Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
If you are mean, then i am mean too leaving my cute little snugglebuts naked.
Do they look abused? lol
Bad Mam!
Not rugging - am i mean?
- Thread starter abbijay
- Start date
Bad Mam!
laura_nash
Well-Known Member
It was -2 this morning and my cob is out with a bib clip, no rug, and no hay. He was perfectly happy and warm this morning, but he has rather more insulation (fat) than I like right now and they still have grass. I did consider a rug last week when it was warm, wet and windy as he did look a bit miserable a few times but I was worried about him over-heating he's got such a thick coat.
LHIS
Well-Known Member
No rugs here on mine. He's got a lovely fluffy winter coat and is always toasty. He's absolutely fine and I've only been putting a no-fill rug on him to keep him clean when he's turned out (no more than a few hours at a time during the day).
Plus he's a rug ripper, so not putting anything on him unnecessarily! The other 3 on the yard are rugged but they're not as fluffy as mine and finer builds.
Plus he's a rug ripper, so not putting anything on him unnecessarily! The other 3 on the yard are rugged but they're not as fluffy as mine and finer builds.
Equi
Well-Known Member
I know!!!!! The foal will be a frozen ball of belly goo.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
No your not mean your horse will be fine let your yard owner read this thread not one person has said put a rug on.
And look at all you lot with your snow lovely pictures
And look at all you lot with your snow lovely pictures
luckyoldme
Well-Known Member
my tbx is living out with 2 clydesdales and a percheronx.
He is the only one rugged, the others have mammoth coats on them, and have never worn rugs in their lives including the year we went down to -15. It must be really difficult to have one of these on a yard where everything else needs a rug, surrounded by folk who think all horses have the same requirements.
He is the only one rugged, the others have mammoth coats on them, and have never worn rugs in their lives including the year we went down to -15. It must be really difficult to have one of these on a yard where everything else needs a rug, surrounded by folk who think all horses have the same requirements.
Princess16
Well-Known Member
Mine lives out 24/7 and has only just started bring rugged in a L/w mainly for rain.
So no I don't think you're being unfair. I really think a too hot horse is more uncomfortable than a cold one (at least they can run round to keep warm)
Think we Molly coddle our horses these days.
So no I don't think you're being unfair. I really think a too hot horse is more uncomfortable than a cold one (at least they can run round to keep warm)
Think we Molly coddle our horses these days.
Serianas
Well-Known Member
My NF has only had a no fill on this week to keep the hairy monster clean! tis saddle fitter day though so he will be out nekkid tomorrow
catkin
Well-Known Member
It's wet and windy weather that pulls horses down not cold and dry as long as they have a good coat and enough forage.
My ponies have been rugged in no-neck rugs this winter as it's been so wet and they do better if their backs are dry and warm. If the forecast is right and it turns cold and dry for the next few dys then the unworked companion at least will prefer to be without a rug, at least until the rain returns!!!
My ponies have been rugged in no-neck rugs this winter as it's been so wet and they do better if their backs are dry and warm. If the forecast is right and it turns cold and dry for the next few dys then the unworked companion at least will prefer to be without a rug, at least until the rain returns!!!
pansymouse
Well-Known Member
For the average native, shelter either natural (thick hedge etc.) or manmade is a better way for them to keep warm in the winter as it allows them to be in control of regulating their body temperature.
I grew up in North Yorkshire in the 1970s and never, ever saw a pony in a rug; I don't even think they made them pony size in those days. Ours all grew good coats had decent hay and happily and healthily over wintered even in deep snow.
I grew up in North Yorkshire in the 1970s and never, ever saw a pony in a rug; I don't even think they made them pony size in those days. Ours all grew good coats had decent hay and happily and healthily over wintered even in deep snow.
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
You would be mean to put a rug on! I have a 23 year old thoroughbred out naked and unclipped, coat like a yak and covered in mud most of the time. Very warm horse who would be more than happy to boot me if I suggested sticking a coat on him.
The Anticob is neck and belly clipped an naked, coat like a polar bear and a layer of fat to go with it. I'm hoping a bit more cold will help with the latter.
The other old tb is unclipped, in a 200gm turnout, as he grows a rather wispy coat (better that it used to be!), is on the slim side and is a wimp in general. He is retired and his mane is long, so no neck cover required. He thinks he would like to be naked, but in reality he can't cope very well. His thermostat is on the way out - he gets too hot in summer too.
