Leaving turn out rugs on overnight - am I a BAD mum??!!

[SueAllen]

Can anyone tell me why I can't/shouldn't do this with modern rug technology being as good as it is.

Ned is currently turned out during the day in a decent rug with a neck - when I bring him in at night, providing said rug isn't wet, can I leave him in it? Or am I being lazy, uncaring person?

To be honest the neck is as much to keep him clean - grey, clipped, hunted twice a week - as for warmth. I am only really talking about this peculiarly warm Winter where we have warm winds and a little rain. As soon as it gets really cold and wet, I'll be happy to change day rugs to night ones but I just wonder if I am doing any harm leaving the same rug on. Can't see it can but I am such a novice I would like to check!

 

[star]

well my horse lives out in the same rug day and night and hasn't keeled over yet. i usually do change rugs if coming in at night, generally coz it's colder at night, but have left him in the same rug before with no harm done.

 

[samerlin]

when my rugs go on they never get changed, (yes they get taken off and groomed ). provided that they are not wet on the inside I leave them on even if they are wet on the outside. I find they are nice and dry the next day. while most people have to put damp rugs back on in the morning.
I have been leaving my outdoor rugs on my horses for about 8 years now and they have never come to any harm. if the rug has a neck piece I sometimes fold it back but if it is really cold I leave that on also.
Quite a few people at my yard have now started to leave their rugs on too.

 

[RachelB]

I only don't like using rugs as dual-purpose because then I know I would get lazy and they would be left on for days and not taken off and replaced on the horse! I sometimes leave my Fal on at night, but I always always take all rugs off in the morning and replace them to make sure she is comfy. I hate it when horses just get dumped in and out. But there's certainly no reason not to do it! I can't justify having two heavyweight rugs for my warm horse, but she will need one at night when it gets frosty, so I bought her a turnout so she can also use it in the field if I need it (don't like layering for turnout).

 

[Thistle]

Alway leave turnouts on. Do check and replace them though. If they were out 24/7 you wouldn't change the rug would you?

 

[AmyMay]

Three of the horses on my yard are in Rambo Duo's - they don't come off.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

As long as they are regularly removed and replace cannot see the problem especially with the modern breathable fabrics.

If they come in wet but the horse is still warm under the wet rug we leave them on, that way the rug is warm and dry again in the morning, avoids clammy damp turn out rugs being put back on, I will not put damp clothes on myself so why do it to my horses.

 

[Sal_E]

Not a problem in theory, but don't forget to remove & re-adjust - preferably with a nice groom inbetween... Ideally, I'd like the rugs removing twice a day as a minimum.

 

[wizzi901]

our little one has her rhino wug left on overnight, its a lovely rug and very breathable, I tend to change the boys as they have such heavy rugs n stuff, I dont want them getting bald chests!!

 

[flyingfeet]

I think the rug remove & replacement stuff is a little off too.

With a decent fitting rug there should be no need to 'replace' it on the horse. This was traditional where rugs did not sit centrally, were heavy and pulled the skin.

That said I take mine rugs off to check for injuries, tucked up etc.

 

[Rambo]

My horses live in their 'turnouts' all the time. They get removed once a day for a groom and ride. They've never gotten wet through (decent quality FAL Slumberdown's) so it's never been an issue

 

[nomini]

Mine are both wearing their turnouts day and night (they are in at night) No harm done so far, every evening I take them off for a groom and ride and then they go back on - both seem quite happy living in their turnouts

(tis much quicker turning out in the morning!)

 

[evsj]

Mine lives in her turnouts during the week and is quite happy. i take it off for about an hour each day (to ride/groom/let her enjoy being naked!) and keep an eye on any rubbed areas. Rubbing hasn't been a prob anyway because with this wierd weather I've been swapping between a l/weight and m/weight.
Horses back is the best place to dry off a wet rug (so long as inside is dry)

 

[clipclop]

So long as you take the rug off daily to check your horse all over? Then you are a great Mum

 

[CSYMolly]

Mine lives in her turnout day and night, just add layer under at night. Is taken off every day when i ride/groom etc so I know it isn';t rubbing. Much easier and I am sure the horses don't care!

 

[Heidi1]

No you are not a bad mum. Mine stay in their turnouts, they get removed everyday for a groom and to be ridden, they ar enot bothered and to be honest they are warm, so why should I replace them with cold rugs..........also they are on rubber matting, so it saves on the rug cleaning bills.........

