Let my horses tell you if blankets really are necessary. Now I know there are exceptions, but for a healthy horse not needed.

I did blanket my older horses on occassion when they were in their 30's and could no longer eat hay.  An example would be a cold rain or a blizzard.

This is not so much an educational presentation. It's really a salute to some of the horses I have been priviledged to help rehabilitate as well as a hats off to their owners. Some of my mentors appear as well. I guess the educational value of it would be what's possible when we work together to help a horse, and how important the owners part really is. Enjoy!

Bo is the big splashy paint. He came here under foster care from Rosemary Farm Sanctuary in Feb 2012 for rehabilitation and the expertise of the Native Hoof and Ravenhill  Equine Wellness Center teams. He had Lyme disease, central sulcus infections in both front feet and a atrophied body from standing around after an injury for possibly 2 years prior to his move to Rosemary Farm. When he arrive here 6 months later, each one of his steps was chosen carefully, and though only 8 years old, he acted and moved like a 30 year old horse. We started him on nutritional therapy, immune boosting supplements, herbs as needed, and homeopathy under the direction of Dr. Tonya Holonko, DVM. Dr. Carlos Cortelezzi started him with acuponcture and chiropractic at Rosemary Farm. Once at Native Hoof, he received chiropractic adjustments every 2 weeks in the beginning with Tanya and Dr. Jill Smith,  as well as Reiki and massage by Connie Grob of Helping Hands Equine Massage. Both Tom and I had exercises to do with him daily. I casted his front hooves while treating the deep infections and they healed well in 2-3 weeks, and he was able to move barefoot and with increasing confidence even on pea gravel. He was trimmed and kept balanced every 2-3 weeks. Natural Balance Dentist, Wendy Bryant balanced his teeth for maximum motion in his jaw, which translates to the rest of the body. My herd gently encouraged him to move- it was an amazing experience to watch, and as we all assist him in healing his body, he continues to gain ground steadily.
Just recently he reached some very significant milestones. He initiated a "play" session with the herd, he rolled over for the first time and he mutually groomed with another herdmate. This may not sound like much for those who see their horses do these things and don't really think about what it means for a horse, but for Bo, each new ability he found opened the door to the next. It's like watching a flower open.
He no longer looks nor acts like an old horse. His body has built the muscle it takes to keep a chiropractic adjustment, and to move, spar, rear, twist, buck and run at speed and be able to do it again the next day without hesitation. Is he there yet? not quite- but not far off either. In 1 year with regular natural and alternative therapies, 24/7 turnout with a herd in a paddock paradise environment, his progress has exceeded my expectations.