Horsemanship - Doing What Is Best For The Horse - Feeding Horses In The Rain

[@042mandy]

When I first got my horse, he was 2, that's been 10 years ago now. I use to put a blanket on him at night when it got below 20 degrees and take it off right when the sun come up...then I got lazy one year and didnt put it on and noticed his hair grew 3x as thick without the blanket on! I didnt realize it was keeping his body from growing the fluffy hair(as much anyway) that he needed to stay warm. Now I dont use blankets at all. He has a barn and goes inside when it gets cold enough.

[@lynneperg6853]

Educating can be a thankless task. Keep up the good work and know there are many of us who appreciate you.

[@jnet9311]

I don’t have the money, land or experience to keep a horse, but I can dream watching you with Mr T and Buddy.

[@chawnkenavan1127]

If I ever have to come back as a horse, I definitely going to be your horse. Have a happy and Joyful year. You definitely made mine.

[@ashkath9326]

For a moment there I clicked away to read something and the thunder gave me a fright and I thought it was outside my own house lol

[@indie825]

Buddy's so cute licking the hay bin to get every last piece of hay. Mr. T...well what can I say...He's just an awesome old man.

[@amberaerts8474]

When we first bought my third pony, he was stalled on the stable that I have always been riding at. It was mid-winter and we couldn't bring him home immediately because my other horses, one is quite old, needed their winter foods. During the two months that he was stalled there I saw him get more unhappy, he was stalled most of the time. I came as much as I could, sometimes more than three times a day just so he could go outside but still he was unhappy. I begged my parents to get him out of there as soon as possible and begin spring we moved him to our house where he could be outside 24/7, go in and out the stable whenever he wanted to and could graze a few hours a day. Still, no one believes me when I say that stalls aren't good for horses

[@lynette50]

Not to keen on fireworks myself, and in Scotland they take Hogmanay seriously. I, of course, have to work or starve as many do. So tomorrow evening I am working at the Torch light parade (Viking march through Edinburgh) and then the Princes street gardens party on Hogmany itself. And, I know it'll piss you off a bit, Musselburgh horse racing on New Years day. I work many horse racing events and hate seeing horses worked that way. I work in security for a living. Since watching your content, I see these events with an even more critical eye and when I look at the crowd attending, and a horse has had to be destroyed, seeing the lack of sadness, remorse or even guilt, breaks my heart. Seeing your boys, although in a pasture, lifts my heart as you keep them safe, but still free. That's a large part in why your horses adore and trust you. You're one in a million Rick

[@mariaesmeralda2452]

I'm glad not to be the only one who hates fireworks on New Year's Eve. :-)

[@lynneperg6853]

I'll third that

[@dkottnauer]

My biggest pleasure is feeding my horses

[@scratchgolfer12]

Love them boys. Buddy does look like he lost weight. Wish we could have seen the boys eat some of their Christmas stocking goodies. Always appreciate you sharing the boys with us.

[@robertlareau1968]

Mr T and Buddy are very lucky to have Rick as an owner. Happy New Year to everyone.

[@DCogsdil]

Thought I was the only one that loves it when it rains on the 4th of July and New Years. My horses and dogs do not like fireworks. Period. And after the fires here in Texas a couple of summers ago, I don't either. Idgets are everywhere. Happy Safe New Years, debs from Texas

[@wes9389]

When I was a kid,70 years ago, the state outlawed fireworks. Really upset me at the time. Now every store sells huge, powerful, fireworks. Started Friday night, and New Years Eve is Monday. I really worry about the horses as they hurt themselves if stalled, and a panicked horse can do untold damage to itself. Idiots run my world.

[@DCogsdil]

John Wesley Amen. Hope you have a safe Happy New Year’s! Cheers.

[@arlenelewis1908]

My horses are out 24/7 throughout winter.. They have a pole shed to get out of the snow and wind but choose not to use it. I am in Canada where 6 months is sub zero temps. My horses are thriving so I admire you putting their feed outdoors. Did not know about the wind direction. Thanks, I learned something.

[@saspinks3001]

Hi Arlene! One of my horses is a rescue so her background is a mystery. Farrier says she is the type of horse you would see standing out in the snow on the side of a mountain - and preferring it. My quarter horse will stand inside the stall facing out, she stands outside the stall facing in to him - rain hail sleet or snow. With horses, like people, to each his own.

[@cathybrown8617]

you know, taking the wind direction, where it's blowing from helps determine how to best place your horses, so they aren't get the brunt of the in their faces.

[@mustanghannah]

Happy New Years Rick, Mokie, Roo roo, Mr.T, And Buddy!!!!!

[@notadumbblond3]

It will be nice to have property again, this time my own instead of rented. I'll be getting a few acres of land and then will be looking to do a rescue of a couple horses. Or maybe donkeys. You and your boys sure make me miss the peace of having the horses right outside my door. Though it will make it difficult to want to go to work.

