Wintering out.

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Would you winter out a KWPN foal with no rugs??

I think I am going to buy a foal by Florestan or Florencio and I want to put it in the field until it is 3 (it will be checked over regularly and that is it).
My concern is, although my horses wear a rug all the time in winter, they are taken off daily for a groom and to be put back on straight / pulled forwards etc and the skin gets to breath while stood under the solarium and whilst being ridden. This would not be the case with the foal, the rug would just stay on the whole time and therefore I do not want to rug it, but do you think this type of horse will be ok to live out all year with no rugs (it will have a shelter)?? I know the studs in europe leave them out all year but I'm not sure if they are rugged or not!
It will be fed as necessary in the field and will be at a neighbours with a group of youngsters but they are all native's so I'm not sure if mine will be ok too!!! I live in the north on the moors so it is pretty cold and windy up here in winter.

Also, probably a stupid qu. but if I did do this, then obviously it will grow a big coat - will this affect it's coat later on? Will it always be really hairy because it lived out as a youngster?
 
KWPN's, TB's and Hanoverians and their ilk do over here. They all grow hugely thick coats when left to their own natural devices. It'll be fine.

And no it will not affect it's coat in later life.
 
Depends on the horse, the weather, the land etc. You may have to suck and see, but be prepared to buy it a rug if it's needed.

If it's a dry winter like this year then you'll be ok. If it is very wet, then it wont'.
 
If it had sufficient hay if the grass is poor then of course it will be fine without a rug, in fact probably better off without!
 
The land is good - the fields aren't like moorland they are big pasture's!! And hay/haylage will be given daily!
If it needed a rug or to come in, then I definately would - I wouldn't just leave it!!!!! But I just want to see what the probability of this is because if it is more than likely that it will have to come in then I will probably just wait three years and buy a 3 year old!!

Tia, thanks!! It seems that the chances are it will be fine! As long as that is the case then i'm prepared to go for it as I only run a small risk of having to do another one in the mornings (which I know is the case anyway because it could get injured / ill and have to come in!!!
 
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it will be fine without a rug, in fact probably better off without!

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I'm glad to hear that!
 
As long as he's well fed then he'll be fine with no rug. Ours are out 24/7 but we do give them hard feed, hay and the best pasture mid winter.

As for coat, it'll be fine!
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Have you found one? If so very jealous
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We had a colt fail a vetting today so gutted
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Yes in answer to your question! Maddie wintered out and went naked! She was Selle Francais X TB She pretty much looked like a Yeti for two winters but her first winter in, she was rugged and clipped and was far less hairy. I don't think it was because her coat was flattened it seemed less, she definitely didn't have as much fluff.
Blitz was not clipped the first year we had him as he didn't really get a coat but this year he was a bit wolly so we decided to clip him so fear not the Florestan horses can grow a fur coat if needed!
 
Hiya! Oh no about the vetting
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What did it fail on?? That sucks.
May have found one
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I have found someone with 2 Florestan babies and 1 Florencio. Have a dvd and they seem nice but want to see them as well!! (and they seem to have the WOW which I want
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)
As I told you, I really wanted a Florencio but one of the Florestan's has a better Dam side and TBH looks nicer so not sure yet!!!!
Also want to look into the EVA issues with Florencio a little more!!
Hope yours are well!!!
 
Hock
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All OK thanks, Diva and I won our first BD prelim so are half qualified for the regionals
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How's the little one coming along?
When you choose I want to see the latest addition asap! Keep me posted.
 
Well done you and Diva - That is really great - there will be no stopping you now
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Well, provided you don't get balloted and put on waiting lists that is!!!!!
I pick up the little one at the start of June so a while to wait yet!! I am really busy til then and as I know the current owner I asked if he'd keep her for me until then so that I can concentrate properly on backing her when she arrives. I do want her NOW though!!
And when I choose a foal I will definately send you pics, I can't wait!! I bet I don't manage to just leave it til it's 3!!!!!
 
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