Old pony - should I rug?

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janietee_5

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I have an old pony (nearly 40ish) who looks fab but I am never sure whether to rug him or not. He is not keen on rugs and has lived out naked for the last few years. However, I do worry about him and am not sure whether to start to rug. I don't want to mess his coat up but I don't want him to be cold either. I rugged him tonight with a thin summer sheet with a waterproof rug on top but I really have no idea. He is fed daily and looks well, but he is very old and I want to give him every chance to live happily as long as possible. Any advice gratefully received.
 
You've obviously done right by him all this time bless him & I am of the opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. How does his coat look? Does he fluff up well? In my opinion by putting a light weight on or rain sheet you are going to flatten the coat in which case he might become cold. Tricky one, if he is still eating well has plenty of forage & shelter I'm sure hell be ok. I do understand yours concerns though.
 
I rugged my oldie as he did seem to feel the cold in his later years. He was worse in the summer because he had such a fine coat and grew a monster winter coat. 40 is a fantastic age.
 
My 36 year old cob is heavily rugged and in at night to keep him warm. He struggles with keeping weight on in winter if you dont. He also gets stiff if he is cold.

I wouldn't use lightweight rugs, although they will keep him dry they also flatten the coat, which means he could end up colder.

If he is fine and holding weight without one, then I wouldn't change anything unless we get very wet weather or snow. But I would use a heavier rug if you do.
 
I'd rug when it's cold and wet but I'd rather use a mw even if I had to give a gut and gullet. Have heard about a lw that allows fluffing up but never actually seen it. It will just save him using calories on staying warm and keep his muscles soft
 
Yes I would. We had a very elderly pony retired with us a few years ago. Normally he wintered out fine and was always toasty. One evening I brought him in and he was colicy. The Vet came and he told me very firmly that I would not leave my Grandad out without a coat.

He was absolutely right, although the pony had a great woolly coat he needed a bit more protection. We had a rhino rug for him and he was much happier and lived well in to his 40s.

Well done getting your old chap to that age.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far! I added a summer sheet under his lightweight tonight as I was worried about him feeling cold with just the lightweight - will post how he is in the morning. I sold all his rugs (he had lots) in the summer except for a Rambo Wug and a Mark Todd Full Neck Heavyweight that I kept 'just in case....' but didn't keep anthing mod weight. :-(. Would prefer no rug at all but I can't help worrying as he means a lot to me. ( owned him for over 15 years and this is the first I have worried).
 
I keep mine well rugged up to keep him warm as he sheds weight if he gets cold in the winter. Feed sugar beat its brill as a source of fibre for older horses in winter and keeps them warm!!
 
If you aren't sure, I'd go up as late as possible at night & check him then. Mine was fine in a lw today, but definitely needs her mw on for tonights temperature.
 
Once again thanks for all the replies. When I woke and saw we had had a bit of snow and it was freezing I was glad I had rugged him. He was just right this morning and we have just opened up the whole of the winter field so they went up to the top part that is very sheltered and looked very happy! I feed him sugar beet, sixteen plus mix and feedmark Extraflex HA and am about to start to add some micronised linseed too and maybe cut down on the mix. I am pleased with how he looks at the moment coming into winter.

I have decided to put his Rambo Wug on for nights that are going to be cold as it fits him really well. If that does not work I will think again and maybe have to buy some more rugs. ;-)
 
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