{"id":2699,"date":"2025-10-14T13:52:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T11:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horsevoyage.it\/2025\/10\/14\/curiosity-covered-or-uncovered-this-is-the-question\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T12:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T11:45:18","slug":"curiosity-covered-or-uncovered-this-is-the-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horsevoyage.it\/en\/2025\/10\/14\/curiosity-covered-or-uncovered-this-is-the-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Curiosity: covered or uncovered? This is the question…"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Covered or uncovered? This is the question... <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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WINTER DILEMMA: TO COVER OR NOT TO COVER? THAT IS THE QUESTION…<\/strong><\/p>

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The horse’s coat: nature, adaptation and management with blankets<\/strong><\/h3>

Horses are extraordinarily adaptable animals: their physiology is designed to cope with climate change naturally. With the arrival of autumn and the approach of the cold months, it is easy to notice a clear change: the growth of their winter coat<\/strong>, a veritable \u201cnatural coat\u201d<\/strong>. <\/p>

This coat, which is thicker,<\/strong> longer and more waterproof <\/strong>than the summer coat, \n protects the horse from the elements:<\/strong>\n<\/strong> wind, rain, snow and cold. Thanks to this natural insulation, the horse is able to maintain a stable body temperature even in harsh weather conditions, minimising heat loss. <\/p>

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Sport horses: between natural needs and daily management<\/strong><\/h3>

However, for sport horses<\/strong> \u2013 which engage in regular activity and live in stalls \u2013 this natural hair growth can be a hindrance. For practical and welfare reasons, many of them are clipped<\/strong> to prevent excessive sweating during work, facilitate drying and prevent post-exercise chills. <\/p>

Ma se si decide di tosare, \u00e8 fondamentale<\/strong> compensare la perdita di protezione naturale con l\u2019uso corretto delle coperte<\/strong>. E non solo: \u00e8 importante anche scegliere la coperta giusta<\/strong>, in base alla temperatura esterna, allo stato del cavallo (tosato o meno) e alle condizioni climatiche (vento, pioggia, umidit\u00e0). <\/p>

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Practical guide to using blankets according to temperature<\/strong><\/h3>

Here is a rough guide<\/strong> to help you decide whether to use a blanket and, if so, which one<\/strong>, taking into account the temperature and the condition of your horse:<\/p>

Outdoor temperature<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Unsheared horse<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Shorn horse<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

Beyond 15\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

No blanket<\/p><\/td>

No blankets or only waterproof ones in case of rain\/wind<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Between 10\u00b0C and 15\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Waterproof only in the event of rain or wind<\/p><\/td>

Lightweight blanket (100 g)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Between 4\u00b0C and 10\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

No blanket or light blanket<\/p><\/td>

Medium-lightweight blanket (150\u2013250 g)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Between 0\u00b0C and 4\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

No blanket or light blanket (150\u2013250 gr)<\/p><\/td>

Medium-weight blanket (200\u2013300 g)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Between -10\u00b0C and 0\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Medium-light blanket (150\u2013300 g)<\/p><\/td>

Heavy blanket (300\u2013400 g) or medium duvet<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Below -10\u00b0C<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Heavy blanket (300\u2013500 g)<\/p><\/td>

Very heavy blanket (300\u2013500 g)<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

\ud83d\udca1 Please note<\/em>: these are general guidelines. Every horse has a different sensitivity to cold, influenced by age, breed, health, diet and environment. <\/p>

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Not just a blanket: the importance of daily care<\/strong><\/h3>

People often tend to think that once a horse is covered, it no longer needs any special attention. Nothing could be further from the truth! Although the blanket helps to keep the horse clean, it is good practice to brush it every day<\/strong>, at least in the uncovered areas (head, legs, under the belly), to stimulate circulation, check for any redness or chafing, and maintain the bond with the animal. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Categories<\/h5>