Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I blanket mine.  All five of them. They are clipped in the fall when the coats get thick, and blanketed with heavy duty waterproof rugs throughout the winter regardless of the temps.  One or two need 2 or 3 re-clips throughout the winter to keep their coats short and maintenance free. If it should hit 65-70 during a winter day, I change their blankets to lightweight. But they will stay in blankets until spring. No shedding required.  They stay clean, don't get chills from having a sweaty coat after being worked in harness or under saddle, plus they do not suffer from the rain, wind, cold, and are quite warm and comfortable through the winter.   They are also out 24/7 with big run-in sheds, and only come in when the weather is truly horrid (sleeting and icing, or a major snow storm).

 

Never had the sickness, colds, or illnesses related to wet thick coats.  All of mine are excellent about being blanketed, even as babies, and its wonderful for them to be fussed over every day.  They become so used to hands-on, and the blanketing becomes so routine that they just start taking everything else in their education -- riding and driving -- in stride.