RE: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Pam G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ive found the HUG blankets to work great on Fjords. Theres plenty of room for their shoulders without getting rub marks and the elastic straps allow them to graze without the blanket restricting across the front of their neck . There are several styles to choose from depending on what kind of weather you have. HUG blankets are available through: www.doversaddlery.com www.smithbrothers.com www.blanketnet.com Pam and Hansel in Oregon where the leaves are turning... --- Teressa Kandianis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Mine appear to be mostly Weatherbeetas of different > models and styles. I > also just buy at the end of the season and usually > just use a medium weight > blanket or rain sheet. I also sometimes use a > cooler under to absorb the > sweat. I didn't like the high necked blankets I've > bought as they just > crushed the lower part of the mane. I bought a > couple on sale a few years > ago and ended up having them cut down to a normal > neckline. I have a couple > of heavy blankets for the really cold, wet, blowing > snow weather we have for > a couple of weeks every winter. The only time I've > blanketed the horses at > home in the pasture that aren't clipped is if the > weather is icky and they > are going to be ridden the next day - and that is > just for my convenience, > not their comfort. The first couple of rainsheets I > bought, I bought cheap > ones and they needed lots of repair to be reused and > then didn't last > another season. The Weatherbeetas rarely need a > repair and clean up nicely. > I also wash my coolers in my home washing machine > (also my saddle pads which > means I need to wash another load or two of water > after to get rid of all > the hair) but the blankets go out for washing. My > little 13.3 mare wears a > 72 but her 15 hh brother needs a 75 in some brands. > > As an aside, the Canadian tack shop, Greenhawk, has > a very reasonable line > of blankets that have fab colors and are lined with > a cooler like material - > I haven't used mine heavily as I save it for shows. > But its like a durable > rain sheet material with an extra layer for warmth > and for absorption of > sweat. The rust color is great on my little mare. > > Teressa > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf > Of > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 8:48 AM > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Subject: RE: blanketing in winter > > > This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > I also have some interest in this issue, and I > wonder if Teressa and others > who do blanket could suggest some brands that > actually FIT Fjord bodies? > The standard blankets I've tried are just not broad > enough across the chest > to accommodate my boy's big neck and shoulders. The > larger sizes that are > broad enough are just too long in the body... > > Thanks for any suggestions! > > Cindy > Kalamazoo, MI > > -- Original message -- > From: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" > > > > I clip my mare who is stalled and with paddock > turnout in the winter - > > though this year, her winter coat came on in > August and I clipped her in > > early September - I clipped a total close body > clip except for a patch > under > > the saddle and it has already grown out quite a > bit. My fjords at home > > won't get clipped unless they are working and we > usually start with chest > > and neck and work from there depending on the > level of work. They are in > an > > open stall with a paddock at home and often stand > out in the rain or snow > > instead of going in. Or are finally getting to > graze once the grass loses > > its potency in late fall. The difficulty with not > clipping is that it > takes > > forever for them to cool off and dry out in cold, > wet, windy weather as > you > > can't just put a blanket on them with them still > soaking wet. Mine keep > > their blankets on pretty well - they are no more > hard on them than the > other > > breeds at my training barn. But the winter > blankets always need a good > > repair job when they get cleaned - I've found the > inexpensive ones end up > > costing more as the hardware pulls out and they > rip more easily than the > > higher priced ones. > > > > We're
RE: blanketing in winter
This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mine appear to be mostly Weatherbeetas of different models and styles. I also just buy at the end of the season and usually just use a medium weight blanket or rain sheet. I also sometimes use a cooler under to absorb the sweat. I didn't like the high necked blankets I've bought as they just crushed the lower part of the mane. I bought a couple on sale a few years ago and ended up having them cut down to a normal neckline. I have a couple of heavy blankets for the really cold, wet, blowing snow weather we have for a couple of weeks every winter. The only time I've blanketed the horses at home in the pasture that aren't clipped is if the weather is icky and they are going to be ridden the next day - and that is just for my convenience, not their comfort. The first couple of rainsheets I bought, I bought cheap ones and they needed lots of repair to be reused and then didn't last another season. The Weatherbeetas rarely need a repair and clean up nicely. I also wash my coolers in my home washing machine (also my saddle pads which means I need to wash another load or two of water after to get rid of all the hair) but the blankets go out for washing. My little 13.3 mare wears a 72 but her 15 hh brother needs a 75 in some brands. As an aside, the Canadian tack shop, Greenhawk, has a very reasonable line of blankets that have fab colors and are lined with a cooler like material - I haven't used mine heavily as I save it for shows. But its like a durable rain sheet material with an extra layer for warmth and for absorption of sweat. The rust color is great on my little mare. Teressa -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 8:48 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: