Going to go with a different angle "not a moan" Stabling

kerrieberry2

kerrieberry2

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Okay so I'm not going to moan about the heat because we will all be moaning about the amount of rain we are having in a couple of months time!

So at the weekend, I was worried about the heat, so tried to bring the nags into their New, MASSIVE, shady concrete stables, which were nice and cool! either of them were impressed and pretty much pulled me back out!

My mares not been stabled for 10yrs because she used to get too stressed but last winter spent most of her time in the shelter, she's 28 now, so feel its like for her to not be out 24/7 in really bad weather! The boy is 3 and hasn't been stabled before, other than when he was first born!

So I want to get them used to coming in and chilling in the stables during the summer before I start leaving them in at night during the winter! whats the best way to get them to enjoy the rest?

I know someone had a similar post the other day but I cant find it, so suggestions welcome!

Oh also, I'm the only person on the yard! have 2 horses and a mini and 4 stables, so I can't get them to come in with some other sensible horses!
 
Could you make (largeish) fenced area around the yard, and bring them into that during the day, with haynets in the stables but the doors open, so they can gradually wander in? Perhaps leave carrots or something in them too. So you're not forcing them in, but letting them go in casually and out of curiosity. Once they realise its cool and there are nice things in there, they may not find them so stressful..
 
I could give that a go, I have a man coming this weekend to fence off an area next to the field so they can get into the barn for shelter, so could see if he thinks he can fence that bit off too! but its all concrete as its on a working farm, so will probably have to drill holes to get posts in! but will see how much he thinks that will be! I wouldn't feel half as bad doing it that way!
 
Was concerned about my youngsters last winter as they had not been in before. I did as suggested above. My stables are in my paddock so I left them in he paddock with doors open. I gave them a small feed inside with doors shut each day and some grooming etc. I then left water and hay inside with doors open.

It did not take them long to decide they liked to be inside out of the worst weather and they are still using them for shade this summer, they go inside to rest and lie down. I in the end decided to leave them with access but not closed in and for me this works well, but if they need to be shut in they are quite happy.
 
did you ever find that they went in the same stable together? I was thinking of putting them both in together for moral support haha! the stables a really big, so wouldn't be too squishy? but If I can get it fenced off I wouldn't worry soo much! but I'm thinking it will be quite a job to get some more posts in that area! at least they will have the barn next week though!
 
They often go in to get her, share hay in one box then move to the other. They lie down together in same box, and one really snowy bad day in the spring and they spent all day lying in same box together.

I also have a small stone barn in the field and at present they spend lots of time in their together as it is the coolest place!
 
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