Better information makes for healthier horses,
Horseadvice.com is where equine science and horse sense intersect.

Discussion on Better off without blanket?

Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 49
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 12:50 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi guys, Its me again:-)
Do you think my filly needs a blanket? She has a infection on her hock, she doesnt have access to shelter right now. Its been raining and snowing a bit. However, she is not shivering. Shes a wooly bear. I put her waterproof ultra lightweight blanket on her last night after reading the article on blanketing. But this morning when I went out to feed she was sweaty. So I removed it. But if it starts to rain again should I reblanket? my main concern is that she has the infection.
I do have a shelter but I have my mare that doesnt grow a winter coat, lightly blanketed and in there. Think I should switch them?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 24
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 1:29 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Why can't they be together in the shelter? Is it too small, or do they not get along?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 51
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 1:36 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

they do not get along. infact the reason my filly has hock infection is because no-hair mare kicked her.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 1:46 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry, I knew that was a stupid question.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kim
Member
Username: twhgait

Post Number: 149
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 2:25 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Leslie, I'm in the same situation. My long yearling is out by himself with no shelter because he likes to play too rough with my old mare, who gets the side with the shelter.

We have an arctic blast coming this weekend (high of 6 degrees in the daytime) so I've been giving this alot of thought! I have not been blanketing him (he loves to chew on his blanket to the point of being obsessed about it) and so far, so good. I only caught him shivering one day but it rained on him and it was only about 38 degrees. Otherwise, he's been out in 15-20 degree temps with a windchill (sometimes it snows too) all day without a problem. He goes in a stall at night.

Personally, if she's done alright without the blanket, I wouldn't blanket her. My thinking is that unless she has a temperature due to the infection, it wouldn't affect her ability to stay warm.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Nicole Tucker
Member
Username: tuckern

Post Number: 152
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 3:05 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

My horses have access to a shelter, but 9 times out of 10 they choose to just put their butts to the wind, and ride it out. (I bought both of them from a person who kept them in a large pasture, with no shelter, so I suppose they've just gotten used to it.)

As a general rule, I put blankets on them only if it's gonna get below about 10 degrees at night. Anything above that, and their winter coats are good enough to keep them warm. I've never seen them shivering.

But, if your filly isn't shivering, has a good winter coat, and was actually sweating with the light blanket, I wouldn't think she needs needs a blanket. Just don't let her coat get caked with mud, as that will take away it's insulating ability.

Hope that helps, and I'm sending positive thoughts to your filly for a quick recovery.

Nicole
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ann
Member
Username: dres

Post Number: 1145
Registered: 10-2000
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 3:10 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

How about throwing some extra hay out for her to munch on.. the hind gut digestion produces heat...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wanda Martinez
Member
Username: sonoita

Post Number: 124
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 3:30 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Ann.
My old guys get a blanket only when it is going to rain or snow and below 20*
Eating hay will keep her busy and warm.
happy Trails,
Wanda
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 351
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 3:40 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Could she have been sweating due to the infection as in a fever or something, sometimes they sweat out of pain and stress

Also using a light blanket for snow and heavy rain will protect against rain rot which can be a bit difficult to cure especially if she has pink skin.

Personally I always use to blanket my horses day and night during cold weather as I feel that only Icelandic or Shetland would be ok to winter out without protection

Nicole, in all the reading I have done about rolling, it always comes out that rolling on dust is for ticks and the like and rolling on mud is to make themselves a coat for protection against cold and wet...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

stina
Member
Username: stina

Post Number: 31
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 4:17 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I live in MT with 8 horses. Everything from a yearling quarter horse, to Arabians, to a mini stallion. Some of have actual shelters, and some just have natural shelters such a trees and hill-sides. This winter it has already been -25 and I have not put a blanket on any of the horses and they live outside 24/7. Instead, I bump their hay in-take by 2 and 3 times. Both by feeding more AM and PM and adding an extra late night feed, since that is when it is coldest. While I too am surprised, they all do just fine. No shivering, no colds and no weight loss. In my experience, it is harder on them when it hovers just above freezing and they have to cope with wet hair from rain and then it dropping below freezing. So a wet horse needs more protection from cold and wind than a dry horse, regardless of how cold it gets.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Judy White
New Member
Username: lnbryder

Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 4:47 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

We have been experiencing unusually cold and snowy weather, getting our 7th round this weekend. It is going to be -7 the next two nights and the high tomorrow is only going to be 8 degrees. My horses are on pasture. We have been keeping large round bales of grass hay available at all times. They spread it around and seem to waste a lot but at least they have something to eat at all times. Eating warms them up. I do not blanket them and they all have nice, thick coats. We go up and throw out some alfalfa daily and haul fresh water. We also grain them a little when we are there. I worry about them but so far they have done well.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wanda Martinez
Member
Username: sonoita

Post Number: 129
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 5:02 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Wecome Judy,
Where do you live in Colorado? I live in Sedalia I am over the snow already. I will do round bales next year. What falls they lay on. My one guy has been seen laying down and eating. I do not think he is lacking .
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 52
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 5:17 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

wow that is some serious cold--yikes. we live in arizona (mountainous region) its been 50' in the daytime but drops to the teens at night.
I normally would not worry about her cuz she covered with about 3 inch long hair lol. but it rained for 36 hours straight and with that dang infection...
Ive been top dressing her equine junior with corn oil and her antibiotics in the evenings.and giving her extra alfalfa.
thanks for all your input:-) i appreciate it!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wanda Martinez
Member
Username: sonoita

Post Number: 131
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 5:36 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

It is cold here but it is staying cold not going up and down. That can be bad too. When I lived in Florida the horses would colic just from the temp change. So I still feel your pain.
I am curious to what Dr. O said. If she has that sore I think I would want to keep it covered when it is raining, especially if she is on antibiotics. Infection is not good.
Happy Trails,
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro

Post Number: 511
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 5:37 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Leslie, what part of AZ are you in? We are heading to Phoenix next week for a conference! I use to live in Prescott for years.
I am debating the blanket issue as well. Levi has very thin hair. But he does have the excess poundage that I am glad for now.
We are going to be -15 degrees at night for the next few days, with our high to be -5 one day next week. Yikes do I miss arizona.
I am thinking of putting him in his quilted winter blanket all day for the next few days. I have been taking it off at night, just putting it on during the day, for wind block. they are in stalls at night, so I don't know if i should take it off or not?????
They get lots of grass hay, and I split a bale of alfalfa with 4 horses at night in a stall.
I have already threatened my husband with bringing the chickens and ducks in the kennel for the next few days. He thinks I am a lunatic!
suz
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Judy White
New Member
Username: lnbryder

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 5:45 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Wanda,

Yes, I am in Colorado - Thornton. Our horses are in Ft. Lupton so we make the drive daily. I have had just about enough of the cold! I have lived here all my life and don't remember cold and snow lasting this long. We always had a nice warm up - even for just a couple days - between storms. I just keep reminding myself that the days are getting longer and before we know it we'll be complaining about the 90 degree temps!

Judy
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 6:30 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I just remembered a rather funny shelter idea. I drive through a really nice neighborhood periodically, it's still being built up, with $500,000 to probably $1,000,000 houses on 5 acre lots. Well here in Colorado, we've had nothing but snow, and several arctic blasts since mid-December. I took a double take, when I drove past a house, with horse panels around the concrete driveway, and the garage door open, with horses in this so called "paddock" and "loafing shed". The barn isn't even close to being done, so I suspect they won't be using their garage for cars anytime soon. These are obviously very concerned horse owners! Just an idea I thought you might want to try. Just kidding!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Corinne Meadows
Member
Username: corinne

Post Number: 775
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 6:48 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Just food for thought. Not sure if this helps....but one of my dressage instructors when we lived in Minot, ND received her schooling through the British Horse Society (excuse me if I got that wrong) and she said if you have a horse with a whooly coat it's the best layer or protection and if you put a blanket on it will lay the hair down, which normally stands up allowing warmer air to circulate within the hair providing an insulating warmth and they might be colder in the long run than just letting them be. If the filly has a long coat she should be just fine. We lived where the winters were -60 below zero and in fact was the coldest spot in the states (besides Alaska) last week. All the horses outside went without blankets except ours who lived in a heated barn and therefore didn't grow a coat.
Good Luck with what ever you decide.

