rugging suggestions please

[travelmad]

So I know I need to check my horse (ears and underneath front legs) to see if he is cold depending on weather to decide rugs - but is there any rule of them?

e.g. under 10 degrees at night - medium weight

under 4 degrees at night - heavy weight?

I know its so horse specific but anyone has a rule of thumb it would be great. My horse is a skinny TB who lives out, doesnt grow a very thick coat. has had a no weight rain coat on in summer, and is now in medium weight. He is on grass livery so im not at the yard to check him all day and night - dont want to put the heavy weight on too soon as he will be wearing it day and night. Worried about overrugging for cold nights and warm days

thank you

 

[PandorasJar]

Please don't go on temperature alone! As you say it's horse dependant.

5 degrees will feel a damn sight warmer than 15 degrees if soaked through for 3 days straight and side winds.

I'd always check ears and pits. Ours are all unrugged all year. Oldies rugged for a handful of days. Mostly March when they got soaked through and not a break to dry in. Only if they are actually cold though.

Also check when rugged as we've had cases of sweltering horses in MW's because all that needed doing was cutting out the wind.

Pan

 

[PandorasJar]

My horse is a skinny TB who lives out, doesnt grow a very thick coat.

We have a tb with a very fine 'baby' coat. Keeps herself toasty over winter. They need a chance to grow a coat by not rugging too early, but also remember that thickness doesn't necessarily mean it isn't a decent coat

 

[abbijay]

A hand between the back legs to check for me! Last year it was minus 7 so we finally upped to heavy weight only to discover that BP, despite being full clipped, felt this was too much and was starting to sweat up.

 

[PandorasJar]

A hand between the back legs to check for me!

Poor BP