madgirl
Well-Known Member
What have you had on?
Am I being a wimp putting rugs on ?
My new horse has a lw/mw
and my pony a full neck LW!?
Am I being a wimp putting rugs on ?
My new horse has a lw/mw
and my pony a full neck LW!?
rugs on in this weather?
- Thread starter madgirl
- Start date
Gentle_Warrior
Well-Known Member
mine is big cob cross, ony got leight weight on as i want to ride tomoz. otherwise haas bee naked for months now
Moggy in Manolos
Well-Known Member
My girl 'told me' she was cold, her clip has not grown out so she has had her rug back on with all this rain, too much for her and she is native, if she had her full coat she may have been ok but she is rugged again
Christmas_Kate
Well-Known Member
Kid's pony is trace clipped atm, and was cold last night so I've rugged him tonight. Just LW half neck.
claire1976
Well-Known Member
Errr no rugs and gosh I have a semi clipped TB!! Its still 9 degrees overnight, absolutely no need to rug at the moment. Yes it raining but its still mild, the horses have lots of lovely thick trees to stand under and keep dry but are happily munching the grass out in the rain.
Nobody's rugged the cows up and they're out 24/7 with thin skins LOL!!
Nobody's rugged the cows up and they're out 24/7 with thin skins LOL!!
Fantasy_World
Well-Known Member
Both mine are unrugged at the mo will do them good to have some rain on their backs after being rugged up since September last year. Have been checking on them and they seem fine and are not cold etc
I think rugging up depends on the horse/pony, their length of coat ( ie if clipped or not), their breeding and how much time they spend outdoors compared to being stabled.
Cazx
I think rugging up depends on the horse/pony, their length of coat ( ie if clipped or not), their breeding and how much time they spend outdoors compared to being stabled.
Cazx
claire1976
Well-Known Member
The fact that my TB has quickly shed her remaining coat over the last 3 weeks show's she's plenty warm enough. The energy they are getting from the lush spring grass is more than enough to keep them warm. I think when you make the decision to go rugless you should stick it out, they regulate their body temperature far better themselves anyway.
KatB
Well-Known Member
Mine has a cotton sheet and V.light weight stable rug tonight. HE was bathed and was still slightly damp when put him too bed tonight hence the cotton sheet/cooler rug.
carthorse
Well-Known Member
Well mine are out at night in during day now,they have rugs on and I have a coat on.Can't understand people who wear coats themself and put horses out naked, strange.
claire1976
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Well mine are out at night in during day now,they have rugs on and I have a coat on.Can't understand people who wear coats themself and put horses out naked, strange.
[/ QUOTE ]
Coz horses are meant to live outside and we are not! You cannot even begin to compare how humans and horses have different requirements
Well mine are out at night in during day now,they have rugs on and I have a coat on.Can't understand people who wear coats themself and put horses out naked, strange.
[/ QUOTE ]
Coz horses are meant to live outside and we are not! You cannot even begin to compare how humans and horses have different requirements
claire1976
Well-Known Member
There are some horses up the road from me and their owners change their rugs several times a day - its ridiculous. They've had them on when its sunny then off at night, then vise versa then HW for the rain and then off again then LW for nights on off again. Seriously whats the point. Their horses have terribly scurfy coats and don't look in great condition. My horses have lovely shiny coats, have shed them naturally and look the picture of health. I've never rugged up from May onwards. Horses in far harsher climates than ours are expected to rough it at some point, we are too soft here in the UK!
tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
Mine are still naked and still out 24/7 but are a Welsh D and Welsh b x Arab, they come in for a couple of hours every day...
Moggy in Manolos
Well-Known Member
My girl is not usually rugged in may but i found her shivering yesterday morning, and she is a hardy cob type, i was suprised but she needed rugging
madhector
Well-Known Member
Hector is rugged still to keep the wieght on, Jerry just has a summer turnout on in all this rain, they are out at night, and have been used to being stabled all winter so take some time to adjust
Fantasy_World
Well-Known Member
Claire I agree with you about the rugging issue too. Both mine have access to good grass at the moment and both have what you would call grass bellies lol.
