Ok ... so I live in the midwest US it tends to get pretty cold here through our winter months! I have always blanketed my previous horses ... but normally not until it gets fairly cold.
Now I have a 2yr. Old paint that has done a LOT of growing this summer and looks like he's getting into another growth spurt. As of right now it isn't terribly cold but many other horses that I see are already getting a fairly good winter coat going ... but my boy still hardly has anything. He is turned out during the day and comes in at night. I probably wont be working him to much this winter ... just letting him grow:)
So my questions (sorry a couple)
-Do you currently blanket your own horse and if you were in my position would you blanket my horse early?
-Also what type of blanket do you typically tend to use?? Ex. If over 50degrees a light weight, ect.
PS I know about blankets ... just curious to see what everyone's opinion is and what other people typically do:)
I live in the Midwest US too. We have 4 horses and they are out during the day and in at night too.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com My old guy has has a sheet on a few times when it has gotten really chilly at night (32 degrees) but have no intention of putting a blanket on him yet. He is 25 and never wore a blanket until 2 years ago when the cold started bothering him.
My other 3 haven't been blanketed at all. Two of them are starting to coat up some and the other one really hasn't. But for him it is normal. When it gets colder and stays there, he will coat out, BTW he is a paint.
I personally don't believe in using blankets unless they need them (showing signs of Truly being cold). If they are out of the wind and they coat up, I don't mind if it takes a little longer to dry off after working . They are more comfortable rolling in the snow without blankets:) If you are letting him grow, I wouldn't blanket him. Let him coat up and enjoy.
Good Luck.
I definitely wouldn't blanket him yet as you'll want him to grow as much of a winter coat as he's going to. The only exception would be if it's going to be unusually cold for a night or two or if it's going to be wet and cold. i generally won't blanket until it gets to be below freezing or if it's going to be wet and cold or very windy and cold.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com some people say if you're wearing a light jacket you should put a sheet on, if you're wearing a heavy coat, it's time to blanket but i'm thinking that's for clipped horses.
i only blanket if i know it's going to be a frost over night and be cold the next day (as in under 50 degrees, but i live in ohio where there's always a windchill of at least -5). with a mid weight blanket. i suggest wait. he's a horse. not a baby. lol
I don't blanket my horse, but I work at a stable where they are already putting blankets on (then again, where I am there is already snow on the ground).
In my opinion I would wait a while before you blanket him, unless, he looks/acts like he is cold during the day. In which case I would put a lighter weight on.
During the day if the sun is shining and really warm (depending on their coat) we put a light or no blanket on. If it is warm but with a bit of a chill, we usually put a medium blanket on. And if it is snowing or really crappy out and every night (for ones that stay outside) we keep the heavy weight on.
