rugs

[madeleine1]

i own a 16hh sport horse, shes out in a field with very little shelter for the summer. there is a hedge on three sides but thats all. i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on when she might need a rug on or if she even does. shes going back into livery in the winter so she has a stable.

a few questions are:

in the summer when its warm does she need a rug when its raining?

if its a really windy day does she need a rug?

is it ok to ride her in the rain?

should i put an exercise sheet on her in the rain when i ride?

 

[mja]

I take it being a sport horse she is fairly fine?

Our Tb's are out with just hedge for shelter in all weather and are fine as warm enough without rugs. I only groom a little where tack goes so no sores from rubbing so they keep natural oils for waterproofing in coats and therefore they do not wear rugs usually. If temp drops and wet and windythey will have a light summer sheet through the night but havent as yet.

Rest of the time they wear fly rugs and masks as both are thin skinned and suffer allergies from bites.

There are lots at yard of different breeds with no rugs all summer in all weather so should be fine.

Riding in rain yes is fine and its up to you if use exercise sheet but I dont bother in summer as warm and they dry out pretty quick. If very wet after ride once cooled down I sometimes put on fleece rug to keep her from getting a chill and to help dry if not warm day.

 

[madeleine1]

shes a little heavier then a fine tb but yer shes not chunky. i think im gonna go take her rug of. i just worry to much and i realise horses can stand weather better then humans. thanks