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[summerhorse]

Okay all, To Blanket or Not To Blanket in the winter. The particular situation is a horse in a solo paddock, with a half-shelter (more like a windbreak with 3 sides). Horses in the paddocks on either side of him, but not with him. Last winter he was in the desert, this will be the first winter that I know for sure he's experienced. I'm all for

Comments

[kirin76]

I would say if this is his first real winter you'r most likely going to have to use a blanket of some sort for at least part of the time...Like at least at night and when it's snowing/below freezing.

[ponywoman1105]

I hardly ever blanket my horses and I live in Wyoming where it gets below zero at times. I've read it's better to not blanket and let the hair stand up to insulate the horse. The hair is better than a blanket. Horses can get wet under a blanket and get colder than if they had no blanket on at all. It just depends on how windy and wet the weather is. If the horse has a shelter from the wind that will help immensely, mine usually stand out in the wind and snow anyway. I have a pony I never blanket, he has way to much hair. If the horse is clipped or standing in a stall, I'd use a blanket but out running around, I wouldn't blanket. Check your horses coat, it should already be thickening up, my pony has tons of hair already.

[tabascokat]

Generally, a horse doesn't "need" a blanket, unless he's been trimmed or has a thin winter coat.
That said, I blanket mine...jsut because. Seriously. That, and my gelding -who, btw: has the thickest coat known to mankind- lurves his blanky o_0 but he's fine without it. I am in NC, but january/feb average temps are highs in the high 30s, lows in the low teens, so it's not that warm.
Kinda depends on the horse, too. Some horses dont' like blankets. Whatever you do -do NOT blanket before they get their winter coat in, or it won't cvome in as thick as it would've.

[iceysolstice]

I would also add, watch him! If he looks like he's standing there freezing, maybe you should blanket him. It's hard to say what his coat will do since he isn't used to the cold. But I agree.. let him get as much of a coat as possible before you even attempt it. I live in Utah and we usually only blanket when it's super super cold, so our horses get hecka fuzzy! They're already starting. It's kinda cute. ;)
If you're worried about him not liking it, start getting him used to the blanket now for practice!

bLANKET

[quick_sliver78]

our horse friends say it is not a good idea to blanket unless you have shaved them down. it will push down what is there of the winter coat and it will waether away so they won't have a winter coat. but if his doesn't grom in i would.