In 10-20 degree weather, do my horses need blankets at pasture? How about at night in the barn?

Question

All have thick winter coats, but the weather has been so weird (unseasonable) up until now. The barn is not at all drafty. They have shavings for bedding. Their ages range from 7-13 years.

Answer 1

I blanket all 4 of my horses,including my furry Friesian. Since the blankets are the 1200 denier nylon ripstop BREATHABLE turnout ones, we just leave them on.I've never seen sweating under the blanket at 50degrees,but they do like them off for a good roll weekly(they roll in the snow, which seems to be a grand lot of fun!) Lots of blankets on sale atm, try State Line tack or Dover's? A nice turnout would suit nicely,and the staff is usually good about questions. Normal Friesians like a 80" or 82" . Its not too impotent with turnout blankets ,they fit loose to add warmth. Length of daylight hours causes shedding and not blankets, so have fun and "rug up"!
Luck!
ps i buy two so i have one to wash and one for wearing

Answer 2

Hi. I've had three horses and all of them have always been on pasture board. The first two I didn't blanket, the current one I do blanket.

In my opinion it depends on two things - the horse and the winter. Because you said your horses have good coats, and are not very old they are probably fine outside without blankets. But, with a weird winter (like we are having this year) a blanket can be helpful. With wet snow, hail, rain -- a blanket is a good idea. If the horses hair gets wet, it flattens, and doesn't offer the protection it should. This is why I've blanketed mine this year -- he has a great hair coat, but with all the wetness we've been having, the blanket is a great comfort. Also, I'm assuming your horses have a wind-break, walk-in shed, or some sort of shelter... if they don't then I would definitely blanket them for protection from the wind.

If they are inside at night -- I would also suggest a blanket. In a stall they can't snuggle up next to their herd-mates for heat and they can't move around to generate heat. So, even if it isn't drafty, I would recommend a blanket.

I wouldn't worry too much about it though -- if they are healthy, fluffy horses and they get adequate grain supplements and lots of water to maintain a good body weight they will get through the winter easily. A blanket is just a good idea for wetness, comfort, and to cut the dry, cold wind.

Answer 3

I think so. Winter has been very weird, and rough on horses. People will tel you no, its not needed. They are not paying your feed bill or your vet bill though:) Get a nice Turnout with shoulder gussets for your Friesian. It works in the barn too.
Its the wind more than the cold that has my barn master rugging up his horses. My gelding started the season off with a very nice Milti- temp blanket,so he is used to one. I like how it slicks the coat down and saves hours of grooming.The right blanket cannot hurt! I choose State line tack,and there is a good sale on blankets now. For temperatures from -20F to 60F very safe.

Answer 4

Moisture plays a part in coldness. We here in the High SIerras of Northern California & Nevada, have less moisture than some. We always blanket our horses, who are corralled & have access to the barn, when its expected to be TWENTY DEGREES 20 Degrees.

Answer 5

many people try this via fact this is the least puzzling way, your horse is obtainable in the day and the in one day turnout is a competent thank you to help shrink the demanding flies. fairly, except your barn is locked up like ft. Knox your horses face the threat of attack besides. a smart endure can get in sliding doors. to no longer point out the threat of fires in barns. If there are a number of untamed animals for this is foodstuff, a cougar probable does no longer hassle them. endure in innovations, horses do have weapons too, hooves and tooth. Mustangs stay to tell the story without barns so your horses ought to too. while you're taking your horses to shows, you disrupt their habitual, so i does no longer hassle too lots approximately that, maximum possibly they are going to be happier. and you shrink the threat of tying up in case you holiday them troublesome in the sunlight hours. in case you have mosquito's nevertheless, you may ought to ensure your horses are vaccinated against any illnesses they are in a position to unfold.

Answer 6

if the horse has plenty of forage, then no, they do not need a blanket. make sure they also have water to keep the hay going down well.
keep in mind that the only one who likes a draft free barn is a person. Horses are actually badly affected by being kept in draft-free (closed in) areas because the particulates from the hay and bedding get into the lungs.
if the wind isn't blowing, outside is fine, if it's windy or raining/sleeting, bring them in the barn.

Answer 7

If they have thick winter coats you don't need to blanket. I have a 30 yr QH and he isn't blanketed. He can go in and out of his stall to get out of the wind. Sometimes he stands on the south side of the barn to be out of the wind. He has a thick coat also. We live on Long Island, NY and having a very cold snap here!!!

Answer 8

We do when it's that cold. Make sure to take the blankets off as soon as it starts to warm up. If you leave them on to long then the winter coat will start to shed and then you have to leave the blankets on longer.

Answer 9

i do not have horses, my friend has four tho. ive only seen her put the coats on at night. but this was when the weather was fairly reasonable. so she might use them 24/7. the other day traveling down route 39 i saw horses with their coats on while they were grazing...

Answer 10

yes i think if you don;t want them sick or frozen the blankets at pasture and at night is a great idea,this winter has been the weirdest ever,in Seattle 2weeks ago'it was like living in the north pole.it;s still chilly daily....good idea for the horses'and thanks for being a caring pet owner ,,,,,,,Shelly in Seattle