Rugging youngsters in this wet weather?

[bellaboo]

Has anyone been rugging there youngsters in all this wet weather?
I have a wb x friesian yearling and she hates the rain, stands all tucked up head down low, constantly fidgiting around to keep her bum against the wind so i have been putting a lightweight turnout on her just to keep the rain off.
I know really she shouldnt be rugged as she needs to 'harden' up, so am i being really overprotective and soft with her? does anybody else rug there babies?

 

[brackenhappy]

i rugged my foal up with a lightweight and only when it was bad rain! never made her wimpy! this was 3 yrs ago though!!

 

[sleepingdragon10]

I would if I could get a rug on him! Don't see how making sure they're warm and comfortable in this disgusting weather constitues being soft?

 

[argyle]

We've currently got 3 two year olds who we have had since foals. They are all hanoverians and whilst two are perfectly happy naked, one gets very cold and we rug her. I don't mind as although she may be wimpy, at least we know she is quiet to handle and rug up! Personally if they are cold I'd rather rug them and make them comfortable. She's a big girl and I think she uses all her energy for growing rather than keeping warm!

 

[brackenhappy]

i never understood how it made them wimpy about bein rugged up but there was a horse on my old yard that owner had from foal and she rugged up loads when he was young and now in winter when only cold but not wet he has a heavy weight with stable rug underneath as he is complete wimp!! my foal would go from one extreme to the other would be happy as larry naked in the coldest weather then next day would be shiverin!! i just rugged her when she let me know she was cold

 

[malibu211211]

I think it depends on the horse.
My Irish TB will happily stand in the rain and be toasty without a rug on where-as I know a TB x Cob x Percheron (yep, heavy horse

) who gets really cold

 

[druid]

Yep, Ozzie is rugged in a LW turnout sheet - we're up the side of an exposed mountain and it's COLD!

 

[Llwyncwn]

Most of the horses on the yard are rugged as we are quite high up and if they get wet in a strong wind, they could catch a chill. The ones who arnt rugged are mostly native and have access to woodland for shelter.

 

[dunthing]

My daughter bought a very lightweight turnout for her three year old as he was soaking wet and shivering a few days ago. Thats the first time hes ever had a rug on and he was terrified of it at first, then he kept looking round and prancing to the others. Think he likes it now.

 

[Happytohack]

If she's cold, I can't see the problem with popping a rug on her to make her warm and comfortable.

 

[pagancluf]

I'm a softie - I have both my tb's rugged up in rain sheets and feel better - I know they are animals but....

 

[vicijp]

Wouldnt dream of rugging up youngsters just because its wet, especially seeing as its so warm.
The horses that are in work have a light fleece on at night.
My foal is out in this rain and enjoying it.

 

[Shilasdair]

I rug them if they're cold...but mine (TB, and TB x youngsters) live out 24/7 all year...without a field shelter (they do have a small woodland next to them).
I've found that they can cope with very cold dry weather much better than this continual rain; even if it's warm they eventually get chilled.
Besides rugging is cheaper than feeding more!
S

 

[ColleenIsh]

Our yearling is rugged just to protect her coat and she is quite thin skinned , does not seem to like the rain that much