11/21/2024
TO BLANKET OR NOT TO BLANKET?? 🤔
The short answer is usually “No,” but let's look at why that is and under what circumstances blanketing may be preferred or necessary.
The question of whether horses should be blanketed during winter is complex and involves considerations of thermoregulation, coat characteristics, and management practices. Horses possess a natural ability to regulate their body temperature through their coat, which provides insulation and protection against cold weather. The density and insulative value of a horse's coat increase with weight, making it an effective barrier against winter conditions. Clipping the coat, which is common among competitive horses, compromises this natural insulation, potentially necessitating the use of blankets to maintain warmth. Horses that lack adequate fat stores, such as senior horses or those that are underweight, may also need a blanket.
Research indicates that in colder climates, horses can adapt to lower temperatures if they have an adequate coat and shelter. For instance, research has demonstrated that horses without blankets often preferred to seek shelter rather than rely on artificial insulation from a blanket. This suggests that providing shelter (natural or man-made) may be more beneficial than relying solely on blankets, especially in regions with variable winter weather. Moreover, the effectiveness of blankets can be limited; they do not replicate the insulative properties of a horse's natural coat and may not provide sufficient warmth in extreme conditions.
HOW DO HORSES STAY WARM?
Horses have developed very efficient ways to stay warm, even in extremely cold temperatures. Your horse’s coat consists of two types of hair: longer, stiffer guard hairs and a soft, fluffy undercoat. The guard hairs protect the soft hairs from dirt and water, shed rain, and collect moisture from sweat that could damage the undercoat. The softer, fluffier hairs of the undercoat trap warm air and act as insulation around your horse. Natural oils coat the hair to ensure it is water-resistant. Each hair connects to a muscle called the piloerector muscle, which allows the hairs to either stand up or lay flat. When they stand up, warm air is trapped between them, just above the surface of the skin. When they lie down, warm air is released from between them, cooling the area above the skin's surface.
IS NUTRITION A FACTOR?
Yes, it absolutely is! Besides the hair coat, given the right nutrition, horses will start to put on a layer of fat in late summer and early fall in preparation for colder weather to come. Some horses that lack fat storage may require a blanket. Nutrition and forage consumption also play a role during cold weather. It is important that your horse gets enough forage to eat. The fermentation of hay in the horse’s hindgut produces an incredible amount of heat. Horses also move around more in colder weather as a means to generate more heat.
HOW COLD IS TOO COLD?
In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have adequate nutrition and access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F without a blanket. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° F and 59° F, depending on their coat. However, certain conditions do change your horse’s ability to keep warm. Rain and wind are the two most important. Rain will flatten the hair coat and prevent the undercoat from providing that layer of warm air. Wind will blow the warm air from the surface of the skin. Snow is less of a problem. In fact, snow will collect on your horse’s coat and act as a layer of insulation. Keep in mind if you do choose to blanket your horse, the blanket's effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as airflow and moisture, which can diminish its insulating properties.
While blanketing can be beneficial for horses, in some circumstances, it is not universally necessary for all horses. The decision to blanket should consider the horse's coat condition, their fat stores, the environmental conditions, and the availability of shelter. Effective management practices that prioritize the horse's natural thermoregulation capabilities may reduce the need for extensive use of blankets.
đź“· Portraits by Tiffany
