care for field horses

[E13]

Hypothetical musing here! I don't have a horse myself If you put your horse out in the field for a year, no work, so hasn't left the field - what would you do regarding the awful weather we've been having? Like all the mud - IIRC washing the mud off weakens the skin, increasing likelihood of infection, but on the other hand would you leave all the mud and dirt on and hope it comes off naturally? What about feet, would you check them, bearing in mind they'd be covered in mud; would you need to get the farrier out at all over the year?!

 

[be positive]

I have several living out that are not in work, they have daily checks but no grooming or washing, the skin stays healthy and usually copes well enough if allowed to gain natural grease for protection, they can get out of the mud in parts of the field it is just in places that it gets deep round gateways and water troughs. They get their feet trimmed as required throughout the year.

 

[Dry Rot]

I think horses rather like mud in moderation given the choice. But I am sure they don't like permanent mud. Don't the Camargue horses live in the marshes?

Here's a picture of my Highland stallion after a good roll. He lives out 24/7 and is very happy, but my soil is sandy and the mud will either wash off in the next shower or fall off with a shake when it's dry. He seems to like standing and walking around on the muddy bit. As you can see he has plenty of dry land if that's what he wants! From the flattened bits in the mud, he seems to rather like sleeping in it too! Yes, he does occasionally get groomed and definitely has regular visits from the farrier as his feet don't stop growing just because he is doing nothing.