Nothing is discussed as much as the "ceiling issue". Opinions differ greatly. From "Horses don't need a blanket" to "I blanket with 100 g at 10 degrees", you will find all opinions in forums. But what is the right thing to do? Should you blanket your horse with stomach ulcers or not?

The feel-good temperature of horses

Horses are equally warm animals, i.e. they have a constant body temperature of around 37 to 38 degrees. In the thermoneutral range, which is between -15 and 25 degrees in horses, they do not require any additional energy for thermoregulation.

Horses can compensate well for temperature fluctuations from day to night. They generally tolerate cold better than heat. Their comfort temperature is between 5 and 15 degrees. Horses do not freeze immediately when you start to shiver. If the temperature is below 5 degrees, horses need additional energy. In addition to exercise, food also keeps them warm. Roughage is a particularly good source of additional energy.

However, it is not only the temperature that influences owners' decision to cover their horses, but also the amount of precipitation. Rain can run off the coat to a certain extent. If it rains too much, the coat can be flattened and lose its insulating effect.

By nature, horses have no problem adapting to the weather. Twice a year, the coat is adapted to the seasons so that they are well protected. The important organs are located inside the horse's body, protected by the coat, skin, fat and muscles, so that even at very low outside temperatures their functioning is not restricted. The winter coat has an insulating effect. It prevents cold air from reaching the body and heat from escaping. The hairs of the dense undercoat are raised by small muscles in the skin, similar to the way goose bumps are raised in humans. An air cushion is created between the individual hairs, which shields cold air from the horse's body. One sign that your horse is cold is trembling. The horse increases its body temperature by tensing its muscles.

How does a horse regulate its temperature?

There are four different forms of thermoregulation in horses:

1. the skin: this is an important insulating layer

2. the coat: has an insulating property, the thicker the undercoat, the better the horse is protected from the cold

3. the arteries: Vascular constriction (vasoconstriction) and vasodilation (vasodilation) can prevent or enable heat loss

4. sweat glands: serve to cool down, the horse's body cools down through evaporation

Which horses need a rug?

Depending on how the horse is kept and used, it may make sense to cover it. Horses that are healthy, kept robustly and do not undergo intensive training every day do not need a blanket. If the rain lasts for several days, a shelter, e.g. in the form of a pasture hut, can provide the horses with rest. If you observe horses outdoors, you can see that they turn their hindquarters into the rain. This protects the majority of the body from moisture and can continue to help provide warmth.

If your horse is clipped in winter, you should cover it. By clipping the coat, horses can no longer stand up their hair. If you train your horse regularly, clipping makes perfect sense. A thick, long coat takes much longer to dry after sweating. If your horse is clipped, it can release the heat it has produced much more quickly so that it can recover more quickly after the training session. There are different clipping methods, such as partial or full clipping. If you train your horse less intensively, partial clipping may be sufficient. In this case, the coat remains on the back and loin area so that the horse is less likely to suffer from tension due to draughts and cold.

It is similar with older horses that have little subcutaneous fatty tissue, they lack this layer of insulation and therefore freeze more quickly. Horses imported from warmer climates should also be covered for the first few years until they have become accustomed to the cooler temperatures.

Once horses are soaked to the skin, you should also consider covering them until they have a dry coat and their thermoregulation is working again. Horses suffering from osteoarthritis, coughs or stomach ulcers in particular can be supported by a blanket during the cold months.

Supporting horses with stomach ulcers with a blanket

Body fat plays an important role in the body's ability to insulate. Fat insulates around 3 times more than other body tissues. A weight gain of around 20 % in winter is therefore normal. The symptoms of horses with gastric ulcers include reduced feed intake, which can cause horses to lose muscle and fat. The subcutaneous fatty tissue can be reduced, as in old horses, so that the body is not optimally protected against the cold. Covering your horse can help it to invest the energy it needs in other metabolic processes. A blanket also protects against tension, which can cause the horse additional pain.

A roughage-rich diet is particularly useful for horses with stomach problems, as the increased saliva helps to buffer stomach acid. A side effect is the warmth generated by the energy content of the roughage.

When should I start covering my horse?

Unfortunately, there is no general answer to this question, as every horse is individual, just like us humans. It is recommended that you place your hand under the rug along the withers and feel the temperature. If your horse is sweating under the rug, it is too warm! It is best to let your horse dry with a sweat rug and then cover your horse with a thinner rug.

If your horse has a cold back under the current rug, you can choose a thicker model. The fit of the rug is particularly important. The length is measured from the withers to the base of the tail. If the rug is too small, chafing can occur and if it is too large, there is a risk of horses stepping into the belly straps and injuring themselves. Once you have decided to blanket your horse, you should stick to it. Horses produce less winter coat if they are additionally protected by a blanket.

Guide values for unshorn horses:

• +5 degrees: rain rug for continuous rain
• +0 degrees: 50 to 100 g filling

Guide values for shorn horses (full shearing):

• +10 degrees : rain rugs (optionally with fleece filling)
• + 5 degrees: 100 to 150 g filling
• - 1 degree: 200 to 300 g
• - 7 degrees: blanket from 300 g

Which rug is right for my horse?

There are outdoor rugs, stable rugs, rain rugs and many other models. Manufacturers cut them differently and offer rugs for a small budget right up to expensive models. The denier number indicates the tear resistance of the rug - the higher the higher the stability. The number of grams indicates the filling of the blanket, which ranges from 0 g to 400 g; the higher the number, the thicker the blanket.

Some manufacturers offer ceramic blankets. The advantage of these blankets is that the incorporated ceramic particles reflect body heat in the form of infrared radiation. The body's own heat is thus radiated back and can penetrate deep into the cells, which is said to relieve inflammation and swelling. Discuss with your vet whether the investment is worthwhile for your horse.

Well-intentioned - but also good for the horse?

Experts regularly warn against covering horses unnecessarily. In their study, scientists K. Hodgess, S. Horseman and A.M. Walker found that blanketing increases the body surface temperature and this affects the horse's thermoregulation.

Therefore, blanketing can also have a negative impact on the horse's welfare and should not be done without good reason. Just because everyone else in the barn is blanketing, you shouldn't feel compelled to do the same. Observe your horse, feel along its back and adjust your choice of rug accordingly.

More on the topic

You can find lots more information and links on the subject of gastric ulcers in horses on our topic page. The options for preventing gastric ulcers in horses are also described here.

Gastric ulcers in horses - Presentation of the most important facts and information on symptoms, causes and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses.