1986
Member
Hi just wondered if many of you turn out TB's 24/7? If you do what do you do in the winter do you still turn out 24/7? Do you have major issues with weight loss or becomming cold and unhappy quickly etc? So many questions?!
Do you turn out TB's 24/7??????
- Thread starter 1986
- Start date
Slinkyunicorn
Well-Known Member
My friend keeps both of her TB out 24/7 all year - her mare is now 23/24 and her gelding (mares foal) is now 5 and has always lived out. No problems with weight - has to feed mare extra towards the end of winter - just makes sure they have ad lib hay and good rugs. Her mare (was SJ'er) has been less stressed in the last 6 years since she started living out.
BFG
Well-Known Member
There are 2 ex race horses on our yard and are both out 24/7 in the summer they are looking better for being out on good grass but i do think they are both still coming in for a feed.
They will be in during the winter months.
They will be in during the winter months.
aran
Well-Known Member
My tb loves being out. He comes in mid Nov to April (as he has too) but the rest of the year is pretty much out 24/7. He has rugs on if he needs them. He is on good grass and haylage in the winter. In the winter I feed dried grass, linseed, F 4 F, and if he needs it triple crown top-up. In the summer he is on healthy hoof (he's a bit too fat!), linseed and F 4 F.
He'd stay out all year if he could - with a friend, good shelter, in a good field with grass and hay - but he's not allowed. My connie, however, is first to the gate!
He'd stay out all year if he could - with a friend, good shelter, in a good field with grass and hay - but he's not allowed. My connie, however, is first to the gate!
3Beasties
Well-Known Member
My TB is out 24/7 at the moment and has been since the end of March.
He is rugless unless we have a lot of rain and then he has a rain sheet on, he is currently having one conditioning feed a day but is slowly being taken of this.
He looks very well at the moment.
During winter her is in at night, needs a LOT of rugging up and feeding, feels the cold and is prone to weight loss.
He is rugless unless we have a lot of rain and then he has a rain sheet on, he is currently having one conditioning feed a day but is slowly being taken of this.
He looks very well at the moment.
During winter her is in at night, needs a LOT of rugging up and feeding, feels the cold and is prone to weight loss.
MontyandZoom
Well-Known Member
I have two tbs, one 12yo little argy tb and a 28yo big monster tb. They are both out 24/7/365.
Monty loses weight in the winter with his age so I was worried about turning him out all the time but I made the decision to as he is far too stressy in the stable. He spends the whole night pacing and getting panicky and loses more that way than he ever does from being out.
They are both well-rugged and fed in the Winter and very happy bunnies! I have to admit that Monty took a while to get used to being an outdoor horse but now doesn't bat an eyelid to the rain.
Monty loses weight in the winter with his age so I was worried about turning him out all the time but I made the decision to as he is far too stressy in the stable. He spends the whole night pacing and getting panicky and loses more that way than he ever does from being out.
They are both well-rugged and fed in the Winter and very happy bunnies! I have to admit that Monty took a while to get used to being an outdoor horse but now doesn't bat an eyelid to the rain.
celia
Well-Known Member
Mine lives out 24/7 all year round. I've never had a problem with him losing weight but I do gradually increase his feed as it gets colder and he is well rugged, especially when it's wet or snowing.
Christmas Crumpet
Well-Known Member
My TB is out 24 7 at the moment and has been since end of March. I'll bring him in again just before the opening meet (1st Nov). He has a rainsheet on if its torrential rain otherwise is fine. He is TOO fat according to the vet so is going on a diet!!!
AandK
Well-Known Member
my TB has been out 24/7 since last Dec.. he loves it, he is thriving!! still has hard feed in summer due to lack of grass and he is in work.
in winter, plenty of hard feed, hay and well rugged! it has really toughened him up, i think he will winter a lot better this year
in winter, plenty of hard feed, hay and well rugged! it has really toughened him up, i think he will winter a lot better this year
Scarlett
Well-Known Member
I have 3 out 24/7 all year round, and my friends TB lives out with them too. They get hay when they need it and a decent rug in winter (but only one HW, they dont do well over rugged) and a feed everyday. Works a treat and they are happy horses. Most Tbs I know do better out 24/7 than being stabled too much, though they do need a bit of time to adjust.