When I rugged them both up last year early ( as only got them both in September) it was because I was new to ownership and horsekeeping skills. Also I had groomed the big lad a lot and found that he got soaked through in the rain and so I put a lightweight rug on him. The other cob was rugged up when we got him to try and keep his white colouring lol a vain attempt. I also rugged early to try and prevent them growing a really thick winter coat as I was told by people that rugging early did help with that.
Rugging was not a major issue in winter as they were out in day and in at night. They wore rugs in the day and at night if cold enough. A few times when we had some spring weather and sunshine in the winter months the rugs were left off in day as they would be in a warm and cosy stable at night anyway.
Now they are out all day and night and I will only rug up again before autumn if the weather turns very bad, I want to ride and try and keep them dry, or if they need fly sheets on when the flies become a real pain as I have not experienced a summer with horses yet as this will be my first.
I think most of the issues raised about the general care of horses is pretty straightforward and common sense. My own view is that if people don't have common sense they shouldn't own horses or any animals for that matter, let alone have kids lol.
Not having a rant or go at anyone on here btw just making a general statement.
I will admit though if I have a problem or need advice I will be the first to admit I need help and will ask horsey friends or else on here.
As far as the rugging issues with my lads I will play it by ear so to speak. Their appearance and signs of health/illness will tell me if I am doing the right thing by unrugging/rugging.
These may be my first horses and so I am a bit wary but I won't wrap them up in cotton wool as for one thing horses are very hardy creatures and are built for the outdoors and whatever it throws at them.
Cazx
When I rugged them both up last year early ( as only got them both in September) it was because I was new to ownership and horsekeeping skills. Also I had groomed the big lad a lot and found that he got soaked through in the rain and so I put a lightweight rug on him. The other cob was rugged up when we got him to try and keep his white colouring lol a vain attempt. I also rugged early to try and prevent them growing a really thick winter coat as I was told by people that rugging early did help with that.
Rugging was not a major issue in winter as they were out in day and in at night. They wore rugs in the day and at night if cold enough. A few times when we had some spring weather and sunshine in the winter months the rugs were left off in day as they would be in a warm and cosy stable at night anyway.
Now they are out all day and night and I will only rug up again before autumn if the weather turns very bad, I want to ride and try and keep them dry, or if they need fly sheets on when the flies become a real pain as I have not experienced a summer with horses yet as this will be my first.
I think most of the issues raised about the general care of horses is pretty straightforward and common sense. My own view is that if people don't have common sense they shouldn't own horses or any animals for that matter, let alone have kids lol.
Not having a rant or go at anyone on here btw just making a general statement.
I will admit though if I have a problem or need advice I will be the first to admit I need help and will ask horsey friends or else on here.
As far as the rugging issues with my lads I will play it by ear so to speak. Their appearance and signs of health/illness will tell me if I am doing the right thing by unrugging/rugging.
These may be my first horses and so I am a bit wary but I won't wrap them up in cotton wool as for one thing horses are very hardy creatures and are built for the outdoors and whatever it throws at them.
Cazx
Natalie_H
Well-Known Member
Claire - I am so glad you said that! My blanket clipped TB (which has nearly grown out) is out naked & I was starting to worry that I should have put a LW on! He does have a field shelter that he uses & plenty of trees to shelter under
! Just glad that yours is naked too!
asbo
Well-Known Member
mine are rugged up & have life vests & water wings on
kirstyfk
Well-Known Member
Ours have lightweights on. It is still getting quite cold up in the Highlands. Tufty will have his on all the time as he goes blonde and looks incredibly unhealthy if left in the sun. Will see what the new horse is like but as I said its still really cold at night.
