To rug or not to rug (two year old)

[kafue]

Morning Everyone!
Just after some advice. I have a two year old Holstein. I have had him for two months. I am unsure if i should rug him or not. He is at a perfect weight and lives out. I am getting conflicting information from my friends. Just wondering what you all think.
Thank you!!

 

[fidleyspromise]

Have you felt him? Is he cold? I personally wouldn't rug for the sake of rugging. If the base of his ears are cold then maybe try a lightweight and see how warm he is with that?

It can get very pressurising, especially if every other horse (including fat cobs) on your yard are rugged BUT I would do what's best for your horse.

 

[Bug2007]

My 3yr old TB and my 2 yr old NF x are rug free, and will stay that way the most the TB will have on is the LW in the rain as she isn't a rain lover, but more to keep the rain off her then for warmth.

 

[joeanne]

Take every horse on its own merit. If your horse is cold, you need to rug him. If he is toasty under a thick coat, then you dont need to.
My NF is currently in a rug as he feels the cold terribly. But the WB is not. She is fat as butter, and sporting a coat a mink would be proud to own!

 

[Sessle]

I try and leave my youngsters unrugged for as long as possible, but you have to do it individually by horse, if he's cold then put a rug on him, if not leave him naked!

 

[welshied]

I left mine unrugged for his first year then put a lightweight on him when he was 2 but only because he had to have a sweet itch on during summer, but depends on horse really maybe if slightly cold when gets wet try just a lw turnout

 

[Ellies_mum2]

If he is cold then yes rug him but otherwise let his own fur rug do the job it was intended for

I have a 2 yr old Sec D x and she has never had a rug on at all. She has a lovely thick coat of her own and its doing a lovely job of keeping her warm