questiom about ponies and rugs

[izzy]

This year i have rugged my unclipped NF pony but only because there is no field shelter on new field and it was too icy until last weekend to walk them up the road to my other field.

When i put my hands in Izzys rug it is lovely and warm but when i do the same with Ted(NF) tbh its not even warm.Do i need to use a heavier rug?? as i feel it would be unkind to derug him now even though he has a shelter

[anastasia55555]

Does he feel warm anywhere? like base of ears armpits etc? 3 out of 4 Of ours are out naked. To the touch on the outside fluff they arent warm, but further investigation they are very warm in the important areas. They keep the warmth inside other wise they would be losing heat and energy like no tomorrow. Its hard i kno i would feel mean whipping rug off but he prob would be warmer with out lw. Or rug bit heavier till warms up a bit

[lucia]

Newfies grow very dense coats which acts as fab insulation - if he is warm when you put your hand IN his coat and the base of his ears/'armpits' are warm, he is bright and holding his weight, has plenty to eat I wouldn't worry. You may find he'll over heat if you use a heavier rug which IMHO I think is worse.

[izzy]

Its only a medium rug he has ad lib hay and an open front shelter and he was out all last winter naked and fat with ad lib hay will feel his hot spots tomo .Thanks

[lucia]

I reckon he'll be fine - my newfie had a frosty coat when I went to get him in (and an icicle beard!) but was warm as toast when you warmed you hands up in his coat. LOL!!

[appy]

Sure he's fine; my girlie has a very dense flat coat and can feel cool to the touch because her coat is doing its job. She does like to be rugged up mind you, as she has arthritis.

As the others have said, check armpits, between back legs and base of ears. If they're warm, so is he!

[Furiey]

My ponies used to have snow on their backs, their coat insulates them so it doesn't melt. As others have said check that the core areas are warm.

[becca00]

One of the ponies in our field had a rug on this year and developed rain scald. Apparantly this happened due to sweating under a warm rug. The owner had to spend a while softening and picking off the scabs which pony was none too pleased about. He is now out in just a thin waterproof sheet and warm in the essential places

[izzy]

well im happy now as Ted warm but not hot betwen cheeks lolwaited for my landlord to go out as he be taking the p if he saw me lol

thanks guys :-) oh and mini ging was all white like the trees blessx

[andyt]

Our 2 Dartmoors have lightweight rugs on in winter, more to keep heavy rain off than anything. The 2 miniature Shetlands obviously have nothing and with hugely furry coats are as toasty as anything! They all live out together and have a field shelter that is deep bedded with shavings at the moment- sooo cute when you find them all asleep together inside!