RE: blanketing in winter This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also have some interest in this issue, and I wonder if Teressa and others who do blanket could suggest some brands that actually FIT Fjord bodies? The standard blankets I've tried are just not broad enough across the chest to accommodate my boy's big neck and shoulders. The larger sizes that are broad enough are just too long in the body... Thanks for any suggestions! Cindy Kalamazoo, MI -- Original message -- From: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" > > I clip my mare who is stalled and with paddock turnout in the winter - > though this year, her winter coat came on in August and I clipped her in > early September - I clipped a total close body clip except for a patch under > the saddle and it has already grown out quite a bit. My fjords at home > won't get clipped unless they are working and we usually start with chest > and neck and work from there depending on the level of work. They are in an > open stall with a paddock at home and often stand out in the rain or snow > instead of going in. Or are finally getting to graze once the grass loses > its potency in late fall. The difficulty with not clipping is that it takes > forever for them to cool off and dry out in cold, wet, windy weather as you > can't just put a blanket on them with them still soaking wet. Mine keep > their blankets on pretty well - they are no more hard on them than the other > breeds at my training barn. But the winter blankets always need a good > repair job when they get cleaned - I've found the inexpensive ones end up > costing more as the hardware pulls out and they rip more easily than the > higher priced ones. > > We're lucky though with fjords that unless we change the climate for them > (as in moving to Florida or clipping them for our convenience), they do just > fine with their own coats. > Teressa in Ferndale, WA > > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ellen Barry > Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:58 AM > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Subject: Re: blanketing in winter > > > This message is from: Ellen Barry > > Robin, > should I do the same here in TN? If so; > which parts do you clip, how short do you clip it? (Like down to the skin or > do you leave some) Perhaps you have a picture of what they look like > clipped? > Thanks, Ellen. > > - Original Message > From: Robin Churchill > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:49:19 AM > Subject: Re: blanketing in winter > > > This message is from: Robin Churchill > > If you are going to work him significantly in the winter then he will sweat > and you will have to spend time every day getting him dry after you ride if > that is even possibl
Re: Blanketing in winter and hello to Sue Banks
This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rambo makes a blanket called Rambo XL for the fuller bodied horse that is wider across the chest and shoulders. I have one for my warmblood and it is made roomier than their standard models some of which I also have. My fjord gelding currently has a Weatherbeeta blanket with gussetted shoulders that seems to fit him well. Also, Sue you probably don't remember me but the first fjord I ever saw was Lillihammer at one of the Wakefield dressage shows several years ago beating the pants off all the warmbloods at first level. I took one look at her and fell in love. I went up and asked you what kind of horse she was and that was the start of my husband and I getting our fjords. It was a few years before we finally took the plunge and ended up with Ooruk (Orka X Maite), who is starting his dressage career and BDF Ulyssa (Gjest X Stine), who is just 3 months under saddle. Now I am the one that everyone is crowding around at the dressage shows asking "what kind of horse is that ! and where did you get it?" I have taken Ooruk to one schooling show last April and a recognized show in June and you wouldn't believe the kind of attention he got. Robin in Florida - Original Message From: Sam Banks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 2:12:43 PM Subject: Re:Blanketing in winter This message is from: "Sam Banks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I foxhunt my two Fjords through the winter in Tidewater area of Virginia. I mostly deal with winter daytime temps in the 30-45 range, so rain is the enemy, not cold. Over the past 5 years I have tried different clips, each has advantages and disadvantages. When I take more hair off, they don't sweat as much and are easier to get the mud off, but I have to blanket more, and vice versa if I leave more hair. The past 2 years I've done a full body clip in early September, and a high trace clip in early October. They still get pretty sweaty hunting in October in the 70's, but I don't have to blanket them for most of the winter except for rain. The year it stayed hot later into the fall, I did hunter clips in October, they didn't grow back enough, and needed more blanketing. My horses seem to slow their hair growth around middle of November, so if you don't want to blanket, clip in October, not November like most show people around here. My favorite turnout blankets are the Rambo Wug style. The longer neck keeps my horses drier and I have less fitting problems and rubbing in the shoulders, but my horses are a lighter build, not drafty. I prefer the two surcingle style, not the new 3 surcingle style. The Rhino fabric line is not as sturdy as the original fabric, but in the lightweight makes a great rain sheet for warmer days. I haven't tried their Amigo line. I try to buy at the end of the season sales but they are worth the money to me. Most Fjords need a 72", my 13:1 Fjord wears a 69", and my 14:2 Fjord wears 75" to keep them dry by completely covering their rear. Both my horses are very good about their clothing, and I'm still using Lilly's first blanket of 9 years old with no repairs other than surcingle hardware. Another necessity for me is to have a type of sheet that pulls the moisture off the horse to cool it out and for the trailer ride home after the hunt. I love