The answer depends upon the horse and the length of time that they will be in the rain. Some horses are more susceptible to the health problems that rain can cause, while others might be comfortable in it and prefer staying out as opposed to being placed in a stall.
But for the most part, the average horse really doesn't mind a little wind and rain. They'd just as soon be left out to enjoy their pasture time during a storm as during a bright sunny day.
A good rule of thumb for blanketing unclipped horses involves the owner considering three factors: wind, wet, and cold. If any two of those conditions exist, it's as well to toss on some sort of blanket, although unclipped horses who are healthy and fairly young will not normally need heavy blanketing.
Like humans, horses sweat heavily during exertion. Afterward, the horse needs to be curried (groomed with a special brush) to remove the sweat from its coat, to prevent a number of health and hygiene problems. A horse who was rode hard and put away wet would look and smell awful, and would feel pretty miserable, too.
Never approach a horse until he is standing with his head toward you. As you approach a stall, speak to the horse, so the horse knows that a person is near and is not startled. A startled horse will want to flee and run away as this is their natural instinct.
When an unclipped horse has little to no dry places exterior, you can choose to use a rug to keep him dry. Keep in mind that a rug lays the hair flat and your horse can keep itself less warm. Therefore, opt for a light, unlined rain rug. Clipped horses do need a rug.
Do horses get cold in the rain? Yes, they do but not in all rainy conditions. Horses are hardy animals that have coats that protect them from the rain and cold. However, once rain seeps through to their skin, they may find it difficult to self-regulate their body temperatures and prevent feeling cold.
Cover up with coolers! Horse coolers let the moisture wick away from his skin and into the fabric. Wool is best, it's heavy, warm, and you may even be able to see the moisture bead on the outside of the cooler as your horse dries. Fleece coolers are good, too; they are affordable and easy to care for.
Animals are very sensitive to the environment, perhaps they lie down because they instinctively know they won't get the chance again if there are storms coming. The horses in the photo are all sanctuary residents who have been with us for a long time.
Blanket Fit
Make sure blankets are kept dry and do not put a blanket on a wet horse; wait until the horse is dry before blanketing. Or take a wet blanket off a horse to keep it from becoming chilled. Days that the temperature becomes warm remove the blanket so the horse does not sweat and become wet under the blanket.
Trying to brush through damp, sticky mud will be unsuccessful. If you really need to get a damp, muddy horse clean quickly then put an old towel in a bucket of hot water, wring it out as much as you can and then give the horse a rub with it and repeat.
Most horses and ponies thrive on being kept out on grass for as much time as possible. However, keeping a horse permanently on grass can be as time consuming for the owner as it is to keep a horse partly housed.
Don't let wet weather or soggy ground become an excuse to let your horse sit around. 11-time world champion Charmayne James explains how to work on simple softening and collection while riding at the walk in your driveway, pasture or around the barn.
Over the summer leaving your horse out in their pasture overnight isn't much of a worry. However, with winter drawing in you might be feeling bad about leaving your horse outdoors overnight. Horses can thrive with a combination of being stabled and having free rein of the pasture.
Horses are notorious for surviving with minimal amounts of sleep. They only sleep for around three hours within a 24-hour period but never rest for large periods of time, but younger foals may sleep more than adult horses.
Horses first evolved in open plains. As a prey species (one that other animals eat), they needed to be able to see quickly if another animal that might eat them (a predator) was nearby. Being able to rest or sleep standing up meant they could get their rest, but if they saw a predator, they could quickly run away.
In order to wick away moisture, a light cotton rug can be used underneath the rain sheet - this can help to prevent the horse becoming too 'sticky'. If it's still quite warm, most horses are better off getting a little wet than steaming up under a waterproof rug.
Rain sheets are thin, preferably breathable, waterproof sheets that work to keep horses dry and comfortable. Thinner than traditional blankets and turnouts, rain sheets generally have no fill but are meant to be a simple barrier between your horse and the elements. Rain Sheets will: Keep your horse dry.
When considering rugging your horse, it is important not make this decision based on how you feel. Horses don't feel the cold like we do and naturally grow a thick coat in winter to keep them warm.
Post Parturition Guidelines: The 1-2-3 Rule The foal should stand within one hour of delivery, nurse within two hours, and the placenta should pass within three hours. If there are any delays, a call to your veterinarian is crucial, as this is a critical time for the mare and foal.
Soring involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Caustic chemicals—blistering agents like mustard oil, diesel fuel and kerosene—are applied to the horse's limbs, causing extreme pain and suffering.
Natural Predators – Enemies of the Wild Horse
Wolves and mountain lions (also known as cougars or pumas) pose the biggest threat, but packs of coyotes, feral dogs, or even alligators have been known to attack young or injured horses.