Rugging advice

[Chocoholic]

Hi just looking for some advice….

I’ve got a four year old Welsh d who is unclipped and out during the day and stabled at night. He’s a very good doer so I’ve not been rugging him up as don’t want him being too fat coming out of winter and he’s been fine but with the temp dropping to -5 overnight tomorrow would you pop a stable rug on overnight or continue as I am? He’s the first horse I’ve had that I’ve not just automatically rugged so I worry if I’m doing the right thing.
Thanks in advance

 

[Sossigpoker]

If he's got a good coat and isn't skinny then I wouldn't. Make sure he's got enough forage though.
My pony is currently naked ,.plenty of coat and a bit too much weight. He's toasty warm in the mornings at the base of the hair.

 

[Dave's Mam]

My Exmoor is chaser clipped & not rugged. Natives are well able to cope with winter.

 

[Chocoholic]

If he's got a good coat and isn't skinny then I wouldn't. Make sure he's got enough forage though.
My pony is currently naked ,.plenty of coat and a bit too much weight. He's toasty warm in the mornings at the base of the hair.

Thank you this reassures me, yes he always feels warm when I check him in the morning.

 

[Chocoholic]

My Exmoor is chaser clipped & not rugged. Natives are well able to cope with winter.

I had an Arab before him so completely different but I’m gradually get used to the hardier types

 

[Esmae]

My 31 year old is not rugged. In at night with ad lib hay and out in the day with ad lib hay. She has a coat like a yak and is as warm as toast.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

My Welsh D will be 20 this year, unclipped & in overnight with no rug & plenty of hay, -5 here tonight too.

 

[TGM]

Horses cope much better with dry cold than they do with wet, windy weather - remember that unlike humans they can keep warm from the inside as the fibre digestion process creates heat. So ensure plenty of forage to keep this process going, but otherwise he is unlikely to feel the cold.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I had an Arab before him so completely different but I’m gradually get used to the hardier types

Even my Arab's that resemble yaks at the moment and looking well we're out naked yesterday and if they come in I leave them naked most of the time as well, although I appreciate some don't grow much coat compared to natives.