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Post by marianne on Dec 31, 2011 15:51:02 GMT 1
My heart says winter's not a good time to be born and the help of a rug must be a godsend --
My head says it's meddling with a foal's internal temperature regulator and it's the worst thing you could do
Thoughts - PLEASE ! ;D
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 31, 2011 15:54:46 GMT 1
 Sorry Marianne don't know the story ? You have a foal now???
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Post by bramblesmum on Dec 31, 2011 17:35:54 GMT 1
I think if the foal is showing signs of being cold a rug is no bad thing otherwise leave them be, I have got a rug for willow but so far shes been as snug as anything so no need for it, will just continue to moniter, I have always been told it is better to leave them without if they can cope as it hardens them up not sure if old wives tale or not but it seems to make sense
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Post by kizi on Dec 31, 2011 18:14:52 GMT 1
I recently rescued a wee welsh foal, about 6 months old so not a total baby. The idiots that had him had clipped all his hair off and put him back out. Don't ask! Anyhow I obviously have to rug poor skinny bald who hasn't even been back out yet due to being too I'll and too skinny but he's better now, growing and gaining weight!! He is rugged and I feel the rugs are restricting him a bit, when he's trying to get his head down to eat from the floor, because foals necks are a bit short anyway it was misleading so when feeding him I started opening the front of the rug and he was a lot happier I must say, didn't look so awkward, that said the rug hadn't left any obvious marks etc. He does love his rug and need it but once he gains a little more weight I must start periods of the day without the rug indoors or he will never regrow hair! He got a new fancy full neck rug from Santa so that he can have turn out!!! I was worried the neck would bother him but he seems to love it! Here he is Xmas day. Other than him I have never rugged a foal nor felt a need... Attachments:
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Post by june on Dec 31, 2011 18:26:22 GMT 1
Foals coats aren't weatherproof like adult horses. Winter foals need rugging or very, very good shelter. They can get hypothermia very quickly otherwise which can be fatal.
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Post by bramblesmum on Dec 31, 2011 18:26:52 GMT 1
hes a beauty bless him christ knows why they clipped the poor mite, hope he continues to improve xx
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Post by jen1 on Dec 31, 2011 18:31:09 GMT 1
on the other hand i ruined toms coat by rugging him too much too soon, he never grows a thick winter coat,
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Post by specialized on Dec 31, 2011 18:34:19 GMT 1
For their first 3 months foals are very vulnerable and just a few minutes outside in the wrong conditions could be fatal to a young foal at this time of year. We rugged our May foals when necessary in the Welsh hills and it can only be a benefit. Why risk a set-back when you can give them the best start by keeping them protected from the elements.
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Post by gem on Dec 31, 2011 18:55:34 GMT 1
I never rugged Diesel as he was only out in the day and i didnt want to mess with his body learning to utilise food to keep warm; now he rarely gets cold and grows a massive thick coat
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Post by kizi on Dec 31, 2011 20:47:54 GMT 1
hes a beauty bless him christ knows why they clipped the poor mite, hope he continues to improve xx Ignorance. He was in a bog and very matted in muck, they thought they were doing good.....then they put him back out.,..so he got bad rain scald. 24 hours after I took him they had a foot of snow. I guess when I say I never rugged a foal its cause I never needed too, whether they were tough ponies, in often enough or just hardy enough, I never had any problem, but of I felt in doubt I would have. I would be more concerned about safety and straps etc! So would tend to bring them into my big barn rather than rug. I do know friends that rugged foals, never had problems but would agree it affects coat quality and they seem to 'need' rugging ever after.... Could just be those few.. |
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Post by specialized on Dec 31, 2011 21:59:19 GMT 1
I don't see how it could affect their ability to grow a thick coat in future - look at horses that move areas or are turned out having previously been stabled, they soon adapt to the local conditions and will grow a coat to suit.
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Post by kizi on Jan 1, 2012 0:23:40 GMT 1
i'm sure they do adjust eventually, but one pony i have in particular, has been rugged since about 10 months old when he developed sweet itch, he had it bad for a few years and was rugged almost all year round as he basically scratches from march to dec, but having had it under control for the past 2 years all rugs officially came off full time about last march i think, and right now despite being fluffy, hes not as wolly as the others and is feeling very sorry for himself of the wetter days, they have shelter, he is out with 4 others very similar size, all a year or two apart in age, and he is the only one even remotely suffering (tho he is not really, he just thinks he is)...guaranteed if i appeared tomorrow with a rug he would he very pleased!
the experience i mentioned was a few friends that rug their foals, who now as they are 2 3 and 4 have told me that they dont get the winter coat they would expect. not my own animals tho so cant say for sure. i'm sure give them a year or two without them they will develop a proper coat.
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Post by BJMM on Jan 1, 2012 9:54:15 GMT 1
My Jasmine was a surprise foal born on Christmas day 2006, the weather was grim and I made her a temporary rug out of a donated Shetland rug, with a fillet string and a doubled over elasticated surcingle. This sufficed until the shops re-opened and I could get her a proper little rug. This she wore when turned out in the day and was whipped off when she came in at night.
She is now 5 and living out 24/7 this winter, she has a lovely fine TB coat in the summer and gets gloriously fluffy in winter. She never seems to feel the cold and isn't excessively sweaty in hot weather either, so I am presuming her thermostat is in perfect order!
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Post by marianne on Jan 1, 2012 11:17:36 GMT 1
Some really good points to consider here, thanks everyone - had especially forgotten that foal coats aren't waterproof :-( Sorry Marianne don't know the story ? You have a foal now??? I didn't want to say anything until foal arrived safely, but my pony mare indulged in a night of illicit passion in December 2010 I didn't worry at the time, being December and all --- until many months later when I realised she hadn't come into season! And yes, she is now in her 13th month of pregnancy  I'll arrange to borrow a couple baby rugs in the meantime - until I know what size I need |
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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 1, 2012 11:21:38 GMT 1
If it was a newborn I would put a rug on at this time of year, at the moment shes 6months and fat and warm but a newborn wouldn't have this, best of luck with the new arrival, any ideas what the mix will be?
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Sorry Marianne don't know the story ? You have a foal now???
