Quick question

[Shoei]

how do you check if horse is warm enough? I normally just go on heat under rug. Tonight Chester is hunter clipped and will be going back out to the big field with sheltered barn. He is luke warm with a few cooler patches( full neck medium turnout). As it is due to drop colder tonight I'm contemplating putting a fleece under or his heavyweight on?

 

[PorkChop]

I usually feel their ears for warmth - sometimes this can be misleading if they have been out in the field as often their ears can be cold even though they are toasty under the rug. Also their coat should look sleek, if they are cold their hair looks rougher.

 

[be positive]

You know your horse best, if he were mine I would probably put a warmer rug on if I felt he would drop weight if he gets cold, if you want yours to lose weight then leave him to be cooler rather than too warm, if he is likely to over heat then leave him as he is, not much help you need to go with your instincts.
I have only changed one rug this evening on a recently trace clipped pony who was cool under his rug and cold on his neck he has had a neck cover added but I will be able to check the stabled ones later, most of the ones that are out are unclipped and still in light weights as they are all rather fat and could do with dropping a bit.

 

[Mrs G]

I was taught to check base of ear but current horse is sensitive round ears so I check armpit instead. Generally I think if they feel 'toasty' under the rug they are too warm - it might feel nice to us when we put our cold hands under there but could be uncomfortable for the horse. I would rather horse was a little too cold than too warm and keep the internal warmth going thru plenty of hay/haylege but it does depend on the horse (age, weight etc).

 

[Shoei]

Thanks guys. I have put his heavyweight on, it's only 360g and he drops weight easily. He's been reluctant to go back out the last few nights which is unlike him, so I'm wondering if he was cold. Plus the real feel temp is currently -1 and the wind is bitter!