those with naked horses

[RubysGold]

I have a bit of a silly question.
Im used to my wimp of a horse that shivers if she gets wet (in autumn/winter) so have never had to think about this

i now have a fluffy 3yo cob, he doesn't need a rug. My horses are turned out through the day and in at night.
When it rains and s fetch him in for night i always worry about him getting a chill. I would never bath a horse in winter so it worries me when he gets soaked.
Should i have something to dry him with or is he fine?
Sorry a bit long winded

 

[teasle]

Rubysgold I also have a fluffy cob. He s out of work as has been lame-so is not clipped-so is not rugged . Your horse will be fine.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

He'll be fine! Feel base of ears and armpits. Bet they're warm as toast!

 

[TBB]

Here there are about 35 Tbs on a similar routine to yours, in at night and out during the day, and they range in age from weanlings to older broodmares and pensioners. None wear rugs and if they come in wet (which they do quite regularly) or dripping with mud (which some do everyday!) they soon dry off in their boxes or barns (depending where they live) and are fine and dont get chills or anything else. I should point out that they are not in work and are not groomed so have all their natural oils present in their coats.

 

[FairyLights]

He'll be fine. horses have a layer of grease next to the skin which waterproofs them. It is only removed by excessive grooming or washing with shampoo,so a rain soaked horse is still waterproofed but a shampooed horse isnt.

 

[Swift08]

He will be fine Sasha is the only naked one at the yard and she may come in wet but she is nice an warm and her stable isn't drafty so all is well. And being her colour she doesn't show the dirt either

 

[Twinkle Twinkle]

Ellie is naked she has a thick coat and she comes in at night they cope very well so don`t worry

 

[hairycob]

When he next gets wet push your fingers right into his coat close to the skin. You will be amazed how dry it is.

 

[RolyPolyPony]

I have a 2 year old native pony who is out unrugged during day and in by night (yard doesn't allow horses to be out by night to make sure grazing doesn't get churned up too much) she has a lovely thick coat and I've already noticed she is molting like there no tomorrow!! Your cob will be fine!

 

[starryeyed]

I agree that he should be fine, his fluffyness will keep him warm and dry - if it's a really freezing night or if he's been charging round & is dripping with sweat and you're worried about him there's no harm in popping a sweat rug / cooler over him but i shouldn't worry too much.

 

[RubysGold]

Thank you for your responses

Horsesforever, thanks for explaining that, that makes sense

 

[bumblelion]

My idx is naked when out (unless really cold, wet and windy). I do rug him at night (stabled) when cold enough though lightly, as he's arthritic and don't like him getting a chill to his joints when he can't move about, as he can get stiff. If he comes in soaking I tend to put his thermatex on to dry him off, unless the weathers this mild. He's been naked 24/7 the past few days!

 

[lassiesuca]

I kept my 5 year old out last winter in the snow without a rug, he was a nice weight, warm and never clipped and was a fluff ball. He was a NF x welshie. He kept his weight nicely. If you have natural or artificial shelter, then you shouldn't worry, just keep an eye on his weight.

I have a Warmblood x tb mare who isn't clipped (I don't clip my horses), and she is rugged however because she shivers, although sometimes she just needs a rainsheet on and she's okay. My 5 year old would just rip rugs and pull them off anyway, so as long as he has shelter, I wasn't bothered.

I'm sure he'll be okay, horses are designed to live outdoors

 

[classicalfan]

Hmm, naked horses. On my planet horses have hair all over.
Happy New Year!

 

[RubysGold]

hahaha