[emsNkeeper]

Alright... since it just suddenly became frigid here in PA, I think it's time I get ready for winter. So I've got a few questions.

1) when to start blanketing... I blanketed Keeper from day 1 when I bought him, but that's because he was skinny as can be and it was brrr-chilly. But now he's in a healthier weight but will be mostly turned out all winter, except for storms or high wind.
2)When I do blanket should I start with a medium wieght and then when it's called for go to the heavy weight?
3)Any recommended blankets....? My old blanket is really nice and heavy, but not water proof (just resistant) so I need to find a good waterproof blanket, preferably under 200.
4) Going barefoot in the winter? I had thought of pulling Keeper's shoes in the winter (he just has fronts) because we won't be jumping at all once the snow starts falling. The place where he will be has a heated indoor, but it's a little bit too small for anysort of serious fence work, so I intend on boning up on the dressage... the footing is nice and soft and well maintained. I may do a few trailrides if the weather permits and I can find a buddy.
5) What do you think of those buckets with the heaters on the bottom? We had some freezing water problems last year.

Thanks for your help guys... I intend to make this winter much more pleasurable for Keeper than last year.

[cassidy]

well i am getting ready for the winter (in a months time)

1. when rugging them up i think its best to wait until all the winter coat has come through nicely this way they will stay warmer (depends if you are clipping him)

2. for the beginning of the winter i would go for a light weight an then when it gets colder go for a medium weight (all this depends wether the horse is clipped or not)

3.depends on price the best rugs are rambo! but rhino an horseware ones are good i use shires there cheap an good!

4. i think thats up to you i mean if you think he can cope without y not as long as his feet are pretty good an strong i dont see y not

5.if you cant afford heated buckets just use rubber ones an put a tennis ball in the top to float about this prevents the water from freezing (but the heated ones sound good)

[emsNkeeper]

Really a tennis ball? that really works... I may just have to try that just cause I'm curious.

[cassidy]

lol yeah at a yard i used to work at we put in quite a big stick (didnt have a tennis ball handy) that floated to stop it from icing up its because it moves around so the water doesnt have time to freeze over

[harli36]

If your horse gets a really nice winter coat then chances are you won't have to rug him. Horses are pretty cold tolerant animals if allowed to completely grow in their winter coats. A horses critical temperature (with winter coat) ranges from -10 to -15 degrees celcius. This means that a horses body in those kinds of temperatures don't have to compensate for the weather. However for every degree celcius below that they will they will need 0.408 Mcals of DE per day in their diet. Or if you don't want to change their diet then you can blanket them. You also need to be carefull when it gets wet outside and it's cold at the same time. This really does them in and will raise their energy requirements by 50%.

I don't know where in Pa you live but I live up in the Scranton area. It gets pretty cold up here. We allow the horses to completely grow in their winter coats and they are prefectly happy all winter living outside with out blankets. In fact they choose not to use their shelter 95% of the time. It is only when it gets wet out that we bring them in. If you do decide to blanket just make sure like Cassidy said that you allow thier winter coats to grow in completely before blanketing.

[buggywhipp]

I will start blanketing my mare probably around the end of this month when it starts getting down into the 40's at night. But I will only throw a light sheet on her at night. I usually don't use a stable blanket until it starts getting in the 30's or below. And when it starts getting cold during the days I will also put a turnout on her.

As far as blanket brands I really really like the Rhino and Rambo. I have a Rambo sheet and stable blanket but for a turnout (I have to get a new one for my mare) I think this year I will get her a WeatherBeeta turnout. I have looked at the Taka blankets by WeatherBeeta and they look like a really nice blanket and they are a little cheaper.

I have the heated water buckets for the stalls and they are probably one of the best investments I have ever made.

As far as shoes my mare doesn't wear any but if she did I would pull them off for the winter.

[My Mr. Ed]

I also blanket much like buggywhipp said. I start with a light weight blanket at 45. I have my blanketing instructions at home, so I'm not sure on which temps are the meds and heavies. I use my turnout blankets in the stall too, so I don’t have to buy both turnouts and stable blankets. I high recommend Rambo’s, and the Rhino's are nice too, just not as strong. They are breathable and waterproof. I also have a taka, that I really like, but it doesn’t hold up as nice as the Rambo’s do. I have heated buckets in the stalls and pastures. As far as shoes, Mr. Ed has corrective shoes and has to wear them in the front, but his hind shoes come off. Rooster and Stevey don’t wear shoes.

[emsNkeeper]

Keeper has been something that seems like a loosing battle against gaining weight (though he has gained alot since I moved him) but I am worried, since he is still gaining weight that the extra energy required to stay warm will cause him to loose weight (his feed does get changed for winter). My current blanket is a Rambo... but I noticed last year when he was out during some snowfall it was wet when I brought him in, though he was fairly dry except a spot on his back. Do they make waterproof ones?

[buggywhipp]

ems....Sometimes that will happen even with the waterproof ones especially if you get a real hard rain or a real hard wet snow and your horse is out for a little while. But I think, not real sure, but I think there is something you can put on blankets for waterproofing. Also was just thinking is your blanket you have a turnout or stable? Because if it is a stable blanket it's not going to work near as well as a turnout.

[My Mr. Ed]

yes, they have a waterproofing spray that can be put on to help with that. i have some at home (i'm at work right now) if my internet is working at home(that's another story), i will find out what kind it is. i use it after every washing.