Daisy1905
Well-Known Member
The new yard I am planning on moviing to does not turn out when it has snowed and I am not happy about it 
Do you turn your horses out in the snow?
- Thread starter Daisy1905
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blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
i don't - increased risk of injury and laminitis in the cobs but each to there own ...
Blitz
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Montyforever
Well-Known Member
For about half hour while i muck out, do hays/waters ect. Normally theyre standing by the gate wanting to come in by then anyway
TelH
Well-Known Member
My ponies are at home, if it snows a lot they go on restricted turnout, maybe 2-3 hours a day depending how bad it is, and they have hay in the field, but I do like them to go out every day
Honey08
Waffled a lot!
Yes. They absolutely love it, and I love the fact that the mud is covered up! We put piles of hay out for them too (always one more than the no of horses!).
Why does snow effect laminitus? I've never heard of that. Frosts yes, but not snow surely? The grass is all covered up, and its soft and cool on the feet. Our lami pony did fine in the snow last year, and it was around for ages..
Why does snow effect laminitus? I've never heard of that. Frosts yes, but not snow surely? The grass is all covered up, and its soft and cool on the feet. Our lami pony did fine in the snow last year, and it was around for ages..
Shysmum
Well-Known Member
Yes - in at night, out in the day. Shy loves the snow tbh, and he's certainly had plenty of practice now
badgerdog
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't be happy about it either. I think there's more risk of injury if they aren't turned out for days on end because of the snow and when they do get out they go ballistic.
Mine are out 24/7 anyway so it isn't an issue.
Mine are out 24/7 anyway so it isn't an issue.
PC Steele
Well-Known Member
Completely agree Badgerdog you will have an increased risk of injury turning out a horse that has been kept in for a few days!!! Not to mention the risk to the handlers!!! The Laminitis quote is a new one for me never heard that before!!! Put some hay in the field and let them get on with it. They love rolling in it anyway obviously it is different for each horse but I wouldnt be happy either
KarynK
Well-Known Member
Mine live out so yes and we had about a foot last winter, they are fed add lib big bale haylage so at least I did not have to panic about getting to them as the top lane had 3ft drifts!!! The youngsters were playing in it and with it and no slipping at all on the grass!
My Canadian mare did her quarantine out with just wind breaks in minus 40 and lower temps and came over looking very well!
I think some yards were worried about horses slipping on concrete and tarmac surfaces and some laid down mucky straw to help this.
Must admit am curious as to why Laminitis would be a problem?
My Canadian mare did her quarantine out with just wind breaks in minus 40 and lower temps and came over looking very well!
I think some yards were worried about horses slipping on concrete and tarmac surfaces and some laid down mucky straw to help this.
Must admit am curious as to why Laminitis would be a problem?
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
We certainly do! One of my nicest memories of my WelshDxTB and the Section A pony, both of whom are sadly long departed, is of them chasing each other over a jump which had been left out, when we turned them out into the schooling paddock, as it was the only flat area available one year in deep snow.
I'm another who thinks that there is greater risk of injury if they are left in for days on end because of the snow. We had snow on the ground for 10 weeks last year, surely no-one would expect them to stay in all that time.
I'm another who thinks that there is greater risk of injury if they are left in for days on end because of the snow. We had snow on the ground for 10 weeks last year, surely no-one would expect them to stay in all that time.
maggiesmum
Well-Known Member
Yep, they go out come rain, shine, hell or high water.... They went out everyday last winter when lots of others were kept in because of the weather, the trouble with keeping them in is when the snow still hasn't receded after 6 weeks (like last winter) they're going out of their minds and putting them out is then fraught with danger! So no I wouldn't be happy at all with that.
katherine1975
Well-Known Member
When it snowed here, I turned them out and left them out as it was far too dangerous to lead them in and out on an icy drive. Just fed them lots of haylage and made sure they had water. Think it is safer and nicer for the horses to be out. Don't think they would have coped being in 24/7 for a long period of time.
Alphekka
Active Member
Unless the snow is really horrendous she's out. Then again Allie's out pretty much 24/7, keeping her in takes truly dire weather.
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blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
lami can be caused by concussion also it is actually caused by decrease in blood flow to the lamina. This can be made worse by cold weather -- My vet advised against it in the lami prone welshes. also frozen grass apparentl,y condtains something called fructans which again can increase the chances of lami. Having had 3 horses over the years with lami I'm not inclined to risk it.
