When is it cold enough to blanket?

Annasmom · 12-02-2008, 09:12 PM

my mare is the only one at the barn that gets blanketed she gets blanketed under 30 , or if its 45 or below and raining

Native Winds · 12-02-2008, 09:31 PM

I dont blanket at all unless the horse is in distress and is losing heat.

PikPablo · 12-02-2008, 10:22 PM

When the first frost hits in Cali we start blanketing. Also, I kind of "read" my horses, if they act like they're cold, I blanket them i.e: shivering, tucking tail in, standing in corner under shelter. Also, when it rains...my vet said horses lose their ventilation when their thick winter coat gets wet.

Pally · 12-03-2008, 03:29 PM

Personally I would say a "jiggly" horse, in good health, with access to a windbreak, won't necessarily need a blanket at all. My horses have always lived outside 24/7 with no blankets and no problems, in Saskatchewan where it is sometimes below -30 C before the windchill (arg I hate doing conversions to Farenheit....that is one scale that makes no sense to me. Online calculator says -22 F)

Now key factors are they have good coats, good weights, free choice hay, windbreak, and at least one buddy to cuddle with

And the precipitation we get is fluffy snow, not so much wet snow, sleet, cold rains....those will do a number on their coats.

But if your guy shows you that he is cold, that is when it is cold enough. Or you can step in before that if you want and blanket.....but I wouldn't say it's an automatic need.

ImDunToImpress · 12-08-2008, 08:10 PM

Wowee am I ever late at checking this thread again! I am freezing just reading about all these cold posts and i'm indoors where it's an even 68 in here...and i'm still feeling bad for my horse out in the single digit weather and the storm we are getting right now with 12+ inches of snow expected!

But he isn't shivering...I am!

I guess i'll just have to do the common sense thing and keep an eye on him and if he is shivering, go from there! Thanks!

Pally · 12-09-2008, 02:58 PM

Honestly I think I get less cold in a Prairie -20C day than an Ontario +4 and pouring rain day like today

I think it is the same deal for the horses....if they are going to get soaked through and yet the temps hover around freezing...brrrr...give me fluffy snow instead please.

12-02-2008, 09:31 PM	#12
Native Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lexington KY area Posts: 997 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 16	I dont blanket at all unless the horse is in distress and is losing heat. __________________ "....for what ever happens to the beast shall soon happen to man..." Souix "...But for most of your life its mostly the real real time. You know what that is Clivey? Then take instruction, real real time is your Pretty Pony... (S. King)

12-03-2008, 03:29 PM	#14
Pally Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 525 Images: 10	Personally I would say a "jiggly" horse, in good health, with access to a windbreak, won't necessarily need a blanket at all. My horses have always lived outside 24/7 with no blankets and no problems, in Saskatchewan where it is sometimes below -30 C before the windchill (arg I hate doing conversions to Farenheit....that is one scale that makes no sense to me. Online calculator says -22 F) Now key factors are they have good coats, good weights, free choice hay, windbreak, and at least one buddy to cuddle with And the precipitation we get is fluffy snow, not so much wet snow, sleet, cold rains....those will do a number on their coats. But if your guy shows you that he is cold, that is when it is cold enough. Or you can step in before that if you want and blanket.....but I wouldn't say it's an automatic need. __________________ I've been Snooooowwwwballed! Coal & Eclipse are my other boyfriends.

12-09-2008, 02:58 PM	#16
Pally Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 525 Images: 10	Honestly I think I get less cold in a Prairie -20C day than an Ontario +4 and pouring rain day like today I think it is the same deal for the horses....if they are going to get soaked through and yet the temps hover around freezing...brrrr...give me fluffy snow instead please. __________________ I've been Snooooowwwwballed! Coal & Eclipse are my other boyfriends.

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12-02-2008, 09:12 PM	#11
Annasmom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 406 Images: 9	my mare is the only one at the barn that gets blanketed she gets blanketed under 30 , or if its 45 or below and raining

12-02-2008, 10:22 PM	#13
PikPablo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 656	When the first frost hits in Cali we start blanketing. Also, I kind of "read" my horses, if they act like they're cold, I blanket them i.e: shivering, tucking tail in, standing in corner under shelter. Also, when it rains...my vet said horses lose their ventilation when their thick winter coat gets wet.

12-08-2008, 08:10 PM	#15
ImDunToImpress Full Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 32	Wowee am I ever late at checking this thread again! I am freezing just reading about all these cold posts and i'm indoors where it's an even 68 in here...and i'm still feeling bad for my horse out in the single digit weather and the storm we are getting right now with 12+ inches of snow expected! But he isn't shivering...I am! I guess i'll just have to do the common sense thing and keep an eye on him and if he is shivering, go from there! Thanks!