DRESS YOUR HORSE FOR THE WEATHER

Few people are more weather-aware than horse owners, especially in the winter. Although a horse’s age, health, body condition and access to shelter are all part of the equation for blanket decisions, weather is a constant variable.

To blanket your horse appropriately for the weather conditions, the experts at SmartPak offer the following general guidelines:

● Light turnout: clipped (40–50 degrees), unclipped (30–40 degrees)

● Medium turnout: clipped (30–40 degrees), unclipped (20–30 degrees)

● Heavy turnout: clipped (20–30 degrees), unclipped (10–20 degrees) Temperature isn’t the only weather factor to keep in mind during blanket season, however.

“rain and wind can have a big impact on your horse’s ability to retain heat,” says Clare Silke, product innovation manager for horseware Ireland. “horses will lose considerably more heat when they’re wet or there’s a strong wind. Offering your horse a waterproof layer can act to help keep core temperature consistent and help protect against skin and coat irritations, such as rain scald.”

The regional climate and weather conditions your horse is accustomed to also play a role, influencing the setpoint where he can maintain warmth without using additional energy. This explains why horses in warmer climates often “get dressed” at milder temperatures than horses in colder areas, says SmartPak’s team of blanket pros.

As the weather changes, Silke advises monitoring the daily conditions and the way your horse reacts. knowing what’s normal for your particular horse—from vital signs to behavior and attitude—will help you gauge his comfort and adjust your blanketing decisions accordingly.

When blanketing your horse, make sure the blanket fits well, is waterproof, and is an appropriate weight for the weather and the individual horse. it’s important to remove the blanket every few days, at a minimum, to check on your horse.