Should I be blanketing her?

So I'm wondering if I should even be blanketing Lacey right now.
It's been getting into the mid-high fifties during the day and the low forties at night and it's been super rainy, and guess what? Lacey doesn't have shelter that she's comfortable using. >.< There are some huge trees that she can get under but they are right by some fenced-in dogs that like horses (and don't bark at them), only problem: Lacey has a dog phobia.

She has a pretty good winter coat already, it's like normal full furry horse-ness but it's only half in for it to be her usual. Haha But so I'm kinda concerned about not blanketing her since she is an old lady and I am working her everyday... But then I'm also concerned about blanketing her before she needs it.

I blanketed her over the weekend and she seemed much much happier (and drier) today when I went out (last week it had been rainy and she was unblanketed and she seemed a little depressed/unenthusiatstic) but I'm not sure if I should just let her deal with being wet and cold or baby her like I like to.

Her blanket is a mid-weight one and she wasn't sweating under it at all when I checked her today... I do go see her everyday (except for the weekend) so the blanket will come off once a day atleast...

Basically: Is it bad to blanket her when it's wet and cold and not blanket her when it's just cold or should I just decide on one or the other? Is it ok to selectively blanket?

Thanks!

Well, the general rule at my barn is that if its below 40 for over an hour over night, we blanket. Wet, not wet it doesn't matter. If I remember correctly from other posts, Lacey's also on the older side? I'd say that's also another reason to blanket her. If she has her winter coat in then the mid-weight should be enough for whatever weather there is. So baby away, she deserves it!

Wet, under 50 degrees, at bare minimum I use a rain sheet to keep horsey dry. It's a tough time of year with the temperature fluctuating so much between day and night. Just pay attention to your horse. If she looks uncomfortable, she probably is.

Are you going to be showing her? If not I wouldn't blanket her if she has good shelter.

I blanketed my horse awhile ago, it gets so cold at night here and I feel so bad when it rains and I see him without a blanket. :P but I'm just a suck to my horsey

Just keep in mind that horses are most comfortable at 50 degrees.

If she seems cold or shivery I would blanket her. If its not that cold [like in the 30s or 40s] you could get her a rain sheet for when its wet.

I have a horse who is in his 20s & he only wears a sheet when its -10 or colder. He doesnt care about cold or wet, which is convenient for me !

I'm not showing her. But she's scared of the shelter she has. >.< It's not awesome shelter (just trees like I said in the OP) to begin with but she won't even use it. She stands out in the middle of the field with her head down by her knees, getting soaked, and then she acts all pathetic when I get there and she's soaking wet.


So if I were to continue to blanket her only when it's rainy (it rains about once a week at least here during the winter) do you think it'll be fine to not blanket her when it's not rainy, even if it's cold? I don't want to mess up her internal temperature thingy or something... Haha

In that case I would get her lightweight winter blanket and keep it on her full time then. Just easier than running out there in the rain to put her blanket on.

Here are a couple suggestions

SAXON 600D MW Turnout Blanket All sizes Turnout Blankets Blankets and Sheets HorseLoverZ.com

McAlister 600D Lightweight Turnout Sheet All sizes Turnout Blankets Blankets and Sheets HorseLoverZ.com

Oops didn't see. If you already have a mid weight I would just keep it on her full time.