What to rug and when.
Rugging a clipped horse in winter.
They have a field shelter and some drystone walls but exposed to the north.
Once bathed even in warm water a wicking rug should be applied until the horse is dried and then the horse can be rugged and checked a few times before a final rug choice is made.
Don t tie them up to rug if they sidle up to you when the rug appears put it on.
My horse is not clipped at the moment but out in the paddock he gets a cotton and a big doona but he is getting clipped soon and he will then have a cotton a fleecy hood 2 woolens or a woolen and a fleece a rain sheet and a doona on top this is for a fit eventer who is getting a full body clip so i have to make sure his muscles cant get too cold.
Rugging up in winter.
A good quality medium weight turnout is a common starting point for many with clipped horses in minus temperatures and for those with a natural thick coated horse whom perhaps spends most of their time out a light weight rug on colder weather days or during night time especially with older.
Secondly during winter it is much harder to get your horse dry again meaning your horse is at risk of becoming very cold whilst it is wet with sweat.
Regardless of the reasons behind it many of us chose to rug our horses and many of us are over rugging our.
The preferred option for many owners is to clip their horse during the colder months to prevent sweating whilst ridden then keep the horse warm when not ridden by rugging.
If they walk off twice don t put it on.
A clipped horse an old horse a horse in poor condition.
The ear test a guide to rugging your horse this winter.
Some of us rug our horses because it makes us feel warmer to see them rugged.
Mine are natives with bib clips and live out at 1000 feet.
Many of us rug out of necessity.
