In the temperate climates of Southern Africa, the practice of blanketing horses during the cooler months is a topic of ongoing discussion among equine professionals and enthusiasts alike. While blanketing can offer protection against the elements, improper use may lead to adverse health effects. Understanding when and how to blanket is essential for optimal equine welfare.
Understanding equine thermoregulation
Horses are naturally equipped to handle cold temperatures. They regulate their body temperature through:
- Hair coat: Growth and loft of the winter coat provide insulation by trapping air close to the skin.
- Skin blood flow: Vasoconstriction conserves heat.
- Metabolic rate: Increased energy metabolism in cold weather produces heat, which keeps the body warm.
- Behaviour: Seeking shelter, huddling, or changing posture.
However, factors such as wet conditions, wind, and inadequate shelter can compromise these natural defences, as can poor body condition, ill health and age.
When blanketing is beneficial
- Clipped horses: Horses that have been body-clipped for aesthetic or practical reasons lose their natural insulation and may require blanketing when temperatures drop below 10°C.
- Elderly or ill horses: Older horses or those with health issues may struggle to maintain body heat even with longer coats and can benefit from appropriate blanketing.
- Lack of shelter: Horses without access to adequate shelter during cold, wet, or windy conditions may need blankets.
- Poor body condition: Underweight horses have less fat to insulate them and may require additional warmth through blanketing.
Risks of over-blanketing
Over-blanketing can lead to overheating, sweating, and subsequent chilling, which may cause stress and weight loss. Additionally, excessive blanketing can suppress the horse’s natural thermoregulatory mechanisms, potentially weakening their ability to cope with temperature fluctuations.
Guidelines for effective blanketing
- Assess individual needs: Consider the horse’s age, health status, coat condition, and access to shelter.
- Monitor weather conditions: Blanketing decisions should be based on temperature, wind, and precipitation forecasts.
- Regular checks: Inspect blankets daily for fit and condition, and remove them at least once a day to check for skin issues or weight changes.
- Proper fit: Ensure blankets fit correctly to prevent chafing and allow freedom of movement.
Blanket fact or fiction
Fact or fiction: Do horses who have always been blanketed need blankets for the rest of their lives?
Yes — there is some scientific and physiological basis to the idea that horses who have been routinely blanketed and stabled for much of their lives may become less resilient to cold due to altered or underdeveloped thermoregulatory mechanisms. While this isn’t a hard biological limit (i.e. they’re not permanently compromised), the research shows there is truth in this.
The research
As mentioned above, horses have several methods of regulating their body temperature. However, these responses are adaptive and develop in response to environmental exposure.
When a horse is blanketed:
- The winter coat grows less fully, and the hair lies flat.
- The skin doesn’t develop the same vasomotor (blood vessel control) adaptations as it would in the cold.
- There’s reduced stimulation of the metabolic thermoregulatory pathways, since the horse isn’t exposed to the cold.
- The horse also doesn’t learn behavioural adaptations — like seeking shelter or adjusting posture — because it’s often in a temperature-controlled environment.
According to Dr. David Marlin, equine physiologist:
“If a horse has always been stabled and blanketed, it is likely that its coat has not developed fully, and it may not cope well in a cold, wet environment without protection.”
(Source: davidmarlin.co.uk, “To Rug or Not to Rug?”)
So it’s true?
Yes — horses conditioned to blankets and stabling may have a reduced ability to thermoregulate naturally, especially if they’ve never been allowed to develop a full coat or adapt to environmental variation.
However, this is not irreversible. Gradual, well-managed exposure to outdoor conditions can help the horse re-adapt, though this should always be done slowly and seasonally, not abruptly.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this are as follows:
- A horse that has been blanketed year-round cannot suddenly be expected to live out in winter without some degree of support.
- Owners should treat such horses as thermoregulatory ‘naïve’; they will need gradual conditioning and support during any transition.
Fact or fiction: Do wet horses get cold faster?
Yes. Water flattens the hair and removes the insulating air layer between the coat and skin. Wet, windy, and cold conditions together significantly increase the risk of hypothermia — this is where a waterproof blanket or shelter becomes important.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this are as follows:
- In cold, wet weather, blankets are needed at higher temperatures than in cold, dry weather.
- Horses must be dried off thoroughly after exercise or bathing during the winter months to avoid hypothermia.
Fact or fiction: Does a thick winter coat mean a horse doesn’t need a blanket?
No. While a thick coat offers great insulation, horses that are underweight, elderly, ill, or exposed to persistent wet and wind may still benefit from a blanket, especially if they can’t stay dry or are shivering.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this are as follows:
- Older horses and horses with health conditions must be monitored closely to ensure that they are coping with the temperature.
- Conditions must be assessed regularly and blanketing decisions made based on the weather conditions, not just the length of the coat.
Fact or fiction: Does blanketing keep horses from growing a thick winter coat?
Yes. Hair growth is largely triggered by photoperiod (daylight hours), but ambient temperature and pressure on hair follicles (from blankets) can suppress coat development. This is why blanketed horses often retain a sleek coat even in winter.
Fact or fiction: Blanketing weakens a horse’s immune system.
Blanketing doesn’t directly affect immune function. However, over-blanketing or abrupt exposure to cold after reliance on rugs can create stress or thermal shock that may temporarily impact immune resilience.
Conclusion
Blanketing, when applied judiciously, can be a valuable tool in equine management during the cooler months in Southern Africa. By understanding the individual needs of each horse and the environmental conditions, owners can make informed decisions that promote health and comfort.