To Rug Or Not To Rug?

That is the question.   Its starting to get chilly.  Everywhere I drive I see horses rugged up. We are starting to rug ourselves.....socks, boots, maybe a jacket. Its tempting to start rugging our horses. BUT remember we don't have waterproof fur!  Horses are actually comfortable at between 7c and 14c. Naked. 

At 7c we probably have a thick jacket, so think our horses are cold. But just remember if they are not clipped they have a thick coat which is like us wearing a jacket.  Of course if your horse is clipped, it needs a rug. Also elderly horses need help to keep the heat in.  We have two ponies with EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), and they are rugged earlier. EMS messes with the metabolism, so they cannot regulate their temperature so well. The others are two Shetlands (who are never rugged), a Haflinger, and a Gypsy Cob. The bigger ponies do have lightweight rugs on wet and windy days, mostly because Jo and I are soft, but also because we are on an exposed hill. Well thats our excuse to ourselves, and we are sticking to it!  But they do not need thick rugs....they have their own natural filling...FUR.

We have noticed that snow (When it actually happens) does not melt off the Shetlands backs.....which shows how well insulated they are. Also when it rains, they do not hide under the trees, they carry on eating in the middle of the field. They may look hunched up, but it is the horses way of keeping their vitals warm.  Look carefully and you will see the hair standing up on end....this is all part of natures way of keeping them warm.  The best way to help your horse keep warm is to feed plenty of hay.  Keep the hind gut working and this will keep the horse warm.  Think about where your horses breed comes from...
Shetlands?  I have been to Shetland....Its a cold, bare, treeless peat covered land. (No offense meant to Shetland).  Haflingers?  They live in snow covered mountains. Any British Native either comes from moorland or hill country.

If you are worried, feel the base of the horses ears or its chest.  This is a good indication of temperature. Of course if the poor thing is huddled up not grazing and shaking like a whippet, then by all means rug it.  Just don't overdo it.  Remember how uncomfortable it is to be hot and not be able to shed a layer.

And I just have to say.......Stabled horses.  Warm and cozy?  Ever spent a cold night in a stable?  Not at all warm and cozy.... Of course it is better for the horse to be outside, grazing, moving, able to run.  But if your horse has to be stabled at night.....Nice thick bed and rugs please. They cannot move around to get warm.