Shivering Horse

[fidleyspromise]

Hi,

Scenario:
You have an adult Native pony, unrugged, full woolly coat and perfectly healthy although overweight. It is a horrible night with wind and driving rain and pony is shivering. Pony is scared of rugs so it is a real mission to rug her.

What would you do?

Also: would you find it acceptable to rug a horse odd days here and there throughout winter or would that make them colder by smoothing down their coats?


Many Thanks for opinions

 

[lcharles]

Stable? x

 

[Piglet]

Field shelter?

 

[fidleyspromise]

thanks Lcharles. I did this last year (so she ended in a total of 1 night) but I get the feeling this winter may be worse. Its definitely been wetter thus far.

I feel like I've been told off for not rugging her (athough we are working on it and are getting there). Decisions to make with the blowly weather coming in but last week with the disgusting weather, I went up all worried and they were both very snug in their own coats.

Eeyore - Sorry should have mentioned they dont have one. It is an open field and grass/DIY livery.

 

[lcharles]

Even if you did get her rug on, being out in the rain and wind the wind blowing her rug about wont help her like it very much!! x i'd put her in on the worst nights then you dont have to worry about her x

 

[BillyBob-Sleigh]

when you say she's scared of rugs, is it the approaching with a rug or wearing it? If she is fine once it's on I'd be tempted to try and rug her.

 

[scarymare]

Leave her.

I've got 10 (including a TB and 4.5 month foal), am in Aberdeenshire, driving wind and snow last night. I've become a real no rugger since my broody got injured (on a fence admittedly). Since then I really shudder at how many times I used to come down to rugs hanging off in field etc. As long as they have shelter and ad-lib forage they are fine. I used to put on LW rugs but now having read some stuff on here seriously believe they are worse than nothing in this weather.

All of mine are fat and when I went to see them this morning all were grazing happily.

This would not have been the case if a rug had blown over/spooked one etc.

 

[AmyMay]

Stable. Not rug.

I couldn't leave any horse out shivering. It's driving rain along with low temperatures and wind that cause the most damage to a horses health....

 

[stencilface]

As she is overweight I wouldn't worry too much, is there anything for them to eat ie grass/hay in the field? generally if they can keep a full belly they don't get cold, although tricky with her being a bit overweight - but if only a bit I wouldn't worry too much.

Is there any natural shelter, or is she in a paddock with bare fences on all sides? Ours rarely go in they're shelter when its raining, but they will tuck themselves behind it, the haystore or the hedge.

 

[Polotash]

Stable... I'd be worried about rain scald if nothing else...

 

[scarymare]

Stable. Not rug.

I couldn't leave any horse out shivering. It's driving rain along with low temperatures and wind that cause the most damage to a horses health....

Agreed. When I checked my TB mum and foal last night foal was lying down asleep in shelter (big straw bed), mum was standing under one door under-overhang and surrogate dad (big black cob) was infront of the other door also under overhang. Both adults resting a leg. Shelter (natural or otherwise) is essential if playing the out game.

 

[maresmaid]

I'd go with stable couldn't leave her shivering!

 

[BillyBob-Sleigh]

The problem is, if you can't get a rug on her and she is cold and soaking wet, standing in a stable where she can't move around to keep her self warm and you're unable to rug her to help dry her off she's going to get even colder.

 

[ThePony]

Stable. Not rug.

I couldn't leave any horse out shivering. It's driving rain along with low temperatures and wind that cause the most damage to a horses health....

This.

Overweight or not, shivering in the wet and rain isn't on. Put her in a stable on the worst nights.

 

[fidleyspromise]

As she is overweight I wouldn't worry too much, is there anything for them to eat ie grass/hay in the field? generally if they can keep a full belly they don't get cold, although tricky with her being a bit overweight - but if only a bit I wouldn't worry too much.

Is there any natural shelter, or is she in a paddock with bare fences on all sides? Ours rarely go in they're shelter when its raining, but they will tuck themselves behind it, the haystore or the hedge.

This came about because last night was miserable. From what I can see, ponies were moving around the field, same amount of poos and all around the field.
Ponies are on adlib hay (although they're eating next to none). Field looks reasonably bare but they are picking away at the grass so must still be some there

There's no natural shelter at all. its open on all sides.


Thanks everyone. I appreciate the opinions, especially regarding the rugs. I must say in all the years our horse have had rugs on etc, there's never been injuries or issues with them.

I have gotten the rug on in stable but that's it. I am concerned about putting her out in a rug in case she freaks.

WARNING TO ALL: if rugging, put a headcollar on! This is entirely my own fault this came about and could have been FAR worse. I took rug off in field without a headcollar last year and she got a fright and legged it. Rug slipped and scared her, thankfully she stopped eventually and got torn rug off of her. Working with getting her comfortable with it again is a long, slow process and has been built up from towels to numnahs to sweat rugs before moving onto outdoor rugs. We're getting there with them, and stand for hours at a time putting them on and taking them off. At the moment, its the fastening them up that she is iffy with but is no longer bucking when putting them on.



Sorry for the essay!

 

[fidleyspromise]

The problem is, if you can't get a rug on her and she is cold and soaking wet, standing in a stable where she can't move around to keep her self warm and you're unable to rug her to help dry her off she's going to get even colder.

On worst nights, I'll look to stable her and can rub her down with a towel.
We may work some more as if I can even get a cooler on her, which she doesnt freak out at as much as outdoor rugs.

Thank you, it is an excellent point I didn't think about - regarding the being cold in stable if unable to dry off.

