Hope that helps! Hey all! She already has some of her winter coat coming on and has way more fluff to her hair then the older horses. My question would be if I need to blanket her? She has a shelter in her pen she is in and free choice brome hay. I just hate to spend a lot of money on a blanket she will grow out of in one season but I will if I need too.
Thanks for your input! When buying a waterproof or weather-resistant blanket, be sure it's made of breathable material. Otherwise, it's like putting a plastic raincoat on the horse and he can get too hot, which may lead to health concerns. If you need to blanket a horse that's never been blanketed before, take a step-by-step approach. It's a good idea to start in the stall and let the horse wear the blanket for an hour or so at first with someone around to keep an eye on him.
This is especially important with foals as they aren't accustomed to anything on their bodies. Let the foal stand with the blanket on and then walk him around the stall quietly. Make sure your horse is accustomed to wearing a blanket before turning him outside.
Don't turn a blanketed horse outside for the first time at night. Get him accustomed to wearing a blanket during the day when someone will be around. The first few times you blanket any horse, check on him more often to be sure he's adjusting to it and not destroying it. Most horses tolerate blankets pretty well, but some tend to chew on them, especially those with front buckles. If your horse chews on buckles or the blanket itself, you can buy spray-on products designed to discourage biting and chewing.
Some of these will stain blankets, however, so read the label or ask for recommendations at your local tack and supply shop. Any time you are blanketing a horse, safety precautions should be taken. Start with a well-fitted blanket so there is less chance of the blanket coming loose or twisting, which can frighten the horse.
The blanket shouldn't be tight against the body, but it should be snug. Make sure the straps are in good condition and attached properly.
Fit is important. A too snug blanket can rub off the hair on parts of the chest and shoulders, while a too loose blanket can slip around on the horse and actually pose a stumbling danger. That doesn't mean you should feel guilty about not blanketing a year-old who is in great shape,? But with the older horses in colder climates, it's better to start from the assumption that they need a blanket rather than the other way around.?
For horses on the cusp of old age, the decision to blanket needs to be made based on a number of factors. A year-old horse with a body condition of 4, for instance, may need blanketing while his year-old pasturemate in good shape doesn't. Horses with poor dental health may also need a blanket because they are unable to properly chew and digest hay for warmth,? A horse will be much colder in 38 wet, windy, sleety degrees than in 20 degrees with an insulating layer of dry snow on his back,?
In addition, he says, it's wise to invest in a couple of blankets of different weights:? That will give you the freedom to blanket on the relatively warmer days without the worry of overheating the horse. A horse that is kept too warm under a blanket will begin to sweat, and that can quickly lead to dangerous chills.? If you're unsure about blanketing, watch your horse for signs that he's cold.
The most immediate and obvious is shivering, says Trachtenberg:? It revs a horse's metabolism and burns calories. The horse stays warm, but not for long and at an extremely high cost. An older horse can shiver an alarming amount of weight off in a short period of time.? No one style or type of blanket is best for older horses, but a good fit is critical. Be extra careful when fitting. Finally, it's very important to take your horse's blanket off regularly.
A lot of problems can go unseen under a winter blanket, especially weight loss. Older horses with Cushing? Owners of geriatric horses often talk about getting their beloved animals through?
This time of year can be the harshest for the oldest members of the herd. With attentive feeding and blanketing, however, you can lessen the worst of the wintertime burdens for older horses to have them greet spring in good health. If an older horse goes into the winter with problems that aren? Respiratory disease : Extremely cold air, inhaled deeply, can irritate lung tissue. Turnout in a stable herd is fine, but avoid asking an older horse with heaves to exert himself in very cold weather.
Poor mobility: Horses with arthritis, chronic laminitis or neurological disease may find it difficult to negotiate frozen terrain. Snow, ice and even frozen mud can be hazardous.
Pay close attention to what is underfoot each day and keep older horses in areas with the best traction. Cataracts: The glare from sun-light bouncing off snow can make it difficult for horses with even minor cataracts to see.
Consider outfitting these horses with dark fly masks, which will act as sunglasses. Arthritis: If you? While research has yet to explain this phenomenon, it's safe to assume something similar occurs in horses. It is natural to wonder how you can keep your senior horse comfortable with a forecast of snow, sleet, wind, and sub-zero temperatures. As our friends age and enter their golden years, there are additional health considerations which must be made. Generally, a senior horse is considered a horse over 15 years of age, since this tends to be the point at which changes in their metabolism and immune system can be noticed.
We have compiled some quick tips to help you keep your senior horse content and cozy in the frigid weather. Hopefully knowing that your horse is at ease will make it easier for you to enjoy another winter season in New England. Water is an essential part of keeping your senior horse healthy, whatever the weather may be. Winter is certainly no exception, but it may be harder to keep your horse drinking consistently. Horses who do not have adequate water intake are at an increased risk for impaction colic, dehydration, and decreased body condition and bodily functions.
Be sure that you inspect the heater daily to verify that it is functioning properly and safely.
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