Turnout rug question

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JeanF

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I have a very hairy shetland who basically lives out and has always been fine.

However this last few days we have had constant sleet coming in sideways on icy winds, and I've found him shivering badly a few times as his coat became wringing wet through. Now I would give him more hay but as he is prone to laminitis I'm reluctant to do this too often.

Question is: if I buy him a turnout rug for this kind of dreadful weather only, should I get him a no-fill one, so no risk of him overheating if weather suddenly improves, or one with a bit of fill say 150gm. I worry that the no fill one will squash his coat and prevent him insulating himself....

Thanks
 
I prefer ones with a tiny bit of fill, less than 100 if I can get it for just the reason you've given. I find they seem to get more sweaty under a no fill, I suppose it's like us in a cagoule .
 
Could he come inside for a while to dry off with some soaked hay to eat? I sympathise completely, my Shetland is unrugged and sweats if the temperature is above freezing!
 
Could you make a shelter for him , even if it's just around three sides , if you look on the post Shelters- buy or diy? ( I think I put it on new lounge ) you'll find a really good , cheap design made using pallets and posts , then at least he could get out of the cold wind and you could even hang a hay net there for him with hay/straw mixed which would slow down his eating and give him shelter at the same time.. My two shets have a shelter but only seem to use it when it's hot so i don't think they are too bothered about the rain!
 
Have a look for a very light one: you get ones that weigh so little they don't flatten the coat, like rhino rugs.

To be honest, if it's warm enough to be sleet/rain then he's prob not going to need his fully fluffed coat to keep warm. Even unfluffed he should be warm enough.
 
My friends husband made a little lean to type shelter out of old pallets! Its very low and i was sue they wouldnt go in it but both her shetties are perfectly happy huddled in side when the weather is really bad- Its literally only just taller than the bigger of the 2 who is a regular size Shetland!- cost nothing and took an hour or so.
 
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