To rug or not too rug

7 replies

Lemonpink88 · 23/04/2023 08:01

Advice please! Iv 2 horses, a cob & ISH recently moved to live out 24/7. Their field is a little exposed to elements but has natural shelter & ++ grass. My question is that I am going away Monday-Friday next week & although I have a family member checking in daily on my horses do you think I should leave them without rugs on? I live in the south east & my weather app says daily temps are ranging from overnight 2 degrees up to 17 during the day Friday! I don’t know what to do for the best! Cob is never rigged but my ISH has a running clip but obviously summer coat is coming through. Thanks in advance

OP posts:

liveforsummer · 23/04/2023 08:05

If you don't have someone who can take off in mornings and put on at night then I'd leave off. Better a bit too cold than too hot. Would depend on how recent the clip was though and how much of a wimp the individual horse was. Maybe a rain sheet but I often feel they get a bit sweaty as not as breathable as one with a bit if fill

twistyizzy · 23/04/2023 12:16

Agree with @liveforsummer, if you can't get there to change rugs then much better to leave unrugged. Remember horses create body heat through eating so as long as there is grass + shelter from wind they will be fine.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 23/04/2023 19:01

I’d rather them a bit too cold than too hot for days on end

RatherBeRiding · 25/04/2023 13:45

Absolutely fine without rugs especially if there's natural shelter. Horses are very good at regulating their temperature and being over-rugged is far, far, far worse than being a bit cold. I've had a fat native type living out 24/7 ALL winter (with field shelters), trace clipped, never rugged even when we had those bad frosts. Plus an elderly TB who is likewise never rugged. Happy as Larry the pair of them. I checked their armpits regularly and they were plenty warm enough.

Deliaskis · 25/04/2023 15:08

I thought this would be about an individual morning/night decision, not a whole week! I am finding this weather to be a bit baffling to be honest....sunny and bright in the day, but -1 in the early hours this morning, it's impossible! I took pony to the field with a no-fill on at 7.30 this morning in a stiff cold breeze then drove back and took it off about 10 mins later as decided the sun was warmer than I had thought. I long for actual mild weather!

orangeflags · 27/04/2023 18:16

If in doubt leave it off.

horseymum · 03/05/2023 10:34

Safer to leave off, easier to check without them on too.

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