Summer has lingered for quite some time, and of course we all hope it will stay a little longer. But despite the sun and warmth, it’s time to prepare for cold weather, rain, and sometimes the most troublesome of all – the wind.
Horses are well able to cope with cold and even rain, provided their coats have followed the seasons – in other words, if they haven’t been clipped. However, when cold and rain or snow are combined with wind, even the natural coat may need the help of a rug.
A clipped horse always needs a turnout rug suited to the weather and temperature once autumn arrives. This horse lacks the natural layers that would normally protect against wind and moisture.
An important detail to remember in the coming months is how to manage sweat after exercise in relation to rugs.
A sweaty horse must be given time to dry off before a stable rug or turnout rug is put on. The horse needs time to “cool down.”
An unclipped horse naturally takes a bit longer than a clipped horse, but both will continue to sweat after exercise, and this must be taken into account. If a horse continues to sweat under a turnout rug while it’s raining or snowing, the moisture will remain trapped underneath. This happens because the outer layer of the turnout rug closes to keep out the wet, which in turn reduces breathability. The horse will therefore become wet under the rug. Breathability is restored once the precipitation stops.
It’s a tricky time, especially in early autumn, when mornings are cold but days can still feel like late summer. Not everyone has the possibility to change rugs during the day. One advantage can be feeding the horses in the paddock in the morning, as the forage helps them stay warm, and a lighter turnout rug keeps the day from becoming too warm.
For me, it’s important that the horses have turnout rugs that fit well – for moments of play and movement – while still being waterproof, so that my horses can stay outside all day long.
