Rugging help

[Sakuragirl20]

Hi My new horse has came with a sheet, 50g and 200g.

Its due to go down to -1 - 4 degrees overnight at the weekend, hes stabled and fully clipped, what rugs do people suggest.

Guides are saying the 200g in the stable and then the no fill - 50g in the field as going up to 8-10 degrees during the day.


He was warm but not hot this morning in his 50g at 5-6 degrees. Do I need to buy a 100g

 

[Equi]

100g are generally useful rugs for weird temps.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I wouldn't worry too much yet. I'd pop the 200g on for this weekend at night then take some time choosing new rugs going forward. If you've got time to get a 100 they are always really handy.

 

[Mrs G]

I agree - I use my 100g rugs the most, v useful weight of rug! But I'd use the 200g for those predicted colder temps.

 

[Annagain]

It's tricky getting to know a new horse's rugging requirements but I'd use the fact that he's come with those rugs as a guide. His old owner obviously didn't feel that he needed a 100g or he'd probably have one already. I'd use the 200g while it's cold. My newish boy came with nothing but a fly rug last summer so I had to make it up as we went along. Freshly blanket clipped in November he was fine in 100g but come December when we had the first really cold spell, he felt a little cold so I upped it to 200g only to find him sweating a week or so later when his coat had grown back the tiniest amount. He stayed in 100g most of the winter before getting sweaty in that too so was in a lightweight from the middle of January onwards. I felt terrible about it but he was plenty warm enough and has kept his weight on well with ad lib hay and minimal hard food. The 100g went back on when the snow came but only for a few days and if I didn't need to keep him clean, I think I'd be turning him out naked now. At least I know for next winter!

 

[Surbie]

It can depend so much on the individual horse - mine is very warm, also fully clipped, and has lived in either a no-fill, 40g or 50g rug all winter, with a 100g for the cold days/nights and lighter stable rugs than the horses either side of him. He's far too hot and uncomfortable in anything heavier. Others can feel the cold more. I have a 200g turnout but haven't got it out other than to check it fits.

Maybe take a bit of time to see how your horse goes?

 

[Love]

As others have said it does vary hugely on the individual horse and also the make/age of the rugs and how much condition they are carrying. You'll pick it up over time the longer you have him. Apparently no one told my gelding he's a native - he is fully clipped but even taking that into account is a real coldy, especially compared to some of the blood horses on the yard. He'll be shivering in a 150g whilst they are toasty in a no fill. Our fields are very exposed on the side of a hill so I take the weather forecasts with a pinch of salt and usually drop it by a few degrees

 

[Maxidoodle]

It’s tricky OP when you get a new horse, its A bit of trial and error in the beginning really, to understand how to rug up the horse in front of you (a lot of them haven’t read the rugging guides , I had a gelding who used to refuse to come out of his stable on a slightly blustery day, unless he had his heavyweight on and I now have 4 who go through winter here (Scandinavia), 2 in maximum 50g and 2 nude. I’ve got 200g rugs for two of them that I bought In the UK that have never been worn here.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Is he clipped? 50g should be fine. Ours is currently in a 0g this week, will up to 100g if it gets colder, he probably doesn't need it!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use 100g rugs the most I would say I normally use a 50g liner with a 50g turnout, so you could get a 50g liner then you can use it under the 50g to make a 100g or put it under the other 2 to make them a bit warmer when need be.

 

[ihatework]

What breed, age and body condition?