my Rambo Armadillo sheet, but could only find it in 66" closeout. I also like the polarfleece type sheets. Both are light enough to get into my home washer. I bought Saxon Fleece Sheets by WeatherBeeta this year, so both my girls have new plaid sheets for showoff at the hunts. WeatherBeeta blankets are also generously sized. On hunting days when it is threatening rain (yes, we sometimes get wet) I use a polarfleece quarter sheet that I can roll up behind the saddle. It breathes enough they don't get too hot, and it keeps them warm enough underneath that they keep their own undercoat dry on their rump and sides; even though the polarfleece doesn't repel rain, it doesn't absorb it either. Wool would work as well, as it took about 2 hours of rain for it to soak through my hunt coat, and both fabrics keep you warm even when wet (some Hunt Masters won't let you wear your Australian riding coat). This year I will be prepared with Quantum Heat packs http://www.quantumheat.net/ in my coat pockets for that Master and joint meet. Sue Banks with Silija and Lillehammer clipped and ready to go. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: blanketing in winter
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also have some interest in this issue, and I wonder if Teressa and others who do blanket could suggest some brands that actually FIT Fjord bodies? The standard blankets I've tried are just not broad enough across the chest to accommodate my boy's big neck and shoulders. The larger sizes that are broad enough are just too long in the body... Thanks for any suggestions! Cindy Kalamazoo, MI -- Original message -- From: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" > > I clip my mare who is stalled and with paddock turnout in the winter - > though this year, her winter coat came on in August and I clipped her in > early September - I clipped a total close body clip except for a patch under > the saddle and it has already grown out quite a bit. My fjords at home > won't get clipped unless they are working and we usually start with chest > and neck and work from there depending on the level of work. They are in an > open stall with a paddock at home and often stand out in the rain or snow > instead of going in. Or are finally getting to graze once the grass loses > its potency in late fall. The difficulty with not clipping is that it takes > forever for them to cool off and dry out in cold, wet, windy weather as you > can't just put a blanket on them with them still soaking wet. Mine keep > their blankets on pretty well - they are no more hard on them than the other > breeds at my training barn. But the winter blankets always need a good > repair job when they get cleaned - I've found the inexpensive ones end up > costing more as the hardware pulls out and they rip more easily than the > higher priced ones. > > We're lucky though with fjords that unless we change the climate for them > (as in moving to Florida or clipping them for our convenience), they do just > fine with their own coats. > Teressa in Ferndale, WA > > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ellen Barry > Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:58 AM > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Subject: Re: blanketing in winter > > > This message is from: Ellen Barry > > Robin, > should I do the same here in TN? If so; > which parts do you clip, how short do you clip it? (Like down to the skin or > do you leave some) Perhaps you have a picture of what they look like > clipped? > Thanks, Ellen. > > - Original Message > From: Robin Churchill > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:49:19 AM > Subject: Re: blanketing in winter > > > This message is from: Robin Churchill > > If you are going to work him significantly in the winter then he will sweat > and you will have to spend time every day getting him dry after you ride if > that is even possible with a heavy fjord coat or clip him. If you clip him > then you have to blanket him to protect him from the weather. I have always > ridden in the winter even when I lived up north and was lucky enough to have > access to an indoor arena so I have always clipped my horses in winter and > blanketed them. If you are not going to work him enough to make him sweat, > then I have read all you have to provide is plenty of hay and a shelter that > shields from rain and wind. If you are clipping and blanketing, it is better > to blanket a little too lightly than too heavily. Down here, there is no > choice, horses must be clipped in the fall because they get a coat much > sooner > than the weather gets cold and usually it doesn't get below 40 at night and > gets as high as 80s during the day so they are miserable in a winter > coat! > and cannot be ridden without clipping. I have already clipped my fjord > gelding 3 times since August and my warmblood once. > > Robin in Florida, still in the high 80s to 90 in the afternoon > > The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: > http://tinyurl.com/rcepw > > The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: > http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I agree with Teressa. If you are going to blanket, make sure you get ones with at least 1000 or even higher denier shells and good hardware which are usually more expensive. The cheaper ones get torn up easily and even if they can be repaired you end up needing to wash them and take them somewhere and sometimes then your horse is without a blanket unless you have an extra. Buying a quality blanket/sheet is really money well spent because they last longer and are less trouble. That doesn't mean they don't tear them up sometimes too, just not with the same frequency. It seems like somedays my horses are on a mission to tear up anything on them or any of their pasturemates. Robin - Original Message From: Teressa Kandianis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:40:12 PM Subject: RE: blanketing in winter This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I clip my mare who is stalled and with paddock turnout in the winter - though this year, her winter coat came on in