Winter Weather in Spring

Here it is April 29 and we are getting some very bad weather.  It took me almost 3 hours to feed today - usually takes 30 mins.  Part of the time was getting blankets put on.  So I thought I would write a couple of notes to everyone about these spring storms.  The horses are 1/2 or more shed out & almost ready for nice weather, plus it has been nice so they are accustomed to warmer weather.  A combo for some pretty chilly ponies on a cold, horribly windy, snowy day such as today.  When I went to feed, about 1/2 of my guys were standing around shaking like leaves.  I don't see any harm in putting a good, heavy winter blanket on them, even though they haven't had one on all winter.  They will probably only wear it 1 or a few days until it warms back up.  The spring & summer are a great time to pick up sale priced blankets.  All catalogs will tell you how to measure for them.  I have used MANY brands through the years & I will share with you that the brand I have been most pleased with are the Weather Beeta's.  They are durable, warm and made to fit a horse.  I have quite a few that have a neck portion attached to the blanket.  It is different than a separate hood.  It is just  a continuation of the blanket that comes up the neck to almost the head.  They have the design down pat & it fits the horses very well.  Another thing that you may want to think about getting is a cooler.  A nice wool, cotton or fleece cooler is invaluable when you need it.  I frequently use one in my practice when it is cool/cold out and I have a horse that is sweating.  They may be sweating because I have tranquilized them or because they are anxious (usually because of being alone) or painful (colicking or injured) or wet because of a cold rain.  Any way you look at it, a wet horse that is chilled will be helped tremendously by putting a cooler on them for 30 - 60 mins.  The coolers pull the moisture out of the hair (even long, winter hair) & wick the moisture to the outside of the cooler & away from the horse.  You may not use it often, but the few times you may need it, you will be glad you have it.  In summary, make sure you have a good winter blanket handy somewhere for these unexpected cold snaps as well as a cooler for the unexpected wet, cold horse.  And as always, please check their water source daily.  It is imperative that they always have fresh water.  And in our part of the country, even our automatic waterers freeze sometimes, or have something dead in them that is tainting the water.