ADVICE NEEDED - live in our out?

[maxapple]

My friend & I have 3 horses who are currently out at night, in during the day. They go out in their own well grazed paddock prob around 4-6 acres max at a guess where they have grass that is very rich (but well eaten down - they've been out on it since April.

Over the summer they came in for about 6 hours in the day, but now due to my work they have to come in earlier meaning they are in for 11+ hours.

We are debating just leaving them out for the next few weeks until they move to their winter field and start coming in at night instead.

They all seem to have put on weight in the week they have been in longer - and living out would mean I would have time to exercise all of them at night after work instead if spending my time mucking out. I also think they would be better off moving around outside using up energy rather than just standing in a stable for 11 hours which may be contributing to weight gain? My pony is a bit chunky but won't eat soaked hay and will weave violently if he runs out due to being starved in the past - so has to have ad-lib.

Just concerned about the autumn flush of grass. My horse is very porky already

 

[ISHmad]

If he won't eat soaked hay and is porky already could you make him a smaller paddock to limit his grass. Then put him in there for a while each day and muzzle him for the rest of the time he's out with the herd so he isn't wearing this 24 hours a day.

Exercise will definitely help. If he's stood in and eating unsoaked hay ad lib he's not going to lose weight.

Never any easy answers with good doers but if you have more time to exercise him then that has to be a good thing.

 

[maxapple]

Any more thoughts on this?

 

[be positive]

I would leave them out 24/7 it is getting colder at night so if left unrugged this may help keep weight down.As you will also be able to do more work with him this should help too.
I think exercise is the best way to get weight off of the good doers.

 

[marmalade76]

I have not stabled anything for six years now and I would definitly recommend it. Much fitter horses (I really don't think mine would have been fit enough to hunt after the snow last winter, had it not been for the fact that he had been out on six acres of steep bank!), much cheaper and considerably less time -consuming. The other bonus is you don't smell! You just need enough ground, leaving them out 24/7 through the winter is not really possible if you only have a small amount of ground, unless you have some sort of all-weather area.

There is an old TB at my yard who would weave himself into a sweat when stabled, he has now lived out for ten years with no problems at all.

If you're worried about the autumn grass, just keep them paddocked for longer.

 

[Puppy]

Gosh yes, just leave them out and ride more. I completely agree with Marmalade76, on all points.

I've had to bring in my horse and her companion for the last few days, as she's been on boxrest following an injury, and I am SO sick of mucking out already. I can't wait till she's out again, *touch wood* tomorrow.

 

[maxapple]

Thanks everyone - mind made up - out they stay!!

We can't really let them live out for the winter unfortunately where we are, but next year may start looking for somewhere where we can. Much happier for them to be out

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I'd say chuck 'em out too. Mine are on grass livery, but recently had to stable Fat Boy due an injury needing time off work. He stood in with soaked hay and no feed and actually put on weight.
Letting him run around 13 acres and having time to ride instead of using that time spent mucking out is the only thing that works with him as he is so good at conserving his fat stores. Keeping the rugs off is helpful too.
He was thoroughly miserable at being confined to barracks. He was also severely starved as a youngster and running out of food is his worst nightmare, so he would sympathise with your boy worrying if the haynet was getting empty.