Changing a horse's lifestyle to living out 24/7

ann-jen

ann-jen

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Just wondered if anyone had changed their horse onto living out 24/7 in all weathers from being stabled at night. My current horse is being investigated for some veterinary issues and although it mightn't be the worst case scenario it is possible she may need to be retired or at least reduce her workload to just hacking. At the moment she lives out during the day and in at night and has had a pretty pampered lifestyle. She is keen to go out in themorning but equally keen to come in at night (although obviously anticipating feed time here). If she is to be retired, the only way I could afford to take on another horse would be for my current girl to go onto grass livery and I just wondered how she's likely to take to it. I know I'm probably humanising her far too much but the thought of her out in the snow and cold weather....well I'm not too sure how she'd cope....but like I say I'm maybe thinking like a human not a horse LOL.
Just wondered if anyone had been through anything similar and how their horses coped or not as the case may be. She's a WB type and fairly thin-coated but could obviously be rugged accordingly with the weather. She'd still be checked daily and have access to shelter and possibly still hacked 3-4 times a week depending on what the verdict from the vets will be.
 
Seriously - horses are tougher than you think.

When I gave up with the mare I used to own, I had literally clipped her a week before. I got off her in the arena, put her back in the stable, called the farrier, got her shoes pulled the next day and chucked her out in a field. It was November. I couldn't even bear to look at her so someone else checked her for the first few weeks! She coped fine, after a while I down-graded her from a HW full neck rug to a MW full neck rug, then the neck came off. She was in better condition, held her weight better and was generally far far happier than when I had her in at night.

She was in a field which had high hedges on all sides but no other shelter, with another couple of horses, and they got hay as required but no hard feed, and feet trimmed as and when needed. She was a wussy TB type who I had formerly been stuffing full of food to ensure she maintained weight, but even then she was always a little light until I chucked her out.

Don't stress about it yet, a) it may not happen and b) if it does then I am sure she will be fine pretty much immediately.
 
Well, yes my 14.2hh used to be in at night in winter and out in teh day (out 24/7 all summer though). When I got my horse and as we only have 2 stables (for mine and my sister's horse) the pony was turfed out 24/7. he couldn't care less - as long as he's fed and I do rug him in bad weather/when it' very cold. He has an old ex racer out with him too.

He did used to like his stable but equally he could get a bit stressy and grumpy about having a horse in close porximity next door - he likes his space!

Most horses revert very well to be honest, it's us that think they "want" to come in. What they really want is food!! lol
 
Yes, I did it to my TB x cob four years ago, until then he'd always been stabled at night in winter. He was quite happy out (and still is!) so long as he gets enough forage to eat, they have a field shelter but he is a spooky sort and doesn't often use it, so bum in the hedge for him. He has also lived out with a hunter clip, obviously with a thick combo rug. He's had about four nights in over the last four years, and whilst he's evidently enjoyed being in, he is much less stiff, less filled legs, when out. He's the skewbald in my siggy.
 
Well my mare was on box rest for 8 months, then she went straight to being out 24/7.....of course she looked happier, but they are tough, and even in this weather as long as they have suitable shelter and a nice rug and enough forage they will be fine.
 
I have, with no problems at all.

They really do only look like they want to come in at night because they know they get a feed, my boy is now fed in the field and shows no signs of wanting to come in (use to stand at the gate and whinny when it was bringing in time!).
 
My tb has been living out full time since April earlier this year. He loves it. Has great field with big hedges all round, great field mate and just grass to eat. He's lovely and tubby and hairy and loves life. Great!!
 
My guys live out 24/7/365 - and never complain. Rugged when needed - you need to give them cover from rain +wind - not rain, not wind, rain+wind together

Thhey have a field shelter and don;t use it much - even when it is peeing down - only when there is wind+rain together.
They are completely fine.

Consider stables as seriously restricting their ability to move for 12-14 hours. Horses need movement. No wonder most injuries happen in the first 15 minutes ofturnout!
 
there are some who just dont seem to cope but they are few and far between - and you dont really know till you try! my cob cross mare hated it, my wb x loved it. If they still have feed and rugged accordingly then no problem. But I do agree it is mostly us who doesn't like the iea of them out in the wind and rain!
 
I've taken loads of horses that are used to being kept in at night, and turned them out, always without a hitch. Like Spottedcat says, they often do better out than in
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But I do agree it is mostly us who doesn't like the iea of them out in the wind and rain!

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I don't like the idea of mine being stabled
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Oh thanks guys - I know its me treating her like a human. Hopefully it might not come to it anyway. But its nice to hear your stories and makes me feel so much more confidant of changing her lifestyle if I need to.
 
My lot have gone from being in at night through winter to living out for the first time 24/7 and are loving it. When they've come in for their tea without exception they are all mad keen to get back out again.

We do have lots of grass which will have a lot to do with it. But even my lad who is a big wimp is loving being out.
 
Thanks this is all sounding very positive. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed it won't be necessary but at least if she does have to be retired hopefully she'll adapt as well as all your horses have in this thread.
 
Hmm I'm all for it and we had no problems until last week she was happy as larry then the frost came and we got colic for the 1st time in 6 years ! She's 16 and a bit of a diva and in foal ...So I've relented and shes coming in at night now, I'm a wimp !

All the others that are out are fine, they just get hay at night.

Once she is feeling better I might chuck her back out again as she was happy and would always turn to go back out after her tea !
 
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