Changing to winter routine

[Enya Daniel]

Hi,
I am just wondering when people think you should change your horses routine. In the summer mine are turned out at night and in for the day, but in the winter I change it and they go out in the day and in for the night. Now that the nights are starting to get colder I am thinking about changing to the winter routine but I was wondering when other people might be doing it?

Thanks
Enya

 

[eventingcrystal]

Hi,
I am just wondering when people think you should change your horses routine. In the summer mine are turned out at night and in for the day, but in the winter I change it and they go out in the day and in for the night. Now that the nights are starting to get colder I am thinking about changing to the winter routine but I was wondering when other people might be doing it?

Thanks
Enya

I tend to change it when mine are clipped so mid October time

 

[9tails]

Ours are in overnight now, the weather here has turned vile.

 

[Bernster]

Ours switch over today From overnight to day time turnout.

 

[southerncomfort]

Mine have always been out 24/7 all year round but its been such a wet year that anywhere I put the ponies is instantly transformed in to a churned up mud pit.

Its too early to put them on to winter grazing so as of today they will be coming in at night!

 

[MissTyc]

I don't set a routine. Mine are DIY so I can do what I want. This week I brought in overnight twice as the rain was absolutely foul, last night I left them out 24/7 and they will now stay out until the next lot of storms hits us with maybe 4-5 hours in during the day for the youngster to have a sleep in his stable and the oldies to have some respite form the youngster!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m half wondering if I can stick with current in by day out at night this year. It’s super handy having my riding horse in and clean when I finish work to ride quickly. Also allows maximum turnout, if they want that. I guess if it gets really muddy and yuck they may not really want max turnout but I’m definitely playing it by ear this year.

 

[jenniehodges2001]

I’m half wondering if I can stick with current in by day out at night this year. It’s super handy having my riding horse in and clean when I finish work to ride quickly. Also allows maximum turnout, if they want that. I guess if it gets really muddy and yuck they may not really want max turnout but I’m definitely playing it by ear this year.

I usually decide whether to bring in when the weather changes from drier to wet/very wet. I have a large paddock but it does get muddy quickly in wet weather and as the grass isn't so rich at this time of year and I strip graze to my horse gets bored out with longer hours overnight.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I usually decide whether to bring in when the weather changes from drier to wet/very wet. I have a large paddock but it does get muddy quickly in wet weather and as the grass isn't so rich at this time of year and I strip graze to my horse gets bored out with longer hours overnight.

Yeah I think I may have to bring in at night actually. Since writing the above they have started waiting at the gate and looking a bit bored!

 

[L&M]

Ours currently live out, but when we have had to stable at night, changing to winter routine was based on grass availabilty and ground conditions. Most horses are quite happy to stay out if dry and cold, and have plenty to munch on, but rain and wind in a bare and muddy field, not so much.