Box_Of_Frogs
Well-Known Member
I agree - common sense by the bucket load. Rug/no rug depends on the horse's age, management, what he's used to, whether he's a wimp about rain, does he have a field or natural shelter, weather forecast for overnight etc etc. My understanding is that if you have a happy, warm horse that isn't calling or pacing to come in, is keeping weight on, doen't have any underlying health issues and is warm to touch and not shivering then he probably doesn't need a rug. If he's shivering, cold ears, tucked up, miserable looking help him out! And don't forget, an air temperature of say 9C - 11C isn't much of a guide when it's been tanking down for hours and the horse is soaked through: it can quickly chill a horse to way under the air temp. My horse is happy as Larry and out 24/7 in a lightweight summer rug - GFS are fab.
TGM
Well-Known Member
Unclipped horses have their own built-in coats! My are all unclippped, and have been out without a rug for weeks, including my elderly 7/8 TB. However, our fields have lots of natural shelter and we are in Southern England so perhaps milder than some. I do admit I put a rug and neck cover on daughter's pony the other night, but only because she had a lesson the next day and is grey! So for my benefit rather than hers!
Janette
Well-Known Member
Star wears a LW when rain is forecast. She is on a north facing, exposed Yorkshire hillside during the day with no shelter, so the LW is helping her out. As the year goes on, and the air temperature rises, then she'll go naked, but atm, she needs that bit extra. (She was naked all through April, but our weather at the moment is a bit 'changeable'
)
jojoebony
Well-Known Member
My 4 year old is put unrugged with just a litle bit of a mid tracer to grow back, he's more than happy with that.
My 16 year old,unclipped, that is in poor condition has a medium weight rug on every night when out and through the day if it is wet or windy. He would just stand looking miserable if he didn't have it on.
Most of the horses on our yard are part clipped and unrugged now but some cope better than others, so my boy's is staying on for now.
Jo
My 16 year old,unclipped, that is in poor condition has a medium weight rug on every night when out and through the day if it is wet or windy. He would just stand looking miserable if he didn't have it on.
Most of the horses on our yard are part clipped and unrugged now but some cope better than others, so my boy's is staying on for now.
Jo
sleepingdragon10
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I agree - common sense by the bucket load. Rug/no rug depends on the horse's age, management, what he's used to, whether he's a wimp about rain, does he have a field or natural shelter, weather forecast for overnight etc etc. My understanding is that if you have a happy, warm horse that isn't calling or pacing to come in, is keeping weight on, doen't have any underlying health issues and is warm to touch and not shivering then he probably doesn't need a rug. If he's shivering, cold ears, tucked up, miserable looking help him out! And don't forget, an air temperature of say 9C - 11C isn't much of a guide when it's been tanking down for hours and the horse is soaked through: it can quickly chill a horse to way under the air temp. My horse is happy as Larry and out 24/7 in a lightweight summer rug - GFS are fab.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree wholeheartedly with you
It's not a one size fits all situation, and you would have to assess each horse as an individual in their own normal set up taking into account wuss factor, amount of natural shelter available, and overall condition of the horse. I have one hard as nails welshy and a complete wuss in the form of a new forest. In theory BOTH should be nekkid all year round, but the little fella looked as miserable as sin last night in the rain so I'll be bringing him in tonight if the rain persists.
I agree - common sense by the bucket load. Rug/no rug depends on the horse's age, management, what he's used to, whether he's a wimp about rain, does he have a field or natural shelter, weather forecast for overnight etc etc. My understanding is that if you have a happy, warm horse that isn't calling or pacing to come in, is keeping weight on, doen't have any underlying health issues and is warm to touch and not shivering then he probably doesn't need a rug. If he's shivering, cold ears, tucked up, miserable looking help him out! And don't forget, an air temperature of say 9C - 11C isn't much of a guide when it's been tanking down for hours and the horse is soaked through: it can quickly chill a horse to way under the air temp. My horse is happy as Larry and out 24/7 in a lightweight summer rug - GFS are fab.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree wholeheartedly with you
It's not a one size fits all situation, and you would have to assess each horse as an individual in their own normal set up taking into account wuss factor, amount of natural shelter available, and overall condition of the horse. I have one hard as nails welshy and a complete wuss in the form of a new forest. In theory BOTH should be nekkid all year round, but the little fella looked as miserable as sin last night in the rain so I'll be bringing him in tonight if the rain persists.
