I live in south GA. I have three horses, a retired thoroughbred named Sonny whom is now 13 years old. I have have two paints named Dixie and Dakota. Now, I'm pretty sure you guys are aware that winter is approaching (obviously).
Here is my question: How do I keep my TB warm during the winter? The poor thing... its so unusual to see a tb grow "winter hair"... I know this helps him, but the poor thing still shivers so bad he looks like he is about to fall over. He stays in an open pasture, he hasn't been in a stall in over 8 years, so I would be afraid to put him in one. Dixie and Dakota have NEVER been in a stall (I've tried and they literally freaked out). So where one horse goes, the others must follow.
Anyways, we have a rain-proof blanket that we use on him. I'm pretty sure that one day in winter it's going to rain making it even colder. My mom and I have literally had to go out with hot water and bran-mash and feed him (in the pouring rain). Is there nothing else that I can do to help him keep warm? Dixie has a blanket but we stopped putting hers on because she always takes it off. . .
I want to go ahead and prepare before it gets really really cold again!! No negative comments. Thank you!
2011-09-20T07:37:58Z
I'm at least glad there is a large lean to they can stand under if it rains... but my horses have never been the "retreat from the rain" type. We have also had those big round bales of hay put into the pasture (perhaps I should put it under the lean to so they get used to standing under it?) Hm, I didn't know about the currying part. I should try it. I also usually love riding in the winter because the horses are "friskier".
As far as it doesn't get cold in GA... YES it does. It's even SNOWED here (although it's uncommon), so I have to beg to differ on the statement that it isn't cold in south GA.
2011-09-20T08:33:34Z
@ FENNEC- if you had READ what I wrote correctly you would KNOW that I DO use a waterproof blanket on him and as I stated he DOES in fact grow winter hair, YOU DOPE. I'm not retarded, your not telling me anything I don't already know. So take your answer somewhere else. K thanks.
Theotherhorse2011-09-20T07:31:50Z
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I think it's a good thing that the horse's are out in pasture, it's much better for them, so good for you on that. I would keep it that way.
But as for your actual question, there are a few things you can do. Buying a thicker blanket is one, but I'm not really a fan of blankets because they aren't very comfortable for the horse, so it's up to you if you want one. Giving your horse allot of hay helps. Good, thick hay not only gives them more energy to produce mre heat, it also helps them grow out some winter coat, which is good. Another idea would be to groom them regularly. In the winter, horse's get wet allot, obviously, from the rain and snow. When the fur on a horse gets wet, it gets matted down and thick, so it can't dry properly. It's a good idea to go out regularly and just currycomb your horse's hair to fluff it back up to make it dry faster. Building a shelter is another good idea. It gives the horse some protection from the wind and rain. Make sure you build it so it's safe for the horse, by making sure there are at least to exits so horse's don't get stuck and it's well constructed. If you can't do that, planting a tree is a good (although not quite as effective) alternative. Another idea is about exercising. After you ride your horses (if you do in the winter) try and walk them out for as long as possible. This allows the sweat they got from exercising to dry out before going out to pasture so they're a little warmer.
It can snow at 32 degrees. That's not really al lthat cold, if you want cold you can comespend the winter in Michigan where I'm at. ;]
That being said, my Thoroughbred always gets a winter coat(and it's pretty thick for a thoroughbred), but we still put a heavy Rambo winter blanket on him. And when it gets to below 10 degrees F, he just stays in the barn with his dutch doors in the back completely closed to help shield him from the wind.
For the most part, a winter blanket is going to be heavy and waterproof 99% of the time. It keeps them warm. If it didn't, they wouldn't make them.It doesn't matter if he's outside all the time, either. Horses can do well in surprisingly low temperatures. My TB went out and it started blizzarding with the temperature diving down to around 12 degrees. When it stopped snowing and we pulled them in, he had literally pulled his own blanket off(how? I don't know. He always does it. Even with brand new straps and clips, properly on, he always gets them off.) Plus, your TB isn't extremely young(yearling, maybe a 2-3 year old) or extremely old(25+), so he shouldn't have any other special needs.
Considering it's colder during the night, I would stall him at night with his blanket on.
When the sun comes out in the morning.. I promise you, even 30 degrees isn't cold to a horse.
His hair may seem sparse, and I do understand that he's a thoroughbred-- a naturally thin horse... But he's not going to be cold in the day time.
Constant blanketing will prevent a winter coat from growing out, so that may even be why you aren't seeing a nice coat.
I live in Boerne, Texas.. It "snows" here, too. It doesn't get cold in the south. There's no reason for a thick snow blanket. "Cold" to a nearly hairless, thin skinned human... again, isn't cold to a horse.
And no, when it's raining and snowing you don't want a large round bale sitting out rotting in your pasture.
Provide extra hay in the winter. It's when you want your horse fat. ;) If you keep their digestive system running, they're going to stay a LOT warmer.
You live in southern Georgia, and you can't keep a TB warm? They can and will grow winter hair, you dope. It might not be sufficient for a legitimately cold winter (ahem, Pennsylvania or Michigan perhaps?), but they will grow it.
Do you have ANY idea how to blanket a horse? You need warm waterproof turnout blankets. If he has shelter, then don't worry about it raining. He can go under there if he wasn't want to get wet.
OMG IT SNOWED ONCE? WOW HOW DID YOUR HORSES SURVIVE? Our Pennsylvania TBs do just fine with proper winter blankets and coming into the barn at night.
TB's don't grow much of a winter coat. Put a water proof turn out blanket on, if you use a heavy weight blanket this should help. You can also put a stall blanket on under the turn out blanket for the really cold days.