[@navyknight3127]

I would love to have a horse, always have wanted one, but with the career path that i'm going for, it's impossible because I wouldn't have anytime for it and so there's no point.

[@yourstruly6514]

Same here...

[@vivientakacs5599]

I would like to have horses too. If I can have any, well I will see that when I start working. It depends how I will have time for them. I would like to be a veterinarian so I really need to think twice before buying a horse

[@ni9465]

Full time job there on that Texas land, when you love your work then you are making good times & money. Good & Profitable Year to all.

[@suziequigley3076]

We call that summer in Scotland! Rub it in why don't you 😜

[@cathy-annemannix8898]

I totally agree. I don't have the money to care for a horse properly or I don't have the space to house one. I don't own one!!! My goodness I would be so happy to have a horsey friend to love, but I can't give them what they need. So I enjoy you videos instead!!! Xxx

[@KingsMom831]

I just love hearing all the sound in your videos. Whether it’s you walking across the ground or the rain, this time, I especially love the thunder around five minutes in. Rick, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with the rest of us and for NOT charging anything for it! You’re my favorite horsey guy!🙏🏼😊 #BMRTYGBMT🥰

[@findingbohemia1840]

Well I’ll admit I’m a responsible owner. I blanket my old man Tango he’s almost 29. He used to be an easy keeper but the past 2 years it’s tough to keep weight on him so we can’t afford to loose any over the winter but it has to be a wind chill of 32 degrees or less to have a blanket, and everyday during my lunch hour I come home and take it off of him, making sure they have hey even though they have full pasture with a run in shelter and out to roam 24/7and then the blanket is back on at night when needed. I feel like a weather junkie with my weather app I’m always looking at it trying to make the best decision on the blanket. By the way my lunch hour starts between 9:30 and 10:00 am, so don’t yell at me cause you think it’s at noon. But your absolutely right, my barn witch of a neighbor covers her horse who is about 9 years old (he’s strong enough to go without it 24/7, plus he’s fat) and then leaves it on all day no matter the weather because she now has a new boyfriend and could careless about taking the time to be responsible. As well as being an idiot and setting her run in shelter to face north east when she could have set it facing south. This barn witch as rocks for brains, and all I can do is get really frustrated and angry to myself. She’s such a barn witch she had to tell me I was wrong to set my shelter facing south and about 50 feet in front of a wooded area because they wouldn’t get any air circulation, lmao. Ok sorry I’m done venting.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Tell us what you really feel about Ms. Barn Witch!

[@findingbohemia1840]

Gerry Coleman 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 don’t get me started

[@tinaleighton6390]

Finding Bohemia older animals, just like older people sometimes need different care. I remember I always said I would never put a sweater on my dog. Never never never. Well, she got to be 15 years old, and very skinny. So she needed something in the winter. The first sweater I got was a little too small, she would literally not even walk out the door in it. So I went back to the store and got a little bit bigger one and she liked it and never complained about it. Made me feel better that at least in the cold winters up north here she was not cold. But it was still a little difficulty putting a sweater on my dog. But for her sake I did it. I think courses are the same way. Pampering the older ones is a good thing.

[@gailfreese3849]

I always feel guilty that I can't feed my horse and pony more than twice a day. But a full time job prevents me from doing that. I have stopped using blankets and I think they are better for it.

[@leahwilson56]

If you are at a barn or shared paddock and find a friend there you may be able to organize a feed for a feed type thing. I bring my horse's in for treats in the morning and then head out with a wheelbarrow of different squares of hay break them up all over a 20 acre paddock and come back to the house where they are and I'm done well I raise beef so I can do them anytime but if I get busy I always know they are content ☺

[@leahwilson56]

Oh and the bigger the paddock the better and always good to only have one point for drinking so you can always see how much they are getting and it makes them walk and alas walking means digestion 😊 happy horses.

[@tyrroo]

Your guys are VERY well taken care of. Better than most!

[@kellyplumb7024]

You take such care and really make sure those boys and family are well taken care of, are you the same way when company visits you,😂🐴🧸🐎 Lucky horse's and the rest of the fuzzy butt family!!! 😇🐥🐥💖💖🐴🧸🐎

[@madcat4301]

Rick, thank God you didn't put Buddy and Mr. T. in pink blankies. They are very lucky you are their human. Happy New Year everybody!

[@laurabonnell582]

I love watching Rick videos of his boys! I would love to meet Rick and the boys ! Rick seem fun person hang with ! Funny 😄

[@ALayne08]

Lol, I love it when you tell it like it is. You forgot one thing, *Pink Helmets* lol. Love your boys. Thanks

[@Angelaius]

In my country horses mostly and traditionally are keep on pastures and having a shed like here. And a really important thing also was said: we, mammals make body temperature by eating.

