shivering horses in this heavy rain - would you rug?

[lucky7]

Found my 2 cobs shivering in the rain this morning, one is 2 and the other 4. They both looked miserable, i have no shelter/stable to bring them in to dry and they only have a few trees. Normally there fine, but rain is very heavy and persistant so i popped a LW on them both normally would leave them to it but rain is in for the day and very heavy.
They certainly seemed happier - waited with them for 20 mins and the cob had stopped shivering.
I know you shouldn't rug wet horses but what would have you done?? both rugs have the nylon type lining.

 

[Milanesa]

I rugged mine today they were already wet not ideal but they soon dry off and then will be warmer

 

[noodle_]

mine is back in her rug with a neck on (140)

shes very happy and warm....although im sure she would adore a thicker rug...not happening as i dont want her too hot!

 

[Cocorules]

I would have rugged them just like you. Persistent rain makes even the tougher ones cold. I feel sorry for the ones with no shelter and no rugs out in this.

 

[Victoria25]

Both of mine rugged today brrrrrr

 

[Supertrooper]

It's tricky, I don't like to see them shaking so I always do something. My cob was shaking this morning even with a lightweight on so he's now in for for day with stable rug on.

I've put fleeces on before and then a lightweight over the top when horse has been wet and they've been fine.

Also make sure they've got hay to warm them from inside.

I always have found it's the wind/rain combination that gets them xx

 

[Wagtail]

I would rug with a medium or lightweight with some filling. Lightweights with no fill will make them worse in this weather.

 

[Daisy11]

I have my cob rugged she is a pansy when it comes to rain

 

[TicTac]

I would have done the same. It is rather extreme weather we are having at the moment and I think you just have to do what ever you can to try and make your horse comfortable. As long as the rugs are breathable you shouldn't have a problem. Might be a good idea to change the rugs to drier ones later if you can.

 

[nat_1]

I was uming n arring this morn wether to go n get mine in before work,I'm glad I did.she was shivering in her rain sheet,so I put her in with fleece on.she looked so relievedmynching on her hay.that's the first time I've seen her shivering (idxcob 2yrs).
Now I don't know wether to leave in tonight aswell or chuck back out later with half neck med/hev weight???

 

[scarymare]

I must admit I broke one of my strictest rules and rugged my TB yesterday - even though she's still feeding her foal. She is so thin and I just couldn't stand seeing her shivering. They have loads of hay, grass and shelter though. Didn't turn out my mare and foal today either (well I did try but she just came back into her stable and gave me one of 'those' looks.

 

[TicTac]

I would rug with a medium or lightweight with some filling. Lightweights with no fill will make them worse in this weather.

I have a rambo lightweight, no fill ( and neck cover) on my mare and she has stayed completely dry and toasty even in this horrible weather.

 

[Tr0uble]

Absolutely I would rug.

My boy has stood in for two days as it's so bad here...all he'd do is stand at the gate wanting to be in....so he's in!

 

[Irishbabygirl]

I would have popped meds on them, warms and dries them nicely. Find lights a waste of time in this weather!

 

[SusieT]

yes. and I'd be getting them a field shelter asap as that's why they're shivering-no shelter;

 

[scarymare]

I have a rambo lightweight, no fill ( and neck cover) on my mare and she has stayed completely dry and toasty even in this horrible weather.

Yep same. I hate rugging the babies and broodies so dangerous so mine has lived out for last 3 years without rug. Was toasty as this morning in the lightweight, at least if something nasty does happen it will rip.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Last week I went to the field gate and saw my 15 year old 18.1hh Shire mare shivering in the wind and rain. It broke my heart. I brought her and her field mate into our polebarn and put light weight fleeces on each one. The rugs whisked away the wet and they were dry in no time. I kept them in overnight. I noticed the shivering one started to cough and bring up gunk that looked like custard. Had the vet out and he said he had seen 3 other horses with the same problem that day (not in my area). He put her on Ventipulmen and Sputilosin (sp). She's so much better now. They are all in today. I would have rugged them as you had done.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

I would have just given them more hay

 

[AmyMay]

Yep, definately rugged.

 

[Marydoll]

Yes a shivering horse is cold and this persistant rain will keep them cold if theyre not dried off and rugged

 

[Sophstar]

ive brought in my little one into his stable to give him a chance to dry off and being the runt of the herd wouldn't be allowed to stand under the trees or in the shelter

the cob was left naked...they have a great big shelter to go into and he decided eating in the middle of the field was his best option (however i was kind enough not to put his grazing muzzle on this morning!) thought he would just attempt to use it as a snorkel and stay out exposed even longer!

 

[RutlandH2O]

yes. and I'd be getting them a field shelter asap as that's why they're shivering-no shelter;

Funny you say that...I have large field shelters in all of my paddocks and the horses never use them when it's raining or windy or both. They use them daily in summer to shelter from the sun and flies. There are fresh haynets in those shelters, as well. Not having a field shelter is not why those horses were shivering!

 

[FairyLights]

I 've brought mine in to dry off but they'll be out later with plenty of hay. Mine were in their field shlter this morning and spent some time in there yesterday too. they do have a deep straw bed in their field shelter and I find they go in and often lie down on the straw in preference to wet grass.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Funny you say that...I have large field shelters in all of my paddocks and the horses never use them when it's raining or windy or both. They use them daily in summer to shelter from the sun and flies. There are fresh haynets in those shelters, as well. Not having a field shelter is not why those horses were shivering!

Same here! We have a huge shelter in our field and the horses only seem to use it in the summer! They were all happily grazing in the rain and wind this morning and my naked cob was as warm as toast between his back legs!

 

[Daffodil]

Mine stabled at night, but spent the morning in. Now out and rugged with under-quilt and h/w necked rug and field boots. Just started raining again.

He had to have the vet out one day a couple of years ago when he got cold and wet and have taken no chances since.

 

[catkin]

Driving rain and strong wind is much more debilitating than cold, so yes, I have rugged up today, even the sheltie. They are certainly not complaining.

 

[SusieT]

daffodil-a heavyweight?! and an underquilt?! Poor horse is probably boiled..

 

[JFTDWS]

I gave in and rugged my cob the other day as he was soaked. Fergs is rugged anyway for cleanliness reasons, so is dry and fine. Darach's still naked, don't have a rug to fit him anyway. Gave in doubly today as my field is flooded and shoved them in stables. Blech.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I would have rugged, my mare gets colicly when she get cold in the rain.
Xx

 

[Jesstickle]

Well, Nitty has a rug on. First time all winter. So it must be bad! BH is going to be mighty pissed off when I go to fetch him in tonight. I fear I may die!