Will I need to rug if...

[kat2290]

It gets reeeeally cold like some people are predicting? I know it gets said every year "it's going to be the worst one ever" but I would rather be prepared if I need to be than not.
The ponies in questions are my two mini foals, both 6 months and have excellent winter coats - they remind me of little bears At the mo they live out 24/7 nekkid in all weathers and are very happy, but I'm worrying about if its get down to -10 or so, will they need to be rugged then?
This isn't meant to spark a debate, just me asking a genuine question! This is my first winter with them and I'd like to be prepared! I already have one 200gm fill rug which I bought as it was going cheap but I will buy another if I need to, I'd rather have them ready and if I don't end up needing them I'll sell them come spring

 

[be positive]

I personally would not want to rug them, the main issue will be if we get really deep snow again they may struggle on such little legs to get through it. Plenty of hay in them should be the best way to keep warm unless they are unwell.

 

[AmyMay]

Remember, it's wind and rain that really does it for horses. Not cold and dry. So as long as they have enough forage, and good shelter I wouldn't worry about rugging.

 

[kat2290]

Do you mean they would struggle in that the rug would restrict their movement?
Would you rug them if there was no snow but really cold?
Thanks

 

[Brightbay]

They will be warmer without a rug in very cold temperatures . Mine has happily lived out in -15 with no rug and was beautifully warm (I used to warm my hands up under his mane . If they're used to living out and have nice thick coats, dry cold is no problem to them.

Snow is also fine - it just freezes in a crust on top of them but they're still warm underneath.

It's rain and wind that are more of an issue, but provided there's some kind of windbreak or shelter, they cope OK IME.

 

[kat2290]

Thanks amymay, they do have shelter but never use it which is partly why I'm worrying, eg if there was a period of horrific weather where it was really cold and windy and sleety/rainy they wouldn't use their field shelter! The rest of the field is very sheltered and they like to stand at the top behind a dry stone wall but they are still quite exposed.

Who knew you could worry about an animal so much?!! I also have a llama who must feel very left out, she doesn't get half the fussing over/worry that the ponies get!

 

[kat2290]

Okie dokie thanks guys I think I will just stick with no rugs then, they have lived out in some pretty bad weather so far and are still happy so I guess they will be ok!

 

[Honey08]

Thanks amymay, they do have shelter but never use it which is partly why I'm worrying, eg if there was a period of horrific weather where it was really cold and windy and sleety/rainy they wouldn't use their field shelter! The rest of the field is very sheltered and they like to stand at the top behind a dry stone wall but they are still quite exposed.

They must have felt sheltered enough where they were.. If they've a shelter, just put the odd haynet in there on bad nights perhaps. Thats the only precaution you need - to have forage ready just in case there is snow on the ground for a long while.. Don't worry about them, if they've good coats they will be fine, and much happier without rugs.