Chex
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
There are some horses up the road from me and their owners change their rugs several times a day - its ridiculous. They've had them on when its sunny then off at night, then vise versa then HW for the rain and then off again then LW for nights on off again. Seriously whats the point. Their horses have terribly scurfy coats and don't look in great condition.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do this, and Chex is in perfect health with a lovely shiny coat. If its freezing he gets a thicker rugs on, if its mild he goes without. To me thats just commonsense, and I think its odd to take the rug off, regardless of weather and temperature just because its a certain month of the year. Meh, everyone's different
There are some horses up the road from me and their owners change their rugs several times a day - its ridiculous. They've had them on when its sunny then off at night, then vise versa then HW for the rain and then off again then LW for nights on off again. Seriously whats the point. Their horses have terribly scurfy coats and don't look in great condition.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do this, and Chex is in perfect health with a lovely shiny coat. If its freezing he gets a thicker rugs on, if its mild he goes without. To me thats just commonsense, and I think its odd to take the rug off, regardless of weather and temperature just because its a certain month of the year. Meh, everyone's different
moodymare1987
Well-Known Member
Our horses dont go in the fields overnight, But in his stable he has a fleece on. Int the field in the day he has a lightweight on only if its a bit chilly or its raining otherwise he goes without a rug.
claire1976
Well-Known Member
[quote I do this, and Chex is in perfect health with a lovely shiny coat. If its freezing he gets a thicker rugs on, if its mild he goes without. To me thats just commonsense, and I think its odd to take the rug off, regardless of weather and temperature just because its a certain month of the year. Meh, everyone's different
[/ QUOTE ]
But its not freezing in May. During the winter of course I rug up and may change the weight depending on the weather but we're halfway through spring now and to be changing the rugs and weight of rugs several times a day does not allow the horse to adjust to the weather at all.
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But its not freezing in May. During the winter of course I rug up and may change the weight depending on the weather but we're halfway through spring now and to be changing the rugs and weight of rugs several times a day does not allow the horse to adjust to the weather at all.
Lucy_Ally
Well-Known Member
She would usually have a lightweight turnout when its raining so that I can ride, but since moving to a field surrounded by electric fencing she has decided that with a rug on she can push through it so has to be naked! Bloody creature!!
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Its cold and wet so mine have had them on some of mine. My "woose" was shivering yesterday even in his LW rug which hadn't even leaked, he was bone dry underneath but apparently just looking at rain makes him shiver. So he's in his MW! And one of my natives who I clipped last month was also looking tucked up yesterday so on went his MW too.
sleepingdragon10
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Its cold and wet so mine have had them on some of mine. My "woose" was shivering yesterday even in his LW rug which hadn't even leaked, he was bone dry underneath but apparently just looking at rain makes him shiver. So he's in his MW! And one of my natives who I clipped last month was also looking tucked up yesterday so on went his MW too.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lukey was trying to dodge the rain drops last night*rolls eyes*
Somehow I don't think he's going to live up to the reputation of a hard as nails native!!
Its cold and wet so mine have had them on some of mine. My "woose" was shivering yesterday even in his LW rug which hadn't even leaked, he was bone dry underneath but apparently just looking at rain makes him shiver. So he's in his MW! And one of my natives who I clipped last month was also looking tucked up yesterday so on went his MW too.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lukey was trying to dodge the rain drops last night*rolls eyes*
Somehow I don't think he's going to live up to the reputation of a hard as nails native!!
Chex
Well-Known Member
I guess thats one way to look at it, but I don't think its fair to leave him shivering and miserable when I can chuck a rug on and make him comfortable again
. The way I look at is it doesn't matter if its 3 degrees in december, or in May - he's rugged according to temperature, not season - if that makes sense lol. Besides he's used to it now, so it would be a bit mean to change now