What is 1 unpopular horsey opinion you have?
I want to strongly second what L said but will chose my another on top of that one :)
- if you clip your horse it is your job to blanket them appropriately, you need to have the right layers for the differrent tempitures and change them when needed.
- if you start blanketing you need to follow through on a regular schedule... not just when you feel like it. Don't start blanketing a horse who has a full coat if you don't plan to follow through with it and manage the blanketing.
- DON'T leave a heavy blanket on when it's hot or not having one on when it's cold.
I am at the barn twice a day when it's that funky blanket season and have a (large) variety of layers to accommodate weather. I even have multiple of different layers in-case one is ripped and can't be used.
I feel like if we intervene in the natural warmth process, then it is our responsibility to keep them perfectly regulated.
Ok I am off my soap box now :)
Absolutely couldn't agree more! I was so peeved when Bucas came out with their blanket that claimed to be good from +10 to -15C...there is just no way! It suckered a few boarders into a false sense of security during those times (mostly spring and fall) when the temps change radically over the course of the day. Fortunately they figured out pretty quick the blankets were not all they were supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I don't blanket, but clipped horses need it and once you start keep up on it!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I work at a barn and it drives me crazy when horses are clipped and don't have a variety of "clothes" for varying temperatures. All my guys are outside so I don't do a lot of blanketing (except in the crazy winter) but when Apollo lived indoors he had an extensive wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!!
ReplyDeleteGood point! Luckily they will pull blankets for free at my barn and even put them on if it gets really cold so that takes a lot of the stress out of it for me.
ReplyDelete100% agree with you here. Once you decide to mess with their internal regulatory system it's totally your responsibility to make sure they're comfortable, even if it mean coming out twice a day or paying someone to help you.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Artie from Glee "PREACH"
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree. Though I don't feel like a blanket needs to be changed 50 times a day. Also just because someone doesn't have three of each doesn't mean that they can't sufficiently blanket their horse. I'm a big preacher of quality over quantity.
ReplyDeleteGood opinion! I am having a hard time choosing one to write about.
Lol you are definitely the blanket patrol at the barn lol.I wish we had blanketing/ turnout as part of our board (or an option) for those of us that work odd hours and live/ work farther away. Odds are good my made will be shaggyagain for that reason, I'd rather her take long to cool but be warm at night in winter.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Yes, it's always good to keep horsekeeping as natural as possible, but when unnatural demands are made on a horse's body (i.e. heavy work leading to clipping, or living in a climate that's colder than horses are designed for) then it is our responsibility to make unnatural compensation for it.
ReplyDeleteGirl- I'm going to have you come out and start blanketing mine!
ReplyDeleteI totally started to write a response to your comment but couldn't come up with the right phrasing. We have to meet up to wax poetic about hunter divisions!
ReplyDeleteomg...totally agree!
ReplyDelete