Turnout Advice Please (Rugs)

[TheresaW]

My horse has been living out for the last 4 months. He really enjoys being out and is happy. Over the last couple of weeks, he dropped a bit of weight, I think mainly because he is working better than he has for quite a while, and wasn't get enough to eat. Am on top of it and he is slowly putting weight back on. Anyway, because of the weight loss, I put his lightweight turnout on as it was suggested he might also be feeling the cold. Over the weekend, he broke one of the straps on it so didn't have it on last night. It has been raining pretty much all night, and is lashing down this morning. I went in before work (About 7 this morning) to give him a feed and check him over. His ears were really cold, but the rest of him seemed ok. He was quite warm under his tail and he looked happy enough in himself too. I plan to go and get him a new lightweight over the weekend, and will get the old one repaired and keep as a spare, but not sure what to do in the meantime. The only other turnout rug I have is a heavy weight, and I know it is too heavy for now. He has got quite a good winter coat coming through, and would normally be clipped, but am holding off clipping until his weight is sorted. Shall I leave him naked for now?

 

[Alimac19]

You could order a rug online. If you ring and speak to the seller and ask them how quickly they could deliver you may get one next day. If your really concerned about the lack of rug for the week.

 

[fairhill]

I would leave him naked - it's still warm up here, even though it's pouring it down, so I'm sure it's even warmer down south. It sounds like his temperature is ok this morning.

 

[kerilli]

Does he have a shelter?
if he isn't shivering when he's soaked, he's fine... if he's shivering, then he needs to be brought in, dried out, and then have a rug on.
can you repair the straps of the old nz yourself tonight, if it comes to it? plaiting thread's pretty good for emergency rug repair, especially if it's just putting a strap back on.

 

[TheresaW]

There is plenty of natural shelter in the field and he wasn't shivering at all this morning. Am going to have a go at repairing the rug myself, but I know it won't last long if I do it. (Not very good with a needle and thread)