Always been as natural as possible with my horses inc rugging, deciding if it's time to rug my old guy (I say old but he's 18 which isn't that old I know!). He's a warmblood, 18yrs used now as a pleasure/trail horse. Things to consider:I live in Queensland, Australia - the lowest the temperatures been since we've lived here is around 1-2 degrees celsius (that's 33-35 Fahrenheit) but it is quite windy (it doesn't snow here - I wish!)This horse spent most of his life in Victoria where the temperature got much lower much windier but he was with a large herd to snuggle up too.We have a run in shelter with just a roof minimal trees.He's a good doer keeping his condition (if anything slightly chubby!).Thanks for your contributions :)
Ha Ha i live on sunny coast it's been raining soooo much i would put on a light/medium water proof rug like the weatherbeeta landa freestyle combo it goes on sale at horseland on friday or the combat tearstop rug
I live in Queensland, (gold coast). as well and i have always rugged my horses. Specialy in winter. It has been so cold lately and i think we are in for the coldest winter in a long time. Remember the cold may affect his joints just like in us humans they get stiff etc. So maybe joint supplement aswell. But i would think that you should rug him this winter. EDIT** Haha geez we live close. i live in mudgeeraba lol. Yes if the sheet is wetthrough take it off otherwise its just going to make him extra cold having a wet rug on. im going to be doing the same thing as my winter rugs broke and i gotta get them fixed.
If he is a good doer and it's staying above freezing, I don't think you have to rug him at all. If he was older and having trouble keeping weight on, then maybe. For my horses (ages 27, 14, 14 and 3) I keep them natural until my 14 year old mare starts to shiver (usually at about 10 degrees Fahrenheit), then I'll blanket the three older ones. The 3 year old is a pony with a shaggy coat, and last winter was my first winter with him and I don't have a blanket to fit him.
Once it starts getting colder out, watch him for signs of being cold, such as shivering. If giving him a little more grain doesn't help, I would rug him. It's all up to how he is on his own. I would at least put a light blanket on when it's windy, if he has grown a winter coat. If his coat isn't as thick as it should be, I would rug him with a heavier rug. If you're concerned about a rug being too warm, go out to the paddock every few hours and stick your hand under the blanket. If he's sweating, it's too heavy. If he's toasty and not sweaty, he's good.
