Rugs..is it just me?

Luci07

Luci07

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Already fed up with rugging. Mine was one of the first to be clipped out as he threw a coat resembling a yak and as I ride after work, I don't want a dripping horse to cool off late at night! It is pretty much everyday now that the rug weight has to be changed. I honestly remember some 25 years ago, that horses would gradually go up the scales of rugs but we didn't seem to have keep messing around with it. I have a rug mountain out already and there was 1 night, mine was in a HW stable rug. Granted we are on top of a hill and it is noticeably colder there than at the top but even so! My old mare who has been at the yard for years will not grow a thick coat and is still staying in lightweights..long may it last.! Anyone else finding that you have to keep a close eye on temperature? Is the weather more changeable or are we just more aware with a bigger range of choices?

and it's not even consistent. I do feel for our YO as even the grass liveries are varying hugely in what they need so you cannot make a blanket call..
 
My horses get one rug per winter which seems to suit them no matter what the temperature. None are clipped though. There is no way I would get into a different rug for different temperatures. If the weather is continuously horrible, or even acutely horrible like the storms last week they come in overnight (though as yet are unrugged anyway).
 
I tend to treat rugs with a 5-10 degree buffer on them, so that rug is good for 0-10 degrees or thereabouts, and other rugs if its going to be much colder, or no rugs if its warmer than about 10 and going to be nice - ie not howling a gale and tipping it down. He only gets his full neck heavyweight after a new clip and if its going to be -5 or something - he's a hot boy who's a good doer. :)

I don't think it does horses any benefit to be stood bum to the wind and rain for hours on end. Yes I know they do it in the wild, but if you want a horse to be supple and muscled its not fair to expect it to be hunched over when turned out imho.

Plus you have to remember that within reason you horse won't die if its a bit cold or warm all day - unless you have a full neck HW weight on and its 25 degrees!
 
I found it was like that coming out of last winter and I was on a yard where everyone rugged LOTS! As much as I tried to keep her as natural as possible I would get the odd comment when she wasnt so I did a little. Im on a new yard now and I still not rugging. Maybe a lightweight in the heavy rain because Im paranoid about rainscald. It is soooo annoying and my hubby used to take the mick out of me for checking weather and temperature every day.
 
My horse has a chaser clip and is still un rugged at the moment. No point putting one on until he needs it! Most he will have is a fleece and a lightweight anyways
 
i work from home and must admit to going out about every 3-4hrs to check temp - including a 10pm check :o
yes i have an ODC - but i also rug a lot to try to keep winter coat off (works well) to try to need only 1 clip per winter (as she requires elephant level sedation :rolleyes:) so i am careful that she is warm but never hot - and never cool or she fluffs up like a yak!
 
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