[@cathybrown8617]

Rick, I will never understand why people expect horses to know what they know, and then blame the horse for getting sick because of what the humans do

[@mariaesmeralda2452]

It's lovely to watch critters coming from all sides when Dad gets within sight. Buddy and Mr. T, Mokey and Roo Roo, Mr. Donkey, a flock of birds, they all love this animal-friendly place and its (stupid human) owner.

[@k.johnson6198]

Hi...HAPPY NEW YEARS BOYS ! Hope you have an awesome time...your boys are soo lucky to have a wise n caring n perceptive owner .. say what ever did people do with their common sense..it's like they might start with what they think is a good idea n then poof they fade out...can you imagine putting a coat on our kids all day n thinking well they'll be fine n it's 70 out ..boy you'd hear some kicking n yelling n screaming..lol if people would just ask them self if I was a horse would I like that? In just let it sink in ...they would get the idea o h*ll no. The horses would be soo much happier ... Well it's a new year so we can only teach n hope... Thanks Rick for your wise n dedication for horses...I have learned n laughed so hard..I love it. 🐎

[@lynneperg6853]

Common sense isn't really common

[@kimberley1449]

Good morning Rick and family. Kinda looks like Florida with the rain. If only the owners of horses and all animals were as diligent as you they would have healthy horses. But all you can do is show them the right way. Can't make them do it. Have a great day.

[@unicornhart3723]

That storm sounds beautiful. 🐴🦄

[@lynnmallen9699]

Good morning! Cold up here in IL. Too With snow. Good horse care for the boys, even Roo Roo!

[@gerrycoleman7290]

And Mokie.

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

Great to see you enjoying your horses Rick , I’ve learned so much from your videos . I’ve spent years loving and learning about horses , our farm will see it’s own horses very soon .

[@suzyq4701]

I love how you are with your horses Mr T is beautiful Buddy is to but that shape Mr T has is magnificent

[@maryannhope8276]

Buddy and Mr. T 💖💖 You take wonderful care of them. Peace

[@amandas.2400]

Great video Rick! Love watching the boy use their little lips to get the hay. I do have to agree with you that Buddy looked like he has lost a little weight. The birds are probably like "come on stupid human, throw us some food". Have a great new year, and hope the fireworks don't scare the boys too bad.

[@cathebrooks63]

I feel better now Rick. I don't use blankets on mine, but I do throw hay if its colder, and more feed. I have a lot of neighbors who use them so I feel like I'm wrong. I'd rather them have hay. I always hate making them come out in the rain to eat, but I don't know what else to do, their barn is way too muddy , and its dangerous to be in there with them sliding around.

[@PecanBaby...]

I love to see and hear the thunderstorms that you get in Texas, we rarely get them over here and when we do they are nothing like the great thunderstorms that you have. I could just watch a storm all day. It's obvious to everybody that you look after your horses very well and they are two very happy and content boys. I thought I saw a tiny bit of swelling on Mr T neck were he gets it drained but, it was probably just the way the rain was running of his neck, because I no that you would have mention it if it was coming back again. Happy New Year to you to Rick and you're family plus Mr T, Buddy, Smokey and Roo Roo plus I must not forget the donkey to . I no that he belongs to the neighbours but he thinks you're his owner because you are kind to him and feed him often. You have a great heart. 👴🐴🐴🐱🐓🐮🐎

[@susangardiner]

The horses look just fine to me. I do not like trimmed manes or seeing a little sign of ribs reach is starting to be in fashion it seems. Mr. T's in good hands and if he dramatically looses weight you would more likely see about it. I had a pair of cats one was old and the other younger middle age. Kind of like Buddy and Mr, T age difference. I know they are not the same. But I noticed my senior boy was losing weight and took him to veg. And was told that there was nothing wrong. But he was still losing weight. I watched and the younger one would hog the food pushed the senior one out. So I split the food up so the younger one could not hog all the food source. One was in the kitchen the other in a different location and that worked. It was relief to figure that out.

[@susangardiner]

Meant vet, not veg. Tablet autocorrect.

[@skyrimluvr1442]

♡♥thanks Rick;-):-) Buddy and MR T, you're good boys!! ♡♥ (I agree with you, horses are definitely smarter than humans)

[@cathybrown8617]

Horses did just fine before we came along, right Rick? Man came and messed things up for the wild horses and burros. Shooting wild horses is not the answer. Taming them for use is good, but some people don't know the right way to sack a young wild horse out, without the bits, and spurs and whips.

[@mare6684]

Good morning! Wet and windy here also. Blankets are a pain, worked at a witch barn once and blankets get so messy!

[@inspiredclips8245]

mare6684 Congratulations on First! Have a great day! I enjoy your friendly comments. Laural

[@mare6684]

Thanks, I didnt even relize! Have great day also!

