Anyone stable horse in daytime and then out at night in Winter?

[Tiddlypom]

Problem with doing the stabled during the day thing here is that the stables face towards the garden and the rear of the house, and all 3 neds have a grandstand view of me if I set foot out of the back door. This means that the IDx hollers across and door bangs for yet more hay each time she spots me attempting to tip toe ninja style outside into the garden ?.

What does work is bringing them in for breakfast and a haynet first thing, and then turning them back out mid morning. They are then out til the next day, apart from briefly being brought in for their tea at 7pm.

 

[spotty_pony]

I do this as often as the weather allows all year round. I find they get more turnout time and it makes sense then being in in the day for when I want to ride. They don’t always stay in the whole day… if I’m not riding and the weather is good they will go back out after a couple of hours.

 

[YoLaTango]

Livery where I have mine does this. The fields are a no go at the moment, but they have areas cordoned off and use the ménage too. Horses go out in pairs after their work (hacking schooling etc) and then in at c 8am for feed and work.

Horses seem very chilled and relaxed and happy.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have done it in the past and it's worked well mine are in most nights at the moment but have the odd night out but it's just because the ground is so wet, it's nice getting them in and spending time and riding without rushing to get them back out in the field before night.

 

[JoannaC]

Yes mine are out at night and come in for a few hours during the day. They do have free access to the barn though so can bring themselves in and if it's wet I put the hay in the barn rather than in the field. Less bedding and i've reduced hay this year as they are very good doers. I like the fact that they are in if I want to do anything with them and means I can have the dogs out with me in the field while I poo pick etc.

 

[Boulty]

I did it at one yard with the D I used to own. He made his opinions on being in for more than 8-10 hrs VERY clear & also field setup made finding him in the dark a right PITA so was easier to bring in on a morning in the light & turn out in the dark. He needed extra hay & feed to keep weight on & this meant he got that without turning into a nightmare! Also meant if we went out for the day somewhere or if I rode him etc he didn't lose any turnout time. I did used to worry about him never seeing any sun so did used to let him live out 24/7 on weekends when there tended to be hay put out in the field.

 

[maya2008]

My youngsters take turns keeping box rested cob company. Little one who goes in during the day seems quite happy with the arrangement.

 

[Ali27]

First day in for girls today and a total game changer! Took my ridden mare out to jumping clinic this morning so she only had from 12pm to 4pm in stable. Other two were in from 8.45 - 4! All very happy to go out at 4 and stables took minutes to muck out as so much cleaner than if in overnight! I really don’t know why I haven’t done it sooner! Hopefully they will be back out 24/7 in a month’s time when fields have dried out a bit! I reckon now that it doesn’t get dark until 4.50 that I can do a quick hack on Tuesday and Friday nights when I can get to yard at 3.45/4.10 ish! As pony will be in, dry and can just chuck tack on?

 

[whizzer]

I did most days up until Christmas,there was plenty of grass & weather wasn't too bad,meant horse could have hay,feed etc but wasn't too labour intensive for me. However once the grass had gone & its rained endlessly I swapped her over to in at night,she was ready to swap over & is now desperate to come in at night!