Are Horse Blankets Really Necessary?



Physically the horse is a thing of incredible beauty and unbelievable wonder. There are very few things in the world more beautiful then a well groomed horse in motion. It doesn't matter if that horse is performing a complicated dressage test, running down the backstretch, sailing over a jump, or chasing after a calf, the horse is a thing of incredible beauty.

In addition to being structurally designed to steal your breath , horses have a hair coat that is designed to withstand the elements. As long as they have plenty of fresh water, lots of roughage and a good shelter there is very little reason to blanket a horse. Most breeds have skins that are fairly tough. In addition to a tough skin they are blessed with a wonderful hair coat. Their hair is designed to fluff and catch pockets of air, once the air is caught in the hair it is warmed with the horses body heat. A healthy horse with a good hair coat will stay warm, wrapped in their air pocket throughout the winter. If you don't believe drive past a field of unlamented horses in the winter, chances are pretty good that they will be completely ignoring any shelter they have been given. The only time the average horse has a real problem with staying warm is if they have gotten wet, or if their hair has been flattened by mud.

Just because the average horse doesn't need a blanket in the winter doesn't mean that they all don't. Several breeds, including Arabians and Thoroughbreds, have thin skin that is easily chilled. Older horses can also have a difficult time staying warm. Horses that have had an injury or illness that caused them to loose hair. Horses that are underweight are another group of horses that should be watched carefully to make sure they don't develop a chill.

There are a variety of reason's horse owners might choose to leave their horse blanketed during the winter months. Some people who ride during the winter months choose to save time cooling out and waiting for their horse to dry after it has been worked by body clipping, horses that have been body clipped must be blanketed.

Several show barns might decided to leave their horses blanketed so they are able to attend shows in the early spring with a horse that is sleek and shiny as opposed to a horse that is covered in a thick winter fuzz.

In the summer there are three main reasons a horse owner might choose to blanket their horse. Some horses, especially light colour ones are prone to sunburn, wearing a light weight blanket allows these horses to be outside without burning. Some horses are highly susceptible to bug bites a turnout fly sheet prevents bugs from biting their sensitive skin. Horse owners who spend a great deal of time on the show circuit will use a light weigh sheet to prevent the sun from bleaching their show horses coat. A few horse owners will even resort to a heavy weight turnout rug in an attempt to help sweat off a few of their equine friends excessive pounds.





Comments

Dear sir,

I got you company detail form T.D.A.P ( trade development authority of Pakistan) and found that you esteemed organization is dealing in all kind of Horse Equipments such as
Horse Riding Saddle, Jumping Saddle
HORSE RIDING EQUIPMENTS MANUFACTURER/EXPORTER - By IHTESHAM ALI - Homepage
1st October 2009 - 1:01am

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Translate Page Into English Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Korean Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Italian

Menu


My Articles

What's That Under Your Saddle?
The Various Types Of Horse And Blankets And Sheets
Hail, Ye Olde Horse Blanket!
Equine Dermatophilosis
Why Horse Blankets Are Handy With Splints
Choosing Tack For The Dressage Horse
Saddles And Horse Blankets
Horse Blankets And Dressage, You Ask?
Equine Lordosis
Horse Tack-Purchasing A Western Saddle Blanket
Caring For A Pony During The Winter
Horse Blankets And Horse Boots Do Have Their Purposes
Horses And Sunburn
Ponies Are Adorable
The Different Types Of Fly Sheets
About Horse Saddles And Horse Blankets
What Is A Horse Blanket?
Are Horse Blankets Really Necessary?
When Do You Need Horse Equipment?
What Is Western Tack?
Do You Show Your Horse Love In The Winter?
Why Leg Wraps And Horse Blankets Are Handy






My Articles


Ponies Are Adorable Almost any baby is adorable. Okay, there are some that only a..


What Is A Horse Blanket? Some use the horse blanket as merely adornment for their horses. A horse..


Choosing Tack For The Dressage Horse Dressage is a riding discipline that celebrates discipline,..


Horse Tack-Purchasing A Western Saddle Blanket At first it can seems like such a simple task, all you have to do is open that..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
Unions to vote on the future of motorcycle production in Wisconsin - Clutch and Chrome

    

Kansas City Star

Unions to vote on the future of motorcycle production in Wisconsin
Clutch and Chrome
While it may appear that the only sports Harley-Davidson prefers are the various forms of motorcycle racing, some particular union members surely feel the ...
Harley, union reach proposed labor agreementThe Associated Press
Harley unions' leaders back proposed contractMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Harley-Davidson Reaches Tentative Union AgreementWGAL Lancaster
NewsoftheNorth.Net -FOX6Now.com Milwaukee -Press Herald
all 218 news articles »



Harley sells motorcycles in India with American rock - Clutch and Chrome

    

Motorcycle News

Harley sells motorcycles in India with American rock
Clutch and Chrome
That seems to be the latest marketing direction from Harley-Davidson in bringing is legendary HOG brand to India. Calling the idea 'Harley Rock Riders' the ...
Harley-Davidson owners likin' ridin'Times Record News
Harley-Davidson Well Structured SetupTradersHuddle.com
Indian rockers tour with Harley-DavidsonHindustan Times
NDTV.com -Motorcycle News -Finance and Commerce
all 44 news articles »