[@leahwilson56]

@@mare6684 us regulars love ya xo bless the mess that is beautifully created by our four legged mates 😊

[@johnm840]

@@leahwilson56 I like that, *writing it down*

[@vivientakacs5599]

Oh yeah they are. The barn I was riding at always had the horses blanketed. After a riding lesson. When the horses were sweaty. In their stalls. With their fur not clipped. How I hated that.

[@kaylaspeener1961]

aww I love the boys! so precious

[@KJMudge]

I wonder if Mr T was put in a paddock of mares and a few rival geldings if Mr T would revert back to his younger days and take the mares ? It would be very interesting to watch and I reckon he still has a little Casanova left in him yet . Rick please give the boys a carrot and Mokey and Roo Roo a special treat too .

[@ellieelizabeth5627]

"Jenny Craig loves Buddy" lmao. That's what I do with my boy: take sheet off, put blanket on, take it off, put it on, and sometimes no blanket at all. I'm on the east coast and old man Winter must be smokin' crack. One day cool & windy, next day 50 degrees in daytime but 30 at night. And, yes, barns are wicked places and I would love to own at least 10 acres, but right now that's just not in the cards. I tend my horse and ignore the barn witches. And if I could, please allow me to give a special shout to the idiot lady with the goats........"YOU BIG FREAKIN" DUMMY!"........poor goats.

[@tinaleighton6390]

Ellie Elizabeth In my opinion your horses don’t need blankets at all. Those temperatures are not bad. Your horse will get a custom to the temperatures if you don’t put the blankets on.

[@OldNewsNewNews]

Beautiful stormy day.

[@hazelb7218]

OMG....You put your horses out in the rain and thunderstorm with no rugs on etc etc!! Those barn witches are gonna crucify you now...LOL haha ;-) x

[@gerrycoleman7290]

They are too damn afraid of melting to confront him in the rain.

[@sueleigh1181]

@@gerrycoleman7290 GOOD ONE!!!

[@cherylalbright2086]

As far as Buddy's weight, a bit hefty, but looks like a typical, healthy quarter horse to me. His neck isn't cresty at all, that's when you have to really watch em' so that laminitis doesn't creep up on them...

[@jojooffaraway2675]

Sometime I feel like the riders and barns in America are way worse than what we have in Germany but maybe I was just lucky with the ones I have experienced so far. Anyway I think it is great the way you keep the boys and I hate it when I see all the blankets come out after summer when it isn’t even that cold !

[@anastasiaarvanitidou4179]

Not really. Greece doesn't fall far behind. One of the biggest issues is space so locking up horse is very common. And when they don't lock them up they stay in the fields for hours sometimes just single horses and the are tied up. I've also seen horses staying in sandy enclosures with halters on and that counts as their turning out. There's always worse

[@anastasiaarvanitidou4179]

@Stable Life well Greece belongs in Europe that's the only reason i felt the need to respond. Because even within Europe there are places where they treat their horses poorly by American and other western European standards. So i know Grece doesn't represent European horse world but for me at least America is better than places like Greece

[@anastasiaarvanitidou4179]

@Stable Life yeah i understand your point. I wasn't aware of the extend of the problems you have so i made an assumotion based on what i have seen. I knew some of them but i didn't know their scale. I never said Greece was represenantive. You're obviously refering to major equestrian countries in Europe but i misinterpreted it and took the whole Europe in mind when i made the comment and said what were the conditions in my country

[@DkOmbres]

Happy New Year Rick, Mr T, Buddy and family.

[@equisader]

Hay is always best fed at ground level for more natural angle of wear on the grinding surfaces of the teeth. Yes you waste some but it saves your horse's teeth in the long run.

[@rattusnorvegicus3801]

A couple days ago it was 110 degrees here and I couldn't believe the amount of horses I saw with blankets on. The racing stables are especially guilty of this, they use blankets all year round in all weather conditions. They only take them off to work the horse.

[@cathybrown8617]

110 degrees? Blanketed all the time? OMG! It's a wonder those horses don't die of a heat stroke!

[@LH20027]

Rebecca Paquette my “friend” kept her horse in a shelter with no access to grass, living in a boggy mud-filled pit with at least 20+ other horses. Never poo-picked and she was in a medium blanket 24/7!! She’s sheltered and in a blanket all the damn time!!! I was disgusted!!! Even the farrier was shocked to see what she looked like underneath!! Then the old English excuses “its raining” come out when you comment on it. Ugh, humans

[@amandak3198]

We had a nasty winter in MN this past year. We had a stretch that was just brutal, the one day was -54 with strong winds. So yea, they all wore blankets lol. After a couple times, I didn't even need to halter them to blanket/unblanket. You're right, people are lazy!