August and I clipped her in early September - I clipped a total close body clip except for a patch under the saddle and it has already grown out quite a bit. My fjords at home won't get clipped unless they are working and we usually start with chest and neck and work from there depending on the level of work. They are in an open stall with a paddock at home and often stand out in the rain or snow instead of going in. Or are finally getting to graze once the grass loses its potency in late fall. The difficulty with not clipping is that it takes forever for them to cool off and dry out in cold, wet, windy weather as you can't just put a blanket on them with them still soaking wet. Mine keep their blankets on pretty well - they are no more hard on them than the other breeds at my training barn. But the winter blankets always need a good repair job when they get cleaned - I've found the inexpensive ones end up costing more as the hardware pulls out and they rip more easily than the higher priced ones. We're lucky though with fjords that unless we change the climate for them (as in moving to Florida or clipping them for our convenience), they do just fine with their own coats. Teressa in Ferndale, WA -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ellen Barry Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:58 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: blanketing in winter This message is from: Ellen Barry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Robin, should I do the same here in TN? If so; which parts do you clip, how short do you clip it? (Like down to the skin or do you leave some) Perhaps you have a picture of what they look like clipped? Thanks, Ellen. - Original Message From: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:49:19 AM Subject: Re: blanketing in winter This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you are going to work him significantly in the winter then he will sweat and you will have to spend time every day getting him dry after you ride if that is even possible with a heavy fjord coat or clip him. If you clip him then you have to blanket him to protect him from the weather. I have always ridden in the winter even when I lived up north and was lucky enough to have access to an indoor arena so I have always clipped my horses in winter and blanketed them. If you are not going to work him enough to make him sweat, then I have read all you have to provide is plenty of hay and a shelter that shields from rain and wind. If you are clipping and blanketing, it is better to blanket a little too lightly than too heavily. Down here, there is no choice, horses must be clipped in the fall because they get a coat much sooner than the weather gets cold and usually it doesn't get below 40 at night and gets as high as 80s during the day so they are miserable in a winter coat! and cannot be ridden without clipping. I have already clipped my fjord gelding 3 times since August and my warmblood once. Robin in Florida, still in the high 80s to 90 in the afternoon The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: blanketing in winter
This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I clip my mare who is stalled and with paddock turnout in the winter - though this year, her winter coat came on in August and I clipped her in early September - I clipped a total close body clip except for a patch under the saddle and it has already grown out quite a bit. My fjords at home won't get clipped unless they are working and we usually start with chest and neck and work from there depending on the level of work. They are in an open stall with a paddock at home and often stand out in the rain or snow instead of going in. Or are finally getting to graze once the grass loses its potency in late fall. The difficulty with not clipping is that it takes forever for them to cool off and dry out in cold, wet, windy weather as you can't just put a blanket on them with them still soaking wet. Mine keep their blankets on pretty well - they are no more hard on them than the other breeds at my training barn. But the winter blankets always need a good repair job when they get cleaned - I've found the inexpensive ones end up costing more as the hardware pulls out and they rip more easily than the higher priced ones. We're lucky though with fjords that unless we change the climate for them (as in moving to Florida or clipping them for our convenience), they do just fine with their own coats. Teressa in Ferndale, WA -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ellen Barry Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:58 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: blanketing in winter This message is from: Ellen Barry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Robin, should I do the same here in TN? If so; which parts do you clip, how short do you clip it? (Like down to the skin or do you leave some) Perhaps you have a picture of what they look like clipped? Thanks, Ellen. - Original Message From: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:49:19 AM Subject: Re: blanketing in winter This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you are going to work him significantly in the winter then he will sweat and you will have to spend time every day getting him dry after you ride if that is even possible with a heavy fjord coat or clip him. If you clip him then you have to blanket him to protect him from the weather. I have always ridden in the winter even when I lived up north and was lucky enough to have access to an indoor arena so I have always clipped my horses in winter and blanketed them. If you are not going to work him enough to make him sweat, then I have read all you have to provide is plenty of hay and a shelter that shields from rain and wind. If you are clipping and blanketing, it is better to blanket a little too lightly than too heavily. Down here, there is no choice, horses must be clipped in the fall because they get a coat much sooner than the weather gets cold and usually it doesn't get below 40 at night and gets as high as 80s during the day so they are miserable in a winter coat! and cannot be ridden without clipping. I have already clipped my fjord gelding 3 times since August and my warmblood once. Robin in Florida, still in the high 80s to 90 in the afternoon The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It seems you could just do a trace clip or maybe just the underside of the neck and chest. I think Lisa Pedersen has some pictures of her Fjords that have had a total body clip. I have copies I could send you. