Do they really just want to be inside ?

[Shysmum]

I have never tried this myself so don't attack me: it may not work: but if possible give them the choice off being out or in by holding open the stable door and giving a clear safe path from there to the feild

I wish, but it's not possible at my set up ?

 

[saddlesore]

Nope! We’ve still got so much grass my boy is living out and still not coming to call for a feed!

 

[Auslander]

My lot don't care whether they're in or out, as long as they have hay!

 

[Ali27]

My two drag me out in the morning and usually I have to track them down in the eve via head torch to find them! Mine have been chucked out 24/7 the last week to make life easier over Christmas! Luckily all the hoses, I’ve owned have loved being turned out in Winter ?

 

[J&S]

Before the rain mine wanted out all the time. Now its wet and the grass is finished they are quite happy to spend the night in side in the dry with a help yourself tea bar! They can come and go into the yard or stable area as they please so a pretty easy life for them and me!

 

[Quigleyandme]

My two are free range. They have access to their indoor stables and hay and the arena. Unfortunately my pasture is too wet for winter turnout. They spend a lot of time outside and will sleep on the sand if the weather is fair. They are rising three and unrugged.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My late Draft mare hated to get wet and once very cheekily pushed me aside in the field gateway and legged it back to the stable because it was drizzling a bit. I found that she was much more comfortable in a neck rug, even though she was sucha hot horse that she usually only needed a 50g rug, or even a no fill.

 

[southerncomfort]

Because of the mild temperatures I'm being a bit careful with mine.

They come in at around 9am and go back out 3pm which they seem very happy with. I'm desperate for the colder January weather to arrive so they can be out for longer, though they might be too used to the current routine now!

 

[Bradsmum]

Mine are out 24/7 and though I have facilities to bring them in for a little respite from the weather, neither will eat their feed when in and just want to go back out!

 

[teddy_]

Mine goes out between 7am - 1pm and he cannot to wait to come in, even with hay and good grass. He would drag you in if he could.

 

[Shysmum]

The boys made it till 2 PM today, just before a heavy rain storm. They know all right !

 

[ImmyS]

I need to find me one of these horses that doesn’t like mud!!

Finn is out 24/7 in a field like this…



Yet somehow always looks like this….

 

[Julie Ole Girl]

Mine are out at 8am and in at 4pm, they can't wait to get out in the morning, and can't wait to come in at night. I'm not sure if they'd like to come in earlier, but I feel it's healthier for them to be out that long.

 

[Cherryblossom]

Mine are also free range. They get 1-2 haynets a day, between the two of them, and have free access to a half acre field, which they’ve been in since september. Given a hard feed if it’s a cold wet night. Somehow they’re still putting on weight, so I’ll be encouraging them to stay out and hoping the winter weight loss kicks in sometime!

 

[Kaylum]

We have loafing areas with big field shelters and they use them a lot to get out of the rain and wind and even the heat They can move around naturally and they aren't stood in a stable for 14 hours.

 

[Michen]

Mine have been turfed out for a month whilst I’m travelling and seem to be fine but they are not at their usual yard so not expecting to come in. No way would they be happy out normally, they’d be at the gate by 3 and start running around if they deemed unsuitable timing.

Of course Boggle is still doing his squats in the field daily and ensuring he remains fit and ready to go hunting, meanwhile the fat little chubster Bear in the picture spends all day at the hay feeder ? I would have him rugless frankly as his clip has grown out and he needs to loose weight but he’s fully loaned now so not my choice.

 

[maya2008]

Those of mine with free access to the stables are more out than in. The ones with natural shelter and rugs are complaining about soggy grass and want haylage, but aren’t seeking shelter. I think it is the rubbish wet miserable grass at the moment that is the issue.

 

[Nari]

In the wet and wind he sulks when he's out but is furious if he's in early or out late. No pleasing him!

 

[MagicMelon]

Surely its just because you provide loads of hay when they're inside? Put hay outside in the field and they'll probably be happy? Arent you able to leave the stables open directly into the field? My stable block is always wide open so the horses can come and go as they want. Totally depends on the horse though, my last one spent hours dozing in the stable by choice but my current two Ive never seen inside even on awful days!