nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Oct 22, 2014 14:48:48 GMT
I have The Horse on my FB page and this came up today. Thought it was interesting. If you can't get the article it's a poll asking people if they blanket or not and the results are as follows. Out of 1531 respondents, 42% said they blanket only during bad weather, 30% blanket all winter and 28% do not blanket at all. Some of the comments were things like if the weather is really bad they don't blanket but do bring them inside, and a number of the respondents live in areas where the weather isn't bad enough to blanket at all.
www.thehorse.com/articles/34738/poll-recap-blanketing-or-not |
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Oct 22, 2014 15:02:30 GMT
My opinion is no blanketing, no shaving. My horses are highly "working" horses. They are riden and driven all winter and I have never blanked my horses. After working and sweating, when I bring them inside I rubb a horse with a straw for better circulation and to dry him out and that is it. I only blanket my horses if for example they are sweating hard and rain starts then I put non waterproof blanket.
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 22, 2014 15:25:59 GMT
I'm a no blanketer, I believe horses adapt BUT when I used to compete all winter in Scotland my horse was stabled at night and out with a blanket during the day as I had to clip him as we show jumped all season.
But here, no, I wouldn't blanket, I sometimes toy with shaving Dax's chest to just between his front legs where he gets super hairy as he sweats when worked but ack then I'll feel I have to blanket him and I know Ira would rip it off most likely plus it flattens the hair and makes them less warm, so I have resisted temptation so far!
I guess it's best to not clip or blanket and ensure if they do sweat up that you could down properly, not easy in my case as I have no stable, sigh, one day!
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aes
New Member
Posts: 188
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Post by aes on Oct 22, 2014 21:17:27 GMT
I blanket because she gets ridden in a heated indoor all winter and who wants to run around in their winter coat? And who wants to be turned back out in a wet sweaty winter coat?
She also gets stalled at night in the winter but that's more for me. I have zero desire to find her in the dark in -15C.
I think blanketing is really dependant on the individual horse and their situation. A blanket policy for all horses (see what I did there) makes no sense.
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 23, 2014 0:58:35 GMT
I don't even have a blanket, but I do have towels to dry them if they get wet. I never ride hard enough to get them sweaty, and I am to big of a wimp to ride, if it is really cold. I have noticed, on really cold days, if they are all lofted up, they take offence if I pet them, and flatten their hair. They will also swish their tails when I dry them on cold days, but I do it anyway. I think they must feel better without wet backs, when it is snowing.
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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 2, 2014 18:32:24 GMT
This came up on my FB today. I don't know if I can get the link or not. shar.es/105wQr I really enjoyed the article, and it answered a lot of my questions.
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Post by Shelly on Nov 17, 2014 4:13:25 GMT
I read this not too long ago and it supports blanketing in a way. Made me think a bit on my own blanketing habits. The girl in the article is a bit agressive with the topic but I feel as if she has some valid points here (minus the rudeness/attitude parts which I could do without) mytevisjourney.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blanketing-is-not-bad-and-you-arent.htmlI'm in the middle when it comes to blanketing. I work my horses year round, they live outside. Yes they have a shelter, but my horse is usually the one who has his nose stuck in the hay while it's freezing rain and trying to stay warm. He is a bit on the lean side and thus, I blanket him. I also blanket Gracie with a thin rain sheet just to keep the water off her back and to cut the wind when she needs it. Their coat is a great insulator but I feel as it's not wind proof or water proof. On the other side, Oliver never wears a blanket. I just judge my horse's needs and go from there. I also live in a colder climate, tonight it's -10C (14 Fahrenheight). Already this year we have had much colder nights then that. |
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Post by horselady on Nov 18, 2014 0:05:53 GMT
I have always had a collection of blankets for the horses here as most of them are former show horses and before coming to retire here never knew a winter without being clipped and blanketed. that said now that they are older and i see them shivering i dry them off as best as i could and put that blanket on. not a heavy one just one with enough insulation to provide some warmth to the old bones. usually i just bring them all inside out of the weather and i sleep better knowing they are protected from the wet, cold. wind.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 18, 2014 11:09:05 GMT
Blankets...man I just came back in from feeding the horse...brrrrrr out there!
Chance finally dried off from the pouring rain he stood in yesterday that he could wear a blanket....but it is "I" that will be wearing a blanket {coat} this morning, not him.
Windy and high of 50 today....remember we have been in the mid 80's with warm sun and some low humidity....so a 30 degree drop already and going to drop another 20-30 before tonight...heat on in the house and the horse is getting a blanket later. 
Till we close up the barn some from the wind for winter he needs some sort of wind protection......a light sheet it will be with a "storm flap" {tail cover} today, blanket tonight!
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 18, 2014 14:12:02 GMT
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Post by horselady on Nov 18, 2014 14:39:30 GMT
When i was at the show barn taking lessons and the horses got wet from being out in the field. my instructor would have us put the blankets on and for air circulation stuff hay under the blanket. the horses were dry quickly and the horses hair stayed up right as the weight of the blanket did not push the hair flat, I have done that here with a couple of retired horses and they were grateful for the comfort.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 18, 2014 14:50:59 GMT
I'm further south than you mm....
Chance was shivering when I came in from work....eating hay and shivering.
His greeting of a whinny sent me to look at him....then watched him for about 30 minutes to see what was up from inside the house...
He now has his blanket on.
We are experiencing nasty thunderstorms with cold winds, very gusty.
Temps have dropped 18+ degrees since 6:00AM when I last had looked at the thermometer, that does not account for windchill just actual temp on the thermometer.
Since I blanketed Chance he has settled down, no longer pacing in agitation and is eating his hay quietly...
I know what they say about blankets { wag finger}, but the horse is happier covered than naked, so be it...he is covered.
What can I tell you, the horse is a sissy.... 
I think much depends upon the animal...some enjoy being naked, some do not...
I do what makes the animal happy and comfortable.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 18, 2014 15:30:02 GMT
oh hl4l, I'm not against blanketing at all. Sounds like Chance needed that extra bit of warmth and I'm glad you were able to help him!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2014 18:48:46 GMT
I blanket because largely in part I suppose because it helps me feel better.
I also blanket or sheet year round with the exception of late spring(when its warm, but the flies aren't out yet) and early fall (still warm, fewer flies).
In the winter I blanket because the horses I have owned have either been hard keepers, or in various degrees of work. I typically trace clip any horse that will be working over the winter, and blanket accordingly.
I know plenty of horses that do just fine without blankets, but for my peace of mind I like to have them.
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Post by Shelly on Nov 22, 2014 4:30:02 GMT
ok just to add to this debate... Today/last night... can you say BRRR!! Over here it was -18C (-1F) and windy... they where saying with the wind chill factor it felt like -26C (-15F) ... AND IT'S ONLY NOVEMBER
they are calling for warm temperature on Sunday/Monday with a high of 6C. How can they possibly acclimatize themselves properly when mother nature is being an inconsistent witch with mood swings LOL
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