Rugs - just gathering some opinions on weights and temps

[cyearsley]

Just thought would ask peoples opinions on what thickness rugs they use at what time. My horse is an ID x TB and not clipped as yet, it is about nine degrees tonight and he is in with a fleece and if it were going down to seven/eight degrees would put a lightweight stable rug on. When clipped would upgrade to thicker rug with neck and then add layers as temperature drops. The general opinion at the yard is that I molly coddle my horse (perish the thought!) ... so go on, am I an oversensitive mother or am I about right......I know all horses are different but thought would get general opinions....!

 

[TiaPony]

Well mine is TBxNF and she is in during the night with a l/w stable rug on - tonight was contemplating putting on a fleece underneath. I think you're right TBH! x

 

[_Libby_]

Sounds as though you do just about the same as me. Maybe I molly coddle mine too lol?
What to you have on in the coldest of weather ? is your horse clipped?

 

[Chex]

I would do similar to you as well, but then I probably mollycoddle mine! Until he's clipped he has his lw on if its down to about 8, and his mw normal neck on if its colder. If its below about 4 or 5 then he'll have his mw full neck. Once he's clipped it gets more complicated -
higher than 10 degrees - mw normal if dry, full neck if raining
7-10 - normal neck 300gm, or full neck if raining
4-7 - 350gm full neck or 350gm normal neck
0-4 - 400gm fullneck
below 0 - 400gm fullneck and thin underrug.

As a rough guide

 

[pottamus]

My Welshie wears a medium weight (220g polyfill) all winter and is fine in that...and he feels the cold very easily for a native.

 

[vieshot]

Mine have medium weights on overnight and unrugged during the day atm. I should imagine the youngster will be rugged 24/7 in a few weeks but will probably only have the middleweight all through the winter (he is a NF and wintered last year with no rug at all so very hardy). My older boy is a Nf but is 16 and will probably be bib clipped. He gets skinny easy in winter. When winter is at its coldest he will have a full neck under-rug, a medium-heavyweight TO and a medium weight full neck turnout all on. Hes a big wimp with the british weather!