Coffee_Bean
Well-Known Member
My trakehner who looks like TB lived out all winter. She was blanket clipped, never wore more than 2 rugs and had 2 feeds a day + hay. She held her weight really well and came out looking superb
1986
Member
hmmmm its just that I am looking at buying a TB (1st horse since being a child). I have fallen in love she is very sweet and seems that she could be a good confidence giver. However she looks like she needs to put a bit of weight on and I am just concerned about weight loss and her feeling the cold. I was really wanting a horse that could pretty much live out 24/7 to help me get into the swing of things (since it has been a while). Plus working in a school it would be difficult to get home and bring in if a sudden down pour occured! I would hate to buy her if the above is going to be a HUGE problem? x
Honeypots
Well-Known Member
My TB started last winter a little under weight having been in quite a poor state after the previous one. He wintered out suitably rugged and fed with adequate shelter and thrived. He has come out of winter looking better than he has for a long time.
It is doable but as with any horse/pony it depends on your facilites and management.
It is doable but as with any horse/pony it depends on your facilites and management.
Rhiann0n
Well-Known Member
Absolutely not!!
English TB's may be OK, but my old Aussie hates it!! He loathes rain, actually attacked someone in the field a few weeks ago who was bringing in their horse because he wanted out of the rain.
He lived half his life in Hong Kong and didn't know what a field was when he got to UK, and he thinks other horses are lower forms of life, so he's much happier in his stable at night.
He's an exception, I know people (including a famous ex-SJer) who keep TBs out 24/7/365 without rugs.
English TB's may be OK, but my old Aussie hates it!! He loathes rain, actually attacked someone in the field a few weeks ago who was bringing in their horse because he wanted out of the rain.
He lived half his life in Hong Kong and didn't know what a field was when he got to UK, and he thinks other horses are lower forms of life, so he's much happier in his stable at night.
He's an exception, I know people (including a famous ex-SJer) who keep TBs out 24/7/365 without rugs.
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
My TB lived out 24/7 from may-nov and was stabled at night time during the winter. He got a rug on as necessary and his weight was always no problem - a bit fat at times during summer!
Enfys
Well-Known Member
I haven't had a TB for years, but I do keep a pure arab and several part breds out 24/7 (temps range from 30C above to 30C below generally) They are pretty similar as far as I am concerned, you get your toughnuts, your wimps, your drama queens and couch potatoes etc, etc.
If I had a TB, then yes, unless there was a reason for it, that would be out too.
Mine only come inside during the summer when the flies upset them, I don't think I have ever bought them indoors during the winter because of a few flakes of snow, they have sheds, it is up to them whether they choose to use them or not. I really do not do stabling just for the heck of it anymore, not because I think it is better or worse, but purely because, to be honest, it suits me.
If I had a TB, then yes, unless there was a reason for it, that would be out too.
Mine only come inside during the summer when the flies upset them, I don't think I have ever bought them indoors during the winter because of a few flakes of snow, they have sheds, it is up to them whether they choose to use them or not. I really do not do stabling just for the heck of it anymore, not because I think it is better or worse, but purely because, to be honest, it suits me.
popsicle
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
hmmmm its just that I am looking at buying a TB (1st horse since being a child).
[/ QUOTE ]Don't want to be a wet blanket, but unless you have ridden regularly during the years from being a child I would not choose a Thoroughbred for my first horse. I have seen several people go down that route. (They want the horse they hankered after as a child) and it ended with the poor TB having to be sold in both cases as it turned out to be too sharp and spooky for someone who was essentially a novice rider still.
hmmmm its just that I am looking at buying a TB (1st horse since being a child).
[/ QUOTE ]Don't want to be a wet blanket, but unless you have ridden regularly during the years from being a child I would not choose a Thoroughbred for my first horse. I have seen several people go down that route. (They want the horse they hankered after as a child) and it ended with the poor TB having to be sold in both cases as it turned out to be too sharp and spooky for someone who was essentially a novice rider still.
lucy1984
Well-Known Member
Having just moved to a field with a field shelter earlier in the year, mine will be out 24/7 from now on, but previously they were stabled at night during winter -and that was only because of land management.
My 19 year old thoroughbred will most likely lose some weight this winter but will be fed morning and night and will be fully rugged - he has a 360g rug for the coldest of cold nights!! My youngster who is 3 (wbxtb) will be fine.
The thing I'm dreading is mud fever, it's bound to get a bit boggy round the shelter/feeding area. I do have access to stables if needs be though, but two horses in a five acre field should fair well through winter...anyway I'm babbling on about irrelvant stuff now.....wheres the wine
My 19 year old thoroughbred will most likely lose some weight this winter but will be fed morning and night and will be fully rugged - he has a 360g rug for the coldest of cold nights!! My youngster who is 3 (wbxtb) will be fine.
