This message is from: Sue Freivald <safreiv...@freivald.org>
Re: blanketing Fjords. When we lived in NY near Lake Ontario and had their serious winter snows and low temperatures, my unblanketed Fjord generally stood outside with snow piled a foot high on his back rather than go into a shelter. His specialized hair/fur so insulated him that that snow didn't melt from his body heat :~). He loved/loves the cold weather. When we moved to northern VA and I had to board him, the owner of the boarding facility (field board) required blankets and she personally put them on and took them off per weather requirements on the 30+ horses. (same with fly masks -- wonderful place to board!) After two years, including some rather unusual winters for this area (ie longer cold, more snow), she asked if I would mind if she didn't blanket him any more :~). BTW she is an equine vet in a large practice in this area. This spring, I purchased a second Fjord -- any awesome 4 year old mare out of VP Solveig by Prydarson -- and asked if I need to buy her a blanket -- my owner/vet laughed and said, no. The Fjords are all ready shaggy yaks as is the one Icelandic cross that is now at the same facility -- the rest of the thin skinned ones may very well need blanketing if it gets really cold, especially since the fields are high and windy. The run-in sheds are well placed, the automatic waterers function well all year, the horses are fed and observed twice every day, and not one but two equine vets live on the property. And they are wonderful, caring, giving folks who work really hard to be sure our horses and we are safe and have opportunities to enjoy. 330 acres with a large outdoor arena and miles, literally, of trails through the woods, creek crossings, hay fields to drive/ride around, and other good folks to do it all with! Can you tell that I feel particularly blessed? And back to the blankets. Nope. Sue F. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
