To rug or not to rug - Italy

[Nikki Italy]

Just not sure about this really. I MAY be getting a lovely 17.2 hh grey who has worn a rug this winter. His winter coat is nothing to shout about. IF and WHEN he arrives, taking into account that where he'll be living with my 'lot' there are a lot of trees and wild scrub, should I continue to rug him, or let him take his chances. I don't rug any of mine for the reasons mentioned, and consequently their coats are thick. They can all get down into the valley and shelter under trees and in a horse shelter for when the weather is really rough, and that brings me to my other point, do you think I should make ANOTHER horse shelter? I will have 4 large horses all together if he comes, and maybe, due to 'pecking order' someone will not be allowed in. Such dilemma's - somehow I can't see the 'mini-herd' splitting up to go into separate horse shelters, but at least they would have the choice I suppose.

[alex notloggedin]

I think I'd try not rugging and see how he goes. This is the first winter I've not rugged my dalesx (I've normally used a no-filling rug every winter) and he is so much happier in the nuddy-pants. Next winter I'm not going to rug the New Forest either, although I am expecting to be reported to HAPPA!!! The field has good shelter like yours, and I presume it's warmer where you are anyway?

Rugs are a flipping nuisance, with rubs, rips etc, and I'm sure loads of young healthy horses get too hot in them. Also he won't be able to get stuck in to the mutual grooming with his rug on! Hope you get him, he sounds lovely.

[Nikki Italy]

Hi Alex, thanks very much for your advice. I'll do just that, just leave him to see how he goes IF I get him, but I still have to try him out! The reason being, and I had to laugh when you said that you presumed it's warmer where I am - you persumed wrong! Look at my photo's on the thread Piccies, Italy Snow n'Stuff!!!

[naria]

If he's worn a rug so far this winter then I'd keep it on him and maybe try without a rug next year. I can understand your problem with the trees & scrub but I'd just keep a good supply of patches, needles & plaiting thread to hand for emergency repairs!

I don't think I'd worry about another field shelter just yet - time enough to think about that if they won't all share the one you've got

[kas]

I have to say I'd rug him too Nikki. You get some icy winds up your place and he might find that a bit hard to handle. I know you could wait and see how he gets on, but if he drops weight it's a bu**er to get it back on in the winter.
You could let him go naked when the sun comes out for a few hours.
Last winter I rugged Fin because he'd been rugged for so long, but this year touch wood he's managing without. So I think your big lad might be better with a slower transition.
We want photos when you go and try him out by the way. Oh yes, and some of the horse as well. ;D

[KtK not logged in]

I agree with KAS and Naria. I have all my boys rugless, but wouldnt dream of taking a horse rugless this time of year. I think he would really struggle if it gets wet and windy, even with shelter, and would be concerned about him been able to keep weight on especially as the worst of the winter is yet to come.

[Louise C]

I'm with the others on this as well, not a good time to unrug at the moment, one of Flynn's friends has just started to loose a bit of weight at the moment. He still looks fine at the moment, we do weigh tape all the time which is how we noticed. It's not as cold as you either!

[roo]

I'd rug him for the remainder of this winter and rough him off properly next. Its much better to let them be comfortable and grow a natural wooly as the seasons change next year. Its what we did with one of our boys last year.....I did worry about the poor chap betting caught and also being picked on more by the others (nice rug to grab on to!) but at least he was ok and he didnt lose any condition. He came to us with a really pathetic coat, very think compared to the others. This winter he's like a bear......fab coat, really thick and long

[Ann NF]

Nikki, I agree with the others. Keep him rugged this winter but maybe try unrugged next winter to see what sort of coat he will grow without a rug. If he has lived with the same owner for many years then the move may be stressful for him anyway. Keeping the rug on will be one less thing for you both to worry about this winter.

[Val (Toons&co)]

Agree too about keeping him rugged - if anything, he will be shedding soon so he won't be able to grow a coat - he will next year. However, be sure to introduce the rugged horse to your herd carefully. They may think he's some weird species and not accept him because of it.