The thing I'm dreading is mud fever, it's bound to get a bit boggy round the shelter/feeding area. I do have access to stables if needs be though, but two horses in a five acre field should fair well through winter...anyway I'm babbling on about irrelvant stuff now.....wheres the wine
Enfys
Well-Known Member
Lucyfer,
I am sure you have thought of it (and not wishing to teach my granny to suck eggs) but if you can, get a good big area of hardstanding laid outside your shelter.
It is worth every penny it costs during a British winter.
I am sure you have thought of it (and not wishing to teach my granny to suck eggs) but if you can, get a good big area of hardstanding laid outside your shelter.
It is worth every penny it costs during a British winter.
lucy1984
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Lucyfer,
I am sure you have thought of it (and not wishing to teach my granny to suck eggs) but if you can, get a good big area of hardstanding laid outside your shelter.
It is worth every penny it costs during a British winter.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ta, I have been thinking about getting some sort of hardcore for around that area, I can get no end of wood chippings, do you reckon these will do the job?
Lucyfer,
I am sure you have thought of it (and not wishing to teach my granny to suck eggs) but if you can, get a good big area of hardstanding laid outside your shelter.
It is worth every penny it costs during a British winter.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ta, I have been thinking about getting some sort of hardcore for around that area, I can get no end of wood chippings, do you reckon these will do the job?
Enfys
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[
Ta, I have been thinking about getting some sort of hardcore for around that area, I can get no end of wood chippings, do you reckon these will do the job?
[/ QUOTE ]
If you use woodchip then I think you will need good drainage so that it doesn't get boggy. I have never used it personally so am not up on the pros and cons of that.
I'm sure if you ask, you will get opinions.
[
Ta, I have been thinking about getting some sort of hardcore for around that area, I can get no end of wood chippings, do you reckon these will do the job?
[/ QUOTE ]
If you use woodchip then I think you will need good drainage so that it doesn't get boggy. I have never used it personally so am not up on the pros and cons of that.
I'm sure if you ask, you will get opinions.
jesterfaerie
Well-Known Member
Mine is out 24/7, last winter he was out 9am-3pm most days and stabled over night.
He will be out 24/7 this year but mine is very good weight wise and doesn't need rugging up with 5 hundred rugs whenever it gets a bit nippy like my friends TB needs.
He will be out 24/7 this year but mine is very good weight wise and doesn't need rugging up with 5 hundred rugs whenever it gets a bit nippy like my friends TB needs.
lucy1984
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you use woodchip then I think you will need good drainage so that it doesn't get boggy. I have never used it personally so am not up on the pros and cons of that.
I'm sure if you ask, you will get opinions.
[/ QUOTE ]
I've got loads of slabs at home come to think of it that I could use
If you use woodchip then I think you will need good drainage so that it doesn't get boggy. I have never used it personally so am not up on the pros and cons of that.
I'm sure if you ask, you will get opinions.
[/ QUOTE ]
I've got loads of slabs at home come to think of it that I could use
1986
Member
well that was also a concern of mine but after seeing the horse it does not seem fizzy at all very laid back and not your "typical" TB.
Am going back for a second viewing and taking my instructor with me for a more knowledgeable pair of eyes to look at horse for all reasons discussed. x
Am going back for a second viewing and taking my instructor with me for a more knowledgeable pair of eyes to look at horse for all reasons discussed. x
air78
Well-Known Member
In short........... Yes
so long as they have enough grass/ haylage and rugs if needed they are fine.
Ziggy_
Well-Known Member
QR
Mine (3/4TB 1/4ID) lives out unrugged 24/7 from April to October. I'd have her out all year round if I could find a yard that offers it.
My horse actually loses most weight when stabled, as she stresses, when rugged, as she sweats up easily, and when fed hard feed, as it sends her so off her head she spends her whole time running round spooking and not eating!
Don't tar all TBs with the same brush - mine is happiest out, even on freezing cold days, unrugged and stuffed full of hay, grass and alfalfa, the only things that don't make her go mental.
The important thing is that you find a routine that suits your individual horse
Mine (3/4TB 1/4ID) lives out unrugged 24/7 from April to October. I'd have her out all year round if I could find a yard that offers it.
