be being brought in at night. My helpful neighbour fed my 10hh laminitic who was on a starve paddock grass cuttings because he thought he looked hungry...was I angry!!! And I remember many years ago being told I was being cruel riding my pony unshod on the road....
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Ideally if he is living in at night, he ought to have a turnout rug on in the daytime.

[/ QUOTE ] Not necessarily! Two of mine are unrugged in the field, but brought in overnight. If they are happy and in good condition like that, then they don't need rugging, particularly if there is good shelter in the field!

[ QUOTE ]
Probably not an RSPCA case unless his ribs are visible (or feelable if he has a thick coat).

[/ QUOTE ] You should ALWAYS be able to feel the ribs of a horse - thick coat or not. If you can't feel the ribs then the horse is obese!

[/ QUOTE ]

agree with this.

Also to OP - pony may look soaked through but its coat is probably protecting him from the elements, i have a little'un out 'naked' at the mo, she has a good thick coat on her and even when soaked, her skin underneath is dry, its just the top of her which is wet. 'Natures waterproof coat' if you will
Good on you for caring. Pony is probably a bit miserable, as we all are in this weather. Hope the sun comes out soon for us all!
 
If the Pony is a decent weight and has food and water.It doesnt need a rug!

Horses particularly native ponys have coats that are well eqipped for surviving just fine outside without a rug.
The two ponys in my siggy have never even seen a rug nor will they unless they need to be clipped or need it to keep weight on.They live out 24/7...even in this weather!
 
I know it must seem strange to a non horsey person but lots of horses manage without rugs as already said

I dont think you need to worry in this case but well done for looking out for the horse and double checking on here instead of doing anything confrontational and potentially embarrasing
 
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