Frosty cold night

[ThreeWBs]

Starting to feel a little guilty for leaving my boys out tonight. It’s given -5 to -10°c, but no rain or wind. They have rugs (both clipped, but they do live out most the time) on and they have both hay and haylage to munch, but the field is like concrete! It isn’t rutted and it does a good covering of (frozen) grass.. but I’m still pretty sure they’re missing their big comfy beds!

I’m clearly the worst owner!

 

[oldie48]

Yes but you won't have to muck out tomorrow, so not all bad! Seriously, if they are used to being out they'll be fine.

 

[Sprig]

I bet they are much happier out than in.

 

[Abby-Lou]

I have buckled and put a rug on one of mine, she came in wet and has a trace clip, looked at overnight temp possibly going down to -5. The other one totally different finer coat and was drying off nicely and could do to drop a dress size so have left her naked.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

They will be absolutely fine, I'm sure.

 

[irishdraft]

I left mine out last night -6 they are normally out but had a few nights in cause of constant rain . I was worried but checked them at 6am absolutely fine warm under their rugs and quite happy although the grass was frozen solid.

 

[jumbyjack]

My shetlands are chaser clipped and wearing 50g turnout rugs during the day and 100g stable rugs at night! One does feel the cold but I'm a terrible wimp about my spoiled ponies. In the village there are two trotter type mares, they are not rugged,they have access to a haylage bale and the field is walled so reasonable shelter. They are both fine, I've never see either of them shiver.

 

[Squeak]

Mine are out - including my TB. The TB had ice on his whiskers the other day but he was still happy and warm. They'll be absolutely fine

 

[Archangel]

Both mine are still out unrugged. It is very cold but also wonderfully still and they are very perky and happy. Once it goes back to typical Welsh weather, rain, rain and more rain plus a howling gale they will be in at night.

 

[HashRouge]

Mine are always out in cold weather! I much prefer it as the field is drier and I don't have to worry about the oldie and wet legs (she's prone to mud rash). The oldie had a big rug w/ neck cover on but my Welsh was out last night with no rug on. I don't think it would be significantly warmer in the stable tbh - not like they have central heating - and at least in the field they can move around.

 

[southerncomfort]

We had yet more snow last night and predicted temperature of -4° so I did bring them in overnight. Usually I'm quite happy to leave out but the snow was too thick to dig for grass.

They are quite happy to be out today. Personally, though it looks pretty, I'm very much looking forward to the milder temperatures next week!

 

[meleeka]

Mine are always out in cold weather! I much prefer it as the field is drier and I don't have to worry about the oldie and wet legs (she's prone to mud rash). The oldie had a big rug w/ neck cover on but my Welsh was out last night with no rug on. I don't think it would be significantly warmer in the stable tbh - not like they have central heating - and at least in the field they can move around.

My oldie has stayed out. I’m making the most of the dry fields and I think she’s happier being able to move around. Because it’s dry I’ve been able to put her turnout boots on to keep her legs warm too but she certainly looks happy.

I had to sit still in the cold yesterday and I was much warmer when I was able to get moving again.

 

[MissTyc]

I only ever bring mine in in winter when it rains, and then that is only because one has a weak ligament and I worry about the slippery ground ... These cold, frosty days/nights are fantastic for horses who can move about freely to stay warm and well

 

[Ranyhyn]

Mine live out 24/7 and i dont feel in the slightest bit guilty!

 

[Abby-Lou]

Took the rug off my shetland at lunchtime she had dried out and was turned out to go roll in the snow. The have been out for an hour and the Connemara felt it was a bit difficult digging for grass and asked to come back in, will leave until 3pm

 

[Sir barnaby]

Mine are out, thoroughbred rugged but not clipped pregnant mare naked but has thick coat. All the other liveries all with unclipped fat cob ponies usually wrapped in thick neck rugs were indoors as ‘too cold’ to be out. They frown at me but unless it wet and windy mine are so much happier mooching around the field it’s not poached and they get lots of hay, I use warm water to damp feeds in the morning and offer a tub of warm fresh water in the morning too while I break up all the ice in the troughs. Much more natural, thoroughbred always toasty warm when I put hands under his rug.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My 2 Arabs are back out most nights now it's dry they are half clipped although the hair is growing back now, they are in medium weight no neck rugs and they are fine never feel cold and they seem happier to be back out at night.

 

[Pedantic]

Dry with adequate food and water and rugged to suit clip, cant see a problem.