TB living out

A

ApplePie

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Hi,

I’m considering putting my TB gelding on grass livery, and I’m looking for some advice on a couple of things.

I have a trainer who rides him twice a week during the day, resulting in one very sweaty horse. This will get worse when he gets his hairy winter coat, but the trainer hasn’t got time to stand with him for an hour while he cools and dries. I’m at work during the day, so I can’t wait with him either.
Would it be acceptable for my trainer to dry him as mush as possible with a towel, and turnout with a waffle rug underneath his turnout rug?

The waffle can then be removed a couple of hours later when he’s brought in for his feed.

My second question is as to clipping. He's going to get very hairy (for him), so if I clip him, will he be too cold where he’s been clipped?

I know lots of TBs live out, so there must be ways around these things.

Any advice gratefully received.

AP
 
I fully clipped my TB x ID both the last 2 winters and then the snows came and it got really cold (-23) He was absolutely fine. I used a mark Todd under-rug and a HW turnout. As for the sweating bit, if you clip now this will be avoided surely? if you leave on legs and full clip then he should dry in minutes - I wouldn't really be rugging a sweating horse - waffle or no waffle.
 
I used to dry my pony and do my poo picking etc, then stick her out with a sweat sheet under her turnout. I would have thought clipping would minimise this issue, though. As for getting chilly, I've never had any problem with warmth outdoors in a clipped and well rugged horse.
 
Thank you, they sound great. Like a cooler / turnout rug all in one!

And, yes the clipping would aid the sweating, but I wouldn't eliminate it entirely. I've only ever given him an apron or trace clip, so he still sweats a little where he's not clipped.

Plus, I'm really not sure what clip would be best if he's out 24/7. I don't like the idea of clipping his belly, because that's exposed under the rug, and don't want to clip too much.

I'm trying to find a belly cover (as a separate item), but I can't see any available.

I might have to design my own clip!

I'm sure I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be, but I've never had a horse on 24/7, and I'm stressing a bit about the whole thing.

I know it is for the best really, but I think it will take me longer to adjust than him. :D

Thanks again! x
 
Does your field have shelter?
I know several TBs who live out unrugged. They need more forage and they need good shelter.
A good winter coat has its own wicking properties. An unclipped,unrugged horse will keep itself moving when turned out after exercise and the sweat will dry very quickly!
However,they do not look conventionally smart and wet mud might make riding prohibitive!
If its raining and my horse has decided to put on his ceramic 'mud' rug,I don't bother with riding.......But I never did enjoy riding in the rain.:)
 
I'm facing a similar problem with my TBx atm. Last winter she was unclipped and rugged to death and she still ended up looking like a charity case because she was so cold. OK so it was a very cold winter but I'm a little worried the same will happen again.
 
Another angle... any chance of modifying the winter exercise regime so cooling down can be done under saddle as part of the regime?
 
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