Thoroughbreds over winter ... rug or not?

[Bedford Joy]

Can I ask those of you who have Thoroughbreds who are kept out all year, do you rug them heavily or let their coats naturally keep them warm? I know they are all different and some need rugging depending on condition and age etc etc but I was just curious as to what the general consensus was ...
There seems to be a lot about over-rugging on equestrian forums at the moment, and the local polo yard doesn't rug them when they are turned away over winter .

 

[Baggybreeches]

Some will manage fine, it depends on the individual really, mine is a big raw boned horse who needs rugging up well. Polo ponies tend to be more compact stamps and these hold their own better in inclement weather.

 

[JHC]

Mine is a poor doer - so only lives out 24/7 when the weather isn't too bad (torrential rain, snow, etc..). However at the moment she's out all the time in a high neck heavy weight.

Personally I haven't felt it is cold enough to double rug as she can move around if she is feeling a bit nippy but everytime I've checked on her she's always felt snug.

 

[abitodd]

IMO it depends on the forage available. If they have access to ad lib hay set in a sheltered spot or if there is plenty of rough grass to eat they can keep themselves warm. A horse's digestive system when working as nature intended will act like a central heating system,the microbes in the hindgut produce heat as they break down the fibre.

 

[Jools1234]

TB stud near me everything is naked, over 40 mares plus their foals, youngstock and some in for rehab/recouperation/backing too

 

[Suziq77]

Polo ponies pretty much never get rugged as far as I'm aware - then when you clip them to bring them back into work they're covered in rain scald unless they've been in a field with very good natural shelter

 

[MerrySherryRider]

IMO it depends on the forage available. If they have access to ad lib hay set in a sheltered spot or if there is plenty of rough grass to eat they can keep themselves warm. A horse's digestive system when working as nature intended will act like a central heating system,the microbes in the hindgut produce heat as they break down the fibre.

This ^^^^

I've kept a youngster ISH X TB and a WB X TB on grass livery during very snowy winters unrugged and they got fat due to a very plentiful supply of hay and no work.

Local vet remarked that broodmares at a local stud with a value going into six figures wintered out unrugged and were the healthiest horses on his books.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mines rugged but he's lightly clipped although its mostly grown out. At work most are rugged but the ones turned away only have one turnout on and there are two naked because they simply don't need them in their bear like furries!