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Re: [RC] [RC] New to sport too - Deanna GermanI have to respond to this since my mare is one of those thin-skinned ones who, when she has her summer coat and we're at a competition, gets a sheet at about 70 degrees and breezy, another layer at about 60, a light-weight winter blanket below that with breathable layers below that to about 40 and a heavy winter blanket below that! She can't tolerate being wet, even if it's a warm rain. When she's exerted herself -- had to carry my butt 25+ miles -- I add a layer. I tried doing the 24/7 turnout thing and it didn't work. She's low in the herd hierarchy and will do stupid stuff (climb things, bust through things, allow herself to get cornered by the dominant horses) to put a roof over her head when she wants shelter. She's out 24/7 only during the warmest part of the summer (actually, she gets put in during the DAY then since the bugs get so bad), otherwise stabled at night. When we come home from camping, I turn her loose in the backyard where she grazes while I unwrap her legs, then she makes a bee-line for her stall with or without me, seems blissfully happy to have a roof over her head. I don't blanket much at home -- only to keep her dry. Sometimes she stands at the gate on rainy days waiting for me to come put her in her stall. She seems fine even in temps below 0 F as long as she's dry. She never grows as much coat as the rest in the barn do even thought they're all kept the same. Some of them just don't grow much winter coat. I betcha them Florida horses have some thin blood and think 50 degrees is brutally cold. 24/7 turnout without blankets doesn't work for every horse. I take what people say should be done, then I look at my horse and her circumstances and decide whether it's right for HER. Deanna (Ohio) ------------------------------------------ Diane wrote: "Also since he does not get a winter coat, he gets sheet at about 55* and blanket at 50* and under. " Amanda replied: He never will get a coat if you blanket at such high temperatures! I field board my horse in Northern VA: no barn, just thick evergreeen to get in under. My vets says there is no need to blanket until the temperature gets below 15 degrees, and to blanket as little as possible. IMHO, 50 degrees is way too warm for even a sheet! Do your horse a favor and don't oput anything on until the temps get below freezing: he will get a coat! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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