The answer to that particular question would rely on the circumstances of the pony. That implies the answer is yes for plenty of horses. Pony owners seem to have developed a trend of clipping horses if they are to be ridden during winter. These horses will need blankets. It’s only reasonable that we replace what we take away. If you remove a horse’s nature-given heat mechanism simply because it suits you (but not the horse), you must also compensate the horse for it.

Generally, I get hunt clips for my horses. I am unhappy to see that hunt clips seem to be on the road to extinction. It seems to me that almost invariably, full body clips are used on show horses.

Blankets for horses are now a thriving business. It’s possible to get blankets of a range of materials, for a range of horse and pony sizes. There are even blankets for foals. You will find blankets that are made specially for each season, every function, every taste and every pocket. A fast glance through a trade mag will show you quite a few pages with advertisements on an entire range of blankets in all shapes, sizes, material and costs.

It is up to you to make the correct choice.

Usually, blankets are not needed for lightly used horses that are ridden for pleasure and aren’t utilized for any other purpose thru the winter, if they are stabled at night. There shouldn’t be any requirement for a blanket. The pony will be protected by his thick winter coat. A winter coat starts making its appearance at the end of fall and stays on until spring. A winter coat is nature’s customized gift to each pony, and it suits them fine. It’s better not to clip the coats of horses utilised for moderate trail riding in winter. They do better with the full coat on, as each breed gets a custom coat designed by nature that is most suitable for its particular personality and physical requirements.

Winter coats tend to get heavier as horses get older. This isn’t a sign of Cushing’s Disease, it is a phenomenon prevalent with all horses in all stages of health. It is how nature compensates for their declining resistance. You may have also spotted that Mother Nature is extra considerate with horses that aren’t fat? Their coats often have an extra hair layer. Obviously, fat insulates against cold better. Well built horses always fare better in cold weather than their more gaunt opposite numbers.

You should envelop your pony in as many layers of blankets as the prevailing temperature dictates. It’s miles better to use multiple layers of thin blankets than to use fewer thicker ones. The thin blankets give you more flexibility: you can remove or add them with larger ease dependent on circumstances. Besides, thick blankets can make horses sweat. Regularly monitor horses that are outside most of the time. Inspect the straps for damage and look into the condition of their backs and their shoulders. If a horse sweats on a sunlit winter day, he is probably carrying a blanket or two too many. While most water-proof blankets do their job of waterproofing with great efficiency, they’re not desirable for use as blankets. They are air tight and repress natural respiring of horse skin.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about horse blanket