Jingleballs
Well-Known Member
I'm moving house in November & due a baby in December. Horse is moving too and I've found a lovely new yard where he can live out all winter in a nice well draining field with hay when the grazing starts to struggle & flowing water.
He's a cob, likes being out in all weather as long as there is something to eat. In the 8 years I've owned him he's always been stabled at night in winter purely due to the lack of all year turn where we currently live.
Y/O will check on him daily and feed etc as required as I won't always manage up every day immediately pre and post baby.
The field is a wee bit of a walk from the yard but not too far and you can actually drive up to the field gate and there is a safe off road area to park/groom/tack up.
I'm lucky that I'll mostly be able to go up during the day to check on him - even if it's a case of just driving up with baby in care and giving him a quick check.
Having never had a horse live out all winter before with no access to a stable (although could arrange something in an emergency), what do I need to take into consideration.
I'm thinking mud fever/thrush might be an issue so going to have to make sure his legs are regularly covered in pig oil and was thinking of using something like this for his feet - https://redhorseproducts.com/shop-2/hoof-care/field-paste/
I'm also thinking a powerful torch and maybe something like dobson & horrell equibites to make sure he gets all the vits he needs or maybe some sort of mineral lick.
He'll be left unclipped and rugged if needed as the field doesn't have tonnes of shelter.
Anything else I'm missing or need to take into consideration?
He's a cob, likes being out in all weather as long as there is something to eat. In the 8 years I've owned him he's always been stabled at night in winter purely due to the lack of all year turn where we currently live.
Y/O will check on him daily and feed etc as required as I won't always manage up every day immediately pre and post baby.
The field is a wee bit of a walk from the yard but not too far and you can actually drive up to the field gate and there is a safe off road area to park/groom/tack up.
I'm lucky that I'll mostly be able to go up during the day to check on him - even if it's a case of just driving up with baby in care and giving him a quick check.
Having never had a horse live out all winter before with no access to a stable (although could arrange something in an emergency), what do I need to take into consideration.
I'm thinking mud fever/thrush might be an issue so going to have to make sure his legs are regularly covered in pig oil and was thinking of using something like this for his feet - https://redhorseproducts.com/shop-2/hoof-care/field-paste/
I'm also thinking a powerful torch and maybe something like dobson & horrell equibites to make sure he gets all the vits he needs or maybe some sort of mineral lick.
He'll be left unclipped and rugged if needed as the field doesn't have tonnes of shelter.
Anything else I'm missing or need to take into consideration?