12/20/2025
Your horse might have a winter coat equivalent to a Yak, but all bets are off if they get soaked through in the rain or snow! Remember: Wet horses get cold fast.
Whether your horse has a thick or thin coat, a soaked hair coat loses its ability to keep a horse warm. A wet horse must work much harder to keep themselves warm, burning calories just when they need them most.
A couple tips to prevent your horse from getting soaked through:
1) Provide adequate shelter from the rain and wind
2) Keep a waterproof turnout sheet on hand for cold rainy days when you know your horse's coat can't keep out the wet
3) Know what to do if your horse does get soaked on a cold day: Move them into a protected area, dry them quickly with towels, cover them with a moisture-wicking wool or fleece cooler, check often for signs of shivering.
4) Be proactive! Begin feeding additional hay 24 hours before temperatures are expected to drop.
Will your horse use their shelter in the rain or do you have to use waterproof turnout blankets on cold, wet days?
