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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
 
| So my horses are turned out on about 3 acres... no trees no shelter no nothing ... they do have a roundbale.. Temps dropped into low 30's and of course it's windy and raining.. they are soaked.. I went to feed them and they all are shivering .. alot.. I have blankets but I'm not certain they are waterproof so I hadn't blanketed since we moved from where we had a barn. Should I go purchase waterproof blankets ? And since they are wet can I still throw a blanket on? I feel horrible for them. I know I have 1 lightweight blanket that does say waterproof so I'd have to buy 3 more.. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
  
Location: Florida.. | If they are used to having Shelter then yes Id go buy some waterproof blankets and id towel dry them best you can but you can put them on. their own body heat will absorb and dry under them in time..the wind is probrably more a issue with the rain and blankets will help block to.. then a nice day id remove and lay them out to air out better.
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-11-28 11:07 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would not put a blanket on a soaked horse and with the wind chill being what it is you would be doing them no good. You really need to get a wind block/break put up for them, use your trailer park it so that they can get beside it to block the wind for now. |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Southtxponygirl - 2015-11-28 11:07 AM I would not put a blanket on a soaked horse and with the wind chill being what it is you would be doing them no good. You really need to get a wind block/break put up for them, use your trailer park it so that they can get beside it to block the wind for now. I would add to this....I would throw them up IN the trailer until the rain stops. Also their own body heat will warm them and start to dry them. You can purchase lightweight waterproof sheets to throw over your original blankets. I am not certain where you live but my FIRST priority would be to get some kind of run-in shelter built!
Edited by NJJ 2015-11-28 11:13 AM
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | shed have to dry best she can.. but agree the wind needs blocked.. a cooler under blanket would work though as well.. They shiver to get warmth.. hay hay hay and wind blocked . |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Southtxponygirl - 2015-11-28 11:07 AM
I would not put a blanket on a soaked horse and with the wind chill being what it is you would be doing them no good. You really need to get a wind block/break put up for them, use your trailer park it so that they can get beside it to block the wind for now.
We thought about doing that but the pasture is very very wet and muddy there's not a dry spot on the place and we just have a large stock trailer . I don't even think we could pull our trailer in there at this point. More rain is coming too and wind. They really didn't get much of a chance to grow their winter coats really thiick yet. because it's been in the 70s here. I would say they are damp not soaked there's a break in the rain right now .. I'm really just wanting to make the right decision don't wanna do more harm than good. |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | we do....if last resort.. their body heat will dry underneath. towel dry them best you can .we use coolers under to but have done both. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Oh I read that they were soaked, if damp then dry them off the best you can and put water proof blankets on but if more rain is coming and its windy I would be a bit worry about them getting wet under the blankets. If you have a large stock trailer I would be putting tarps over it and get the horses out of the wind for now. How big is your stock trailer? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | NJJ and Bibs are giving great advice  |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | This time of year is always nerve racking for horse owners.. wet, cold,wind, sunshine. hair no hair. etc etc etc.. new horse old horse acclimated not acclimated.. it is difficult to always know what to do.. we always try our best but thats all we can do...... |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Bibliafarm - 2015-11-28 11:28 AM This time of year is always nerve racking for horse owners.. wet, cold,wind, sunshine. hair no hair. etc etc etc.. new horse old horse acclimated not acclimated.. it is difficult to always know what to do.. we always try our best but thats all we can do......
Boy now that's the truth  |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| I may have said they were soaked I'm sorry I'm just frazzled and worried .. they've always had a nice barn and stalls and blankets. We moved in a hurry for my hubby's job and didn't have time to plan. Guess I was lucky enough to be able to bring them along and put them in the pasture.. believe me no one wants a shelter for them more than I! It's just not feasible right now for us to build them anything 2 weeks after we moved and bought our home my hubby lost his job unexpected. Playing catch up now that he's back to work ... it most definitely is our first priority to get them shelter . This cold snap came on quick.
