Rugs

[HorseyBabe2]

My Horse (TB), is still wearing a M/W rug. Do you think that's too much :confused: . He lives out 24/7. Daytime temps are about 16 degrees, nighttime it drops to 3-6 degrees :confused:

Thanks. I'm always so unsure about rugging :o :confused:

[coss]

i would have that rug off during the day but put it on over night for a few days to a week. i always recommend having a rain rug so that that can be thrown on on warm wet days. my arabs are out without rugs day and night unless rain is forcast. dawn (my older horse) had a rug on the other night but harry didn't and the temperature dropped to -5 :eek: did they care... no. they were fine. dawn only had a rain sheet on so no heat there. you may be surprised at how adaptable your horse will be. is he clipped as that would make a difference to what i just said.

[Jessey]

I would definatly want that off during the day, probably put it on (or a lightweight) at night because it does get nippy at night still.

[HorseyBabe2]

Thanks for that. No he's not clipped.
I was thinking of putting a lightweight summer t/o on during the day and changing it to a m/w at night (since the temperatures can drop to 3 degrees - so it says on the met office anyway!). I work very long hours so whatever he has on at 6am stays on until 8pm usually. I worry (:o ) that if I leave him with no rug it could get very cold and/or pour with rain.
Also should add that his field is very exposed and windy (I find it colder up there anyway!).

Thanks :o

[coss]

if you have a lightweight rug i would put that on during the day for a day or two to get him used to the lack of rug, you'll have to check the weather forcast, if there is a possibility of rain (and with the field being exposed) and lightweight summer sheet should do the trick, if its a cold wind then yes a MW for night is probably still a good idea, if its just air temperature i would be sticking to the LW. has your horse started casting? if so then having the rug off will be very beneficial and help him lose the coat.

[HorseyBabe2]

if you have a lightweight rug i would put that on during the day for a day or two to get him used to the lack of rug, you'll have to check the weather forcast, if there is a possibility of rain (and with the field being exposed) and lightweight summer sheet should do the trick, if its a cold wind then yes a MW for night is probably still a good idea, if its just air temperature i would be sticking to the LW. .

Thanks that's really helpful. I'll start off with a l/w during day and m/w back on for chilly nights then. Then I'll start leaving l/w off during day and using the l/w at night (unless rain forcast as you have suggested). Does that sound OK?

has your horse started casting? if so then having the rug off will be very beneficial and help him lose the coat.
Yes - shed loads!!!! (How on earth does it get in my knickers :o :o )

[coss]

Thanks that's really helpful. I'll start off with a l/w during day and m/w back on for chilly nights then. Then I'll start leaving l/w off during day and using the l/w at night (unless rain forcast as you have suggested). Does that sound OK?


Yes - shed loads!!!! (How on earth does it get in my knickers :o :o )

sounds a good plan, feel the base of the ears in the morning and if that is cold you'll know that she needs a thicker rug on over night. if its warm i would try a lighter rug (if already in MW)

have to laugh about knickers comment...http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/images/smilies/toofunny.gif i don't know but i get it down my bra :o the worst place is in the eye with mud though ;) without a rug he'll roll so may get a bit muddy but its does loosen a lot of hair and i always think they look more refreshed after a good roll :)

[HorseyBabe2]

Thanks for the reassurance. It's the one thing I worry about after I've read peoples threads on here about rugs and stuff. Is he too hot, too cold, too wet, (too dry :confused: :) ).

The weekend is forcast to be warm so I'll leave it off during the middle of the day to let him run about naked (must be horrid to always be cooped up in a rug)

have to laugh about knickers comment...http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/images/smilies/toofunny.gif i don't know but i get it down my bra

It must be the way I groom him :eek: :o ;)

[Denbenj]

hehe not had hairs in knickers yet!! but I must remember not to wear my fleece at the yard!!!!

I would strip him in the day.. put something on at night.

Here at the moment its lovely by day, however at night my car is freezing over..

How is it for you down yonder?!

[HorseyBabe2]

Lovely today, about 18 degrees. But still gets chilly at night - forcast to be down to 3 degrees this evening.

Yes I plan to let him have a hooley about naked tomorrow and Saturday when I can do down the yard at a sensible time to take his rugs off (i.e 11 ish rather than 5ish (when it's still cold me thinks :rolleyes: ).

It feels like summer out there today - hope it lasts :)