Blitz
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Holly831
Well-Known Member
Does this answer your question??
My horses love it!!
My horses love it!!
Alphekka
Active Member
I love that photo!
Shysmum
Well-Known Member
Having a game of carrot chasing
Honey08
Waffled a lot!
Fructans are in frozen grass, thats true, which is why you have to keep them off frosty fields, but with a covering of snow on top, and hay to eat, its a different story. Same for concussion - I can understand that on frosty ground, but not soft snow.
My own vet, and my non-practicing vet friend both said it would be fine for out sec A with lami...
Anyway, each to their own.x
OneInAMillion
Well-Known Member
Those without shoes spend the whole day out. 2 natives dig holes in the snow to get the grass and the tb mare has plenty of hay in field shelter. Horses with shoes get restricted grazing
Shysmum
Well-Known Member
sometimes you have to stop worrying and just let them have fun - like kids let loose in a sweetie shop
Twinkle Twinkle
Well-Known Member
My girl is out 24/7 so yes she will be out in the snow,she does have a choice to go in the stable with a nice warm bed and haylage.
Mrs B
Well-Known Member
Yes, we turn out. We couldn't get them up the farm track last year, so had them out on the lower fields everyday. Just a few precautions: all get turned out at the same time and head collars off together - so no one gets tanked with by an excited gg chasing after their mates or dragged down the yard because someone else is already out and having a ball!
I love to see them play and TBO it makes them a hell of a lot safer to get back on once the snow finally goes....
I love to see them play and TBO it makes them a hell of a lot safer to get back on once the snow finally goes....
Enfys
Well-Known Member
No, I just don't bring them in
Everything is out and lives out, we have frozen ground/snow on the ground for 4 or 5 months, no grass whatsoever, if I had to keep horses in, mine or my Boarders, then I'd give up and move to the city.
Everything is out and lives out, we have frozen ground/snow on the ground for 4 or 5 months, no grass whatsoever, if I had to keep horses in, mine or my Boarders, then I'd give up and move to the city.
hannahmurphy
Well-Known Member
Yeah mine goes out for an hour or so, goes mental, races up and down, rolls for ages, paws at it etc! Then when he's had enough he comes back in!
When we had that first lot the other year I couldnt even get him to the field! As soon as he touched the pristine snow en route to the field he took off and flew up and down past me about 3 times before I could catch him! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
When we had that first lot the other year I couldnt even get him to the field! As soon as he touched the pristine snow en route to the field he took off and flew up and down past me about 3 times before I could catch him! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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Balibee
Well-Known Member
My Beastie goes out in all weather! Woudln't ahve it any other way BUT only because he can cope, others may not so again it all comes down to personal preference. He loves it! as you can see
He had just got up from a roll and decided to have a kick about!
as you can see
He had just got up from a roll and decided to have a kick about!
Alphekka
Active Member
Loving the snow pictures!
nativetyponies
Well-Known Member
mine live out in the snow..and the rain, and the sun, and the wind, and the fog....
somethingorother
Well-Known Member
Of course, they're horses. As long as we can get them out over a frozen yard. Last year in the end all 5 arabs just lived out in a foot or more of snow, because it was safer than bringing them in and out over the yard. They all thrived, their legs looked great- no mud fever, and they were all actually rather fat by the end of it from having haylage all the time. When they were just out for a few hours then they hooned around, but not when they were out in it all the time. It's nice to see them playing. The fell over once or twice but it's a soft landing. I'm sure it will be the same this year and they will all still be in one piece by the end.
lachlanandmarcus
Well-Known Member
As soon as I have hand dug a tunnel to their fields, yes of course! If I didnt, they would have been in for 3 MONTHS last year!
I always make sure they have hay/haylage tho as big chap tends to eat the snow and get tum ache, hes fine if theres haylage out.
Heres the snowy fun! (and this was one of the lower snow level days!)
I always make sure they have hay/haylage tho as big chap tends to eat the snow and get tum ache, hes fine if theres haylage out.
Heres the snowy fun! (and this was one of the lower snow level days!)
Daisy2
Well-Known Member
Does this answer your question??
My horses love it!!
Interested what breed are your horses - draught? I have a comtois, looks like them, sorry if they are fine TB's with winter coats