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All rugged up and no where to go?

Writer's picture: Rhiannon KelsallRhiannon Kelsall

Around this time of year, we see so many posts on social media and websites covering how to suitably rug your horse through colder months. This is often accompanied by a table or diagram covering whether horses are stabled or turned out and whether they are clipped or unclipped and how they should be rugged in certain temperatures. These tables and diagrams can be helpful as a basis to start at, and many highlight that there are many other factors that can influence whether or not to rug your horse.


Rugging Horses in different temperatures: Over Rugging Blog (Harry Hall, 2019)
Rugging Horses in different temperatures: Over Rugging Blog (Harry Hall, 2019)

What Is Thermoregulation in Horses?


Thermoregulation refers to how animals maintain their internal body temperature despite changes in the environment. Horses have a remarkable ability to regulate their temperature, particularly when comparing them to humans. The thermoneutral zone refers to the temperature range in which a healthy animal can regulate their core body temperature without using any additional energy beyond the normal basal metabolic rate. In horses the thermoneutral zone is approximately 5°C - 25°C, whereas for humans this is much smaller at approximately 14.8°C - 24.5°C.


Methods for maintaining body temperature in cold weather:


  • Eating

    Horses produce heat in their hindgut, acting as a kind of radiator. Horses digestive systems are designed to have constant access to forage as they digest, heat is produced helping to maintain body temperature. During winter months, it is likely that grass quality is reduced, it is therefore important that this is supplemented with alternative high quality forage such as hay or haylage.

  • Coat/Hair

    A horses coat is seasonal, through winter months it tends to be much thicker, comprising of two layers; finer hairs at the base to trap warm air close to the skin, then a 'guard layer' of longer hairs that aid in protecting the horse from the elements. When horses get cold, their hair stands on end, this is termed 'piloerection' trapping warm air close to the skin and creating a barrier from the external colder air.

  • Natural Oils

    Horses produce natural oils from their skin that can aid in resistance to the elements such as rain and colder weather. NB: I still remember from Pony Club being told not to use a body brush in the winter months as it will remove the horses natural oils that help to keep them warm and protected from the weather.

  • Movement

    As previously mentioned, the tables provide guidance for different weights of rugs depending on whether a horse is stabled or not. This relates to a horses ability to move around, as muscles work, this produces heat. Much like if we were to stand and watch someone muck out in 0 °C we would be cold, even with 3-5 layers on, but, if we were mucking out several stables, we may even end up taking some layers off as we warmed up.

  • Shivering

    This is an involuntary response of the nervous system, muscles contract and relax in rapid succession to help create heat. This will however use up glucose and could cause muscle fatigue over prolonged periods.

  • Vasoconstriction

    Blood vessels constrict and blood flow is focussed on the central organs rather than extremities.


    Bay horse in snow
    Bay horse in snow

Methods for maintaining body temperature in warm weather:

  • Sweating

    Evaporation of sweat from their skin helps to maintain a comfortable temperature. Horses sweat contains 'latherin' this is why on occasion, horses sweat appears foamy. It is a protein that helps to move sweat from the skin to the coat and remain there to allow for more opportunity for evaporative cooling.

  • Coat/Hair

    As the weather warms up, horses shed their winter coat (this is actually based primarily upon daylight hours rather than temperature differences) and have a much thinner coat through the summer, allowing their skin to 'breathe'.

  • Vasodilation

    Blood vessels dilate close to the surface of the skin to release heat from the body, aiding in cooling down.

  • Rolling

    Whilst there are many possible reasons for a horse to roll, one of them may be to cool off, to help remove any excess coat as the weather gets warmer and to coat themselves in mud or dirt to act as a natural barrier against the sun.


Grey horse rolling in hot weather
Grey horse rolling in hot weather

Considerations


Clipping

Many owners decide to clip their horses at certain times of the year or alternatively, year round. This may be due to:

  • Being in work: horses having thicker coats often means that when they exercise they will become very sweaty, clipping horses can help to reduce this.

  • For aesthetic reasons, particularly when horses are used in competition, it may be more suitable both practically (relating to the previous point) but also for presentation reasons and easier to keep clean.

  • Health reasons: some horses benefit from regular clipping possibly due to a skin condition or other reasons such as aiding in weight loss without having to restrict forage intake.

Whilst the majority of horses will be perfectly fine to live out clipped without a rug (particularly native/hardy breeds) year round, others may not be suited to this and may require the addition of a rug.


Age

As horses get older, their body and processes may not respond as quickly as they had when they were younger. They may have lost some condition and require a rug to help them to maintain body temperature through colder months, this is on an individual basis.


Health conditions

Certain health issues such as PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy) and other conditions may mean horses are unable to regulate their body temperature or that muscle tightness in cold weather can be detrimental to their health or even exacerbate their symptoms. These horses may benefit more from rugging, consult your vet if you are concerned that your horses medical issues could impact their ability to regulate their temperature and the steps that could be taken. On the other hand, horses that are considered overweight and may have health issues such as laminitis or EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) may benefit from no rugging to aid in weight loss through the colder months, using up additional energy to keep themselves warm.


Poor Doer/Underweight

In extreme weather, particularly consistent wind and rain, it may be necessary for certain horses to have the addition of a rug as they may not have the excess fat to help keep them warm.


Breed

Certain breeds such as Thoroughbreds and Arabs tend to be much finer skinned than native breeds and may therefore feel the cold more and require a rug sooner than other breeds.


How to Choose the Right Rug

Selecting a rug involves considering several essential factors:


Weather Conditions

Check the weather daily. A rug that works well on a sunny day might not suit a rainy or windy one.


Activity Level

If your horse is regularly turned out for exercise, a more breathable and lighter rug is needed than if the horse spends more time stabled.


Temperature and Climate

Knowing your area's typical temperature fluctuations helps you choose suitable rugs for varying weather. For example, a horse in a region where winter temperatures average around 0°C will require heavier rugs than one located where it hovers around 10°C.


Horse’s Coat Condition

A horse’s coat impacts thermoregulation. For example, clipped horses may need additional warmth from a rug, as they lack natural insulation.


Fitting and Comfort

A rug must fit well. Ill-fitted rugs can cause chafing or discomfort and impede movement. Ensuring there's enough room for your horse to move freely is essential.


Monitoring Your Horse's Temperature


Regular monitoring of your horse's temperature and comfort level is crucial. Signs your horse may be either too warm or too cold include:


  • Excessive sweating

  • Shivering

  • Changes in behaviour

  • Loss of appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Rapid heart and breathing rate

  • Slowed heart and breathing rate

  • Restless/colic like symptoms


If you are concerned in any way, consult your vet for further advice.


Final Thoughts


By making informed decisions about rug types, monitoring your horse's comfort, and adapting to seasonal changes, you can significantly boost your horse's comfort and overall well-being. Whilst these tables can provide a good basis from which to start, there are many other factors to consider when deciding whether or not to rug a horse.


Remember it is much easier for a horse to warm itself up than it is to cool itself down. So, the next time you reach for a rug, think about what's best for your horse’s needs. Are your horses cool enough?


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