To cover or not to cover

Should we use covers for horses?
They are horses right?
They are used to all weathers and so should be fine.... right?

But we can't help but add our Human thoughts and feelings to the horse, usually our companion - not just a horse! It's called Anthropomorphism. Adding human thoughts and feelings to an animal, in this case the horse.

In the wild
Ok - so in the wild - they don't have covers. And they cope just fine. That's usually the main argument against covers.

But - in the wild - they don't have fences so they they can wander and graze in unspoiled pasture, free of parasites. They can get shade under a tree, or shelter from the rain and wind. They have access to clean water, and can wander for miles. So there are a few differences!

Insulation
Horses certainly do fine without covers - but you need to get them ready for not having a cover. Don't just take your horses cover off late Autumn and say - there you go - no cover for winter now. Your horse needs to be able to build up it's winter coat, and the little muscles that raise the hair from his skin need strengthening so his natural insulation can start working. This takes time - a good month or two.

When we add covers every day the horse cannot raise the hairs on his skin to keep him warm. Think about when you get cold - you get goosebumps and the hair stands on end - this causes a layer of air to be trapped on your skin - helping to keep you warm. Same thing with the horse - only adding a cover, day and night, does not allow the horse (who quite frankly has way more hair than us), to raise the hair. These muscles then get weak so it takes some time to build them up to their full insulating selves once more.

Winter coats
Horse start shedding their coats when the days get shorter or longer - it's based on the daylight hours not the temperature. So even if it's still really warm in Autumn - your horse will be shedding his summer coat and growing his winter one. If your horse is kept in artificial light (stables etc) then this will interrupt that natural pattern and the horse will not be able to grow his coat as normal.

If you do allow your horse to grow his winter coat naturally, he'll be fine without a cover as long as he or she has access to shade and shelter from the rain and wind. You'll need to also make sure you feed adequate hay to keep your horse warm too. Eating and digesting food creates warmth.

Rain and wind
If you don't have trees on your property or where your horse grazes it may be an idea to have a rain-sheet cover (with no fill) to put on him when it's really raining hard or a stormy night. This will stop him getting too cold and wet. If he or she has access to  trees and or cover/shelter - then there is no real need.

Free Access
My horses have free access to covered yards, off their track system. This way they can come and go as they please. They tend to shelter in there from the sun, and if the rain is torrential. Also if the wind is coming from behind the yards.... they can get shelter there. They don't tend to go in there when it's stormy and the wind is blowing into the yards. See below.

Shampoo

Don't over clean your horse - they need the natural oils in their coats to help them stay warm in the winter. If you wash it out every time you ride, they'll get cold without a cover. Remember - no shampoo in the wild.

What about their legs

Ok so we add covers to keep them warm - but what about their legs and face? We can't pick or choose which parts of our body we heat or cool, say if we have cold feet and put slippers or socks on - ultimately our whole body warms up.

Same with the horse - if we add a cover and their legs are still cold (because they are bare) the horse will try and heat it's whole body up - and overheat under the cover. Quite simple really.

So ultimately - a horse who is able to regulate it's own temperature naturally is going to be healthier and happier. Try and stay cover free and only add light rain covers if you have no shelter so that they don't weigh down the horses hairs. And take the covers off when it's stopped raining.

Mud

Horses love mud and dust - they use it to avoid parasites and to help them regulate temperature as well. How many times have you washed your horse only for he or she to go and roll immediately? We don't think it's funny - but I am sure they do!

Let your horse be a horse - the dry mud brushes off, as does the dust. Again they'll be happier and healthier left to their on devices. My horses never get colds or get ill, while others kept artificially are constantly sick or picking up the latest airborne virus!