[@sueericson1104]

My dog Charlie and I totally agree with you on fireworks. Happy New Year!!

[@DeadPool-rp8gf]

I never blanket mine... in nature they dont need blankets, they have shelter from the wind.. cause there are cliffs and trees to shelter them so it acts like that.. but.. nope.. I'd rather them get their winter coats and be able to survive in the wild

[@cathybrown8617]

Amen to that! Why anyone wants to clip their horses is beyond me? Then blanket them? That's just not natural. When I see a horse, I like to see a horse in its natural state, with flowing mane and tail, not clipped, docked or braided, or any other unnatural means of grooming. What I learned from Rick is that the mane is there to protect the neck from the hot sun, and insects. You can brush their manes and tails out, and if they have cockleburs, use some WD-40, it works wonders, and it adds a shine to the mane and tail, right, Rick?

[@john-dt6bq]

Hey Rick, if you do another video on hay could you talk about good practices discarding the bailing twine whenever opening a new bale of hay. Some people just cut it open and leave it until it ends up getting fed out un noticed! I have pulled an entire length of twine out of a horses mouth before. I just happened to notice a horse chewing hay shaking his head up and down basically choking. There was only about an inch left to pull on before it was gone. Luckily it was blue and easily seen. If it had been baled with some of the more natural twine either green or hemp it might not have been noticed! Thanks

[@brandeeweston242]

The round bale hay that has fabric twines can be burned in a fire barrel. If its rolled around a little to stretch apart the piles you can gather the fabrics and burn them in a fire barrel. Usually you can cut the square bales with plyers and recycle those in an old feed bag in a closed barrel or shed away from where horses can find. Then maybe recycle at a recycle factory that gets scrap metals.

[@john-dt6bq]

Brandee Weston I was thinking more of just not leaving the twine after opening a bale not so much of what to do with them. But your suggestion is appreciated thank you.

[@brandeeweston242]

@@john-dt6bq ok sorry. I'm not a big talker so sometimes I have speech limitations.

[@john-dt6bq]

Brandee Weston No worries. Just wanted to point out the hazards of bailing twine. It’s all good!

[@cathebrooks63]

Twine, and wire! I always cut mine, pull them out, bundle and back in my pocket! The strings can be dangerous too, and they are handy to have around for different things. I have a healthy pile of wire in the back of my truck I need to empty lol

[@p-m--essing441]

Love how he goes off on those Stupid Humans!! 😀😀

[@NamihaTaiga]

Yeah my horses never get blanketed chubby an well loved. my donkey does need a rainsheet because this winters been really cold and raining constantly. he gets shivers so the blanket helps on those crappy nights other then that yeah. let horses be natural. Love mr t and buddy

[@hollycarlson5881]

It always makes me laugh when I hear you talking in the background to the horses. They are such good boys!!

[@BenjaminEsposti]

One problem with blankets is, it holds the moisture in their thicker winter coat and can cause rain rot or such if/when they get wet!!! (like athlete's foot in humans) It's kinda like houses ... you don't want your house to be TOO tight because it will grow mold in the walls, because once moisture gets in there it will take much longer to dry out (if at all). (I'm referring mostly to how the outer walls and roof are constructed, not like, about drafts from windows and such.)

[@LA-pi1xf]

I’m the “crazy” one in the horse world too. 👍🐎🤠 It comes down to what is best and natural for the horse and that makes me the “crazy” one. That is okay by me if my horse is happy and healthy. 🐎

[@JCElzinga]

I live in the mountains in ecuador, our horses enjoy a low of 55 and a high of 75 in the sun.

[@ross5763]

That one dislike.... fight me

[@saspinks3001]

LOL!

[@cathybrown8617]

What you say about taking the time to do something takes less time, or the slow way is the fast way, is just another way of saying "Haste Makes Waste". It makes perfect sense.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

When I see good horsemanship, I see horse people going with the flow. Understanding horses, and having horses be horses as much as possible in this human dominated world.

[@Eva-cn2bu]

these are the facts, good sir. As sad as it is, nowadays an Animal Planet viewer who's never seen a horse live would make a way better horseperson than some of those who spend a lot of time with horses and see their behavior but don't understand the simpliest things about them

[@gerrycoleman7290]

@@Eva-cn2bu Yes, that person would not be dragging 30 years of baggage behind them.

[@rebeccapaquette9203]

I have actually had so called horse people tell me that it is okay to give horses moldy hay because the horse will just eat around the bad stuff. Seriously. And I believe in feeding my horse to keep him warm, not cheating by wrapping him in a blanket for six months of the year.

[@StarOne311]

We just 6 inches of snow here in Northern Idaho!! We have a barn with Stalls & the Horses have have free will to go in & out as they wish! Now if it was below freezing we might put on Horse Blankets. Thanks for sharing Rick. Happy New Year!!

