Q: Now that we are getting snow, I wonder if I should blanket my horse? Are there any other cold weather horse keeping tips you can give me?
A: Unless your horse came from a warmer area or has been body clipped, I would not suggest blanketing most horses. The winter coat that horses acquire naturally is usually sufficient to keep him warm throughout the winter. Take care that a windbreak is provided. If the horse becomes soaked and then a cold wind blows, he could become chilled and that is the only time that blanketing could be required. Make sure to use a water- proof blanket!
Interesting to note, is that the hair coat on most horses actually seems to predict the severity of the winter weather to come! Of course, they can't afford to be wrong on this, so they seem to me to always have the correct amount of hair!
A horse is able to fluff his coat up to make it a better insulator, so it actually keeps him warmer when it is not compressed by a blanket! This is another reason not to bathe horses in winter; the light, dry dirt actually fluffs the coat.
The most sensible use for a blanket is if you are riding your horse every day in winter, you will find grooming a pain, and you can directly tack up after pulling the blanket. Just remember that when you alter the course of natural winter hair growth by blanketing in the fall, you need to blanket the horse for the entire winter.
Send your questions to:countryclassicsnaches@hotmail.com
Kaia Sorem, DVM
WSU 1984
Veterinary Service
Pet Grooming
Cuddles Doggie Salon
203 Naches Avenue
Naches WA 98937
1-509-653-2108Past Dr. Kaia columns:
Jan. 19, 2005 Blanket Horses in Winter?
Jan. 12, 2005 New Rattlesnake Vaccine Available
Jan. 5, 2005 Dog Christmas Party and Feeding Bones to Dogs
Dec. 22, 2004 Correct Age for Neutering Dog
Dec. 15, 2004 Dog Bites Are Very Serious In Many Ways
Dec. 8, 2004 Decorations Hazardous to Pets
Dec. 1, 2004 Does a Horse Need a Barn, and How Big?
Nov. 24, 2004 Dogs Scratching Because of Allergies
Nov. 17, 2004 Rescuing Injured Wild Animals
Nov. 10, 2004 Use ALL of Every Antibiotic Prescription
Nov. 3, 2004 Causing Mare to Foal Early Using Light in Stall
Oct. 27, 2004 Horse Rubbing Mane and Tail
Oct. 20, 2004 What is Mangosteen?
Oct. 13, 2004 Will Neutering Stop Male Cat From Spraying?
Oct. 6, 2004 Care of Animals During Volcanic Eruption
Sept. 29, 2004 Dog Scratching Ear and Shaking Head
Sept. 22, 2004 Dog Dementia
Sept. 15, 2004 Treating Dog's Arthritis Can Prolong It's Life
Sept. 8, 2004 Dog Drinking and Urinating More Than Normal: Diabetes
Sept. 1, 2004 Dogs Scratching with Flea Bites
Aug. 25, 2004 Dogs Sore with Arthritis in Hips
Aug. 18, 2004 Dogs Left in Cars in Hot Weather May Be Released by Good Samaritans
Aug. 11, 2004 Microchipping Your Dog
Aug. 4, 2004 Dogs Lose Appetite in Hot Weather
July 28, 2004 Fish Oil for Dogs
July 21, 2004 Dog Bitten by Wild Animal
July 14, 2004 Talking Birds- Some Understand The Words
July 7, 2004 Importance of Ultrasounding Pregnant Mare
June 30, 2004 Cleaning Dogs' Teeth
June 23, 2004 Male Cats Spraying in the House
June 16, 2004 Horse Chiropractors
June 9, 2004 Cats Disappearing in Spring
June 2, 2004 Vaccination to Protect from Snakebite?
May 26, 2004 Older Female Dog Leaking Urine
May 12 & 19, 2004 Having a New Horse Checked and a Dog Who Has Become Dominant and Biting Toward Humans
May 5, 2004 Satellite Veterinary Clinic in Naches
Apr. 28, 2004 May 1 Too Early to Shave a Dog?
Apr. 21, 2004 Ticks Are Especially Bad This Year
Apr. 14, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen-- repeat
Apr. 7, 2004 Horse Racing Alive and Well in Kennewick
Mar. 31, 2004 Floating Horses' Teeth
Mar. 24, 2004 Swelling in Horse's Hock Serious?
Mar. 17, 2004 How Long Do Puppy Shots Last?
Mar. 10, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen
Mar. 3, 2004 What is Doggie Day Care?
Feb. 25, 2004 Old Dog Uncomfortable, Trouble Getting Up
Feb. 18, 2004 Cat Urinating Blood or Not Urinating
Feb. 11, 2004 High Carbohydrate Hay Content Causing Foundering
Feb. 4, 2004 Cushing's Disease and Metabolic Syndrome
Jan. 28, 2004 Leaving Horses Shod in Winter Causes Sore Feet
Jan. 21, 2004 Feeding Elk in Winter
Jan. 14, 2004 Why So Much Colic At This Time of Year?
Jan. 7, 2004 Mad Cow Disease Threat is Very Serious
Dec. 24, 2003 Warts on Horse's Muzzle
Dec. 17, 2003 Horse with a "Gravel" Lame Foot
Dec. 10, 2003 Dogs Have Fleas in Winter?
Dec. 3, 2003 Cats and Christmas Decorations
Nov. 26, 2003 Pigeon Fever in Horses
Nov. 19, 2003 Dogs with Signs of Lethargy or Intoxication
Nov. 12, 2003 Groom Dog Less in Winter?
Nov. 5, 2003 Dogs Eating From Cat Litter Box
Oct. 29, 2003 Dog Bad Breath
Oct. 22, 2003 Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs
Oct. 15, 2003 Navicular vs. Caudal Heel Syndrome
Oct. 8, 2003 Ambulatory Veterinary Practice
Oct. 1, 2003 Acupuncture for Animals
Sept. 24, 2003 Winter Care for Horses
Sept. 17, 2003 Found Sickly Puppy
Sept. 10, 2003 Horse Not Conditioned Properly
Aug. 27, 2003 Barrel Horse Anxious and Unwilling
Aug. 20, 2003 Cats Get Tumors From Vaccines?
Aug. 13, 2003 Horse Unshod All Year?