Blanketing Horses

[Bec]

I only blanket mine if it is really cold..I would say below 30 or if it is just cold and wet out. I try not to blanket, but when the wind chill is below 0, it is time for the blankies!!

 

[halo]

We have 120 horses in training. They do grow winter coats, so we body clip them. We are starting to clip them now as they are getting fuzzy. Even with them body clipped, we only blanket at night when the temps go under 50. As soon as the sun comes up, the blankets come off. Never use a hood, ever.

 

[wyndski]

I live in FL and have three that are 22 this year. I only blanket when it gets below 40.
Hmm so thats been about 2 nights so far this year.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Seriously - how long does it take to get everyone's blanket on.

I'd still be out there on horse number 4!

By the time I got done, I could start taking them off again.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

If you have a horse that does not produce a good winter coat or you would like to aviod a winter coat you should blanket and this depends on how cold it really gets ( wind chill). If you notice your horse out there shivering, then by all means you should blanket. The object is for one to keep body weight on the horse. If they spend a significant amount of energy keeing warm they will loose a good deal of weight no matter what or how much you feed. As far as the hood goes, well it is a good practice to hood your horse. This is body heat lost otherwise. If you do not have a hood, then at least you should blanket. If your horse does not have a leanto to take cover from the wind and ice, then you really do need to keep a hood on. Horses generally take the cold pretty well. In fact from what I have read, thier optimal temperature is about 40 to 45 degress for the environment.

 

[ILoveJoe]

Since I don't show or ride during the winter my horses can get very wooly in the winter.

They don't get blanketed and they have access to a run-in area of the barn. They are out 24/7 as close to natural horsecare as I can provide.

Last year we had 24 inches of snow in March and did my horses stay in the covered run during the storm? No, they stood outside on the south side of the barn and were covered with snow and icicles.

Here is Joe coming into the run in area that morning covered in icicles!

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:

Amazing picture - he's LOVELY!

 

[chickypoo]

Joe has a fantastic coat on him!

I don't blanket. Last winter I put his blanket on for literally 5 minutes and by then he was sweating so it came off. Lance loves the snow too much, who am I to wreck it for him. As long as they have a shelter out of the elements, access to plenty of hay, and can grow their own suitable coat they are just fine.

We had just had a crazy couple of days with blowing snow and it all piled up past his chest in one corner of the paddock, he had a blast pawing at it and tearing it down. You can see the damage done behind him.

 

[Appytaz]

WOW - Joe has some beautiful markings! I have an Appy also- So I really appreciate the coloring

 

[whatsup chickenbutt]

Ilovejoe
that is a beautiful picture!