Rug options for a wet horse

[JBM]

Okie I have 3 options
Judy is in a forestry but she’s very wet so I don’t think she’s going into the trees very much due to her height so I’d like to keep the rain off her but she’s currently soaked
So
I can throw
1. A 50g weetherbeeta rug on her
2. A 250g Mackey rug
3. Either of those options with a cooler underneath

both have wicking properties but thinking the 250g be way too warm but wasn’t sure which brand was best for this?

 

[TheMule]

She needs to dry before being rugged- wait for a break in the weather if you can’t bring her in

 

[Abacus]

Is she clipped, presumably not? If not I would go for the 50g, it's not freezing cold at the moment despite the rain, she should be warm enough in a 50g if dry.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Placing a cooler under a rug is not a good idea. The wicking properties are inhibited and moisture is pushed back down. Your horse will just be warm and wet.

 

[JBM]

Is she clipped, presumably not? If not I would go for the 50g, it's not freezing cold at the moment despite the rain, she should be warm enough in a 50g if dry.

Not clipped! And usually very fluffy but feels cold and at 21 I’d rather she not lose too much weight as she’s perfect right now

 

[Nari]

I know modern turnouts are meant to be ok on wet horses, but I don't feel happy putting them on, particularly on an unclipped horse who'll stay wet for a while. If you can stable, or even tie up under cover, with a cooler on to dry her off and warm her up then that's what I'd do. As to which rug, see how cold she is.

 

[AmyMay]

I think it’s potentially dangerous to rug a horse that has access to forestry.

 

[rextherobber]

I think Amymay has a good point! Has she got plenty of hay?

 

[JBM]

I think it’s potentially dangerous to rug a horse that has access to forestry.

I would usually agree but only considering it as she seems to be avoiding going into the forestry part and it’s staying where the grass is which is why she’s getting so wet
I think she will start exploring more when her companion arrives but currently she’s just staying out in the rain

 

[AmyMay]

I think Amymay has a good point! Has she got plenty of hay?

Good point about the hay.

 

[JBM]

I think Amymay has a good point! Has she got plenty of hay?

Currently doesn’t need any hay as so much grass
No animals been in there since last winter so grass should last her til it starts growing again

 

[Onlywayisup]

Why do people think there is any goodness in grass at the moment, there is'nt

 

[JBM]

Why do people think there is any goodness in grass at the moment, there is'nt

She gets a general vit and mineral supplement a joint supplement turmash and horse and pony nuts to supplement the grass
Also some chaff

 

[rextherobber]

Ok. so if she has enough fibre to be keeping herself warm from the inside, and she's got a good winter coat (not clipped), are you sure it's not you being a bit over anxious? What breed is she? Is she shivering, tucked up, looking miserable? If you're concerned, can you run electric fencing to keep her out of the forestry and stick the 50g on her?

 

[JBM]

Ok. so if she has enough fibre to be keeping herself warm from the inside, and she's got a good winter coat (not clipped), are you sure it's not you being a bit over anxious? What breed is she? Is she shivering, tucked up, looking miserable? If you're concerned, can you run electric fencing to keep her out of the forestry and stick the 50g on her?

Her dad was a german warmblood arab unsure of her mother
I’m a very anxious person so possibly she just looks a bit like a wet mop and I feel very mean ?
I might do the electric fencing for the weekend as the temperature is to drop and leave her til then
Thank you ??

 

[nikkimariet]

Ref drying horses before rugging/turning out - never affected one of mine and they don’t seem to care

 

[Nari]

Why do people think there is any goodness in grass at the moment, there is'nt

Given how mild the weather is there is almost certainly goodness in the grass at the moment, just ask a nutritionist since many of them seem to despair that owners of good doers still believe this. If @Katie&Judy 's horse is in good condition then clearly a lack of food isn't the problem, but food alone won't keep a horse warm in wet weather.

 

[Goldenstar]

Why do people think there is any goodness in grass at the moment, there is'nt

there is ,my horses two of which are hunting are living out on between two and three kilos of haylege a day and a balancer they are all except fatter than I would like .
In my youth many many horses wintered out with out forage or hard food unless there was snow on the ground .I would not be feeding mine at all if they where not in work .
Looking back horses then where slimmer but much healthier than horses today .

