To blanket or not to blanket??

During the winter months, there is always a hint of uncertainty about whether or not to blanket your horse. Some may argue that no animal should wear clothes while others put blankets on for any reason they can find.

The honest truth? You don't HAVE to blanket a horse because they are naturally hardy animals. Horses produce a coat that is thick enough to withstand harsh winter weather. Dr. Michael Foss explains that "Heat rising from the body warms the air, but that air doesn't go anywhere because it's trapped between the hairs." The early horse didn't have people to look after them but they also had the resources to seek shelter in brush or tree thickets, so be sure your horses can at least get out of the wind.

That being said, there are certain circumstances that horses may require a bit more attention and it may be a good idea to take blanketing into consideration.

• show horse and s/he is clipped, it is advisable to help keep them warm because they are prohibited from growing their natural hair
• senior horses, especially if they don't support a healthy appetite to maintain a thick flesh
• young horses, they may not have developed enough flesh and hair to keep warm during the extremely cold weather
• relocated horses moved from warm to cold areas before the initial hair growth, to help adjust to a new climate
• visibly see they are shivering, it is a clear indication that they are need of more protection

One common misconception is that blanketing can cause your horses hair not to grow. While it can lead to shorter hair growth, the coat will still have a thick undercoat. Horses grow two coats a year, one in the winter and one in the summer. Regardless of blanketing, the horses natural brain responds to day length and they begin growing their coat in August to prepare for the winter months. 

If you have any discussion to add, please do so! 

Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks
Kelsey Parmenter