v/r
Corinne
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 53
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 7:34 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Well the sun is out so hopefully no more rain:-) I think she will be perfectly fine as long as it doesnt rain. Thanks for everyones advice.
Hi Susan, Its good to talk to a fellow Prescottonian:-) We now live out by Chino. So you know how weird the weather can be here. I went out without a coat this afternoon but by tonight it will be 18 degrees.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 54
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 7:42 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

DRO,
Im curious as to what you might think? I read the article on blanketing--- basically to let shivering/sweating be your guide. But Im confused about my filly. She has infection with no shelter yet sweats with blanket. I only have this concern for when its raining. I feel shes fine in dry conditions.
Thanks ahead of time.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro

Post Number: 512
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 8:33 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Leslie, I loved Prescott. Lived in Paulden first. I had 2 1/2 acres in Williamson Valley Estates. I wish I had hung on to them. Property value is crazy out there. My land ran out of water however, well went dry. Scary. It has changed soooo much. I moved out in 91, lived there from 1984. How long have you been there.
I worked at Chino Valley School, and had a dog training business, worked with the wolves at the Prescott Zoo, till I relocated to. . . oh my god . . . Iowa! Husband kidnapped me.
Try to get back every year, but this year we will not have time, and will be in the valley the whole time.
Next year, I will have to look you up!
suz
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose

Post Number: 2217
Registered: 1-2000
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 8:57 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Might as well add my 2 cents here! If she has a nice thick wooley coat, then I think she's fine. I would worry if she was running a fever. If not, she'll do alright. The main thing is lots of good quality hay as that is what helps her generate heat. A lot of people, including a neighbor of mine, up the horse's grain when it's cold; but hay generates more heat. It would be great if she at least had shelter from the wind, as horses seem to do good in rain and snow, but add wind and it's much harder for them to keep warm.

We once lived in the high Sierra Mountains where -40 at night was not unusual. My horses all had stalls, but in all but the very worst weather they could go in and out at will. Most of them would stand outside 90% of the time. One mare stood outside but kept her head inside; guess she didn't like snow in her eyes.

Right now I keep my older, arthritic horses blanketed when it's really cold. The rest have shelters and go in and out without blankets,.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1

Post Number: 988
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 9:11 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Leslie, have you checked her temp?

It's the wind combined with rain or freezing rain that is tough on horses. Right around that freezing point it the worst.

We are going to have wind chills -35 this weekend. I don't plan on putting blankets on anyone. Not sure if I will put them in either, if they are out with 2 stalls left open, they can move around, bunch up and they have access to the water 24/7 that way. Locked in, the buckets of water will freeze up fast.

One year we had windchills -60. I didn't have stalls, just a lean to then. Out of 6 horses, 4 were shivering, 2 were fine. Put old wool army blankets on the ones that were cold, tied them up with twine string, and that little bit made the difference.

Like every one else says, keep more hay in front of her as the temp goes down.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shirley Johnson
Member
Username: shirl

Post Number: 441
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 10:52 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Susan,
What part of IA are you in? Family Farm in Southeastern SD, 8 miles from the IA border, near Akron IA, 30 Mi. N. of Sioux City.
I'm very thankful to be in Tucson AZ these days.
Shirl
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro

Post Number: 513
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 - 11:28 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Shirl, I can relate to being thankful. We are going below zero again, and next Monday our high is forecast to be -1 degree. This is when my husband hides out in the den, to avoid my wrath!
We live in N.W. Iowa, Spencer, by Lake Okoboji, if you know the area, you are probably familiar with the Iowa Great lakes. You would be just west of LaMars Iowa, so not far from us.
I took Levi's blanket off tonight, but the next few days, he may be sleeping in his blanky!
We have a kennel here, and ran out of propane last night. Puppies were a little cold, but 1600 gallons delivered today. We went through 1100 gallons of propane last month.
Can't wait for Spring!
suz
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 17679
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 6:10 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Leslie, my thoughts are in the article associated with this forum, Wintertime: Caring for Horses in the Cold. But you should also do a search on "blanket" as we have had many discussions over the years with the experiences of folks who regularly care for horses in sub-0F degree temperatures.
DrO
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1

Post Number: 991
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 7:46 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Susan,

1100 Gallons? What the heck are you all heating? We use that in one whole YEAR! Have you checked into wood burners, or better (cleaner and neater) pellet burners?

