when should your horse wear a blanket?

Question

How cold should it be until you need to blanket your horse? I reside in Norcal where the nights now are between high 30s and high 20s

Answer 1

As I live in California, near Camp Wishon going up to the Nationals in Tulare County. I only blanket my horses when it rains with high winds and in the 30's and below. Which is like 1 or 2 times during the winter.

Maybe once or twice during the winter I blanket my oldest, who will be 29. He doesn't move around too much in the cold, but does get a very good coat.

Mostly, all get a good winter coat and are fine during the winter. I feed them sweet feed with oats/rice and corn that helps keep them warm.

All depends on the horse, how good of a coat they have and how long the weather is going to be.

When my horses start to shake, that is a sign they need some blanketing. If they are not shaking, most likely they are fine.

Especially since their coat is naturally insulating. What is wet on the top, doesn't mean their skin is getting wet. It is a protective barrier.

Answer 2

Seems an easy question, but it's not.

All depends upon if your horse is body clipped, has shelter from the weather, someone to change the blanket when the temperature changes or if it rains, how thick the coat is, and what type of blanket/s you hope to use.

Most horses will be fine naked throughout the winter, so long as they have thick trees or a run in shed to hide under when the weather's wet. And so long as you don't ride them to the point of excessive sweating.

Personally, I keep my horse long-coated and naked 'till it's consistently under 30 degrees. Then, I add a trace clip, and a very lightweight & waterprooof blanket (so as not to mat the hair loft). He's in a stall from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m., unless the weather is nasty. I ride through the winter, so it's important he dries thoroughly after ward, hence the trace clip. I'm in CT, and will add heavier layers as the temps get to the single digits.

Show horses who receive a full body clip should be blanketed at all times starting at 45 degrees or less, starting with a fleece liner, then adding or swapping out warmer layers as the temps drop.

Answer 3

I have absolutely no idea where Norcal is but if its cool in the afternoon and going to be cold at night and your horse cant shelter from wind and rain then rug him .The trick is not to let them be wet then have a cold wind on them . Pnuemonia in a horse is a horrible thing.
If you wouldn't like the temperature. then he probably won't . I don't rug mine in summer but i don't show them either and I live in Australia.They also have permanant access to they're much loved stables and 26 acres.
However if it turns suddenly cold -I'm out there even in the middle of the night ( 5kms away)- thats what it takes to be a responsible horse owner in my opinion .
Mine are rugged all winter ,and during Spring and Autumn only at night if the days are fine .

Answer 4

if your horse already has a winter coat i would not blanket .because that blanket will mash there hair down and take their ability to keep warm away when they are not wearing the blanket. if you are showing during the winter and dont want a hairy horse than go ahead but once they loose what winter hair they have grown they can not go with out the blanket.i live in reno nevada and all my horses do not wear blankets and they do fine .as long as your horse has somewhere to go to get out of the wind . they deal with cold and rain/snow real well.the wind is what will make them cold. hope ive helped

Answer 5

Get your horse a 200 gram fill and 300-350 fill when it gets to 30-20 degrees at night. Especially if your horse is not in a stall, he needs to stay warm! If he is in a stall, maybe a 200 gram fill should be okay.
I start to blanket when it gets to high 50s at night. I show at the end of the year so I want my horses coat to stay thin. If you want your horse's coat to stay thin blanket early. If not, let his coat grow and blanket him with a 200 gram.
I hope that helped!!

Answer 6

Blanket when there is a big drop in temp. Short hair horses < 45. Long hair <40. Actually, many horses are in snow to their knees without blankets but that is not responsible. Light verses heavy blankets should be considered.

Answer 7

Any degree unded 40 I would put thier blanket on . Horses are warm blooded just like us so if your cold , they are too.

Answer 8

If it is cold to you it is cold to your horse. A horse also needs to be covered when you are cooling them down

Answer 9

i put i blanket on my horse if it's under 40 F. she is a light breed. and it is a medium weight blanket. i think thats about right.

Answer 10

they're of course fly sheets. they actually are not warm. they seem to be a easy mesh and the white ones actually save the horses cooler. It deflects warmth and absorbs sweat. they're super to positioned on the pony!