Advice please! Out or in?

[Lplates]

Newbie question, sorry.
Horrible weather, do I put old native pone in stable or leave him out in muddy field with rug and field shelter . Just been down to give him bedtime feed, was going to bring him in as I have been every night this week, but he is so toasty underneath his turnout and was grazing in opposite corner of field from nice dry field shelter, so obviously not bothered by weather. He doesn't love hay, so never eats much when he is stabled.
It isn't that I am feeling lazy, but it is a pain mucking out a stable with toddlers in tow every morning and it suddenly occurred to me, why bother....? Am I just making work for myself? I stable him because I like to think I am treating him and looking after him when it is cold and wet, but perhaps he would prefer to make his own decision? As I said, there is a nice dry field shelter if he wants it...?

 

[pixie]

Mine is out. I only ever bring him in if the weather is particularly bad, and that is mostly just to save the field. I think its better for him to be out in the fresh air and keep himself moving as he can get a bit stiff behind.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

He'd probably prefer to be in the field keeping mobile with access to food 24/7 than in a stable if he's been used to being out.

 

[Lplates]

thank you! he is out x

 

[Lplates]

And... Now he is in again. Just went down to feed him and he looked so miserable standing in muddy gateway waiting for me. I know I am probably just doing it for me, but his stable looked so welcoming! I agree about the getting stiff though.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Does he have company in the field? Horses usually prefer to be with their herd, whether that is in or out. I would have expected most horses, especially native ponies to prefer to be out, if they have forage and shelter and their friends are out.
Although I have a mare who will whip round in the gateway, as I am putting her out and head back to her stable - cheeky madam!

 

[SuperH]

My two natives can't wait to get in at night. Depends on the horse, mine like being in for part of the day/night depending on time of year. Play it by ear a bit as you are doing, he may like to be in on cooler or wetter nights and out on a dryer one.

 

[Pingypo]

Is he out during the day? He is probably perfectly fine out at night but just likes the routine of coming in and fed etc! Whatever you decide i'm sure he will appreciate so long as he has lots of time out during the day!