Stay warm this weekend!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ellab
New Member
Username: ellab

Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 8:27 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Maybe it is because we have such cold, windy weather here, but it is a Maine law that the horses must have access to at least a 3 sided shelter. I have turnout on the opposite side of the road to my barn and only had the horses out in good weather but still had an aspca officer show up at my door one day because despite the fact that they were in every night, someone thought that my horses had no shelter. It freaked me out and I put up a run in in the field for day use. I am really glad I did because although the horses never use it in the winter (regardless of the weather) they are in it all the time in the heat of the summer.

EllaB :-)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose

Post Number: 2224
Registered: 1-2000
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 9:28 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Boy, I wish we had a law like that around here! We see so many horses, some old and ribby, some foals, all standing out in the middle of large pastures with not even a scrub brush to get behind. I often don't see water or feed, either. Really makes me angry but there isn't anything to be done about it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro

Post Number: 514
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 10:24 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Happy Groundhogs Day everyone! -3 degrees right now! We have 3 buildings to heat, including our house. The problem with the kennels is that the doggie doors allow the dogs to go in and out and drag heat out with them, and cold back in. We will be closing them off completely for the next 4 or 5 days. We have a wood stove in our house to supplement heat, but it would not be feasible in the kennels. I keep the kennels at around 68 degrees, we are a pet resort, you know, plus we are out there all the time.
It is like having kids that leave the door open all the time.
BRRRRRRRRR
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sara S
Member
Username: sdms

Post Number: 20
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 10:40 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi there! There seem to be quite a few people on here enjoying this CO winter we're having. (Hope you could read the sarcasm there!) Got up this morning at 5 am and it was -18 at DIA without the wind chill and it always gets a few degrees colder out east where we live. The winter started a couple days after we started putting up a lean-to and fence for pasture so neither has been finished. The boys are standing in a corral with no shelter other than the trailer full of hay which we managed to park as a wind-break on the north side of the corral before the snow accumulated too much. For the most part they don't even stand behind and I think when they do it's because that's where I put their hay!



Horses are tougher than we give them credit for most of the time. We feel like if we'd be miserable out there they would be too. It's my opinion that if they've been allowed to live outdoors and grow a winter coat they'll do just fine. I know I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before. I'd be more worried about the injury, how to treat it and if there's any fever.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 354
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:03 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

You probably will think I am mad but I would trade the snow for the hellish heat we have in Cozumel any time!

One of the things I enjoyed most in Colorado was that it was cold!

I rather shovel snow than throw food away as it went off due to the damp and heat.

Storing alfalfa or hay in cold weather keeps pretty well but in this heat it goes mouldy and dusty in a week!

Funny when I moved to Cozumel was because I thought heat would be nicer than cold…then again extremes are always bad
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sara S
Member
Username: sdms

Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:14 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Liliana. Yes, yes I do think you're mad! Of course I'd probably complain either way. I grew up in Oklahoma, which I'm sure is nowhere near as hot as Cozumel, but the summers were SO hot and humid. I just want it to be about 65 degrees all the time and dry. Is that too much to ask??
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shirley Johnson
Member
Username: shirl

Post Number: 442
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:29 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Suz,
Ah yes, I know the area well. My former husband owns a farm NE of Akron, and Lemars is just a skip and a jump from there. I know it's been miserable there as my elder son is back here with me (used to farm with his dad) awaiting to see if he gets on the heart transplant list, so he talks to his dad weekly. I remember as a kid all that snow and cold, milking cows, carrying lanterns (that ages me), etc.
Keep warm and toasty.
Shirl
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shirley Johnson
Member
Username: shirl

Post Number: 443
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:31 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Suz and Others,
Think I got off the subject there, but when I was on our farm, our horses were brought into the barn at night, turned out by day - no blankets as they had heavy coats and did fine. They always had fresh straw to lay on at night and the barn was warm from the animals heat - well sort of.
Shirl
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

LL
Member
Username: frances

Post Number: 376
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:35 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

