[Drafty]

Hello Yal,

I know this may sound weird but i used a blanket on my horse over night during the winter and sometimes during the winter days. He was in a wide open pasture cause sometimes he didn't want to come in so i would blanket him. I would sometimes blanket him when he was in the stall also when i thaught he needed it. I never had a problem with it coming off or him getting tangled in it. He loved his blanket. I know alot of other people that used blankets on there horses just like me so i would say if your horse needs it go ahead and put one on. Just make sure it fits and that there is nothing hanging for your horse to step on or to trip over cause them you are looking for injuries. Well all of you and your horses have a safe and happy winter.

If anyone uses blanket please let me know.
Drafty

[5x_SpeedLover]

i just got another horse in august, and some people told me he needed blanketed over winter. I trusted in them and bought him a blanket. I just ordered it and it should be here tuesday. My other horse is fine without one, but i i guess Bear needs one. He'll have one on when its really cold and overnight. When he is in the barn if its cold too. And when im not home because then i cant keep a eye on him, and better safe than sorry But im not going to leave it on to much, i dont want him get rubbed or to loose all his winter fuzz

[drunkenmimes]

Up in CT people typically always put blankets on their horses during the winter time. I look at it like a winter jacket, yes they have a winter coat but sometimes that isn't enough. Tonto has a, what I like to call a down comforter, blanket lol. That is, I feel like I'm putting a feather blanket him. :0) oh and your not weird for putting a blanket on your horse. Its actually quite common :0)

[faroutfax]

I almost NEVER blanket my horses. if I do it is only for 2 minutes while they cool down. The vast majority of horses can go without blankets even in severly cold temperatures. My horses are outside in -40*C weather and they are quite comfortable. horses can actually cope better in the cold than they can in the heat.

LOL sorry I just had to say that

EDIT: I forgot to say that most horses can stay outside EXCEPT if they are clipped. Then they SHOULD be blanketed almost 24/7.

The way a horse's fur/hair is designed allows them to raise the hair on end to allow their skin to breather and cool off when the are hot. The opposite happens when they are cold. The hairs will stay colse to the body. Ice may even stay on a horse's back because they are so well insulated. horses will also put their buts to the wind and form in huddles to keep warm. Also the way the coat is designed water just slides off the horses back and avoids areas that would get cold easily.

I have to get pictures fo my guys huddled together with their backs to the wind and ice covered tails for you guys

[AllSpiffedUp]

Hey I live in Louisiana and I still blanket my horse in the winter. It does get pretty cold at night down here. So dont feel wierd about putting one on. However faroutfax is right because my horse in minnesota didnt wear one neither did any at the barn. Really it is up to you.

Oh yea to the first poster-if u dont want ur horse to get rub marks buy a hors ebra. You can get them everywhere like statlinetack or dover and they r thin pieces of fabric that cover the shoulder.

[Quick2Skip01]

The only time our horses are blanketed are right in the beginning of spring/end of winter because that is when @ least Skip gets clipped before show season starts. Otherwise all winter we let em get fuzzy.

[Xiphias]

My mare is blanketed all winter, and she has 24/7 turn out with the option to go into the barn if she wants to, she has a nice comfey heavy weight Rambo turn out rug that is water proof/resistant , and stays dry under her blanket....Cathy

[MyBelgianAzzy]

I'm not sure I understand your post.

My horses wear fly sheets in the summer, waterproof turnout sheets in the spring and fall, and layers of blankets in the winter. I always have coolers and quarter sheets on hand for cooling out in the winter.

I have never NOT blanketed my horses. Some people around here with hard-type bred ponies don't blanket, but most everyone else does.

[nixalba]

I live in Eastern Ontario where it regularly hits -20 degree C over the winter time. I know of many people who own Arabians and thoroughbreds and other typically thin-skinned horses who do NOT blanket their horses in the winter. They grew massive amounts of winter hair!

As Faroutfax posted, horse's coat is designed to keep them warm in the winter. Of course if they are clipped, they will need a blanky!

I probably won't really ever blanket my horse, unless they lose condition in the winter or some other valid reason.

[BluEyedCowgurl]

I live in California, and almost everyone I know blankets their horses....er, our weather gets MAYBE 20 degrees at night, on a REALLY cold night...so...yeah...our horses are babies! lol
I haven't always blanketed, I don't think I will this winter since I'm moving my little girl with me to Montana next winter...she should start getting used to the cold now!
So, no reason to feel weird, LOTS of people do it! And faroutfax is CORRECT.....horses fair wonderfully in the cold, it's the heat that gets to them. Our poor horses put up with 105-115 regularly in the summer months....