We are experiencing our first winter storm as I type this post. Although it’s only December 1st, we will likely have close to a foot of the white stuff before it ends. I tucked the horses up in their winter blankets for the event.
In general, I’ve gotten a lot less obsessive about blanketing, the longer I’ve taken care of the horses, even though they are out 24/7.
Until they are clipped, I’m pretty comfortable leaving them naked as long as it’s only cold and not wet. Zelda, in particular, grows a good winter coat and her body mass is sufficient that with enough hay, she’s fine. Curly, also, with her special curly coat stays pretty warm. Freedom is a bit trickier. He loses weight easily, so I tend
to blanket him earlier than Zelda. Even though I stuff him full of food, including a large helping soaked timothy/alfalfa cubes, he uses too much energy staying warm. Although I rarely see him shiver (ironically, if she gets wet, Zelda will shiver), he starts to look ribby over the winter.
For the most part, I think we worry about them too much. But I do sleep a bit better when I know they’re all wrapped up.