I will do my best to towel dry while it's still not raining and put blankets on. Hopefully doing the right thing . |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Understandable..
id do that.. and they should be fine. |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 11:38 AM
I may have said they were soaked I'm sorry I'm just frazzled and worried .. they've always had a nice barn and stalls and blankets. We moved in a hurry for my hubby's job and didn't have time to plan. Guess I was lucky enough to be able to bring them along and put them in the pasture.. believe me no one wants a shelter for them more than I! It's just not feasible right now for us to build them anything 2 weeks after we moved and bought our home my hubby lost his job unexpected. Playing catch up now that he's back to work ... it most definitely is our first priority to get them shelter . This cold snap came on quick.
I will do my best to towel dry while it's still not raining and put blankets on. Hopefully doing the right thing .
From what I understand about blanketing, is that getting them dry would be best before putting the blankets on. I'd put them in the trailer, even though it's a stock trailer it will get them out of the wind a bit and rain as well and put coolers on them. When they're nearest to dry, I'd throw a blanket on them.
I just bought a really good nice blanket for like 85$, medium weight, water/wind proof, online at state line tack. They're having a huge sell. And they have tons of sizes, colors and thickness. There are also blanketing videos on there for advice on blanketing:) talks about everything from sizing to weight and weather needs.
Edited by americanpride08 2015-11-28 11:51 AM
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| americanpride08 - 2015-11-28 11:48 AM
want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 11:38 AM
I may have said they were soaked I'm sorry I'm just frazzled and worried .. they've always had a nice barn and stalls and blankets. We moved in a hurry for my hubby's job and didn't have time to plan. Guess I was lucky enough to be able to bring them along and put them in the pasture.. believe me no one wants a shelter for them more than I! It's just not feasible right now for us to build them anything 2 weeks after we moved and bought our home my hubby lost his job unexpected. Playing catch up now that he's back to work ... it most definitely is our first priority to get them shelter . This cold snap came on quick.
I will do my best to towel dry while it's still not raining and put blankets on. Hopefully doing the right thing .
From what I understand about blanketing, is that getting them dry would be best before putting the blankets on. I'd put them in the trailer, even though it's a stock trailer it will get them out of the wind a bit and rain as well and put coolers on them. When they're nearest to dry, I'd throw a blanket on them.
I just bought a really good nice blanket for like 85$, medium weight, water/wind proof, online at state line tack. They're having a huge sell. And they have tons of sizes, colors and thickness. There are also blanketing videos on there for advice on blanketing: ) talks about everything from sizing to weight and weather needs.
I ended up buying 1 blanket .. after looking at the blankets at the feed store the ones I have are waterproof too. Now my yearling has never been blanketed and we did get him from nm and I know he was turned out on 2600 acres and braved the yucky winter we had last there. Oddly enough he was the only one who actually wasnt shivering. |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | These wet cold days are miserable! My horses never shivered when we lived in Montana, even at 20 below. But here, 40 and rain and they are shaking from cold.
I often blanket when they are wet. They appreciate it and dry in no time ( the blankets are waterproof and breathable.)
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | just4fun - 2015-11-29 9:16 AM These wet cold days are miserable! My horses never shivered when we lived in Montana, even at 20 below. But here, 40 and rain and they are shaking from cold.
I often blanket when they are wet. They appreciate it and dry in no time ( the blankets are waterproof and breathable.)
Yes to above...
Absolutely, blanket! Wouldn't you appreciate a blanket if you were soaked and cold? The coat will dry unless it is a plastic tarp...most blankets are breathable. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Thank you all for the replies... the rain quit for now and no wind ... I towel dried them as best as I could ... they were just barely damp when I put blankets on. I feel better I just hope they behave themselves because after we put blankets on they decided to start messing with each other's blankets... I threw out some alfalfa hay for them to distract them from tearing up blankets. Horses.....  |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | If they are shivering cold you most certainly can put their blankets on even if they are wet. Most waterproof blankets are breathable and they WILL dry under them. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| ThreeCorners - 2015-11-28 2:22 PM
If they are shivering cold you most certainly can put their blankets on even if they are wet. Most waterproof blankets are breathable and they WILL dry under them.
