Onesies does not maketh a baby & other ridiculous

[dollyanna]

More and more I find myself going the other way, seeing how little I really need to have happy healthy ponies. I personally wouldn't use a onesie, but then I wouldn't wear one myself either. I also don't put anything on my dog other than a coat for warmth as he gets older, but only when it is really wet. What I have found interesting is watching how my two ponies' coats manage with very little interference - they are out 24/7 the whole year, just natural shelter, and hardly groomed in the winter (only when totally dry to do a thorough check) yet they can be covered in mud one wet day but by the end of the following day with a stiff breeze they are spotless again. They are always warm, the other night were steaming in the rain! From watching all this I really hope I can find a way to avoid too much rugging etc when they are old enough to be in work, as having seen how their coats are supposed to work I would be very sad to suppress that. Yes, mine are natives, and not in hard work etc, but I do wonder if we overdo things more often than not in the rug department.

 

[cambrica]

I've been pondering onesies.
Surely the above applies to rugs especially with neck covers and hoods as well? Obviously the onsies with legs are a step further but what makes onsies worse? Tbh I expect the horse is no more upset by a onesie than full rug regalia including leg and over reach boots.
How much is our perception of the attitude of owners who use animal print or twee printed onesies?

In the end any covering is going to impact temperature control, comfort, sensory stimuli and normal behaviours.

I understand that there probably isn't much of a difference but the subject of rugging a horse is opening up a whole new can of worms. I have my opinion on that too but hasten to add that whatever anybody chooses to attire their horse with is no business of mine and doesn't really bother me. Merely the fact that its an open topic of conversation on the forum.
However, my opinion is that horses are over-rugged and in many cases it is not necessary and not of any benefit to the horse. I understand if a horse is clipped and in work where rugging is essential because of sweat then the pro's of rugging outweigh the con's. In reality though it would be interesting to see what percentage are clipped for no good reason or rugged with full coats when it is completely unnecessary.
I have natives that are not clipped, have no rugs (except the two old ladies when the temperature really plummets well below zero) but so far this year it has been very mild. So mine would overheat if I rugged them and I never think for one minute that they roll in the mud just to pee me off, they do it for some pretty good reasons so why would I want to take that away from them just to make my life easier.

 

[cambrica]

More and more I find myself going the other way, seeing how little I really need to have happy healthy ponies. I personally wouldn't use a onesie, but then I wouldn't wear one myself either. I also don't put anything on my dog other than a coat for warmth as he gets older, but only when it is really wet. What I have found interesting is watching how my two ponies' coats manage with very little interference - they are out 24/7 the whole year, just natural shelter, and hardly groomed in the winter (only when totally dry to do a thorough check) yet they can be covered in mud one wet day but by the end of the following day with a stiff breeze they are spotless again. They are always warm, the other night were steaming in the rain! From watching all this I really hope I can find a way to avoid too much rugging etc when they are old enough to be in work, as having seen how their coats are supposed to work I would be very sad to suppress that. Yes, mine are natives, and not in hard work etc, but I do wonder if we overdo things more often than not in the rug department.

/\ /\ /\ Round of applause /\ /\ /\

 

[Loubidy]

I think onesies for horses are ridiculous. My horse would have a hairy fit if I tried to put one on him. They can't like them surely?

 

[WelshD]

spot the HHO member who has a zebra print onesie in their horse's wardrobe and possibly a pair of leapord print fleecy pony pajamas as well.

Me? Actually i have neither of those things but no you arent far off.... I
dont posess a pony onesie and wouldnt use a fleece one but would use one in a better fitting breathable material. I do own various snuggy hood items, some for sweet itch reasons but others are admittedly a bit less necessary

Point is i'm sensible about the weather conditions, i dont over rug and i dont turn out in anything that the pony cannot move freely in

Pony hasnt exploded yet.....!