I don't know if it's cause the lights are flickering and the internet has went down and back up .. but we seem to have a few glitches going on. So we will try this quick post to see if it sticks. The previous post apparently hasn't stayed posted?
It's cold and wet outside!
Do you BLANKET or NOT BLANKET your HORSE?
I've boarded at a variety of places and my horse has been in a variety of situations.
Currently I LOVE where she is!!!!!
She has a small pasture/paddock that is grass on a hilly slope, so if there is mud by the gate there are no lakes or ponds that flood the place in winter! There are rubber mats at the entries to the pasture and the shelter, which help keep the mud down.
She also has a large grass pasture that is big enough for a few horses not just one. And she has it all to herself! {Loving it she is!!} Don't worry she is not alone, there is a handsome gelding next door, they share a water tub. And a cute little mare next to him. Each in their own pastures.
They all have 2 water tubs. One that collects fresh rain water out in the paddock, the other has a heater to keep it from freezing in the winter and it has a little gold fish to help keep it clean. My horse loves to play in the water and I've seen her seem to play with the fish. I had to laugh.
At the edge of her small pasture by the gate to the large pasture is her shelter. It has openings on both ends and it's positioned in such a way that she can stand in there and not be in the breeze of the doorways. Wind doesn't get too bad through there because of the positioning of the buildings and trees.
Now, my girl is in FULL CARE! which includes the hay. Her feed tub is a 100 gallon water tub, and on these cold days I've noticed she gets quite a tub full to help keep her warm. Once a day I go out with her grain and take care of her feet and any other issues. She sometimes has watering eyes so we do eye drops.
The thing is, she can go in or out. Stand in the shelter or play in the rain. She's older, but she's on the healthy weight side of life and she doesn't have a problem maintaining her weight for being 25 years young.
I DONT BLANKET
I let her get her winter coat and turn into a fuzzy bear, brush her regularly and keep tabs on her nose and eyes and weight. She has 2 blankets, 1 is more a rain coat the other a heavy winter blanket. I've only used them when she's had to be outside without a shelter in a small paddock during the day, or if she's had to stay out at night.
What's your thoughts?
To BLANKET or NOT TO BLANKET? That is the question today.