I love the photo, Sara S! It would make a great Christmas card.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 11:36 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Liliana, my aunt and uncle have owned a house down in Cozumel for many years, down on the north end by the golf course. I know the Americans kind of hang-out together down there. Perhaps you know them--Bill and Jane Salmon? Needless to say, they are in Cozumel now, vs. lovely Colorado. Talk about getting off subject.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 355
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 12:01 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Sara of course is not much to ask, but someone up there in the weather control does not agree with us

Lisa I am a bit ignorant but what does socialising and hang out mean? Oh! I remember, is what I used to do before I had 10 cats, 17 dogs 11 horses 3 tortoises 10 Australian love birds 2 Oscar fish 5 goldfish 2 Betas! Ah! and a husband

Shikes now you definitely know I ‘m mad
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 356
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 12:05 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Lisa feel free to give your uncle and ant my e-mail and my office phone number 01 987 872 5777 should they need anything!

I don't know how is their Spanish...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lilo
Member
Username: lilo

Post Number: 352
Registered: 4-2000
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 12:33 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,

I see there are many fellow Coloradoans here that are suffering through this prolonged cold spell.

Next week we should get some thawing going!!!!!

I have a 20 year old mare and a 10 year old gelding. They never are blanketed, but, have access to a stall at all times. The gelding likes to stay outside most of the time, however, the mare takes advantage of the stall, especially if it is windy.

This morning we woke up to -12 degrees F. I can tell when the horses feel the cold - they run around and buck when they see me coming to the barn. That is a concern in itself - the cold snow is slick, and there is ice underneath. I have been giving extra hay at the evening feed - especially if the temperatures are predicted to go below 0 at night.

When my mare took ill (unexplained fever) about two years ago and I found her shivering in her stall, I just covered her with a very thin wool blanket until the vet came. The vet agreed with what most people have said here - it is better to let the horses winter coat take care of things rather than to blanket. He said that matting down the hair with a blanket really reduces the insulation they get from their own winter coat. However, he did not object to the temporary covering with the thin wool blanket - she had stopped shivering when he got to my place.

Lilo
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 12:50 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Liliana, you sound like the local humane society. You must be one of those kind people that takes in strays off the streets. My aunt and uncle actually took 2 of those strays home with them to Colorado when they were just puppies. You must have some land in the jungle to have that many animals. My uncle has actually been working with the fire dept. down there, getting fire trucks and other equipment, and training the guys, etc. So they've gotten to know the local political channels. My aunt has decent spanish, but it doesn't seem too necessary, as English is definitely used a lot by the locals. What business are you in?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Carolyn A Burton
Member
Username: mcbizz

Post Number: 113
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 1:14 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

My horses (Arab and Mustang) both have heavy fur coats and hardly ever go into their stalls. Feeders are outside and that is where I feed them unless it is snowing or raining with wind. Then they stand in their stalls, looking out at me saying, "Okay, Mom, bring it in here, please!"
I have never blanketed and it gets pretty cold here, especially this winter, with some minus zero nights. We are starting to long for snow...another drought ahead???
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 357
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 2:14 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Lisa,

In deed English is spoken throughout Cozumel!

When I left England it broke my heart to have to leave my dogs, cats, horses, squirrel, goldfish… Yes I’ve always been nuts and I swore I’d never have animals again…

A week after I arrived to Cozumel I had already adopted a puppy, 2 weeks later I picked up a dog from the middle of the road with a broken pelvis as a car went over her and so it started... and the same goes for cats and horses. And that is not counting all the ones I've taken to be put to sleep as they were too far gone!

So why the hell did I acquire fish turtles and birds…I lost my marbles a long time ago.

I have the cats and 4 dogs at home, 3 dogs at the office and the rest at the ranch!

