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Original poster

Why do horses get coats and cows don't?

258 replies

noblegiraffe · 13/10/2023 19:59

Today I was driving in the pouring rain past a horse field, and they were all, bar one, wearing coats. Then there was a cow field, obviously no coats.

Which led me to wonder why some animals get coats and others don't. Who decided that horses need coats, and why? Was the coatless horse just like a cool teen who will not wear a coat however much you tell them to, or a rock-hard horse who doesn't actually need one?

Why do some dogs get coats and others not? Did they try to sell coats for cats but cats said no way?

Do other animals get coats?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
33
Notcookie · 14/10/2023 21:53

*him

Wallywobbles · 14/10/2023 22:45

Dwarf lamb whose mum wasn't too keen about on being a mum and had no milk. Lamb got very cold at night and in the frosty mornings in the field. Randomly Lidl did miniature dog clothes at just the right moment.

Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 14/10/2023 23:02

This really is the thread that keeps on giving. Lambs wearing dog jumpers!

OP posts:
CesareBorgia · 14/10/2023 23:08

You might be interested in this news article from 2016 about horses that were trained to tell their humans when they wanted their rugs putting on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37450952

Horses

Horses can communicate with us - scientists

Horses have joined a select club of animals that can communicate by pointing to symbols, say scientists.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37450952

naemates · 14/10/2023 23:18

I appreciate that you are all using the word rugged rather than the word rugged, but I'm reading it rugged and imagining the horses done up all sexy like the man on the front of a romance novel Grin

TheFireflies · 14/10/2023 23:23

I once tried to put my cat in a Christmas jumper and let’s just say it didn’t go very well.

Conkered · 15/10/2023 08:49

CesareBorgia · 14/10/2023 23:08

You might be interested in this news article from 2016 about horses that were trained to tell their humans when they wanted their rugs putting on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37450952

Yes, it's interesting the horses in the sample chose their rugs for cold, wet and windy weather. This is what I go by for my mare. She is absolutely fine with a bit of snow on her back. I worried like crazy when I first switched, but it's amazing when you part their hair and realise they are warm and dry next to their skin. As long as you don't spend all summer washing them in detergent, their natural coat does an amazing job of keeping them dry and allowing them to self regulate. I only use a light rug when it's close to freezing and wet and she looks miserable. Even then some really don't need it. We chronically over-rug to their detriment. World horse welfare actually advises to belly clip and leave un-rugged horses that are over weight! They move around and eat hay to keep warm.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/10/2023 10:45

I've never seen 'don't wear a coat during winter' as a diet tip for humans. I'm wondering if I might be onto something.

OP posts:
CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 10:50

Conkered · 15/10/2023 08:49

Yes, it's interesting the horses in the sample chose their rugs for cold, wet and windy weather. This is what I go by for my mare. She is absolutely fine with a bit of snow on her back. I worried like crazy when I first switched, but it's amazing when you part their hair and realise they are warm and dry next to their skin. As long as you don't spend all summer washing them in detergent, their natural coat does an amazing job of keeping them dry and allowing them to self regulate. I only use a light rug when it's close to freezing and wet and she looks miserable. Even then some really don't need it. We chronically over-rug to their detriment. World horse welfare actually advises to belly clip and leave un-rugged horses that are over weight! They move around and eat hay to keep warm.

Show quote history

I suppose horses survived for millions of years pre-domestication without rugs - although I appreciate selective breeding by humans might have led to some less hardy types of horse.

CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 10:53

Now getting adverts for 'Redpost' horse coats😄

Bovrilla · 15/10/2023 11:28

CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 10:50

I suppose horses survived for millions of years pre-domestication without rugs - although I appreciate selective breeding by humans might have led to some less hardy types of horse.

Show quote history

It's more horses moved out of the climate zones eg Arabs in northern England. They're thin skinned/coated and obviously don't fluff up in winter like a hardy native British beed cos they don't need to where they're from.

CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 11:40

Bovrilla · 15/10/2023 11:28

It's more horses moved out of the climate zones eg Arabs in northern England. They're thin skinned/coated and obviously don't fluff up in winter like a hardy native British beed cos they don't need to where they're from.

Show quote history

Ah, yes, I see why they'd want a winter rug.

Conkered · 15/10/2023 14:38

noblegiraffe · 15/10/2023 10:45

I've never seen 'don't wear a coat during winter' as a diet tip for humans. I'm wondering if I might be onto something.

Maybe if you have a hairy back Grin

Unfortun8 · 15/10/2023 16:16

My horses rarely get rugged. Only if it's going to be persistent windy weather and never overnight. One of mine will let me know if he doesn't want to be rugged by shaking it with his teeth when I show it to him in his stable. The other one is elderly and really feels the cold so he doesn't get a choice

woofwoofandwoof · 15/10/2023 16:17

@noblegiraffe I very much enjoyed that ChatGPT story. It's like Babe v Sheep Dog except Cow v Horse. It was very cosy.

Equimum · 15/10/2023 16:30

It's definitely about exercise and ease. We always rugged our horse in winter for two reasons.

Firstly, if we didn't, he was filthy when brought in from the field, and it took ages to brush him down. Wet mud is really difficult to get off, and saddles are run more likely to run on a wet, muddy horse.

Secondly, if we didn't clip him, he got too hot when being worked hard. So he was largely clipped, and needed keeping warm when not working. As illogical as it sounds, it really was more comfortable for him.

DuesToTheDirt · 15/10/2023 20:13

Yeah, the mud, oh the mud. No one cares if cows are muddy.

Bovrilla · 17/10/2023 18:19

This seemed appropriate

Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 17/10/2023 18:36

I drove past the horse field again today and there was still one coatless horse. This time, armed with new knowledge, I tried to see if it was a fat horse who was on a diet.

OP posts:
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 17/10/2023 18:41

woofwoofandwoof · 15/10/2023 16:17

@noblegiraffe I very much enjoyed that ChatGPT story. It's like Babe v Sheep Dog except Cow v Horse. It was very cosy.

Yes, definite hints of Dick King-Smith!

I was just wondering whether cows can actually jump. According to google "Although cows can jump high when they need to, their extreme mass, clumsy hind legs and fragile hooves mean they prefer to stay on the ground."

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 17/10/2023 18:41

@noblegiraffe Next time, have a look and see if it's quite round in shape, has stumpy shaggy legs, an I'll disciplined mane and tail and an evil look in its eyes. If it fits the description, it's a native pony and REALLY doesn't need a rug!

CurlewKate · 17/10/2023 18:41

*ill disciplined

frostyfingers · 17/10/2023 18:55

This was during the beast from the east - the big grey had 2 rugs and his mask on (he was fully clipped), the pony was naked. The amazing insulating properties of a native pony's coat are well demonstrated here!

Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
Why do horses get coats and cows don't?
AccidentallyFabulous · 17/10/2023 19:12

naemates · 14/10/2023 23:18

I appreciate that you are all using the word rugged rather than the word rugged, but I'm reading it rugged and imagining the horses done up all sexy like the man on the front of a romance novel Grin

Me too, especially where a pp has described her horse as 'rugged to the bollocks'.

Good heavens.