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Blanketing winter coated horse, -20 wind chill.

5K views 36 replies 11 participants last post by  GracielaGata 
#1 ·
So I never thought I would ask a question about blanketing! lol We did buy some just in case, but never really expected to use them....
Our 2 horses are pasture kept, with a good stand of trees backed up to a hill that does a good job of blocking wind for them. We always see them back there at night, I presume to use the trees. :)
They both are healthy, well kept, decent winter chunk.
I can feed as much hay as is needed. They also get oats for the vitamin dispersal and warmth factor.
We have been having the normal 10 to zero F degree weather, and they have always been kept out in the elements, so they are well adjusted.
It has been about -3 all day, but sunny, with the windchill. Neither was shaking, neither looked bothered.
It is supposed to be about -20 tonight, due to the windchill.
Their hay feeder is out in the open. I can't move it, but I could just not use it, and put their hay back in the trees, so they don't have to stand in the wind to eat.
My question, if you choose to answer it.. hehe (for which I will be eternally grateful)
With those conditions, would you blanket them?
I am inclined to do so, as a preventative, but I am also 99% sure they will be fine, esp. if I move their hay into the trees. It would only be at night for the next couple of days.
Thanks to any who made it through that!
 
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#3 ·
Ours, while spoiled in other ways... blanketing is not one of them! lol
Part of it is that I have this image of one getting their blanket caught on a tree and getting hurt... or ruining their lovely thick winter coats...
i will definitely put their hay up in the trees at night.. well not UP in the trees.. hehe they can't fly right?!
 
#6 ·
Glad to hear you both think that, since you live farther north than I do!!
Then I will just go give them a massive load of hay up in the trees and hope they don't grind it all into the snow... wonder if I can't find a flat spot up there to drag the hay feeder too.
 
#9 ·
You're on target! Except don't feel that you have to overfeed - if I read this correctly, they still have access to the hay feeder even if it's out in the wind? I'd just put some extra flakes out near the tree shelter, and knowing they still have access to the other feeder, consider that all will be well. Our horses know what they need, and given access, they do a remarkable job :)
 
#7 ·
You could put their hay by the trees as long as you don't mind having a lot of it wasted.

Negative 20 really isn't much different than what they're used to. They will probably be just fine without blanketing. Especially if the have hay all the time.

EDIT: If you put a lot of hay by the trees, they will use it for bedding. Just to let you know.
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#8 ·
It's -30C here with windchill, my horses have no blankets on, and they prefer a thick stand of trees for shelter. I am not carrying their hay to the trees either, they can come up to the paddock and get it. A healthy horse should have no problem at these temperatures.
 
#12 ·
Yup, if you haven't already put the hay up there, I wouldn't do it either. They'll likely trample more than they eat. They'll eat when they want. The walk will do them good anyway.

We had -30C temps here for about 2 weeks straight. With the wind it was -40C several days. My girl is alone and though she did spend some time in her shelter, she was fine. I actually moved her hay further away from her shelter over that time period - just because it was more convenient for me. She didn't care. And her water is on the completely opposite end of the pasture. Water, hay, shelter -- no problem.
 
#13 ·
Their hay is in the trees with them... too late, NorthernMama, lol
But I picked a spot where they obviously stand around, and cleaned up, put it against the tree to avoid trampling... the ground is so frozen!! They get hungry enough, they can sift it out of the pine needles! or eat those too, they are good for them! :)
Thanks again!
 
#22 ·
I would not blanket since they are already used to the temperatures. I have been blanketing my horses because there have been huge temperature jumps in our area this year. If it's regularly close to 0 then -20 really isn't a huge deal (and you also said due to windchill, so it really isn't that cold if they have a windbreak). They'll be fine. Now if it was 30 degrees yesterday I might blanket or if there were health concerns. But for an unblanketed horse that is acclimated and does fine I would not worry at all.
 
#24 ·
That was my thinking. :) And I did notice when I took their hay up to the windbreak area, it was significantly warmer there... So they are good, I am sure. :)

My horses have never been north of the Mason/Dixon. We lived in the So Cal desert, then the So AZ desert (Tucson) and then here, this is the farthest north they've ever been. If we moved somewhere the don't sell sweet tea I think we'd all die. :lol:
Ha :) This is also our farthest north! I thought for sure I had moved to the ND oil fields today, with the wind!
 
#28 ·
So both horses were happy and fluffy this morning, sans blankets. And it is cold out there! I think they found a few extra inches of loft in their coats though!! My mare must be really acclimated to here, since I haven't seen her so fluffy all season! :) Good to see!
Thanks everyone for reminding me of what I already knew- that the are perfectly capable of handling it!
 
#30 ·
Yeah, that is colder than us down here! It was Zero F in the chicken coop this morning, which is usually 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temp... not counting the wind... -17ish F today for here! You can have your temps! How do you leave the house?! lol
 
#33 ·
As long as the horses have shelter from the wind, and have access to hay and water, and they are healthy with a full winter coat --> they don't need a blanket.

I don't even own a blanket and I live in North Dakota.
 
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