Blanketing horses in winter?

I blanket mine starting in November, usually. Basically once it starts getting by freezing, I blanket. Not all of them-just the one I work. But I also clip him, and he's an older TB and needs the blanket. Right now he has 3 blankets of differing thickness and 2 neck things on, but it has been hovering around -25 to -55 F. I have given him a full clip though, so he has no hair, basically.

I have never had any issues with blanketing causing health issues. I think that people should only blanket if they need to, but I do not think it is such a horrible thing.

I live in the northern mid-west, and I do not blanket my horses, despite temperatures in the -20-30 below range, with wind chills in the -50 below range. They have never needed blanketing, even in these cold, dry conditions. Having said that, there are many good reasons to blanket a horse, and people should not judge others based just on what they do with their herd.

I have read in 'Equus' and other magazines that blankets which are too warm for the conditions may aggravate already present skin conditions, like rain rot, due to humid, warm environment. A sweaty horse under a sweaty blanket can also catch a dangerous chill in extreme weather. Ill-fitting blankets that bind and twist can be just as bad as an ill fitting saddle, and a flapping, ripped strap can panic a horse. On the whole, though, I think it is always up to the individual horse owners experience. The person you talk about has good points, but if you need a blanket, then you shouldn't feel bad about using a proper fitting one correctly.

Yes horses are made to take the weather and survive in the wild without blankets. Horses also freeze to death in the wild. A fate domesticated horse owners try to avoid.

We tried going without blankets a few years back. The first hard cold snap I went out to the barn at night and found one of my horses agitated and shivering. Blankets came back out that night and came off the next afternoon. That night convinced us that blankets are not so bad after all. What's more cruel, putting a blanket on them when they're shivering and risking all the evils of blanketing, or letting them risk their health due to extreme exposure.

The methodology you use is exactly the methodology we use. We are in Michigan and it usually results in maybe 10 days and nights of blanketing a year. We have had no problems which may be associated with full time blanketing like rubs, thin coats, fungus and the like.

Once again, common sense has to prevail. I've seen horses wearing hoods and 3 blankets in March. I've seen horses in freezing rain and 20 mph winds without blankets. Both are pretty ignorant if you just use your head a little. Everybody wants to be black and white on every issue but we domesticated these wild things because (most) humans have logic and reasoning to make judgements for the best care needed for our animals.

I think you are using good common sense. I think problems arise when blankets are left on for days at a time. The blanket needs to be removed at least every other day (every day would be best) for several hours to let the blanket and the horse's coat air out. Allowing moisture to build up under the blanket could cause problems for the horse. I've never had any problems with blanketing my horse because I keep the blanket clean and dry and only use it when it is really cold, like you do.

I blanket in the winter. my horse is clipped though too. If they aren't clipped and have their full natural coat i've heard they will be fine because the coat is great insulation for a horse and the blanket makes the coat so it doesnt trap heat or something. I would still blanket even if my horse wasnt clipped, it would just seem weird to not blanket.I mean I wouldnt want to stand in a field in freezing weather without a blanket. I think its opinion wheather you blanket or not and depends where you live to and whether you clip or not. but i dont think it causes skin problems, maybe cuz irritation from rubbing but you cant get chesties and things like that to prevent that. If you dont blanket in the winter i would atleast put a sheet on a horse in the rainy season so they dont develop rain rot.

I've always heard that blanketing is unnessisary so long as its not wet and cold. Still, as for health problems, I can't say I've ever seen anything to do with blanketing exept for cases of fungus if the blanket is left on for an extended period of time and water gets trapped near the base of their coat. Other than that, less dense hair and a shorter coat and requiring more blankets as the weather gets colder seem to be the only things that result from it.

No health problems...

The only problem would be if your critters are like mine, and have Houdini like skills and can get their blankets off in less than 2 seconds when you turn your back. Then their hair is flattened and have no natural barrier. But again, thats reallllly digging for a health issue.

I blanket mine once they are clipped for Denver Stock show when its in single digits. I only comb clip so big difference than body clipping. If they didn't have the wind they have, I probably wouldn't even blanket.

DEFINITELY FALSE!!!!! Blankets can only do good unless they are too thick, then they get too hot. What kind of horse is it? If it has a medium to thin coat, I would blanket when it gets below 45. Make sure to use a really warm one when It gets into the single digits. DO NOT STOP BLANKETING!!!!!!! your horse will get freezing cold. If you see them in the morning, they'll probably be shivering! The only time it effects their coat is if you put it on while they are wet.

hm not sure. I have to blanket my horses or else they would freeze! They don't grow long winter coats and aren't used to the cold weather because here in Georgia it normally doesn't get this cold ! Well for here it is cold, I'd hate to live in the North.

I have a TB and she gets a blanket if it is under 25 degrees Fahrenheit, so I know what you mean. But she doesn't have any health issues or skin problems.