I just wadded out there to check on them.. we had another downpour of rain... they are completely dry under their blankets.. now just to figure out how to keep them from chewing on eachothers.. the novelty has somewhat worn off and they are eating their roundbale ignoring eachother. .. for now. I went to town to look for some no chew stuff but all the feed stores only had the no chew for wood. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 12:41 PM
Thank you all for the replies... the rain quit for now and no wind ... I towel dried them as best as I could ... they were just barely damp when I put blankets on. I feel better I just hope they behave themselves because after we put blankets on they decided to start messing with each other's blankets... I threw out some alfalfa hay for them to distract them from tearing up blankets. Horses.....
They seem to go out of their way to make being a horse parent hard, don't they?! |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Chandler's Mom - 2015-11-28 11:52 PM
want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 12:41 PM
Thank you all for the replies... the rain quit for now and no wind ... I towel dried them as best as I could ... they were just barely damp when I put blankets on. I feel better I just hope they behave themselves because after we put blankets on they decided to start messing with each other's blankets... I threw out some alfalfa hay for them to distract them from tearing up blankets. Horses.....
They seem to go out of their way to make being a horse parent hard, don't they?!
Yes they do! They have no idea about the sleep I lose over them at times |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | want2chase3 - 2015-11-29 5:28 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2015-11-28 11:52 PM
want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 12:41 PM
Thank you all for the replies... the rain quit for now and no wind ... I towel dried them as best as I could ... they were just barely damp when I put blankets on. I feel better I just hope they behave themselves because after we put blankets on they decided to start messing with each other's blankets... I threw out some alfalfa hay for them to distract them from tearing up blankets. Horses.....
They seem to go out of their way to make being a horse parent hard, don't they?!
Yes they do! They have no idea about the sleep I lose over them at times
Amen to that! My OLD horse has decided to put himself on a diet---he's leaving part of his feed each time, and this is all he gets to eat because he can't eat hay and the grass needs to be about 10 inches before he can eat that. So I worry sick about him, but have decided that he is the boss on this one since I can't force feed him! |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| Can u fix a cheqp run in shed even if you have tomused some tarps until the barn is fixed maybe use some poles that you cut down.
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| daisycake123 - 2015-11-29 7:43 PM
Can u fix a cheqp run in shed even if you have tomused some tarps until the barn is fixed maybe use some poles that you cut down.
We have plans to start building an actual barn for them. When the ground dries up from this last round I hope we can start. Got a nice horse sold last night so that'll fund the barn and finishing up our property and home. We are supposed to be dry for a few weeks. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I do not stall my old retired guy, he has a huge shelter he can get under but he will stand next to the barn to be my the other horses, even in the rain. I have blanketed him before when he was wet and within 2 hours he was toasty dry and warm under his blanket.
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 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 3:46 PM ThreeCorners - 2015-11-28 2:22 PM If they are shivering cold you most certainly can put their blankets on even if they are wet. Most waterproof blankets are breathable and they WILL dry under them. I just wadded out there to check on them.. we had another downpour of rain... they are completely dry under their blankets.. now just to figure out how to keep them from chewing on eachothers.. the novelty has somewhat worn off and they are eating their roundbale ignoring eachother. .. for now. I went to town to look for some no chew stuff but all the feed stores only had the no chew for wood.
I've had success using tabasco sauce/water mix in a spray bottle to keep one of my cribbers away from eating on certain things -- might work on the blankets if they do start to bite them.
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Now my next question ... since they've been in blankets for last few days because it never got out of the high 30's until today ... we finally got a little sunshine peeking out and it's high of 54 today but will drop down into 30's tonight. And be low 30's for the rest of the week at night.. I took blankets off today (and of course, they rolled in the mud after) but I'm leaning towards putting blankets back on in the evenings. ? I was told once I started blanketing I needed to keep doing it when it drops below 40s. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Red Raider - 2015-11-30 7:46 PM
want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 3:46 PM ThreeCorners - 2015-11-28 2:22 PM If they are shivering cold you most certainly can put their blankets on even if they are wet. Most waterproof blankets are breathable and they WILL dry under them. I just wadded out there to check on them.. we had another downpour of rain... they are completely dry under their blankets.. now just to figure out how to keep them from chewing on eachothers.. the novelty has somewhat worn off and they are eating their roundbale ignoring eachother. .. for now. I went to town to look for some no chew stuff but all the feed stores only had the no chew for wood.
