Do you turn your horses out in the snow?

[NicoleS_007]

Just to ask, those of you who don't turn out in the snow, do you also not turn out in the mud? What about when the ground is baked rock hard in summer? All of these could cause injuries. Then again your horse could get cast in the stable and break a leg...

I just don't get it...

Well mine managed to break a leg just cantering in the field and the ground was just a tad damp so id say your asking for trouble in frozen, rutted, snowy ground?? But just my opinion

 

[jokadoka]

What does everybody do to stop snow "balling" in their horses feet?
Mine is shod and I have tried to turn him out in the snow - with loads of hoof oil and also with stockholm tar - doesn't seem to make any difference. Doesn't matter if i turn him out for 30 minutes or 3 hours or the full day, he'll always come back in with huge "platforms" which does worry me! Suggestions?

 

[monkeybum13]

Yes, with a nice pile of hay.
She loves the snow!

 

[Amos]

Just had to add this picture of my daughters pony in the snow. He just dug a hole and ate the grass - typical welshie

 

[prosefullstop]

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.

Enfys, though the snow where I am is nowhere near as heavy as in Canada, do you have to be concerned about ice? There's snow on the ground from December-April/May in the NY area, and many people seem to move their horses to a barn with adjoining indoor arena, with extremely limited turnout during these months. I don't like the sound of that, but I'm just trying to learn what will/won't be feasible, as--if and when we buy a place for horses--I'd really like to do 24/7/365 turnout.

 

[somethingorother]

Well mine managed to break a leg just cantering in the field and the ground was just a tad damp so id say your asking for trouble in frozen, rutted, snowy ground?? But just my opinion

That's my point. It's called an accident. But i would rather my horse have a good quality of life and die early, than a long life where it can't be 'a horse'.

Sorry that you had to go through that, but it's the same as humans. Some of us slip and break our legs on ice, some of us in our own homes, and some of us whilst riding/ motorbiking/ skydiving.

Ice is another story, but snow is a soft landing and they soon get used to it.

 

[Kayfm]

my boy goes out in most cases. Unless it is the real extrem. He is a giant size horse and wouldnt want him locked up for too long bless him.

 

[somethingorother]

I just suit my turn out to my horse, for me one size does not fit all. He simply does not like being out in the cold or wet so he isn't. What I don't want to see is my horse bringing himself in after taking the gate off its hinges.

He happily lives out all summer but around the end of August starts to ask to come in at night, then from Oct. likes to be stabled.

Fany stays out as long as possible and is happy like that.

So please don't judge people because they do not do what you do. As I said it really is all about suiting your horse not everyone should do the same.

I just don't get why people think it should be ...

I was talking more about those who don't turn out in the snow because their horse 'could slip and break a leg'. Obviously if your horse isn't happy out then don't have it out. But many of them are.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

That's my point. It's called an accident. But i would rather my horse have a good quality of life and die early, than a long life where it can't be 'a horse'.

Sorry that you had to go through that, but it's the same as humans. Some of us slip and break our legs on ice, some of us in our own homes, and some of us whilst riding/ motorbiking/ skydiving.

Ice is another story, but snow is a soft landing and they soon get used to it.

Please don't assume that other people's horses don't have good quality of life. My lad has an excellent quality of life, he makes some of his own decisions, one being that he does not like being out in the snow, wind or rain. He much prefers his 16 x 20 warm stable with ad lib haylage and his toys. That is his preference, he is good at making known his wishes.

Just as Fany is, she does not wish to be in her stable anymore than she needs to be, hence she is out in all weathers, unrugged I might add.

I think it is more important to listen to what your horse wants than to listen to what other people do and follow them.

 

[somethingorother]

Please don't assume that other people's horses don't have good quality of life. My lad has an excellent quality of life, he makes some of his own decisions, one being that he does not like being out in the snow, wind or rain. He much prefers his 16 x 20 warm stable with ad lib haylage and his toys. That is his preference, he is good at making known his wishes.

Just as Fany is, she does not wish to be in her stable anymore than she needs to be, hence she is out in all weathers, unrugged I might add.

I think it is more important to listen to what your horse wants than to listen to what other people do and follow them.

Please see above.

 

[measles]

The little ponies go out but not the horses - I wouldn't risk their legs.

 

[horses13]

Absolutely.
We have two new foals born 4th October and last night. I heard a comment about rugs - No way!!! They will be out in all weathers as nature intended.

 

[NicoleS_007]

That's my point. It's called an accident. But i would rather my horse have a good quality of life and die early, than a long life where it can't be 'a horse'.

Sorry that you had to go through that, but it's the same as humans. Some of us slip and break our legs on ice, some of us in our own homes, and some of us whilst riding/ motorbiking/ skydiving.

Ice is another story, but snow is a soft landing and they soon get used to it.

Good point which i wont argue with ... I've learnt the hard way that horses legs are fragile and not to be messed with so i would personally not take the risk, as if i did and ended in another broken leg id blame myself, as it could have been prevented.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Please see above.

You posted at the same time as me.

