Rugging Horses In Rain

Picking the right rug during warmer weather is no mean feat.

Rugging horses in rain.

Friends have started rugging their horses at night time even cob types aswell but thats their choice. Yes i know lots of arguments surrounding horse rugging etc. In order to wick away moisture a light cotton rug can be used underneath the rain sheet this can help to prevent the horse becoming too sticky. Treatment of rain scald is the same as mud fever by cleansing the affected area with an antibacterial solution such as dilute hibiscrub chlorhexidine and warm water to help gradually remove the softened scabs.

I have to admit i have been known to give in put lw s on but only if they are wet miserable cold this is including my haffy but i don t want him to melt. There is no shelter in the field i only have a separate stable and the weather here can be cold and rainy a lot. Yes i know lots of arguments surrounding horse rugging etc. The area should then be rinsed with warm water and dried thoroughly and the process repeated as appropriate.

If it s still quite warm most horses are better off getting a little wet than steaming up under a waterproof rug. 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 rug horses based on how cold you feel. 1 they can get rain rot from rain but mostly only when they get wet and dont dry for long periods of time ie if they have a blanket on that gets wet or have a thick fur coat and doesnt get curried often enough.

Horses that are used to the colder weather and have spent most of their time outside tend to cope better with cooler temperatures than horses that are stabled all the time. But i ve never been one into putting a rug on a horse i just think they are big animals i m talking sturdy 16hh cobs can look after themselves. There is no shelter in the field i only have a separate stable and the weather here can be cold and rainy a lot. Older horses young horses thin horses and clipped horses will need rugs first for most horses unless clipped and living out 24 7 rugs should not be considered before temperatures overnight begin dipping towards 5 10 c.

But i ve never been one into putting a rug on a horse i just think they are big animals i m talking sturdy 16hh cobs can look after themselves. Rainy weather can be very humid and it is sometimes better to leave a horse unrugged in the rain rather than keeping it sweaty in a humid rainy storm. Rugging temperatures celsius as a general rule if your horse is not clipped and in healthy shape the following temperatures may require rugging if your horse is stabled. He may get a little chilly but that is much better than getting overheated and possibly getting heat stroke or colic.

Ideally start with lighter rugs and move to thicker rugs as it gets colder. Combined with which rugging is very different for every horse as it depends on breed weight climate his work load and even their coats themselves.