Over the stable door

Greetings Fellow Equines and Horse Owners!

Weather is always a good subject for discussion, as those who are animal owners will know. Whether (pardon the pun!) it is hot, cold, wet or windy, there is always something to be done to keep our animals more comfortable.

Horses do come with their own inbuilt fur coat which keeps us protected in most situations. Say in hot weather, we need shade and ad lib access to clean fresh water. In extreme heat we can drink up to 60 litres per day. This will need to be checked regularly and replaced with fresh water if it has gone slimy. This can happen if the water is in an old bath and the water is dam water.

We do also appreciate a lovely hose down on a hot day too, but don’t scrape the water off, as our body will cool as the water evaporates. With the hosing, be careful not to overdo it, as it can deplete the hair from the natural oils. Also make sure that the lower legs, particularly in the back of the pastern area are dried off with a towel. If they are left damp and with too much hosing, greasy heel can develop. Some of us have white facial markings and are susceptible to a bit of sun burn. There is specially formulated sun screen for horses which is helpful. Please don’t use the human product as the ph content can be different and have adverse affects on our skin. If in doubt, then a sun veil can be used too. Just be careful that it fits well and can’t catch on anything.

In the cold weather, then we tend to get rugged. Again be careful with the amount of rugging. The modern synthetic rugs are very warm and we will sweat on even a mildly sunny day. Do you know that over 5 degrees and we don’t really need a rug? However, when a chill factor is involved, that is wind and rain together then that is a different thing. Rugging will definitely protect us and we also would like some type of shelter, whether it is a shed, stable, valley, a copse of trees. Also the amount of and type of rugging can be quite individual, depending on the age and health of the horse. If the horse is clipped, then his natural fur needs to be replaced with something to keep him warm. This usually involves 3 rugs -a cotton under sheet, a woollen rug and an outer rainproof rug. Or you may need to only use two. Whichever way you choose to use, make sure that as each rug is secured, that it is only secured to itself and not to any of the other rugs (and with the clips facing to the inside!).

In the hotter months, some horses do wear a light summer sheet, but ultimately it is preferable to provide shade and shelter for your horse than putting a rug on him. On a severe or catastrophic day it would definitely be preferable to go without. Now I am a big one for comfort! I do like to have somewhere where I can lie down and feel both safe and comfortable (eg. A sand pit) Not all of us have that luxury, but even somewhere soft and grassy will do! And if I have some companions to share that pleasure with, so much the better!

Let’s hope this summer will pass without any traumas to property, humans and animals. Keep safe everyone, don’t forget to give your equines a special treat for Christmas!

Best wishes, Hamish

PS. Must share this with you all, I have recently had my 17th birthday, so am 17 years young and just holding my weight! Father Christmas came early to me this year, so I have already had my extra carrot bonus, many thanks! xxx