Ep. 071: Does My Horse Need a Blanket in the Winter? What the Research Says

21-11-2023 • 1 hr 2 mins

On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr and guest Dr. Michelle DeBoer discuss the hotly debated topic of whether or not horses actually need blankets in the winter, based on scientific research, including:

Changes in hair coat length and diameter in blanketed and non-blanketed horses
How body weight, body condition score and dry matter intake are impacted in blanketed horses
The next scientific research project in the works to evaluate whether horses should be blanketed or not

Can horses actually TELL us if they want a blanket or not? Dr. DeBoer also shares the results from a fascinating research study answering this question.

This is only part one of our interview! In Episode 72, the second part of this conversation, releasing Tuesday, December 5, Dr. DeBoer discusses the physiological processes that keep horses warm and if deciding to blanket, the right way to do it to keep horses at a healthy body condition and safe through the winter.

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com

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Connect with Dr. Michelle DeBoer on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/equinephd (@equinephd)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/equine.phd/(@equine.phd)

Scientific references –

~10:14 – Peer reviewed and published research study – “Changes in Hair Coat Length and Diameter in Blanketed and Nonblanketed Adult Horses in the Winter” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080622003276

~18:56 – Peer reviewed and published research study – “Dry Matter Intake, Body Weight, and Body Condition Scores of Blanketed and Nonblanketed Horses in the Upper Midwest” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080620303300

~27:50 – Peer reviewed and published research study – “Winter blanketing practices: An online survey of North American horse owners” – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080622000491#:~:text=3.2.-,Winter%20Blanketing%20Practices,(46%25%3B%20Table%201).

~41:02 – Peer reviewed and published research study – “The effect of weather conditions on the preference in horses for wearing blankets” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159118306361

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Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com
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Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
Find more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/
Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com
Share our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

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