Which horse would lose more weight, if any?

[katie_southwest]

Following a conversation I over heard yesterday which horse is more likely to lose weight?

Under rugged but fed a couple of slices of hay morning and night.

Or

Rugged accordingly but no extra forage provided.

Horse is out 24/7, not great grazing but there is definately still grass to eat in the field.


My thoughts were that both scenarios would pretty much cancel each other out.
By feeding hay you are creating warmth inside?
And by rugging accordingly you are keeping horse warm and it still is picking at grass 24/7.
Am I right?

 

[WelshD]

I'd say the rugged one but that's just a guess really

I think a horse would be better off under rugged and with extra feed

 

[Nudibranch]

I would also guess the one without additional forage. Horses can burn calories very effectively to keep warm whereas just rugging makes it more difficult to regulate their own temperature.