 

[samp]

I leave mine on if it is wet on the outside as it isa the best way of drying off. I always take it off and check the horse everyday. I know someone who's horse ended up being PTS because she had not removed the rug regularly and had missed the signs of muscle wastage. I can not remember excatly what had happened but the horse eventually went lame, never came sound and wouldn't event so was PTS - lovely horse to

 

[dressagecrazy]

I started leaving T/O rugs on overnight when i first started using Horseware rugs about 12 years ago. Ive never had a problem i now have a range of T/O rugs Including Rambo's, Fals & Bucas Each horse has range of T/O rugs in different weights so they never overheat or freeze. I dont have a problem with any as they are all left on apart from daily checks & grooming. So if your a bad mummy then im going straight to hell. lol.

 

[Weezy]

EVERY horse on my yard wears their turnout day and night because they are open barns and the rain comes in if the horses (stupid) stand at the front!

 

[the watcher]

mine live in their turnout rugs through the winter, even though they come in at night..will only change if the rugs get really wet. Wouldn't have dreamed of doing this 25 years ago when jute and canvas were the only choices, but don't have a problem with it now

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Personally i wouldnt but dont see a problem with it, i tend to change to a thicker rug at night though as its colder but personally i wouldnt, just a thing i have!

 

[Chex]

I only use my stable rugs now because I don't want to have bought them, but not use them! I find my cheaper rugs need readjusting every day, especially if they're cotton lined. I do try to use stable rugs, or else I'll get lazy and not end up taking his rug off from day to day.

 

[magic104]

Most people at our yard (myself included) do it all the time. I will leave it on if they are not being worked in the morning to save time with turn out. I was also informed that with the new technology rugs actually dry quicker if left on the horse in the stable overnight. So long as they are checked I would say it is fine.

 

[Quarrybank]

Both my boys have Rambo Supremes. They are out during the day & come in at night. For the first time this year, I'm not changing them into stable rugs. They get taken off once a day for a groom or to ride.
They dry better if left on the horse, plus I hated taking warm stable rugs off them at 7am to put a cold turnout rug on.
Mine are both fine, so I wouldn't worry.

 

[lornaA]

mine keep their turnouts on 24/7 apart from being taken off to groom and ride. It saves so much time, obviously i would remove them and straighten them as required but they generally don't slip. If the rugs are wet on outside i leave them on so long as they are dry inside and horse is warm and they dry much faster than hanging them up. I just always make a point of sticking my hand/arm as far under the rugs as i can reach to check how warm they are underneath.

 

[RachelB]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the rug remove & replacement stuff is a little off too.
With a decent fitting rug there should be no need to 'replace' it on the horse.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes but, who has perfectly fitting rugs? My horse is a very funny shape and I can't get anything to fit her perfectly (and don't have the money for a bespoke Fal), so mine do slip about and do have to be replaced. I think my clothes fit well, but hell I am often to be found pulling my jods back down from round my armpits where they seem to end up after a ride!
I wouldn't leave a rug on without taking it off for at least 30 seconds once a day.

 

[dozzie]

If its cold I will leave outdoor rugs on at night if they are dry. If wet I always remove but may still put an outdoor rambo on at night if its cold. i dont like leaving neckcovers in case they get caught on doors on but thats ok for mine as they dont have full neck clips. I sometimes feel Im being really awful too!!! But my lot dont seem to be too worried- at least theyve never told me theres a problem!! If its warm I do change rugs into lighter weight stable rugs

 

[Salcey]

I guess the main point is, its fine as long as the rugs are taken off each day to allow the horse to scratch, have a groom and be throughly checked.
I only leave mine on if they are wet, but thats only because I don't like to see my stable rugs wasted. Modern rug technology is soo great compared to the old days!!!!

 

[Tia]

Mine all wear their rugs all day and all night. My guys all have Fal's and Rambo's and they have never leaked. A couple come into the stables at night and remain in their turnouts - the rest are outside with the same rugs on.

Gone are the days when I changed rugs every morning and evening - but quality rugs are sooo good these days! They don't move, they fit perfectly, they are fully waterproof, they are lightweight, they are breathable....what more could you want!

 

[fizz-tally]

mine have turnouts on 24/7,taken of daily to be checked/groomed/ridden then popped back on again