Warm days cooler nights...rug dilemma!

[Bobthecob15]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure what/if I need to be rugging our Welsh pony at the moment or not...he's out 24/7 at the moment as all the liveries are now out (we are moving yards as soon as possible hopefully in May as its not suiting us)...he's not had a rug on for about 2 weeks but it's been pretty mild. He was blanket clipped in winter and most of his winter coat has gone now. He's a good doer, he has definitely put on a bit of weight since he's been out 24/7 ?

I'm not sure if he needs one or not overnight now as it's predicted to be a bit frosty the next few nights...he has a 100g lightweight turnout or a 0g rain sheet. The yard can put on/take off for me but I'm just wondering of we should just leave him naked now seeing as he's been un-rugged for the past 2 weeks? The yard need a bit of notice as they are funny about requests on the day (another reason we want to move).

Thanks x

 

[JBM]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure what/if I need to be rugging our Welsh pony at the moment or not...he's out 24/7 at the moment as all the liveries are now out (we are moving yards as soon as possible hopefully in May as its not suiting us)...he's not had a rug on for about 2 weeks but it's been pretty mild. He was blanket clipped in winter and most of his winter coat has gone now. He's a good doer, he has definitely put on a bit of weight since he's been out 24/7 ?

I'm not sure if he needs one or not overnight now as it's predicted to be a bit frosty the next few nights...he has a 100g lightweight turnout or a 0g rain sheet. The yard can put on/take off for me but I'm just wondering of we should just leave him naked now seeing as he's been un-rugged for the past 2 weeks? The yard need a bit of notice as they are funny about requests on the day (another reason we want to move).

Thanks x

Will it be windy?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Will it be windy?

The field is sheltered one side by trees, no I don't think its meant to be overly windy x

 

[HappyHollyDays]

As long as it’s not raining sideways and windy leave him naked. You want to get rid of the excess weight he has put on since being out 24/7 not add to it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I'd leave him naked. Especially if he's a good doer with some extra weight.

I'm in the same situation and did put on a 0g because it was supposed to be cooler and rainy. The rain never showed up ? but if it's going to be dry, and not wet and windy then I wouldn't worry.

 

[JBM]

Personally wouldn’t if he’s not older as I find a horse can always warm up if they have grass to eat but cant cool down in a rug. Only asked about wind because when they’re clipped can make them very cold

 

[ihatework]

A Welsh pony that’s putting on weight, naked for sure!!!!!

 

[magicmoments]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure what/if I need to be rugging our Welsh pony at the moment or not...he's out 24/7 at the moment as all the liveries are now out (we are moving yards as soon as possible hopefully in May as its not suiting us)...he's not had a rug on for about 2 weeks but it's been pretty mild. He was blanket clipped in winter and most of his winter coat has gone now. He's a good doer, he has definitely put on a bit of weight since he's been out 24/7 ?

I'm not sure if he needs one or not overnight now as it's predicted to be a bit frosty the next few nights...he has a 100g lightweight turnout or a 0g rain sheet. The yard can put on/take off for me but I'm just wondering of we should just leave him naked now seeing as he's been un-rugged for the past 2 weeks? The yard need a bit of notice as they are funny about requests on the day (another reason we want to move).

Thanks x

As he's a good doer I would leave off now he acclimatised to being without one, as long as he has no other health conditions that would indicate otherwise. The grass is about at it's richest around now.
Funnily enough I'm rugging overnight now for an 18 year old Tb, as it's been really windy and she would have been cold.

 

[meleeka]

I have a simile dilemma. I looked at my mares body condition last night and decided that she doesn’t need a rug. She has plenty of reserves!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't rug his a Welsh pony that's half clipped he will be fine, I find the frost is no where as bad as wind and heavy rain for horses.

My Arab's were full clipped last month and they only have a fly rug on during the day if dry and a no fill on overnight over the top, there coat has come through a bit and they are a good weight.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks everyone, thankfully there isn't a lot of grass in their field so hopefully he won't get too big before a stable is available on the yard we want to move to (he'll be stabled part of the day there), I just wanted to confirm it was ok to keep him naked to hopefully keep the weight gain minimal!! He's definitely not fat, I could just see his ribs a few weeks ago but now can't so he's about where he should be I think now. He's enjoying himself put it that way! Thanks x

 

[Birker2020]

My WB is going out around 5pm at night now and its often 15c but dropping to 5c during the night. I just put him in a no fill rain sheet and he's fine, if it gets colder than that I will put him in his 50g. It's warm at 15c but its not so hot that he will boil. I'm trying to keep weight on mine though, not lose it lol.

 

[Boulty]

If he's putting weight on I'd leave it off as if blanket clipped he'll have hair where it matters to keep him warm & dry. My fat Highland was fully clipped but has summer coat coming through. He won't be getting rugged again unless it snows as even with a muzzle he's looking a bit too well so he can definitely use a bit of energy to stay warm!

 

[Bobthecob15]

If he's putting weight on I'd leave it off as if blanket clipped he'll have hair where it matters to keep him warm & dry. My fat Highland was fully clipped but has summer coat coming through. He won't be getting rugged again unless it snows as even with a muzzle he's looking a bit too well so he can definitely use a bit of energy to stay warm!

Great thank you x

 

[spotty_pony]

Depends on the horse… mine is currently naked during the day and rugged at night - it’s 3 degrees here tonight so he’s got his 100g on.

 

[HG95]

My cob is fully clipped and out in a fly sheet as he gets mobbed by fly's otherwise. He's out 24/7 with shelter available. I don't worry about the nights as it soon warms up during the day

 

[Ratface]

Old Arab (29) is out without a rug in the day time. Comes in at night - rug on if low temperature predicted. He's on grass with tree and hedge cover if he needs it. However, wind plus rain and he'll be back in his Amigo no fill rug straight away. Lost almost all of his winter coat, carrying a shade more condition than usual round his belly, and silly as a sack to ride.

 

[MagicMelon]

If he's a little chunky already then Id be inclined to leave him unrugged now if the yard are being difficult. My two (both sporty types) are unrugged during day if its not cold then rugged at night in 200g rugs (Im NE Scotland so gets quite cold here still just now) at night - one is bib clipped with summer coat already and the other is my old veteran who is a bit skinny these days so I try not to let mine get at all chilly. Im lucky though as keep them at home so I can chuck rugs on / off as needed throughout the day.

 

[NinjaPony]

As ever, depends on the horse. My 22 year old Welsh is out in the day either naked or in his waterproof fly rug if it’s very breezy, and in at night with a 100g and is comfortable and happy. He is older though and does feel the cold.