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RE: [RC] to blanket or not - heidiI do understand if you are working the horses that regularly.
Then there's a definite trade-off.
I would add, though, that dirt is not a factor here when it is
truly winter--there isn't any dirt exposed for them to get into, so
they stay pretty clean, even if ridden.
As for the illness, I'd bet lunch that the horses you described
were already incubating something and that the stress of being wet and
chilled simply made it worse--such weather (as Ed so perfectly
described) is not causitive of illness. Also, in really COLD
weather, they don't get wet--the snow simply builds up on them, and
they are toasty warm under their fur coats.
I'd also submit that lack of proper feeding for cold weather was
probably a factor in the cases that you describe--it DOES take calories
to stay warm, and I'd wager that your blanketed horses are well-fed,
too. Poorly nourished horses are certainly more apt to become ill
under any circumstances. I've certainly seen malnourished horses
become ill in cold weather--but sure can't pin the rap on the lack of
blankets!
Heidi
I do ride or drive or foxhunt mine on a consistent basis every week. Mine
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