As autumn days cool off it is important for us as horse owners to understand how outside temperature affects our horses. One of the most common questions we face during colder months, is: When should I blanket my horse? Understanding how temperature impacts our horses’ ability to regulate themselves and when is the right time to consider blanketing can be essential ensuring their comfort levels.
Thermoregulation
Thermoregulation means the natural ability to maintain core body temperature regardless of external temperature. Horses can naturally withstand a wide range of temperatures as their bodies have a built-in thermoregulatory system that helps them adapt to their environment. During the winter, growing a ‘winter coat’ helps provides insulation by trapping warm air close to their skin. However, not all horses are the same. Factors such as age, health, breed, environment and precipitation all play roles in how well a horse can cope with temperature changes.
When to blanket you horse
Despite their natural ability to regulate, blanketing correctly at the right time can help provide additional warmth and protection in cold or wet weather, especially when:
- Wet and Windy Conditions can make horses feel colder than the actual air temperature, due to the combined effects of moisture and wind chill. A wet horse loses its ability to trap warm air, making it difficult to keep themselves warm. In these cases, a waterproof, breathable blanket can provide protection from the rain helping your horse maintain their body’s natural temperature.
- Temperatures Drop Below Freezing: When temperatures dip below 0°C (32°F), blanketing is beneficial, especially for clipped horses and those with thin coats. The Aloga Equestrian temperature guide below offers a gauge on what weight blankets to reach for.
- Older or underweight horses: Horses that are underweight, recovering from illness, or elderly may have difficulty maintaining body heat. Blanketing can help prevent unnecessary energy loss that would otherwise be used to keep warm, which is especially important for horses with compromised health.
- Clipped Horses: Horses that are clipped during the winter lose the insulating ability of their natural coat, making them more vulnerable to cold. In these cases, blanketing acts to replace the warmth lost by removing their natural insulation. The Aloga liners are an ideal choice for those planning to clip this winter as they allow you to change and adapt the filling of your blanket depending on when and how your horse is clipped.
Beware of Over-Blanketing
Over-blanketing is a common mistake many of us make and happens when we chose a blanket that is too heavy for the horse or the weather. It can cause a horse to overheat, leading to discomfort, sweating and restlessness. Remember based on their ability to thermoregulate, horses have a higher tolerance for cold than we as people do and adding too many layers can do more harm than good. Get into the habit of regularly checking the temperature of your horse under their blanket. If your horse feels warm to the touch or sweaty under the blanket, it may be too heavily dressed.
It is important to remember that you as the horse’s owner are best placed to understand and assess their individual needs when it comes to blanketing. Staying up to date with weather activities and monitoring changes in your horse’s routine will all help to inform your decisions on how to best blanket as the winter months roll in.