Rug my foal??

[leahisabella16]

Hi all,

I have a 9 month cob foal and have only had him a month. I have read some articles where people are against rugging foals and some who are for. The people who are against rugging mention field shelters, but I dont have one so I just wanted a little advice.
He previously lived out with a rug constantly on. With me, he goes out in the day and is stabled at night. Once the weather gets better he will live out. I only have a lightweight turnout rug and only put it on when the weather is forcast really cold or wet (or haling a lot like now). (I rely on the forecast because I put him out at 6am so its a little too early to tell.) A few times I have been caught out and he has been absolutely drenched bringing him in. I might be being a little soft but I felt awful leaving him in his stable through the cold night with no rug on to warm him up. He has a little seasonal alopecia in only a few areas but the hair is growing back nicely now so Im careful of when I rug him anyway. His field is on a hill so hes really out in the open. I dont want to leave him out in the bad weather with no rug on when he has been used to wearing one through the winter.

Like I said, I only rug him when it is forecast bad weather but I want to do whatever is best for his health. If I am doing wrong then thats fair enough, but I just thought getting a little advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[Micky]

Going by what a friend of mine does with her foals, I would put a mid weight rug on if you are going to rug through cold winter spells, lightweights arent great at protecting against downpours and wind.. I have now put a fleece under my lightweight
We have just taken all our rugs off the 24/7 horses/younsters until autumn/winter.. However you must do what you feel is right, if he had a skin problem, maybe keep a rug on untii mid/end april or when he is out 24/7.

 

[PorkChop]

I personally don't rug my foals/youngsters until they are broken, and mine are out 24/7. However I do have good hedges.

You are not doing anything wrong by rugging him, but he is not a blood horse and doesn't really need it!

 

[Patterdale]

Racehorse youngsters do not get rugged.

I'm sure your cob foal will be fine

 

[Sizzlea89]

My colt has never seen a rug. I think it's just personal preference. Do what you think is best. Personally I think they learn to survive better without rugs. Although I'm for the all natural approach. I don't have shoes on mine and I won't be trimming any of his feathers.

 

[putasocinit]

His skin is waterproof, feed more hay if not enough grass so he can keep warm internally

 

[Echo Bravo]

No harm in putting a light weight rug on him if it's going to pee down and he's also starting to get use to things put over him and on his back, so putting a saddle on a lot later should have no terrors for him. Mine has had a saddle on his back the past 2 days for 5 mins each time and he's not bothered, the bridle will be a different matter and he's 3 in May.