When should a horse be blanketed?

Answer 1

I have an 8 year old welsh pony that I blanket. He has a thicker coat and anything under -10 celcius is when I put a blanket on. It's Canada and when there is a wind chill it breaks it. I like blanketing because it keeps dust, mud or dirt out of their coat for easier grooming, you know they will be warm when out in pasture and it decreases the chance of cold or flu.
You blanket a horse for;

1) Age- older horses are weakened by winds and cold weather. When there is freezing rain then are suspetible to colds, flu and other illnesses like humans. The like to have warm bodies like you when you stand outside.

2) Clipped horses- with no coat a horse is NEEDED to be blanketed it's like standed barenaked outside at 0 celcius or below. Even warmer if they are clipped it's suggested to have them blanketed.

3) Show Horses- Obviously any prevention at expensive horses staying alive is taken

4) Foals- They need warmth when they are younger in the winter so they can be comfortable and not freeze to death.

I blanket my horse at -3 celcius because my blanket is lighter. I have Kim put it on at warmer weather if it is raining or windy. I feel that horses like the rain but when it's cold a little extra warmth to a horse's body that is outside is better. Then blanketing your horse also depends on your blanket. Tack shops sell them and will give you temperature ranges for them to!
HIH!

Answer 2

Hard to nail down a specific when. It depends on how well kept the horse is, weather conditions, etc. Horses' coats are designed so that heat is trapped between the hair and their skin. So, they can withstand pretty sold temps. Even if they get some snow and it crusts over a little (not talking a blizzard, by any means) that helps to insulate. The wind is the main negative factor. If the temp is 40's and the wind is whipping, it pretty much whips the heat right away from them. I only blanket mine with water resistant blankies when it's below about 65 and gonna rain. If I had a barn for them all, I wouldn't blanket at all. But, I've got mid-Texas weather, so I'm probably different than you. Also, if the horse is in shape, that really helps. If they're on the poor side, they'll be so much more succeptable (sp?) to the cold. Good quality hay is a must if your in for a booger of a winter. I got all that from an issue of Eqqus, that specifically had a long article about when and how to blanket.

Answer 3

Our horses live outside 24/7 they have a run in shed and access to free choice grass hay and water 24/7.
None of them wear blankets at this time.
They all grow a long fluffly winter coat and since we do not ride hard durring the winter and we never body clip our horses we do not blanket.

Answer 4

A lot depends on the age & health of the horse.

We tend to put light blankets on in November or so and change to heavy blankets when it gets below freezing.

Answer 5

Oddly enough, I have understood blanketing horses is not good for them because they perspire and can't adjust to the cold properly. I usually take a regular store bought blanket and throw it over mine. I feel if the horse wants it off, they'll shake it off, which sometimes they do.

Answer 6

It not only depends on age and health, but where you live. For example, we live in central Alaska - if we blanketed at 30 degrees, we'd be in a heap of trouble - no winter coat would grow.

I keep a close eye on my guys and don't usually blanket until thirty below zero or so - but my guys are very used to this climate and get VERY furry. One of my mini mares is so furred up her eyes almost look sunk in - I call her my little musk ox. I would say they have about 3 inches of hair right now....

Answer 7

my dad will tell you never. but when it gets down to 35 degrees i want a coat. so i blanket mine anyway. just a sheet. after 30 deg i put a blanket on. also depends on how warm their barn is. or are they outside. if they are inside you really don't have to worry about the weather conditions outside. just don't leave it on during the day. when they are in the sun they will sweat under it. then when night comes they're just wet rapped in a blanket

Answer 8

health, age, season, it all adds up. Obviously a horse outside during the winter might need a blanket, but it all depends.

Answer 9

horse don't need blankets if you keep hay and food and water the will do just fine with out blankets

Answer 10

in the winter if there is sleet ,hail ,freezing rain. and if the horse has been worked hard rubb him down and then put on a sweat abbsorbent blanket if it rains alot a water proof blanket