 

[Rose Folly]

Yes, always, but keeping an eye on them. They're out from 9am to dusk if it's still and quiet and snowy, with shelter if they wish it, and plenty of haylange in piles on the ground - and if it's a really lovely day we take their rugs off and they have a really good roll (but they're not clipped).

 

[Stinkbomb]

Noooooooooooooo....................

Its just down right cruel to turn out in the snow, especially without rugs!!!!

 

[haras]

yes, i do. although only if it is safe to get them from the stable to the field.

 

[hudsonw]

Nope, the yard is too slippy and I'm not going bum over boob just to turn my horse out for half an hour in the snow.
We're not allowed to put hay out in the fields so they wouldn't have anything to eat anyway.
When there is snow on the ground ours go on the horse walker otherwise they seem quite happy munching on their hay, tucked up as snug as bugs.
However a couple of people risked the ice rink to turn their horses out and they just stood by the gate looking really peeved off!!!
I'm lucky that I have horses that don't mind being in thier stables but if I had a stress head then a slow and steady slip to the field is unavoidable!!!

 

[JessPickle]

Ours are in, in winter, they are in at night, out in the day. They go out in snow providing we can get them to there field! problem is path to field is uphill and there field is near the top, however when we can we do! otherwise we turnout in the indoor school.

I love this one of me and Pickle in the snow! couldn't resist putting it on

 

[Toast]

Absolutely.
We have two new foals born 4th October and last night. I heard a comment about rugs - No way!!! They will be out in all weathers as nature intended.

Even when they were born so late? Not criticizing just curious...
x

 

[criso]

I think it is more important to listen to what your horse wants than to listen to what other people do and follow them.

And Frankie says Yes Please

 

[minime]

Some of you have mentioned the problem of snow building up in their feet. I have special winter shoes put on. Not only do they have small studs on them but they also have rubber soles put in which solves the problem and has absolutely no side effects for horse or me. This also prevents any problems with ice and allows me to ride all year round. As soon as the winter is over I go back to normal shoes.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

And Frankie says Yes Please

Exactly. What a cutie!
FDC

 

[SusannaF]

On a horse by horse basis Two different equine responses to snow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tVZFB8hsA&p=7FC5699FF0807B41&playnext=1&index=49

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzBGeEpCU7c

 

[DragonSlayer]

Mine live out 24/7 so no choice there....besides, they are horses.........what did they do before stables were invented?

Sure, add a few layers when it gets cold, and do stuff to the feet to prevent snow build-up....but it's why I have my own land now, I make the choice to let them live out.

If you want your horses to live in, then thats fine, but it's the people who try to tell you that you are being evil keeping them out that annoy me....and yes, I've come across a few of those!

Funny that, at my old yard, mine lived out (had the choice at first.....) and those stabled came down with coughs, colds, swollen legs, blah blah blah....not a problem at all in my lot! New YO who panicked everytime a dark cloud came overhead forced us to move on, my horses only allowed for a few hours?? Not for me!

 

[perfect11s]

Um can we have less talk about snow and please no christmas stuff its still quite warm and sunny here thankfully... if you have snow please keep it to yourself

 

[ginadrummond]

Um can we have less talk about snow and please no christmas stuff its still quite warm and sunny here thankfully... if you have snow please keep it to yourself

Absolutely agree with this - all this talk about the winter and forecasts of even more snow than last year. We had about 2 feet for 3 months and mine lived out fine - all got rings on feet due slow growth though!

 

[Weezy]

Yes if I can get them there safely. Our problem is our huge concrete yard and side return, it is slippy anyway and we spend our lives gritting.

As for stopping snow build up, I don't pick out the hooves before they go out, and I find the straw helps stop build up - not foolproof, but best I have come up with!

 

[lizzie_liz]

Last winter mine lived out 24/7 and she was very happy.. It was the first time we have been at a yard to do this. We had snow from November, this melted then froze and then it snowed on top and kept snowing. We had a good couple of feet of snow in the end and lasted for months.

Every field has a hay ring for round bale of hay, so they always have food. After last winter I would now always make sure I have 24/7 turnout regardless of weather. Rugs are so good nowadays that you havent got to worry about them slipping etc. Mine Had only front shoes on but the snow didn't ball up too much. If mine had been coming in tona stable I would have had more problems trying to lead her to a field and she would have stood in her stable ad just banged, probay resulting in her going lame again!

My personal opinion is that if you keep your horse in because of the snow and risk of injury is likely to increase when they go out again. I was at a yard with limited winter turnout but we also had a horsewalker so they could go on that. As the walker ad stables were connected and indoor we didnt have to worry about slipping on the ice

 

[smellsofhorse]

I do for a few hours, put some hay out and they enjoy a run around and a roll!

people think that eating the snow will cause colic, but this is less likely if your horse has regular turnout in all weathers.

Some people hardly turnout in the winter then do when it snows as theres no mud!
These horses are more likely to get colic as all they have been eating is dry hay and not frosty grass!

Its when the snow melts we get wet fields!