Page 11 - November 2020 Parker County 4-H Connection

Parker County 4-H Horse Project
Upcoming District Contest
District 3 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl (link)
Date: Monday, December 7, 2020
Registration: November 4-18, 2020
Register on 4-H Online (link)
Location:
Wilbarger County Events Center
301 Wilbarger Street, Vernon TX 76384
Equine Care and Career
Exploration Workshop
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 @ 10AM
Location: Equine Sports Medicine Clinic
RSVP Required: Click Here to RSVP
The Parker County 4-H Equine Care and Career
Exploration group will be touring Equine Sports
Medicine for our next workshop. They will be
discussing basic equine care as well as the specialized
medicine they offer our four legged athletes. Our tour
will also include discussions on what it takes to get in
to vet school as well as the requirements needed to
work at clinic like ESMS. Please make sure that you do
complete the RSVP by Friday, November 20th so that
we are providing you the most up to date information
for our tour.
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To Blanket, or Not to Blanket, That is the
Question
Please note: Blanketing horses is a commitment. Do not start if you're
not willing to keep an eye on temperatures and remove the blankets if
the day warms up. Not removing blankets when days are warm can
lead to very serious health issues. Below is a blanketing article from
New Mexico Extension that specifically addresses blanketing.
When to Blanket
Research analyzed the benefits of blanketing a horse to reduce the
effects of cold weather. Most horse owners blanket their horse
because of personal beliefs.
Blanketing a horse is necessary to reduce the effects of cold or
inclement weather when:
No shelter is available during turnout periods and the
temperatures or wind chill drop below 5° F.
There is a chance the horse will become wet (e.g. rain, ice,
and/or freezing rain -- usually not a problem with snow).
The horse has had its winter coat clipped.
The horse is very young or very old.
The horse isn’t acclimated to the cold.
The horse has a body condition score of three or less.
Blanketing tips
Make sure the blanket fits. Poorly fitted blankets can cause sores
and rub marks along the straps.
Remove the blanket daily, inspect it for damage, and reposition
it.
Make sure the blanket stays dry.
Don’t put a blanket on a wet horse. Wait until the horse is dry
before blanketing.
https://extension.umn.edu/horse-care-and-management/caring-
your-horse-winter#when-to-blanket-52061
Parker County 4-H Connection | 09