My horse actually loses most weight when stabled, as she stresses, when rugged, as she sweats up easily, and when fed hard feed, as it sends her so off her head she spends her whole time running round spooking and not eating!
Don't tar all TBs with the same brush - mine is happiest out, even on freezing cold days, unrugged and stuffed full of hay, grass and alfalfa, the only things that don't make her go mental.
The important thing is that you find a routine that suits your individual horse
millitiger
Well-Known Member
yes i keep them out 24/7.
they are no different to any other breed of horse imo- keep them well fed and warm and they are very happy!
my 4yro tb lived out all winter, through all of the snow, with a maximum of 2 rugs on at the coldest part of winter and only fed hay and a supplement.
she was fat and shiny and worked hard 6 days a week!
they are no different to any other breed of horse imo- keep them well fed and warm and they are very happy!
my 4yro tb lived out all winter, through all of the snow, with a maximum of 2 rugs on at the coldest part of winter and only fed hay and a supplement.
she was fat and shiny and worked hard 6 days a week!
Damnation
Well-Known Member
My dainty little TB mare has been out since the beginning of April 24/7 and will be out until the beginning of November. She prefers to be out but due to grazing restrictions at my yard (4 days a week in the winter) she can't live out 24/7 in the winter although with extra feed she would happily do.
Natalie_H
Well-Known Member
Our 2 live out 24/7/365 - and have done ever since we have had them (one from 3 years old and the other from 4 years old). They are both 10 now, and both came off a racing yard.
Both are happy as anything! They do have a field shelter in each field plus some natural shelter, and we do have our own land (just over 4 acres) so we can rotate between fields. They have been completely naked since the end of March, and will be until the autumn. The heaviest rug either of them wear is a medium weight, and never more than one rug (mine has a dodgy thermostat and gets too hot otherwise!). Should note that we are in the South East where temperatures are generally more reasonable than some other parts of the country!
They both lose weight if ever stabled, and prefer to be out even if windy, raining & cold - they've been given the option! In winter, they have ad-lib hay & two feeds a day (one has chaff & nuts, the other chaff & mix).
Currently they are on one feed a day (purely to give supplements) and out at grass. They cope perfectly. I haven't had weight problems at Winter - although when they get older that may change.
So in conclusion - keeping them out all year round is fine! I obviously can't speak for every horse, but it suits mine down to the ground. Also - in terms of getting a TB as a first horse - don't tar them all with the same brush! Mine is "typical" if you call it that, but my Mum's horse is unbelievably docile, placid, easy going, and unflappable. My instructor often asks to borrow him for beginners to have a go on, and he has been like this since a 3 year old! He really looks after his rider, and is the kindest horse I have met! Good luck!
Both are happy as anything! They do have a field shelter in each field plus some natural shelter, and we do have our own land (just over 4 acres) so we can rotate between fields. They have been completely naked since the end of March, and will be until the autumn. The heaviest rug either of them wear is a medium weight, and never more than one rug (mine has a dodgy thermostat and gets too hot otherwise!). Should note that we are in the South East where temperatures are generally more reasonable than some other parts of the country!
They both lose weight if ever stabled, and prefer to be out even if windy, raining & cold - they've been given the option! In winter, they have ad-lib hay & two feeds a day (one has chaff & nuts, the other chaff & mix).
Currently they are on one feed a day (purely to give supplements) and out at grass. They cope perfectly. I haven't had weight problems at Winter - although when they get older that may change.
So in conclusion - keeping them out all year round is fine! I obviously can't speak for every horse, but it suits mine down to the ground. Also - in terms of getting a TB as a first horse - don't tar them all with the same brush! Mine is "typical" if you call it that, but my Mum's horse is unbelievably docile, placid, easy going, and unflappable. My instructor often asks to borrow him for beginners to have a go on, and he has been like this since a 3 year old! He really looks after his rider, and is the kindest horse I have met! Good luck!
MissSBird
Well-Known Member
My tb is out at the moment 24/7 (well was, she's now on box-rest
), naked if its dry or with a rain sheet if its wet (I don't have time to wait for her to dry to ride after work). She's quite happy that way. She's been out since May.
She has to come in around November as it's yard rules and shall be in during the night from then on until May. When the weather gets cold and wet she does tend to get miserable however and starts hanging around the gate wanting to come in, so this suits her just fine.
She has to come in around November as it's yard rules and shall be in during the night from then on until May. When the weather gets cold and wet she does tend to get miserable however and starts hanging around the gate wanting to come in, so this suits her just fine.