Not All Horses Need To Dress In Winter Horse Blankets
Posted: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Did you already know that it’s unnecessary to blanket every horse in the winter? Are you also aware that if you use one lightweight blanket or a stable sheet to cover your horse during cold spells or winter you might be making him colder than he would be without it?
There are a couple of very easy tips to remember about blanketing your horses, doing it right, and keeping him toasty warm. This article also discusses why it may not be necessary to blanket your horses.
The first thing to remember is that Mother Nature provides horses with a naturally insulated coat for winter survival in relative comfort. Of course, since humans domesticated horses, we’ve made variations and need to focus on these changes as we make our horses comfortable.
Reasons for Not Blanketing Horses
Perhaps the primary reason for not blanketing a horse is your geographic location. If you are fortunate to live in a temporate region of the country, then it is totally unnecessary to put your horse into a blanket for warmth. If you have heavy rains or excessive winds at times, you can resort to a turnout sheet or rain sheet as may be required. Only if the temperature becomes unusually frigid would you ever consider putting the horse into a winter blanket and then only for short duration. In most instances, if he has a heavier coat for the winter, he will not need a blanket. If he is in a stable at night, most likely he’ll be just fine out of the wind in his own natural coat – no sheet, no blanket.
When a horse is unaccustomed to wearing sheets, blankets or turnouts, he may resist wearing clothing or become overheated. Before you decide to throw on a horse blanket and walk away for the night, whether the horse is outside or in his stable, get him used to wearing it first. In all probability, he will be just fine without the blanket anyway.Do not put your horses into blankets if you expect temperatures to heat up sufficiently to make them uncomfortable later on. If it is necessary to put the horses into warm blankets, be sure to remove them one warming up occurs or have someone available to do it for you. If you cannot have someone there to remove heavy warm blankets, then avoid using one in the first place. Better for the horse to be slightly chilled (but no drafts please!) than getting into a sweat because he is too hot or overheats – dampness and drafts are not a horse’s friend.
Reasons to Blanket a Horse
If your horses are body clipped, then it becomes imperative to provide a warm blanket or two, depending on your location. In addition, you will likely require a quarter sheet or exercise sheet for workouts and an efficient racing-type cooler for blowout. Again, the no-sweat rule in winter, when dampness can be a horse’s enemy, applies to an exercise program.
When horses live outside year around and are fenced in, they do require a shelter from the elements and strong blustery winds or driving snow. You may decide to blanket your turned out horses to provide added protection against wet and chills. That is perfect for horses that wear turnouts well. Be sure the turnouts fit properly – not to tight, not to loose, and just the right size – they should be waterproof and breathable. Fabrics now are treated and stitched to provide waterproofing, warmth, breathability, insulation and maneuverability. Your horse will thank you.
In case your horse has been moved from a warmer climate to a colder one and he has not yet becomes accustomed to the colder temperatures. Take whatever extra precautions necessary to prevent variable temperature conditions for him and avoid overheating and/or chills. As he adapts to his new weather conditions, it may be entirely possible to limit future blanket use, depending on temperature and other conditions.
If your horse is stabled throughout the winter, albeit in an unheated barn, and you regularly exercise him in an indoor ring, you may wish to keep him blanketed in order to maintain a cleaner and more manageable coat. Monitor temperatures and use an additional blanket when it’s really cold.
It’s as simple as staying informed on weather variables. Whether you use horse blankets or whether you do not, remember routine grooming maintains excellent coat condition, allowing you to check for rub marks and to keep your strong one-on-one bond with your horse – It’s worth it!
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Heidi.
Great advice! Great article!
Did you do the illustration?
Hugs,
DianneThanks Dianne. Appreciate your support and friendship.
I did the illustration - not one of my best but I meant for Little Patrick to have a sort of "homey" old world look and yet stand proud and tall. He looked pretty good until I colored him in. With the red, white and blue, I had to color it though.
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