THE whirr of clippers signals the coming of the colder months, when active horses are relieved of their heavy coat so they don’t overheat as they work. But if we strip away a horse’s natural winter woollies, we need to provide warmth for those hours he spends in the stable and out at grass. Which rugs should we choose to keep him comfortable until spring?
According to Liz Barr MRCVS, the trend to over-rug is taking its toll on our horses’ health.
“The main issue with over-rugging is that it leads to obesity, with all its resultant health issues,” adds Liz, who also sees horses with skin rashes, known as urticaria, from overheating under their layers.
“Before there were so many rug choices and neck-covering options, there was a time when a horse had a canvas New Zealand and a jute stable rug. He went into winter with a bit of weight and condition, and came out leaner in spring. Hormonal disorders such as metabolic syndrome did not seem to happen.”
Liz advises erring on the lighter side, while taking individual needs into consideration.
“Every horse is different,” she explains. “Some seem to feel the cold – and heat – more than others, so there is no hard and fast rule. Body condition has a lot of influence; overweight horses need lighter-weight rugs, and indeed this has a place in weight management, whereas lean, underweight or older horses may need something heavier.
This story is from the October 07, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 07, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jappeloup
A small horse who looked like two halves put together’, Jappeloup nonetheless proved to have a big heart and a huge talent”.
Collett takes two
A bumper fixture hosts 12 intermediate and open intermediate sections, as Paris contenders blow away the cobwebs
Capitalise on buyers' remorse
Equestrian properties might be in short supply, but prices are back to normal after the Covid frenzy as the capital lures buyers again
Games making
Equestrianism will be in the thick of the action in Paris, but the logistics of hosting Olympics in the heart of an iconic city are a challenge. Kate Johnson asks organisers, riders and grooms for their memories of urban Olympic sites
On the bench
Being picked as the \"fourth man\" to support a three-man Olympic team, ready to step in at any moment in the competition, requires a resilient and unflinchingly sportsmanlike mindset.
A brush with the Games
Want to know what really goes into preparing an Olympic campaign? Bethany Stone speaks to top industry grooms with star-studded CVs for the scoop
One moment in time
The Olympics is the zenith of an athlete's career but precious few scale those giddy heights. Sue Polley asks four British Olympians about their most memorable experiences
'Pride? I just felt relief
Blyth Tait on jumping barn roofs, \"freezing\" in the Atlanta heat and the day his eight-year-old prodigy won Olympic gold
Mental health advocate
Harry Dunlop retired from training in 2022, having held his licence for 16 years. He founded the Trainer Support Network in 2023
Hugo Simon
The six-time Olympian tells Bernard Bale about his \"extraterrestrial\" string of horses, changing nationality and his success at the boycotted Games