To rug or not to rug my connemara yearling this winter?What do you think?

PogoPumpkinBecky

PogoPumpkinBecky

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I was planning on turning my connemara yearling out for winter with no rug, however some have said he should be rugged. So now I'm not sure, would like to know more peoples opinions please! :)
 
your connie is a m&m. feed accordingly. leave out. provide shelter natural or otherwise, in extreme conditions a rain sheet should suffice. make sure ad lib hay, small daily feed. watch his condition, as he is a youngster he will go through growing lanky stages. he will tell you if he is not happy. ps its only sept, so not cold or extreme.
 
A lot depends on where you are - is it a nice lowland field, with natural shelter, a good hedge line and a herd of other ponies that he can huddle up with?

Or is it an exposed, windy field open to the elements, with hardly a tree or shrub to be found, and only a couple of ponies?

If the former, and he is in condition, I think I would prefer a youngster to be rugless as much as possible, as he is a native and should be hardy, and they can get into all sorts of both with straps at that age.

But if it's an exposed field, the wind cuts through like a knife, and/or he is quite thin, I would probably rug, but only when necessary ie on wet cold nights, and off again in the day.

Does that help??!
 
It is an exposed field in Norfolk, although we do have a large field shelter which he will have access to at all times.
He will also have adlib hay and good food.
He will be living out with one other horse for company so may get some warmth from him!
I think thats a good idea to leave him un rugged apart from in extreme conditions such as snow/hail?
Thanks for your advise :)
 
My 5 warmblood youngsters live in a herd in a large field with permanent access to a large barn. I don't rug them but often see them happily out grazing when it is p**ing down. They tend to come into the barns to get away from the flies more than from the rain.

Personally I prefer not to rug youngsters.
 
I wouldn't be rugging. He's a native and i'm sure he'll head into winter in good condition! If the shelter is there he can get out of bad weather if he needs to. I'd be guided by him though, if he's feeling cold or looking miserable - stick a rug on!
 
Don't rug a native youngster!! He will grow a lovely fluffy coat and do what he would do in the wild! If you put a thin rug on top you will make him cold as his coat won't be able to stand up and trap warmth... If you start putting rugs on youngsters they will be soft for the rest of their lives. If you've a field shelter he will be fine. Don't even worry if you see him with his head down, back to the wind, (looking quite fed up!) thats what horses do. The only time to worry is if he's not keeping weight on, or shivering loads. Most people who tell you to put rugs on will be the kind of people that humanise their horses. If a horse could choose he would not have cumbersome rugs on his back, he would be able to roll and be a horse...

I would totally agree with Eggs in that our lot only use the shelter in the heat! Don't be put off by "soft" people - what you are doing is right!x
 
Ok.
Thanks for all your help! I think I will leave him un rugged this winter, and just keep an eye on his weight.
I agree, he has only ever had rugs on before for about an hour, so he is used to them, and he is native so should be able to cope with his natural coat.
:)
 
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