Does your horse’s wardrobe rival your own? Yes, is a common answer among many in the equine industry. But before you go out and buy yet another rug this fall, Equine Guelph has your blanketing questions covered in their free online healthcare tool – Horse Blanketing Tool, sponsored by internationally renowned blanket manufacturer, Bucas of Ireland.
“One common misconception is that if you are cold, so is your horse,” says Gayle Ecker, Equine Guelph director. “The Horse Blanketing Tool explains thermoregulation and how horse owners can help maintain their horse’s health by neither over or under blanketing.”
The tool also addresses the question “to blanket or not to blanket?” If your horse is clipped, you are committed to blanketing. Equines having trouble maintaining weight can benefit from a blanket to ensure they are not using up precious calories staying warm once the temperatures drop below 5 degrees Celsius. In the horse’s thermoneutral zone (5 – 20 degrees Celsius) they do not have to expend any additional energy to maintain normal body temperature. It is important to consider your horse’s hair coat, health, age and body condition score when deciding if a rug is required. The blanketing tool takes you through 10 factors to consider and will help you weigh the pros and cons to blanketing.