[@concordcowgirl]

Rick, here in Mesa Az we are getting a lot of rain, and I have been hearing fireworks all last night and all night tonight, so the rain isnt stopping the dummys, the bangs are all around me, I am being smart and staying in and watching your videos, lol.

[@HorseyGal4ever]

I agree, let horses live like horses, guess I'm crazy too!

[@602redroses]

So glad the boys are getting enough to eat. They got every tiny bit :)

[@mandyc1091]

What’s sad and pisses me off is people’s selfishness wanting their horses winter clip to last so they over rug to keep the horse hot to prevent the coat from growing. And not care how it effects the horses health. Not to mention refusing to turn their horses out because they don’t want them to get muddy. Then theirs the my horse is too valuable to turn out. The better the horse the more it suffers

[@wes9389]

Our barn has an owner like that. The other horses will hurt (bite) her, so she is stalled 100% of the time. Gets ridden one time a week, and then he can't understand why she is sore/lame for half the week. Horse is beautiful, but we feel so sorry for her. She is never allowed to mix with other animals.

[@dekishihope5734]

What if one of your horses doesn’t have much of a winter coat or one at all? We have a 28 year old stallion that has no winter coat whatsoever. Though I hate it he’s in our warmest stall at night and on the warmer days I’ll turn him out in a small space where he can move around and be out in the sun.

[@shelleyyates6855]

Hi Rick, you're a good daddy to those boys and you can tell they're not hungry horses, they're very good while you are dealing with the feeder, anyhow happy new year hope it's a good one for you and you're boys, I'm not so well at the moment so no drink for me, got some kind of virus but got to be careful because I have ckd, (Chronic Kidney Desease )so have a drink for me hey, hugs to you all xxxxx

[@brandeeweston242]

My dad says the main reason people use blankets is for show to keep the hair short. TX is so hot that most people dont lock horses in stalls unless it's over nights and alot of stalls are open with small lot or area. Alot of people in TX change around areas throughout the day. It gets too hot in TX to have them in stalls. I have seen a few large barns in TX with openings as nd fans, but mostly more open natural stalls used for wind breaker or shelter from weather. Alot of people have individual small lots with the stall then change them to a large pasture. Alot of TX farms have alot of pasture for horses and stallions. Stallions usually have their own pasture with a long area to run. Rick's way is very common in TX. Texas is a notorious place for horses. Theirs alot. I think Texas is such a common place for horses that equestrians share information commonly, visit farms often helping haul hay, ect. So Rick's general ways are common in TX. Growing up in horse clubs equestrians visit different barns almost every weekend across Texas, and younger people like teenagers visit cuz teenage girls spend nights w other girls alot too. My dad since I was a toddler hauled hay around TX. I was his helper. Least favorite part of farming in TX. Hay haulers risk heat exaustion so have to be careful in TX.

[@alayamcgill7166]

Thank you for all the info. Appreciate it!

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alayamcgill7166]

@@ThinkLikeAHorse Very! There's so much bs in the horse world and I'm glad I found someone who speaks the truth. Your horses are two lucky horses that's for sure!

[@patticraig43]

@@alayamcgill7166 saw w

[@thevirtualzookeeper8226]

There is a barn on the way to the barn we board at and there are plenty of times when people will put on blankets at night and the next day the poor horse still have blankets on when it's hot and sunny so they are standing in the shade. Which I do blanket my horse when it gets below freezing. I'd rather not but my mom wants to mostly because our vet had to say: "shes an old horse, stall her and put a blanket on at night... shell like it" ugh. We've done it a few times and everytime we do I stick my hand under the blanket the next day and she feels like shed about to sweat. Thanks a lot vet.

[@judywright4241]

The Virtual Zookeeper --It is a good way to remember the vet is not thinking like a horse, but you’re learning to👍🏻👍🏻

[@vivientakacs5599]

Vets aren't always right. I have heard vets saying that stalls are good for horses and they don't need to be outside a lot if they are ridden at least 2 hours a day. I was like wtf woman???

[@thevirtualzookeeper8226]

Trust me, I know the vet isnt always right and stalls can be bad for horses and blankets are just straight up dumb but my mother wont.

[@thevirtualzookeeper8226]

@@vivientakacs5599 ridden? Not even turnout at least?!? That's wrong horses are meant to wander slowly grazing as they go. I thought stall/turn out schedules were ridiculius... but now I've heard it all.

[@vivientakacs5599]

@@thevirtualzookeeper8226 I think you should talk to your mother. And also show her how much happier your horse is when there is no blanket and she isn't stanting in a stall. Tell her that horses are also claustrophobic so locking them up is incredibly stressful.

[@2022irons]

Boarding kennels are prisons for horses; no place to explore, nothing to look forward to.

