To blanket or not to blanket?

[grumpy_otter]

This is a very minor and small debate. If you know about horses, could you describe whether you feel constant blanketing in the winter months is necessary or not?

My daughter and I have a horse, very recently acquired, and the stable where we keep him is an "all blanket; all the time" kind of place. But I kept horses for 20 years in my earlier days and never blanketed--ever--except during shipping.

Horses grow thick coats in the winter, and unless they need to look pretty (for showing) I see no need to blanket.

Thoughts?

[simbalena]

I have no experience with horses, but if a horse is used to a blanket then it might feel more comfortable to be blanketed.

It would depend on how cold the location is, everyone needs a blanket if it's cold enough!

Is there any reason why a horse shouldn't wear a blanket?

[blackstallion681]

It depends on the horse, and your climate. Unless the horse is an all year show horse or has some sort of health problem that requires him to need extra warmth in the winter, he doesn't need to be blanketed. Also, some owners will put a light sheet on a horse during the summer to help the horse be more comfortable against flies or the sun.

[longears15]

My equine experience is more with donkeys and hybrids than with horses, but we only ever really bothered with rugs for elderly animals or those with health problems. I guess if you're somewhere very chilly and the horse is clipped - or as blackstallion681 said, he's a show horse - then he may need rugging but other than that I wouldn't have thought it necessary.

[grumpy_otter]

Thank you all for the input--I am of course going to keep an eye on him and if he doesn't grow a nice thick coat, or gets ill, of course we will blanket him. The winters here are usually around the 30-40F range (with a rare drop to 10). Simbalena, I think the main reason I am kind of anti-blanket is that I think it makes horses less hardy, and more susceptible to illness. And apparently to match the horse's own natural insulation, you have to have 2 inches of blanket to match 1 inch of fur coat. And their own coats do a better job, without the risk of overheating. But from a purely convenience position--it is a pain to blanket all the time. And CLEANING them is a nightmare.

[Lobelia Overhill]

I have several rugs for my horse, he's an Irish Sport Horse and has been stabled all his life, so he's a bit more 'delicate' than a hardier horse that lives out. He wears a mesh rug in summer to keep the flies off, and a fleece in the winter to keep him warm - I think when they're stabled they find it harder to keep themselves warm. He also has a waterproof rug for wearing if he is put out in the field.

They are a nuisance to wash - especially the fleece rugs! but they do keep him clean! :)

[grumpy_otter]

You own an Irish Sport Horse and you live in Ireland? LUCKY!!!!

[blackstallion681]

I got really excited when I read this thread because I actually have horse knowledge that I can share, unlike a lot of the other threads posted here XD

[Lobelia Overhill]

You own an Irish Sport Horse and you live in Ireland? LUCKY!!!!

yes and yes!

this is him
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/MiscellanyPix/Don/243ccecc.jpg

He grew a very thick coat in the winter, and now he's shed it all and his coat is very very fine, I was telling people that we were in for a bad winter (and we had a terrible winter) and now we're in for a great summer (and it has been incredibly warm).

Because I've pulled a muscle in my back I haven't ridden him for a while, thank goodness for full livery or he'd have been in a mess!!

[blackstallion681]

You have a gorgeous horse!

[iCad]

We never blanket our horses, and we live in a very harsh climate: Almost 8,000 feet up in the Rockies. Of course, ours have no need to be pretty and are used to the climate. They were born here, they're hardy quarter horses that we use solely for trail riding, and they grow very robust winter coats. And since we also keep llamas and alpacas, I think the horses would feel like wimps if we put blankies on them. ;)

[grumpy_otter]

ROFL! I love the idea of horses being jealous of the fuzzy guys!

And Lobelia--OMG--your horse is my horse's chestnut brother! They have identical stars and snips! So gorgeous!

Slick is on the right--that's his BFF, Boozer. Doesn't he have an honest face?

[Lobelia Overhill]

You have a gorgeous horse!

thank you!

And Lobelia--OMG--your horse is my horse's chestnut brother! They have identical stars and snips! So gorgeous!

hello cyber twin!!! your horse is handsome!! :D