Physically the horse is a thing of incredible beauty
and unbelievable wonder. There are very few things in the world more
beautiful then a well groomed horse in motion. It doesn't matter if that
horse is performing a complicated dressage test, running down the
backstretch, sailing over a jump, or chasing after a calf, the horse is
a thing of incredible beauty.
In addition to being structurally designed to steal your breath , horses
have a hair coat that is designed to withstand the elements. As long as
they have plenty of fresh water, lots of roughage and a good shelter
there is very little reason to blanket a horse. Most breeds have skins
that are fairly tough. In addition to a tough skin they are blessed with
a wonderful hair coat. Their hair is designed to fluff and catch pockets
of air, once the air is caught in the hair it is warmed with the horses
body heat. A healthy horse with a good hair coat will stay warm, wrapped
in their air pocket throughout the winter. If you don't believe drive
past a field of unlamented horses in the winter, chances are pretty good
that they will be completely ignoring any shelter they have been given.
The only time the average horse has a real problem with staying warm is
if they have gotten wet, or if their hair has been flattened by mud.
Just because the average horse doesn't need a blanket in the winter
doesn't mean that they all don't. Several breeds, including Arabians and
Thoroughbreds, have thin skin that is easily chilled. Older horses can
also have a difficult time staying warm. Horses that have had an injury
or illness that caused them to loose hair. Horses that are underweight
are another group of horses that should be watched carefully to make
sure they don't develop a chill.
There are a variety of reason's horse owners might choose to leave their
horse blanketed during the winter months. Some people who ride during
the winter months choose to save time cooling out and waiting for their
horse to dry after it has been worked by body clipping, horses that have
been body clipped must be blanketed.
Several show barns might decided to leave their horses blanketed so they
are able to attend shows in the early spring with a horse that is sleek
and shiny as opposed to a horse that is covered in a thick winter fuzz.
In the summer there are three main reasons a horse owner might choose to
blanket their horse. Some horses, especially light colour ones are prone
to sunburn, wearing a light weight blanket allows these horses to be
outside without burning. Some horses are highly susceptible to bug bites
a turnout fly sheet prevents bugs from biting their sensitive skin.
Horse owners who spend a great deal of time on the show circuit will use
a light weigh sheet to prevent the sun from bleaching their show horses
coat. A few horse owners will even resort to a heavy weight turnout rug
in an attempt to help sweat off a few of their equine friends excessive
pounds.