[@sharonmacanley4591]

Great video Rick. Happy New Year to you and the boys🐴😊🐴

[@laurettewilcock1934]

Lovely happy boys 👌🐴

[@mare6684]

I would love to own a horse. But do not have enough property. No boarding close enough for me to travel before and after work,, as I would want to be taking care of it myself as much as possible.

[@hazelb7218]

I miss having a horse now too....used to years ago ...but now mainly health wise and time wise wouldn't have the time or energy to commit 100%. You could look at what i used to do too later on and that is look at getting a horse-share...maybe at the weekends and pay towards it's keep that way x

[@mare6684]

@@hazelb7218 I do some volunteer work on farms. I have not rode in years. For me its just therapeutic to be around and take care of them.

[@hazelb7218]

just being around them would be enough for me too right now....next year i might try and get back into it all again in some way xx

[@magneticflux7833]

My poor 🐱 hatea fireworks cause he has way better hearing then me. He slinks alllll over the house. I make a safe place for him out of cardboard. He lays in it and i put a blanket over the box to help with thw noise. Poor guy hates ⛈ to. He safe in his little safe box lol. Happy new year Mr Gore

[@DebsInManchesterUK]

Mr T showing Rick how to do the moonwalk backwards in the rain ha ha

[@MattyDemello]

Lol hahaha

[@DebsInManchesterUK]

@@MattyDemello Hi Matt how is Free doing hope he is well

[@JanesDough855]

I like that feeder. Did you buy it or make it yourself? Makes sense to not just throw it on the ground in the rain. Yes, you do take good care of your horses. Thanks for showing and splaining it all to us idiots. lol

[@cr3062]

Wow! Thunder too!!!

[@gratefulgirl6716]

Why didn't you just feed them under the covering where they were? Just curious. I'm not a barn witch. LOL! Mr. T gave attitude😛

[@victoriaheuman8853]

great question I wonder why also

[@gallipolo]

Grateful Girl Because it wouldn’t make much of a video and make him look so important, if he didn’t make a big deal out of feeding his horses. But the bottom line is he’s too lazy to clean that stall out, that’s why he didn’t feed them inside out of the rain. Kind of the kettle calling the pot black here!

[@judywright4241]

gallipolo --Don’t you have a barn witch convention to go to? He wanted them to MOVE, the answer is pretty obvious and he gets asked hundreds of times about feeding so he made a video about it.😏😒 Start a good 2019 by stop being so negative, it’s bad for your health.

[@victoriaheuman8853]

Lordy @@gallipolo ​ Rick is anything but lazy! a little envy goin on maybe?

[@elaineraynor88]

@@gallipolo Being outside is where horses need to be. Looks like where Mr. T & Buddy were, it is a small area to be eating flakes of hay, better outside, my opinion.

[@traceylee8547]

Nothing goes into my horses that does not first pass thru my hands,,there can be a surprising amount of trash in hay.

[@kellyplumb7024]

Greetings"Sir Laughs Alot" from fountain Hills AZ void of real rain ☔🌧️,,,, very sad,, 🧸🐎🐴☔🌧️

[@llainie4]

Hi Rick thanks for all your videos. I wanted to ask about winter grooming. I do not blanket my boy. I live in Massachusetts. My horse loves the mud. He gets a really nice winter coat. I've been told not to curry his coat in the winter, just to lightly brush him. Can I ask what are your thoughts?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

you don't want to remove hair, if you curry out mud without removing hair, no problem, I curry before a rain to get oils up and spread it out to give extra rain repellant.

[@llainie4]

@@ThinkLikeAHorse thank you!

[@lalewin699]

Haven't seen a hay feeder like that. Curious where it's from

[@susanjamison3382]

From stuff I’ve read: if the horses are. allowed to have their winter coat, they should not be blanketed . However, if they are clipped (basically shaved down) then they have to be blanketed.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

It depends.

[@vivientakacs5599]

@@Eva-cn2bu it really is I have never understood why people do it "he will be sweaty when we ride" well then don't stress your horse and work them to the point they sweat. Unless it's notedically needed to clip/shave their coat, don't do it. And if they do sweat, just brush them, and then the swear will spread and their coat will dry faster. Or just dry them with a blow dryer if it's that bad, no need to shave what is keeping them warm.

[@Eva-cn2bu]

Vivien Takacs yeah, I've heard that... yet another lame excuse. People who do that basically force an animal to provide them (and only them) entertainment while they don't even bother to provide the REASONABLE care so the animal won't be harmed. Horses' fur has many functions, not only keeping them warm. Apparently being familiar with that little thing called evolution is beyond some people's intellectual abilities

[@vivientakacs5599]

@@Eva-cn2bu I doubt half of them even believes in evolution. Most people just shouldn't own horses. Or they should be educated by someone who actually studied/studies horses and knows their behaviour. Like you wanna own a horse? You have to have enough points on these tests about horse care and behaviour. And if you don't follow these rules later, your horse will be taken away. A lot more horses would live a better and happier life that way.