 

[soloequestrian]

I often put rugs on wet horses - they tend not to dry under the cheaper thinner ones (e.g. Amigo with no fill) but always fine with expensive thin unless it is cold (e.g. Rhino no fill) or any with a bit of a lining (e.g. Amigo 50g). I'd go for the 50g if you're worried about overheating, 250g is a lot for an unclipped horse. I've had older horses on grass well into the winter and they've done fine - would love to have enough space to keep them on just grass all year round!

 

[tda]

Go up and put your hands on her, base of ears, elbows feel how warm she is , it might surprise you. I have a native pony mare who looks awful in the rain, very bedraggled but she is very warm to the touch.
I have put a rug on a wet horse but would prefer them to be dry or mostly dry

 

[JBM]

Go up and put your hands on her, base of ears, elbows feel how warm she is , it might surprise you. I have a native pony mare who looks awful in the rain, very bedraggled but she is very warm to the touch.
I have put a rug on a wet horse but would prefer them to be dry or mostly dry

Heading up now so I’ll check her! Dropping to -2 at the weekend tho

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Given how mild the weather is there is almost certainly goodness in the grass at the moment, just ask a nutritionist since many of them seem to despair that owners of good doers still believe this. If @Katie&Judy 's horse is in good condition then clearly a lack of food isn't the problem, but food alone won't keep a horse warm in wet weather.

Enough fibre certainly will keep a horse warm in wet weather. Their digestive systems are evolved to do just that.

 

[JBM]

Go up and put your hands on her, base of ears, elbows feel how warm she is , it might surprise you. I have a native pony mare who looks awful in the rain, very bedraggled but she is very warm to the touch.
I have put a rug on a wet horse but would prefer them to be dry or mostly dry

She’s slightly warm to my freezing hands
Wouldn’t say more than slightly warm but not cold
Just about close to being able to feel rib but don’t think she’s dropped any weight

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You might find she is fine I have a pony at mine his not been rugged at all his like a yak though, but even in the torrential rain never feels cold never shivers, mine do get plenty of hay but if you have grass she should be ok.

 

[Nari]

Enough fibre certainly will keep a horse warm in wet weather. Their digestive systems are evolved to do just that.

It may for a young healthy horse with sufficient shelter - which may just be a good lie of the land - but this is an older mare and we don't know what shelter she has apart from the wood. I used to keep mine in a field where the top of it was woodland and neither of them would go in it, horses aren't woodland creatures and don't always feel safe there particularly on their own.

 

[JBM]

It may for a young healthy horse with sufficient shelter - which may just be a good lie of the land - but this is an older mare and we don't know what shelter she has apart from the wood. I used to keep mine in a field where the top of it was woodland and neither of them would go in it, horses aren't woodland creatures and don't always feel safe there particularly on their own.

Yes I’m hoping her companion won’t be to much longer and they might be more comfortable moving in for shelter then
Judy is usually fine but I’m questioning myself as the rescue is sending up a rug with mocha (new horse) that she’s currently wearing and she’s only a 3yo mare so kinda second guessed myself

 

[Fieldlife]

Ref drying horses before rugging/turning out - never affected one of mine and they don’t seem to care

You put turnout rugs ontp full winter coat wet through horses? Or clipped horses that have got wet?

 

[Palindrome]

I'd pop the 50g on, for peace of mind if nothing else.
I've used rugs on unclipped wet horses before and there wasn't any problem (not repeatedly but as a one off when caught out).
I have also popped a cooler then rug on top and half an hour to a few hours later came back, removed the cooler and horse was good and fully dry in their rug.

 

[JBM]

I'd pop the 50g on, for peace of mind if nothing else.
I've used rugs on unclipped wet horses before and there wasn't any problem (not repeatedly but as a one off when caught out).
I have also popped a cooler then rug on top and half an hour to a few hours later came back, removed the cooler and horse was good and fully dry in their rug.

Thank you might do it even for the peace of mind

 

[Gloi]

Why do people think there is any goodness in grass at the moment, there is'nt

Our natives kept fat on winter foggage.