From: Andrea
HI! I have a few questions about blanketing. My pony is around 40 (in human years) and I am going to buy him a new blanket. What is the warmest and mostdurable type? Also I've noticed a lot of people have a thick blanket and a thinner one (like a Baker). Is this neccesary if I have a sheet also? This year I have been blanketing my pony more. What temperatures should I blanket, and which should I sheet? Is it true that while older horses have thicker coats they don't stay warm? One more thing, I don't mind if he has a thick coat in the winter. Thanks in advance for your answers and keep up the good work. Andrea
The warmest and most durable blankets are generally those with a waterproofed canvas exterior and a warm (wool or fake-fleece) lining. The most important thing is that the blanket should FIT the pony -- this means that it needs to be high enough on the neck that it doesn't sink down around his chest and restrict his movement. This will make him cold instead of warm!
Don't use a sheet at all, in winter -- sheets are NOT warm in any way, they are for summer use, to keep the pony's coat clean. Heavy blankets that are wind- and water-proof on the outside, and lined with warm fleece on the inside, can actually provide warmth. A pony's OWN thick coat provides quite a lot of warmth, because it stands up and creates air spaces that insulate the pony. But a sheet will actually make the pony COLD, by flattening his own hair down close to his body and taking away the insulating air space. When you take away his natural protection, either by clipping his coat or by flattening it with a blanket, you must provide real warmth and protection to make up for what you took away. So a real blanket is what you'll want for him in winter -- NOT a sheet.
Unless your winter weather is truly horrible -- cold AND WET -- he may not need a blanket at all. Most older ponies grow impressive winter coats, and enjoy standing outside in the sun, even in winter. You can keep horses and ponies warm more effectively by doing it from the INSIDE, and giving them enough hay to keep their bodies warm.
Talk to your vet about giving the pony more hay in winter -- the process of digesting hay keeps horses warm. He won't mind if you call him and ask -- and he'll also be able to advise you about blanketing -- he knows your pony, he knows what the field is like, and he knows what the winters are like in your area!
Don't blanket unless you have to. Even in very cold weather (and "cold" for us is "nice" for horses) horses generally prefer NOT to be blanketed. Mine don't get blankets unless the temperature is 10 degrees or lower! Horses and ponies are usually happier and more comfortable if they can move around freely, and blankets can get in the way. They can slide around on a horse's back, the leg straps can cause rubs, and most blankets will rub a horse's withers and chest unless they are custom-made or custom-adjusted after purchase. If your pony is turned out in a field with a shelter, where he can stand in the sun during the day, and get out of the wind and snow during the night, he'll probably be quite happy if you monitor his weight and keep him eating enough to stay warm. And he'll stay healthier if he can walk around, roll, dig for grass, and do all the things that ponies would RATHER do than stay indoors.
Jessica
Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE is a free, subscriber-supported electronic Q&A email newsletter which deals with all aspects of horses, their management, riding, and training. For more information, please visit www.horse-sense.org
Please visit Jessica Jahiel: Holistic Horsemanship® [www.jessicajahiel.com] for more information on Jessica Jahiel's clinics, video lessons, phone consultations, books, articles, columns, and expert witness and litigation consultant services.