The Anticob is neck and belly clipped an naked, coat like a polar bear and a layer of fat to go with it. I'm hoping a bit more cold will help with the latter.
The other old tb is unclipped, in a 200gm turnout, as he grows a rather wispy coat (better that it used to be!), is on the slim side and is a wimp in general. He is retired and his mane is long, so no neck cover required. He thinks he would like to be naked, but in reality he can't cope very well. His thermostat is on the way out - he gets too hot in summer too.
Shavings
Well-Known Member
he will be fine!
i was uilted in to upping my TB in to his "heavy" 300g stable rug, came back an hour later to find him melting in it! just because every other horse around him have 3 + rugs on doesn't mean he does too!
your boy sounds a hardy type and as long as he has some thing to munch he will be more then happy and if he does feel the cold i am sure a layer of mud will keep him warm
i was uilted in to upping my TB in to his "heavy" 300g stable rug, came back an hour later to find him melting in it! just because every other horse around him have 3 + rugs on doesn't mean he does too!
your boy sounds a hardy type and as long as he has some thing to munch he will be more then happy and if he does feel the cold i am sure a layer of mud will keep him warm
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
Everybody's happy. It gets very windy on top of the hill, but they very rarely use the field shelter, they usually squash up against the hedges in really awful weather and they have been in at night from the end of last month because it is so wet, and I like them to have a dry place to lie down.
BBP
Well-Known Member
I'm quite jealous, I'd like to leave my fine coated fatty spaniard without a rug to burn some calories but he has a muscle disease so think it would make him even more sore. He's the only one on my small yard that is rugged so I feel the odd one out putting one on!
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
I've got a welsh X who hasn't seen a rug this Winter. She is hairy as a yak and really needed to lose a bit of weight!
My other 2 only have rugs on as they are oldies but did fine without when they were younger.
My other 2 only have rugs on as they are oldies but did fine without when they were younger.
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
What is a "rug"?
From Nov - March ours go wild and we don't really care. If they survive our mild winters GREAT!!! If not, well, what a rubbish specimen.
From Nov - March ours go wild and we don't really care. If they survive our mild winters GREAT!!! If not, well, what a rubbish specimen.
Makemineacob
Well-Known Member
^^^ This. You know your horse best so say no.
Woolly Hat n Wellies
Well-Known Member
I have a 9 month old colt. Apparently I'm cruel for letting 'baby' live out 24 hours a day naked. He has a field shelter, lots of good thick holly hedges, and his (also unrugged) mum. Now it's freezing I'm delighted I can stop worrying about him sweating!
If you rug him when he's hairy and he sweats, he'll be much colder and more uncomfortable than if he was just left alone
If you rug him when he's hairy and he sweats, he'll be much colder and more uncomfortable than if he was just left alone
Iwantakitten
Well-Known Member
dominobrown
Well-Known Member
The fully clipped TB's in full work are wearing 3 rugs tonight :O
However the broodmares together in a barn on a deep straw bed are naked.... they never ever get rugged. So are the yearlings.
Its horses for courses. They all look fine, none are too warm or too cold and all look great.
Nobody on the internet can tell what rug to put on what horse. Like humans you get cold or hot horses. There are so many variables to rug/ not rug.
However the broodmares together in a barn on a deep straw bed are naked.... they never ever get rugged. So are the yearlings.
Its horses for courses. They all look fine, none are too warm or too cold and all look great.
Nobody on the internet can tell what rug to put on what horse. Like humans you get cold or hot horses. There are so many variables to rug/ not rug.
Bav
Well-Known Member
Rug according to your horse
Mine is in a heavy weight and I put a thin fleece underneath this morning for when she's turned out as there's no real natural shelter and it's bitterly windy. But she's hunting fit, fully clipped out and doesn't want to drop any weight. But her next door neighbour is a hairy cob, unrugged and happy!
Mine is in a heavy weight and I put a thin fleece underneath this morning for when she's turned out as there's no real natural shelter and it's bitterly windy. But she's hunting fit, fully clipped out and doesn't want to drop any weight. But her next door neighbour is a hairy cob, unrugged and happy!
dizzyneddy
Well-Known Member
l must be a meany as only one of my trio is unrugged. My old ISH & clipped NF are rugged but my other NF was clipped at the beginning of September & her coat grew so fast & as l haven't ridden much before Christmas due to the horrendous weather she resembles a wholly mammoth. I just check her ears everytime l go up & she's toasty.
