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Discussion on Winter blanket for a clipped pony | |
Author | Message |
New Member: donkey1 |
Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2012 - 10:40 pm: Looking for some advice on when to blanket my pony, who has a full clip. I live in North Carolina and our winter nights are so unpredictable! They are ranging from 40 down to 25. She is a Norwegian Fjord, very easy keeper and stays in a large paddock with access to her stall. I am always stressing that she won't be warm enough!! My other horses grow nice coats and I don't blanket unless rainy/windy and cold. Any suggestions for blanket weight at certain temps? |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Saturday, Dec 1, 2012 - 11:23 am: I always keep a light blanket or heavy sheet on a clipped horse whenever the temps are cool, around 60; then add more warmth as temps DrOp. How hot are your days? Is there dampness in the air. I think the swings in temps are the hardest for the horses to deal with. Also, do you want the horse to hair up or stay smooth? You need to add enought warmth to make up for the loss of hair. also, remember the weight of the blanket lessens the insulating qualities of the hair he has if he has any length at all to his hair, so you have to take that into consideration when blanketing. If you have big swings in temps, one of those insulating blankets that are breathable are good. Stateline and Schneiders have layering system "sets" of sheet, light blanket, and heaver water proof blanket that are excellent and pretty reasonably priced. |
New Member: donkey1 |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 2, 2012 - 7:16 am: Thanks Sara! I have every sheet and blanket known to man, I think. We swing from days of 65 to nights of 25-40, my pony rarely wears the same thing more that 12 hours. I would like her to stay smooth as she is in training and shown, but that being said, I want her comfy. I have been using a waterproof breathable sheet during the day, 100gm liner at nights above 32 and a full heavy blanket below 32. If my husband reads this he's going to think I'm crazy!! |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 2, 2012 - 2:32 pm: LOL Mine knows I'm crazy. First year we were here, horses had no barn and we had terrible snow and freezing rains. I would throw on insulated Carharts over pjs, pull on boots, and go out and check horses by flashlight to make sure they were warm enough under their blankets.I think with blankets you do your best to keep the temps as constant as possible. Takes a lot of on and off with the blankets. The breathable ones give a lot more leeway, but you still have to remove them when it's really warm. Big swings are tough. We have them also. It must be nice to live where the temps remain the same year round! |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 5, 2012 - 7:17 pm: Hello Jody,These stout little guys are pretty cold resistant even clipped. Watch closely that the covering does not cause sweating underneath. DrO |
New Member: donkey1 |
Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2012 - 2:22 pm: Thanks Dr O! What a great resource you have here. Loving my new pony!Jody |