I rent light machinery for construction, you know scaffolds, cement mixer, etc. and Paco is an Architect.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lisa Zieman
Member
Username: lzieman

Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 2:56 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Ah, Liliana is a Brit, not an American. Probably aren't many others down there. You guys are in the right business. I unfortunately haven't been in a few years, but last time I was, it definitely looked like there was a lot of growth. Of course the hurricane last year isn't bad for business either is it! And everything seems to have a way of falling apart down there. I would love to be there right now. But I would agree that by May, your weather stinks, and I'd much rather be here in Colorado. Then again, on some of our 105 degree days I want to be in Alaska. The grass in always greener on the other side.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Judi Gordon
Member
Username: jgordo03

Post Number: 152
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 4:39 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

It's cold here in Missouri too. It was 8 degrees with 20 mph winds this morning. We already have about 5 inches of ice on the ground, and just got another 2 inches of snow night before last. It just covered all the ice so you can't see it now. We aren't expecting a day in the 30's until next Thursday. My pasture is like a glacier and I have to keep my TB up in the corral all the time now. She hates it. I'm leaving my QH at the trainers until March, she has been in all winter in a heated stall, so she has not coat to speak of. I have a 12'x40' overhang on the south side of my barn and most of the time (down into the single digits) I can leave the stalls open and they can come and go as they please. I also beef up the hay, and the TB gets beef pulp and standardized rice bran as well. She looks better then she ever has for a hard keeper. I'm looking forward to Spring this year. I just hope I can live through the mud.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 359
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 4:58 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Too true, it is always greener on the other side.. Every time we travel my husband starts planning how could we move.

When we were in Colorado he fell in love with the vast areas, he is from Cozumel!
Liliana
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 55
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 8:37 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hey guys, Any of you recall the minimum size a stall can be for a horse to be comfortable? I may try to divide the run in into 2 separate areas. It will be kinda small, each area will be around 8 X 15. but atleast they both could go in if they wanted.
Im havent checked her temp since I started giving her antibiotics, but tomorrow I will start again....her leg seems to be swelling more. k now my preg hormones are kicking in and Im boo-hooin . my vet will be out on monday.
I wish I was in Cozumel, drinking something with an umbrella in it...Calgon take me away kinda moment lol
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1

Post Number: 56
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 - 8:45 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

PS
You all are great... DRO is right -we have a plethora of wise people, with lots of hands on experience. So thanks to all.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Adria Weatherbee
Member
Username: adriaa

Post Number: 37
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2007 - 8:52 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Poor Rose had gotten a full body clip sometime this fall, . I don't know why they would do that, a blanket clip would have sufficed in New England... I'm wondering if she needs the neck blanket, especially in the wind. Her coat has grown out quite a lot but still, she is fine when there's no wind but it's going to be really cold and really windy for the next few days. She's in at night and out during the day. The barn manger may choose to keep them in when it's this cold, but I know she'd prefer to be out. She's still in a quarantine stall, so when she's in she can't see the others and gets a bit nervous.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Corinne Meadows
Member
Username: corinne

Post Number: 778
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2007 - 10:22 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Leslie that 8 X 15 should be plenty....mine has stayed in 8 X 12 and has always had room...mind you he is not huge but you have a little one.
Hope the fevers subside...and best of luck to you for dealing with those pregnancy hormones and horse issues! I for one go nuts enough when mine is hurt, I couldn't imagine him being hurt with me being out of my mind emotional. We are here if you need to chat!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Liliana Velasco Ariza
Member
Username: liliana

Post Number: 364
Registered: 5-2003
Posted on Monday, Feb 5, 2007 - 2:38 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi there

I was looking at some pictures and I came across a picture of a house we visited that was made out of bales of hay.

They pile them up as bricks or blocks put a mesh on it and then cement and they are great temperature wise as they are so thick so I thought that it might be an idea for a run in shelter in the field, you could use old bales even, and perhaps use a tarpoling (canvas) if you want to put a roof on it

Liliana
Post a Message to this Discussion
Posting
Instructions:
Full Service Members may post to this discussion and should address the orignial poster's concerns or other information posted here. New questions about your horse should be started in a new discussion. Use the navigation bar at the top of this page to return to the parent article and review the article and existing discussions. If your question remains unanswered "Start a New Discussion", the link is under the list of discussions at the bottom of the article.
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username:
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:
Home Page | Todays Discussions | Search | Top of Page Administration
  http://www.horseadvice.com
is The Horseman's Advisor
Helping Thousands of Equestrians, Farriers, and Veterinarians Every Day
All rights reserved, © 2009
BBB Reliability Seal