Also those that mention rain scald is another serious thing to consider.

I may speak to YO to see if there is anyway I can put my own field shelter in field. OH is going to love me. Just glad there is the option of stabling.

 

[Wagtail]

I have voted stabling, assuming she is not bothered by being in at night. My next choice would be to rug her. I could never leave a horse shivering unless the sun was about to come out and no rain was forecast. Yes, I do think it is okay to rug on odd days as yes, the coat is flattened but it doesn't last for more than an hour or two before it fluffs back up. I have a mare who hates rugs (isn't scared, but she just prefers not to be rugged). I let her go out naked as often as possible, but with the current weather, she has been rugged in a medium weight most days.

 

[stylemichelle21]

The problem is, if you can't get a rug on her and she is cold and soaking wet, standing in a stable where she can't move around to keep her self warm and you're unable to rug her to help dry her off she's going to get even colder.

Good point.

 

[AmyMay]

The problem is, if you can't get a rug on her and she is cold and soaking wet, standing in a stable where she can't move around to keep her self warm and you're unable to rug her to help dry her off she's going to get even colder.

No. In hard, driving rain, unless the horse has shelter, moving around will not keep them warm.

By stabling and drying off with a towel you are in a position to feed hay - it's the process of shelter and eating which will warm the horse.

 

[touchstone]

I'd be inclined to rug her, if it's more the putting on that freaks her, once it's on and she's out she might well be fine. I'd try turning out rugged in a small area to start with and see how she is.

 

[fidleyspromise]

I have voted stabling, assuming she is not bothered by being in at night. My next choice would be to rug her. I could never leave a horse shivering unless the sun was about to come out and no rain was forecast. Yes, I do think it is okay to rug on odd days as yes, the coat is flattened but it doesn't last for more than an hour or two before it fluffs back up. I have a mare who hates rugs (isn't scared, but she just prefers not to be rugged). I let her go out naked as often as possible, but with the current weather, she has been rugged in a medium weight most days.

Thank you She is actually very content in a stable with a big bed. I worried last year when I brought her in but she was reluctant to go back out andthat was when it was warm and sun was shining. Pony likes her comforts.

 

[Wagtail]

No. In hard, driving rain, unless the horse has shelter, moving around will not keep them warm.

By stabling and drying off with a towel you are in a position to feed hay - it's the process of shelter and eating which will warm the horse.

^^This. I have never had a problem with wet horses not drying off and getting warm in a stable as they are out of the wind and can munch hay.

 

[touchstone]

No. In hard, driving rain, unless the horse has shelter, moving around will not keep them warm.

By stabling and drying off with a towel you are in a position to feed hay - it's the process of shelter and eating which will warm the horse.

I agree with this btw, I have yet to see a cold horse move around more to keep warm anyway, they all stand tucked up and miserable.

I also think that stables are warmer than being outside, there is no wind chill factor/wet to take into account, and it is the combination of wet/wind/cold that causes the problems. I know I'm warmer stood in a stable anyway!

 

[BillyBob-Sleigh]

I personally wouldn't leave my horse in soaking wet with no rug. I still think that being rugged up with ablib hay/haylage in the field with shelter is better than standing around, although I know that this isn't possible for the OP. Interesting to see everyone's different opinions.

 

[AmyMay]

Actually BBS I think we pretty much have the same opinions - that you need to do something, whether that be rug or bring in.

 

[lottie940]

Leave her.

I've got 10 (including a TB and 4.5 month foal), am in Aberdeenshire, driving wind and snow last night. I've become a real no rugger since my broody got injured (on a fence admittedly). Since then I really shudder at how many times I used to come down to rugs hanging off in field etc. As long as they have shelter and ad-lib forage they are fine. I used to put on LW rugs but now having read some stuff on here seriously believe they are worse than nothing in this weather.

All of mine are fat and when I went to see them this morning all were grazing happily.

This would not have been the case if a rug had blown over/spooked one etc.

Thank god there isn't just me that thinks like this!! I rug the loan horse I have because he has always been rugged but not Olly.

 

[FairyLights]

If the horse is shivering then its too cold. Bring in PLEASE. Leaving out to shiver is just plain cruel.
You can feed hay or haylage from a TrickleNet. Will keep her occupied and she wont beable to eat too much and so should gradually loose a bit of weight.

 

[TigerTail]

Id be looking at putting giving better quality hard feed and ad lib hay so that she had the calories there to keep her warm. Bringing in a hairy native seems a bit daft to my mind, dont forget you only see her for a tiny portion of the day/night if she was that cold she would be losing weight very quickly.

 

[Tnavas]

Bring them in for the night out of the bad weather. Plenty of hay and turn out again during the day.

I prefer to put a rug on and leave it on all winter - obviously take off daily to check under.

Why is she terrified of rugs? Usually I find that if you persevere they eventually get over the problem. I had one that hated having the rug placed over him but once there was fine about it. ALso didn't like having it taken off, I'd have to fold it up carefully on him before removing it.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

ad lib hay and some form of shelter .. either a mobile on skids of a suitable size for the number of horses out, or some high boarded fencing (make sure it is secure! esp from high winds) in the shape of the mercedes badge, then at least they can hide from any driving wind/rain. they wont shrink in the rain. as long as they are a good body weight, and have ad lib fibre to keep the internal furnace going i wouldnt worry too much. full winter coats esp in natives are waterproof (if you part the coat they are still dry at skin level, and do remember that often they shiver to keep warm .. muscle movement etc. if you are a softie go on either rug or bring in!!