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Post by majandra on Sept 10, 2016 14:15:01 GMT
This previous winter, my old boy just couldn't keep the weight on, and was cold despite having a very thick fur coat. So after much stress and trips to the barn for extra feedings, I've decided to put him on indoor board overnight this year, a month earlier than most horses.
Now previously, I'd only blanket when it was extremely cold, or have a rain sheet on him when the wind as high (and yes a rainsheet worked great combined with his heavy coat, a least when he was a couple years younger). I know there is some controversy about when to blanket and with what, and of course every horse is different.
With that said, what do you guys think about what to blanket with- 26yo anglo arab, likely won't be clipped.
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572 
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Post by Lipizzan on Sept 10, 2016 14:40:42 GMT
I think it's a good idea.
I normally never blanket my horses.
But, if his teeth are right, he has no health issues that could cause him loose weight, then it could be that he can't put weight on because he is trying to keep himself warmed up. That beeing said blanket will help.
Try to choose a good blanket because it will stay for the longer time on him.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Sept 10, 2016 15:39:58 GMT
Maj., sounds like to me you have a good handle on your horse, so your judgement and feedback from your horse will work just fine.
Our Ziggy was a rescue and very skinny, shivered all of the time but again, can't simply keep feeding her without running defense from our other horses who are more than chubby enough. So we free fed low quality grass hay or oat straw. Something that won't have too many calories or food value but plenty of roughage to keep their tummy working and let metabolism warm them up. It worked well and didn't overly fatten our other horses.
Some folks don't understand that oat straw isn't a poison, it isn't wood chips, its the stem or more accurately culm of a grass plant just like grass hay, but its a grass that has a seed head with very little leaf when it is usually harvested for hay. Wheat straw is okay but wheat has a part of the seed head that looks kind of like a needle (awn) and wheat has longer sharper awns than oats which can get in an animals gums which MAY lead to an abscess, not always but possible, same with rye, which is why we use oat straw and not wheat.
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Post by horselover4life on Sept 10, 2016 15:48:41 GMT
Just being inside out of the colder elements may make a difference in the horses comfort level.
Being able to be indoors, out of a cool breeze, damper conditions to now having walls for wind protection and a roof and other bodies to assist in winter warmth....
I have blanketed when warranted, left naked when warranted.
Just remember the horse still needs to grow a coat...first!
Do not blanket to soon or to heavily.
Allow Mother Nature to supply warmth of a coat grown.
Once the coat is well established, then offer a blanket to keep the horse from using their fat stores to keep warm.
I would buy a medium weight blanket, and a good quality liner so layering as needed can be done.
Start as needed with a sheet...add the liner as it gets colder.
Remove those and go to a blanket as needed...
If then more is needed add that liner again...
And if a blanket and liner is still not enough add that sheet to the clothing worn.
Remember that each layer also traps air that gets and holds warmth factor...
If turned out prepare to invest in turnout style blankets/sheets and liners with leg straps.
They can be used indoor or out.
Do not buy stable blankets or sheets if you may need them for outdoors...
If you blanket at night, during the day in warm sunshine and dry conditions, no wind you might be good to have the horse out with nothing on...
Out during the warmth of the day, not to early and in before the warming sun leaves with damp and cold taking the place...
You need eyes, that can evaluate the situation as it is ongoing to keep the horse comfortable.
I happen to have a horse who paces when cold...won't eat or settle down.
Put a t/o sheet on during the day he contentedly stands in the sun or grazes his day away...
Take off that covering of sheet/blanket and he is agitated and not so mice and happy a animal..
Yes, I do blanket in Florida most nights of winter...
Sheet or blanket depending upon the temperatures, wind speed and humidity levels here...
Do what is right for your horse to make them comfortable.
This is a personal decision, making you comfortable and your horse happy and comfortable as only you knowing them well can detect...
jmo...
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Sept 10, 2016 16:39:34 GMT
Exactly, my horses eat them whenever they like because we use it as bedding, combined with wheat straw. I noticed that sometimes they will rather eat straw then hay, I think the reason you said, it's god for their metabolism and they know it  |
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Post by mustangsavvy on Sept 18, 2016 18:56:39 GMT
I think your horse could greatly benefit by being blanketed. Bilbo is blanketed throughout the winter, mostly because it is so rainy/damp all winter. He would never dry out if we didn't blanket. We have always blanketed our horses though, as I come from a hunter/jumper background. I plan to clip him this year again, as with the milder temperature here as opposed to Colorado, his coat is too thick.
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Post by horselady on Sept 18, 2016 19:47:10 GMT
Sometimes not having enough fat will cause the coat to grow longer and thicker to help the horse stay warm... and we think that with a big fur coat they will keep warm... not true... try to feed more calories starting now. by using a 10 percent fat feed.. corn oil. or lots of bread with his meal.. up to 2 loaves and with that bread cut back on the grain...
If you need to blanket start when the first frost hits or as late as possible in the year and make sure if he is turned out with it on that it is water proof ...
also when your vet comes out for what ever reason have him tested for cushings.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Sept 18, 2016 23:34:28 GMT
We don't blanket but when Ziggy came to us she was way too thin but free choice low grade hay or oat straw keeps their tummies busy and that keeps them warm
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Post by majandra on Sept 19, 2016 1:30:34 GMT
Thanks guys
I think most of his problem is not being able to eat hay properly. Hay cubes and Equine Power made a huge difference. And he isn't eating hay much now either- less than a flake a night, so they increased his cubes. He is getting increased amounts of equine power now as well.
So far they are switching between rain sheet and fly sheet depending on our weather, which has been mostly rain, with a side of mosquitoes lol
I'll get the vet to check him out- he will be having his teeth checked again soon too.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Sept 19, 2016 1:40:31 GMT
Oof I missed that, sorry, that is a pickle-dicklement for sure but hey that's what blankets are for, right? Good luck!
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Post by majandra on Dec 10, 2016 16:58:25 GMT
It's brutal cold here right now. I've had the barn staff putting on both his lightweight and midweight until I can find a good heavyweight that fits him.
Last night when I brought him in, he wasn't shivering or otherwise acting cold- but his blankets were barely lukewarm inside, except for at the shoulders(I could feel heat there). Is this because it is 2 blankets? Or they weren't enough and he was actually cold? He does have a good winter coat under there too.
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Post by horselady on Dec 11, 2016 1:46:03 GMT
I love the blankets that have wool underneath.. it adds that extra warmth with light weight material and is soft. yet does the job real well..
sometimes putting hay or straw between the blankets keeps them warm.. and if he is real cold perhaps they could keep him outside for shorter periods instead of all day.. if his age is catching up with him he does need that extra food in a warm soaked beet pulp and hay stretcher that has been soaked.
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