Grooming: the use of covers and blankets in the winter months.

Horses have evolved to have an excellent control of their internal temperature, developing a very thick coat of hair and need between 10 to 21 days to acclimatise to the colder temperatures. For example, on the first day that temperatures fall to 1 degree, the horse may feel cold, but after the 10-21 day period, the horse will tolerate comfortably such temperatures.
If the temperature drops quickly meanwhile, you will see changes in the behavior of the horses, making increased use of available shelters, grouping together to share body warmth and showing their backs to the wind.
Studies undertaken in Canada on adult horses in cold climates have shown that the lowest critical temperature that horses can deal with, before a lowering of their body temperature, is about -15 degrees. This is on the provision that they are well nourished. With time, each horse can adapt to these low temperatures.
At even lower temperatures, the horse loses body heat quickly and needs our assistance to bear the cold. We can do this by providing shelter, extra feed, bedding or a combination of these factors. Shelter alone can reduce by 20% body heat loss and protect the horse from rain and wind.
When a blanket with unsuitable isolation is put over a horse however, this flattens the coat of hair, eliminating the horse’s natural insulation. Here are some easy to follow guidelines then that can help horse owners work out whether their horses need the protection of a blanket or not.
– Horses kept in boxes under lights that prevent the forming of a winter coat should be covered if the temperature falls below 15 degrees or when there are windy or rainy temperatures.
– Horses that have developed a moderate winter coat can bear temperatures of about 4 degrees, but if they have a thick one, they can also tolerate temperatures of -1 degree. The weather conditions can affect these limits so you need to check when a blanket is needed.
– A horse from warmer climates can benefit from a helping hand, but after spending 10-20 days at lower temperatures will not need it anymore.
– Elderly horses that move about less may benefit from a blanket in the colder months. Movement generates body heat and explains why the level of activity rises in the colder periods.
– Removing the blanket at regular intervals to ensure the horse has no wounds or injuries as a result of the blanket, and does not develop skin problems, is a must.
– On rainy days make sure the blanket is waterproof, because a wet blanket is of no use to the horse. Check with your hand on the back and under the blanket to see if the horse is dry and warm.