Rugging A Clipped Horse

Rugging at this time of year is particularly difficult as the weather changes from day to day and often hour to hour.

Rugging a clipped horse.

The science of rugging horses what to use when. Older horses young horses thin horses and clipped horses will need rugs first for most horses unless clipped and living out 24 7 rugs should not be considered before temperatures overnight begin dipping towards 5 10 c. Clipping is one of those jobs that many horse owners despise it s messy time consuming and too often can be stressful for both horse and owner. Mine are natives with bib clips and live out at 1000 feet.

But you don t have to dread clipping your horse. If they walk off twice don t put it on. However it is also important that the horse does not get chilled by not rugging soon enough especially if clipped or by being damp from sweat and exposed to drafts or cold winds. Horses that are clipped under the weather or elderly for example will require more rugging through the colder winter months than good doers native breeds and those that are unclipped.

You can put a mediumweight on him on a chilly morning and then the sun comes out and he is too hot. Rugging a horse may affect the natural stimuli to trigger thermoregulation mechanisms. Horses are mammals and they maintain their internal body temperature at around 38 c through a well developed mechanism known as thermoregulation which has developed through evolution so that the body temperature is maintained within a narrow range. They have a field shelter and some drystone walls but exposed to the north.

Before putting a rug or a heavier one on your horse consider all the many variables. Over rugging or putting a rug on too soon can compromise a horse s ability to do this. Rainsheet to 50g max no neck covers. Take your horse s rug off everyday to check for sweat marks as this is an indicator you are over rugging him.

Horses that are regularly stabled or clipped will be more vulnerable to chills than those that are used to living out and may easily overheat if wearing too many clothes. The horse s muscles can also develop cramps if hot muscles get cold too quickly. A basic guide to rugging horses. They only get the chance to get rugged if its windy wet and cold.

First the science bit. The hair erector muscles need exercising like any muscle in order to work efficiently. Don t tie them up to rug if they sidle up to you when the rug appears put it on.