Horses that turn into wimps in winter - turn out issues

dollymix

dollymix

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Does anyone else have a horse that just hates to be turned out in winter?

My welshie is fine in summer and is out 24/7 but in winter she is a NIGHTMARE!! After about 20 mins in the field she starts pacing up and down the fence closest to the yard, usually neighing her head off if she sees anyone and sometimes even trotting back and forth at the fence so she comes in dripping in sweat if left for any period of time. I've tried ignoring her (now have lovely deep trenches on my field perimeter)

She has company and I put hay in the field, but she is just not interested in being out in the winter!! It's a real issue with her! As my friend put it, 'She is a real welshie'! - i.e a drama queen!
 
Yes, I have one. She does exactly that, especially if weather is bad. Or yesterday, the weather was good but I was working with another horse (god forbid) in the arena, which is in sight of the turnout fields. That set her off. I couldn't bring mine in because the whole reason I was working with the other one is that she has issues being in by herself that her owner wants sorted, and if I brought in my neurotic creature, that would have defeated the whole purpose...but nevermind.

Wearing a rug with a hood helps with the weather issue, a bit.
 
My TB is the same you would swear that he had a calendar in his stable as every year come october half term no matter what the weather or which field he is in he just paces up and down the fence line regardless. He just likes to be in his routine. This year I have my own yard and fields and in theory he could stay out but even though he has plenty of grass, company and shelter he just wants to come in. I am perserving at the moment by bringing him in for food and riding and when it is wet and leaving him out when dry. but i can see me breaking soon. He is a wimp!
 
My I/D is the same she would rather be in the dry warm stable munching on nice hay, rather than outside in the field. She is always standing by the gate waiting to come in by about 3, if she hears my car then she will start Yelling just to let me know she is there lol
 
Is it the winter or is it that most of the other horses are in?
I know some will disagree but:

Every horse I have ever owned has lived out 24/7. They have the choice to use the barn which is well strawed and comfortable. Fields are hedged and have trees. They are rugged appropriately and fed outside. I have never found one wanting to come in! I put their hay in the barn if there's a blizzard, purely out of my own human instinct to keep warm, I'm sure they couldn't care less :)
 
Yes, I'm so glad my pony isn't the only one. I keep him at home - he's on his own but has my neighbours horses living out in the field next to him. He could easily be turned out all through the winter but every single year without fail come mid October he throws a complete fit about being out. Spends the whole time charging around and trys to bolt in when I go to fetch him in. He spends the winter in a woodchip turnout area or the yard/stable and he's much happier this way - I see little point in making him stay somewhere he is clearly unhappy.
 
My foals (well yearling & 2 yr old) stand by the gate all day wanting to come in. Both are native types & elder one lived out all her first winter, but halfway through last winter it was so horrid I started bringing them in at night to save feilds

They now both firmly believe they will melt in the rain therefore should be tucked up warm all day & all night with lots of nice hay :D

Interstingly their mum's would be quite happy out 24/7 but my Shetland has been known to break out of feild to bring herself in before!

Wusses :rolleyes:
 
You should try owning my horse then, Nudibranch.

When she starts her fencewalking thing, everyone else is out and quite content, standing with their heads down and butts to the wind and rain.
 
My mare is the same, ive had to ask YO to start bringing her in at lunch.

All other horses are out and across the other side of the field munching and my mare is stood kicking the gate. Doesn't even matter if it's a nice day.

She don't care bout being in the stable block on her own either. She's much happier in there.

I would rather her out, costs me less but she won't have none of it. And god forbid if another horse comes in before her . . .
 
really glad it's not just me. I would far far far prefer her to be out as it actually helps her a lot (she has spavins so is best with plenty of turnout), but sadly she isn't having any of it. She reckons mud is beneath her and refuses point blank to stay out - even with company and hay. She has broken through the electric fence numerous times to get back to the yard. Stupid, infuriating hoss
 
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