Point made, quarters, point made.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Contrary to popular belief
Horses do not melt in the rain.
Okay, so maybe it's not a popular belief, but I know a certain boarding barn where the owner sure thought they would, thus making me feel really awkward about turning my horses out in the rain. Now look at them, it's been raining for two days straight and I don't think they've been under the barn once. I've diligently been slogging out through the rain and mud (super fun in a cam boot, btw) to make sure they aren't cold but every time I get out there they tell me I needn't have bothered. They are fine, thanks very much.
Point made, quarters, point made.
Point made, quarters, point made.
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I agree! Actually, the rain is like a mini-bath. There have been times where I have brought Gem in after a really hard rain and I can see the dirt rings on his back and rump where the rain has force the dirt up from his coat. Sure makes it a lot easier to groom. :-)
ReplyDeleteBTW, the trees are a nice backdrop for The Quarters....shows off their lovely colouring!
I'll have to check them for dirt rings if they ever dry out, though I don't think I'll be able to see them under the mud.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, my horses are kind of fall colored. I never noticed that before. Maybe that's why I like chestnuts so much...
Most horses would much rather be out in the elements than locked up in a barn. Horses are built to be able to endure the rain, cold, snow, etc.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I think it's important for owners to provide a run-in shed or other type of shelter that blocks the wind that the horses can go under if they do want to.
I know quite a few people in northern climates (KS, MT, MN) who's horses stay out unblanketed 24/7 all year. (Of course, these are healthy horses, w/o any major medical issues, who have adequate shelter available in the pasture.)
A high contrast, though, from some of the barns down here in TX. I know one boarding stable down here that blankets horses if it's below 40.
Mary
You're right Mary. When we had horses here when I was younger we very rarely blanketed and only did so if a horse was shivering. I blanketed my horses last year because it was their first winter, they were in a barn, and they didn't grow very good coats. But still I didn't blanket them unless it was under 30 degrees.
ReplyDeleteI've seen horses up here in NY who get blankets if it's under 50 degrees- that's just ridiculous.
Our horses go out everyday, rain or shine. If they didn't they would tear up the barn. We do have run in sheds that they can use if they want but they seldom do. During a good storm you can see the bunch of them under the trees. Personally, I'd rather be in the shed, but then again I'm not a horse.
ReplyDeleteHi GHM, I have to admit to still being worried about thunderstorms. I know of way too many horses that have been killed by lightning. Fortunately the season for them has passed.
ReplyDeleteSO true although I go back and forth! I put on Laz's sheet (no fill) last night b/c the weather called for freezing rain..of course I woke up at 4 am and it was warm out and raining, so I was so annoyed and hoping he wasnt too hot. (He's stalled an hour away and i wasn't about to text the barnowner at 4 am to yank a blanket;)
ReplyDeleteThis morning I called and she yanked it off for him to roll in all the mud.
They sure do love that stuff. Gwen is no longer chestnut right now due to mud.
ReplyDelete