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, still unseasonably warm; 40 degrees today. Robin, should I do the same here in TN? If so; which parts do you clip, how short do you clip it? (Like down to the skin or do you leave some) Perhaps you have a picture of what they look like clipped? Thanks, Ellen. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you are going to work him significantly in the winter then he will sweat and you will have to spend time every day getting him dry after you ride if that is even possible with a heavy fjord coat or clip him. If you clip him then you have to blanket him to protect him from the weather. I have always ridden in the winter even when I lived up north and was lucky enough to have access to an indoor arena so I have always clipped my horses in winter and blanketed them. If you are not going to work him enough to make him sweat, then I have read all you have to provide is plenty of hay and a shelter that shields from rain and wind. If you are clipping and blanketing, it is better to blanket a little too lightly than too heavily. Down here, there is no choice, horses must be clipped in the fall because they get a coat much sooner than the weather gets cold and usually it doesn't get below 40 at night and gets as high as 80s during the day so they are miserable in a winter coat! and cannot be ridden without clipping. I have already clipped my fjord gelding 3 times since August and my warmblood once. Robin in Florida, still in the high 80s to 90 in the afternoon - Original Message From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:32:04 PM Subject: Re: blanketing in winter This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If the weather is RAINY and COLD and WINDY, then we check for shivering. If there aren't any shivers, then we feed plenty of hay and don't worry about it. If there are shivers, we get the horses under cover and out of the wind. The little ones, sick ones, and the oldest ones are the horses to worry about in weather like that. (Such as what we've been having today in northeast Iowa.) As far as blankets go, we don't bother. They'd just shred them if we tried. Jean is probably right though -- you'd need a blanket if the horse is clipped, but we don't clip. Fjords are not hot-house horses -- they're bred to live in a cold climate and seem happiest when they're outdoors and running around. I personally worry more about them when it's very hot and humid. DeeAnna The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If the weather is RAINY and COLD and WINDY, then we check for shivering. If there aren't any shivers, then we feed plenty of hay and don't worry about it. If there are shivers, we get the horses under cover and out of the wind. The little ones, sick ones, and the oldest ones are the horses to worry about in weather like that. (Such as what we've been having today in northeast Iowa.) As far as blankets go, we don't bother. They'd just shred them if we tried. Jean is probably right though -- you'd need a blanket if the horse is clipped, but we don't clip. Fjords are not hot-house horses -- they're bred to live in a cold climate and seem happiest when they're outdoors and running around. I personally worry more about them when it's very hot and humid. DeeAnna The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I don't blanket my Fjords here in Fairbanks, Alaska, even at -50. They will have enough coat to keep them warm and it will fluff up to trap airA blanket would only smash it down and wouldn't be as warm. Now if you are clipping them that is another story: Then you WOULD need to blanket. Since he has such a nice stall, He should keep plenty warm with just his own coat, and plenty of hay and warmed water. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, where is still as warm as it is in Winona... a record warm October here! I know that this has probably been discussed before but what does everyone do about blanketing in the winter? We live in VT and this will be my first winter w/ my Fjord. He has lived in this area for years and was never blanketed before. He has access 24/7 to his shed which is more like a stall (three and 3/4 sided--there is an opening a little larger than a stall door). He likes it and sleeps in it at night. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] We live in Northern MN where it can go down to -40 degrees. We don't even own a blanket. They are out 24/7 and also have access to a stall when it gets bad, but I think they prefer to stay out most of the time. The problem is in warmer climates where it is sleety and windy. That's a bad combo. When it gets cold here, it's pretty dry. Good judgment comes from experience, and experience --- well, that comes from poor judgment. - Cousin Woodman The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: blanketing in winter
This message is from: Michelle King <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi! I know that this has probably been discussed before but what does everyone do about blanketing in the winter? We live in VT and this will be my first winter w/ my Fjord. He has lived in this area for years and was never blanketed before. He has access 24/7 to his shed which is more like a stall (three and 3/4 sided--there is an opening a little larger than a stall door). He likes it and sleeps in it at night. He's been sweating a little when I have been riding him and so I am concerned that I may have to clip him. If I should blanket him when it does get really cold, what brand tends to fit the fjords the best? Thanks, in advance. Michelle and Luke (who has lost his 300#s!) Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
