Roughing off horses and/or taking off winter rugs

It’s that difficult time of year again now that April has arrived. I’m already on my second attempt to take off winter rugs and rough off some of the horses and ponies. Once the hunter trials have finished, most people will rough off their hunters to give them a rest before starting to get fit for next season. Even stabled competition horses need to have their winter rugs (or at least one layer) removed or they will sweat during the day. Sweating is bad, as I’ve already mentioned in this blog, as it can cause skin infections and irritating itching for the horse.

Roughing off
The sudden warmer temperatures in late March followed by a return to arctic weather conditions over Easter did not help and winter rugs had to go back onto the ponies. Traditionally, roughing off a horse means leaving him out in a field day and night to give him a complete rest from work. All grooming should cease so that the horse can get some protection from the natural grease in his coat. Roughing off thoroughbreds is not recommended in Ireland and the UK until the second week of May. Roughing off needs to be done gradually, usually over a time span of two weeks. Take off one rug and leave horse out in field for longer periods durning the day but bring him in at night. After a week, take off the second rug. After two weeks of this, choose a mild day to leave the horse out at night for the first time and keep a close eye on him for a few days. Don’t forget to reduce the horse’s feed gradually over the two week period as you don’t want so much excess energy that he injures himself galloping about in the field.

Lighter rugs for competition and show horses
Modern rugs have made life a lot easier for owners of competition horses. I have heavyweight (winter) and lightweight (summer) waterproof rugs for mine. On warmer days in April, I put on the lighter waterproof rug so that the horse is protected from rain and cooler winds. I put the winter rug back on at night for at least a week. I also have ‘insulator’ rugs which go under the waterproof rugs so it is easy to add or take away a layer at this time of year. Some owners will keep rugs on their competition horses all through the summer months and, if it is a very wet summer with below average temperatures, I do this myself. A summer rug will keep a shine on a show horse’s coat. Also, as with humans, some horses feel the cold more than others. It depends what suits you and your horse. However, most horses and ponies kept for leisure riding will not need a rug in the summer. There’s no point creating more work and effort for yourself unless it’s really necessary!