[@Eva-cn2bu]

@@vivientakacs5599 I completely agree

[@yellowboy1866]

Hi Rick, I still enjoy watching your boys eat. Would Buddy stand still long enough if you wanted to put a blanket on him? It's funny to see the reactions of Mr T to your effort to move him, like a kid moaning no I don't want to move, why are you making me. Funny creatures. Did donkey and the cow also get a Santa sack with their names on them?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

sure, I put blankets on them when I moving them from cali to texas, it was 20 degrees snowing and they were in an open trailer, so I put blankets on them.

[@TheShandalala]

Can confirm, my horses are at least twice as smart as I am.

[@destinystarr3494]

I only ever trimmed tails when I saw one of my horses with half a tree stuck to their tail that they caught on the ground out in the pasture. 🤣 I saw that so much I'd cut the tail a few inches from the ground when it got out of hand

[@glendakeevers6087]

Ha ha buddy has his weekly Jenny Craig appointments...me too...seriously they look good and healthy

[@marielivingston4004]

Rick I abt spit my water out my mouth when I heard you say” if’s, butt’s, coconuts. That’s got to be Texas slang. I never heard that here in Minnesota. Question: Have you ever heard of the Dakota 38 ride? The ride starts in South Dakota in mid December and ends in Mankato Minnesota on Dec 25th, I think. I encourage you to look it up.

[@sonjavaller-field8651]

You are so wright.. i am german, living in a village with farmers and barns.. 99% of the horses cannot live like horses should.. but if people do not care about the meat they eat..and how those animals suffer...why should they care for any other living beeing but themselves...

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Most horses one sees don't know they have legs...............locked up in a stall, not allowed to be horses. Selfish humans.

[@babywillow6746]

Hello Rick, dearest German neighbours , and Horsy people, we have the same problems in Belguim, we have around 1 million horses in this small country and 80 % are locked in stable (3 M x 3 M) in winter (November to May) and they go out in indoor manege in winter or go out for jumping competition...I have my own little farm..and people here think I am bizarre😀😀 my vacation bonus goes in a special bank account, and when my horses are old, i have money for the vet, and for them to have a decent end of life, i do not sell my old horses to slaughterhouse (for 600/800 Euro!!!) those bling bling riders have no money when their horses start to have health problems...of course ,but they buy new riding clothes ,new bites, another new saddle and another colourfull blanket every year etc... to follow the MODE ...Poor horses😢 Rick is absolutely right, he does not hate women, he recognized that a lot of girls have a problem with horses, lack of self confidence,!!!the Fascination of Power on a 700 kilos animal ??? ,i usually stay "silently" but once in a while, I have my Middle Life Crisis...I repeat, Rick is absolutely right, and free to point his finger to Stupid Human Attitude, hopefully they will learn and stop abusing the horses....Hoops... it is time to eat my wafel to control my nerves☺, Horsy people🐴 you all take care, the Belgian Girl .

[@raraavis7782]

Arwh...forcing them out into the rain to get their food...you mean, mean man! 😉 Although how they don’t seem to mind getting wet in the cold, I don’t quite understand. We did an (early) night hike with my nephew over Christmas and the weather was pretty bad, heavy drizzle non stop, temperatures just above freezing, but it was fine as long as we were dry in our clothes. But after about an hour my ‚city girl‘ winter coat, that was supposed to be waterproof, started to soak through and I was cold and miserable within 15 min. Or is their winter fur thick and oily enough to just repel water? Man, I can‘t wait for spring. Winter sucks. I keep thinking: ‚I‘m so sick of the rain and cold and darkness already...and winter has only just started!‘ Sigh.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Your mind set regarding horses is too geared to human thinking. They are horses not humans. Think like a horse and you will begin to understand.

[@raraavis7782]

Well, forgive me for saying so, but these answer aren’t very smart or helpful. A wet coat is a wet coat and of course an animal will get cold quicker, if it’s wet. That’s basic physics and it applies to horses the same as to humans. And yes, they probably can make up for it by producing more body heat (up to a point), but that’s at the very least going to cost them energy, so it stands to reason, that they would avoid it in winter, when food is scarce. That’s thinking like a human, btw., you should try it sometimes. Or maybe just shut up, if you have nothing friendly or helpful to say and are just looking for an excuse to be rude and superior towards someone asking a simple question.

[@saspinks3001]

@@raraavis7782 Hi Rara! Google or research "Thermoregulation in Horses". Horses have it built in so a healthy average horse can adjust to whatever the temperature. Obviously there are exceptions and it's up to owners to know if their horse is an exception.

[@bbrgemdiamond9703]

Good boys