The problem with people is they humanise horses too much, a spot of rain & they are rugged up, a slight drop of temperature the thickest rug is on. Horses should be rugged accordingly some do feel the cold & wet easily so appreciate they need rugging up. But when an unclipped native pony or cob that has a thick waterproof winter coat has a hw rug on when it's a mild winter day & they are rubbing against fences because they are overheating is another story. I keep them as natural as possible & rug when necessary as over rugging it's not good for the oils in their coats. But that's my opinion.
The problem with people is they humanise horses too much, a spot of rain & they are rugged up, a slight drop of temperature the thickest rug is on. Horses should be rugged accordingly some do feel the cold & wet easily so appreciate they need rugging up. But when an unclipped native pony or cob that has a thick waterproof winter coat has a hw rug on when it's a mild winter day & they are rubbing against fences because they are overheating is another story. I keep them as natural as possible & rug when necessary as over rugging it's not good for the oils in their coats. But that's my opinion.
rowan666
Well-Known Member
mine are out 24/7 unrugged and get no hard feed!
Has anybody else noticed the alarming number of posts on fb lately of pics taken of horses with no rugs (that look in great condition i may ad just muddy as obv we all know horses only roll in the muddiest bits of the field) and the whole world is going crazy because these horses have obviously been neglected/abandoned/fly grazing and everyone must rally round and go and rescue these poor horses and there are "horsey" too people!
it's crazy so everyone make sure you over rug, clip, keep overweight, stables 24/7 and absolutely never let your horse roll... oh and don't muzzle or blind fold your horse with those cruel fly masks in summer either or you may just find yourself the centre of the latest "horses left abandoned and neglected, let's all break the fence and rescue them and be seen as hero's, bagsy I'm rehoming the one that looks the most ridable" saga
Has anybody else noticed the alarming number of posts on fb lately of pics taken of horses with no rugs (that look in great condition i may ad just muddy as obv we all know horses only roll in the muddiest bits of the field) and the whole world is going crazy because these horses have obviously been neglected/abandoned/fly grazing and everyone must rally round and go and rescue these poor horses and there are "horsey" too people!
it's crazy so everyone make sure you over rug, clip, keep overweight, stables 24/7 and absolutely never let your horse roll... oh and don't muzzle or blind fold your horse with those cruel fly masks in summer either or you may just find yourself the centre of the latest "horses left abandoned and neglected, let's all break the fence and rescue them and be seen as hero's, bagsy I'm rehoming the one that looks the most ridable" saga
Regandal
Well-Known Member
My vet told me that the base of the ears is not a reliable indicator of core temp. The horse's body can pull the blood away from the peripheries, including the skin. The armpit is good, I hold my hand in for a good 20 - 30 seconds. Great handwarmer.
dizzyneddy
Well-Known Member
Totally agree but l know my vet always says monitor your horse's vital signs regular that can indicate. But you'll know when a horse is cold they tend to have their tail clamped/tucked in, shivering or be trying to generate heat by trotting or cantering about in the field but some horses do that anytime because they love playing!
el_Snowflakes
Well-Known Member
I don't think you need to justify anything! Your horse& you know best......& after all he is a Clydesdale! X
happyclappy
Well-Known Member
I have several unrugged and they are our 24/7 by choice and they are fine. I also have to very golden oldies with light weight rugs also happy and well. Each horse is different and if yours is OK you do not need explain to anybody.
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
This^^^^ sums it up nicely.
Luci07
Well-Known Member
mine is currently rugged up heavily ... and sporting a fly mask.
Wonder what walkers think I am doing!
Wonder what walkers think I am doing!
windand rain
Well-Known Member
ridden ones have rugs to keep them clean and dry the boy is nekkid and warm we have little shelter they live out 24 7
before she had her rug on today she is ridden tomorrow. Old girl feels the cold so is rugged all the time if it is dry the young ones rug will be off again until the day before she is ridden again
This little chap only wears a rug if he get boney cant say it happens much We are still strip grazing as they are still too fat
before she had her rug on today she is ridden tomorrow. Old girl feels the cold so is rugged all the time if it is dry the young ones rug will be off again until the day before she is ridden again
This little chap only wears a rug if he get boney cant say it happens much We are still strip grazing as they are still too fat