That's funny! I was going to sprinkle some cayenne pepper but they've stopped chewing on eachother. |
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Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: East Texas | Is there a barn close by that you can put them for short term until you can get something built, or the rain stops? |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| It looks like you have got some great advice already.
I only blanket when it is A) Freezing and B) Wet.
Otherwise I pull the blankets off and provide lots of hay. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| horsesinharleton - 2015-12-01 12:12 PM
Is there a barn close by that you can put them for short term until you can get something built, or the rain stops?
That's not an option for us. Everyone we know that has a barn have their horses in it. I cannot afford the two boarding places nearby either... I've looked into it. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Kry5ta1 - 2015-12-01 12:13 PM
It looks like you have got some great advice already.
I only blanket when it is A ) Freezing and B ) Wet.
Otherwise I pull the blankets off and provide lots of hay.
They pretty much ate all the roundbale that was left. I've got to wait a few days to put another one out.. so for now I'm supplementing with alfalfa hay twice a day along with their regular feed. |
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 World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | When we bought our house last october, i had to get my horses home ASAP....I was lucky i got a fence up. Got the fence up, got them home last NOvember. Weather turned, and didn't look back. I blanketed all 3 of my horses..and they went all winter without shelter. There was just no way to build one then. I'm in PA, and we get nasty nasty weather here...cold, snow, -20 windchill, etc.....my horses were fine all winter. Kept blankets on, they had a round bale at all times, and warm, unfrozen water. They all survived just fine. Was it ideal? No...but I did what I had to do. We did get a run in shelter built this summer, so i'll sleep a little easier this winter knowing they have shelter....but IMO, hay and water is way more important to keeping them healthy/warm in the winter than shelter...a blanket will keep the cold and wind from bothering them too much.
At times like this, we do all we can...even if not ideal. Sounds like they'll be fine, even without shelter... |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| I used the no chew stuff from the pet store when I turned my filly in with my older mare - worked really well! You can also use cayenne pepper and re-sprinkle every few days until you can find something else - it also works well on tails!
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Do you have coolers for them? Dries them up really quickly. I guess if it's still raining though that would probably work against you. either way, I use them several times over the winter since my horses aren't blanketed until it gets more steadily cold and are exposed to the cold rainy days every now and then. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| want2chase3 - 2015-11-28 4:46 PM
ThreeCorners - 2015-11-28 2:22 PM
If they are shivering cold you most certainly can put their blankets on even if they are wet. Most waterproof blankets are breathable and they WILL dry under them.
I just wadded out there to check on them.. we had another downpour of rain... they are completely dry under their blankets.. now just to figure out how to keep them from chewing on eachothers.. the novelty has somewhat worn off and they are eating their roundbale ignoring eachother. .. for now. I went to town to look for some no chew stuff but all the feed stores only had the no chew for wood.
If you have a small animal pet store near by, you can probably find some Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange spray there. They almost always have it for animals after spay/neuter. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | want2chase3 - 2015-12-01 11:53 AM
Now my next question ... since they've been in blankets for last few days because it never got out of the high 30's until today ... we finally got a little sunshine peeking out and it's high of 54 today but will drop down into 30's tonight. And be low 30's for the rest of the week at night.. I took blankets off today (and of course, they rolled in the mud after) but I'm leaning towards putting blankets back on in the evenings. ? I was told once I started blanketing I needed to keep doing it when it drops below 40s.
I would blanket at night. We put them on at 30 for just normal cold nights or days. Wet and cold, we will blanket around 40 or so. Dan (36) gets his blanket depending on if he "tells" me he's cold or not! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| We've bought those collapsible garage deals for shelters as a temporary fix before. If I recall correctly they're fairly cheap. We left 2 sides on and wired the legs to posts to make sure it wouldn't fly away.  |
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need some quick blanketing advice!