Need help on what to rug

[candyhorse]

Hello,
I have a 5 year old welsh D x thoroughbred. She was only broken a few weeks a go and I had hoped to leave her un-clipped and un-rugged for the winter (I am riding her for 20 minutes, 4 times a week). She is currently living off just grass (the yard wont let us feed hay in the field) and we are buying some hard feed for her in the week.

However she has started dropping a bit of weight, her coat hasnt gotten very woolly and I thought I would put a rug on her so she keeps well over the winter. My question is, should I be putting a lightweight or medium weight rug on her ? I am confused because she has a decent coat but its not enough, and am worried in case I over heat her

Thanks!

 

[Mince Pie]

How long have you had this horse? Am I right in thinking she is not having any hay or hard food, just grass? I would be down the feed merchants first thing tomorrow morning and buying both hay and hard feed - if you can't feed hay in the field bring her in for a few hours and give her a haynet. There is no goodness in the grass at this time of year - no wonder she is losing weigh!

As to the rug, LW (with neck) to start, if she is cold go up a layer.

 

[Tiaan]

Ditto Mince Pie,

As she is now in work and winter is here she will need to use a lot more energy.....

Edited to add - you should also get a fleece to go up "half" a layer, and if she is sweaty by the time she has finished work a cooler to stop her getting a chill, she will have to be fairly dry before you rug her

 

[candyhorse]

Thanks for the help guys. So do you think a lightweight would be sufficient with a cooler underneath? Will the multiple straps not bother her? Will she over heat in a middle weight with a winter coat?

In regards to the feed. Its a sticky situation at the moment. I am looking after the horse while the owner is away and I need to wait for permission from the owner to give her some hard feed. (she is only allowed an hours hay a day and is not able to stay in overnight)

Thanks again.

 

[forestfantasy]

How long have you had this horse? Am I right in thinking she is not having any hay or hard food, just grass? I would be down the feed merchants first thing tomorrow morning and buying both hay and hard feed - if you can't feed hay in the field bring her in for a few hours and give her a haynet. There is no goodness in the grass at this time of year - no wonder she is losing weigh!

As to the rug, LW (with neck) to start, if she is cold go up a layer.

This ^^

If your not allowed to feed hay in the field i would be looking to move somewhere that you can.

Kepping her warm will help to an extent but hay is the holy grail in this situation, the worst of the winter isn't even here yet, the grass will only get worse & then there will be snow etc.

If you feed plenty of hay you may well find that you won't need hard feed at all.

 

[ISHmad]

In regards to the feed. Its a sticky situation at the moment. I am looking after the horse while the owner is away and I need to wait for permission from the owner to give her some hard feed. (she is only allowed an hours hay a day and is not able to stay in overnight)

As the temperatures in the UK have now plummeted this is nothing short of cruel them not allowing you to feed the horse more than an hours worth of hay. She is losing weight because as others have said there is no goodness in the grass and the weather is so cold. Rugging will help ensure she is not using calories unnecessarily BUT actually she needs ad lib fibre to stoke up her central heating engine to keep warm. Hard feed may not be needed, plenty of hay is.

Why does her owner have these ridiculous rules out of interest?

 

[wench]

Your not allowed to feed without permission?

Do you own the horse - or does the person giving permission own the horse.

If its yours feed it what you want!

 

[candyhorse]

I am well aware that the horse needs more hay, but due to the livery yard rules, the horse can't stop in over night and I can't feed in the field. As a result, she only gets a bit of hay when I bring her in.

I am loaning the horse off of a person who has left the country for a while (they are aware of the situation). On the same token, I have to abide by the livery yards rules. While the yard is not ideal, it is the owners choice and she is aware of the hay rules.

Thanks for your help. The rug is now bought so there is no need to comment on this any more.