I feel so guilty...

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vicm2509

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...for turning my horse out this morning
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Baron goes out to grass in the day and is stabled at night. I like to turn him out whenever possible and only usually keep him in if the weather is really bad. So got him ready and took him down the field. As he got a few steps into the mud I realised it was almost totally frozen! He was finding it really hard to get through it. As he was half way through I could either turn him around and bring him back or help him through, either way he would have to go through the same amount of mud, and by this time there is no way I would have had time to do his bed, hay, water etc. So I put his headcoller on and led him though. He was finding it so hard and I really didnt know what to do for the best, The mud usually goes half way up the cannon bone, about the first 4 inches was solid and he was finding it really hard to get through it.

I am now sat here in work worried sick. The rest of the field will be ok, its just the bit by the gate that is really muddy. Im scared incase hes damaged his legs by putting such strain on them.

I will definatly be up early tomorrow incase its the same again so I can keep him in.

He is well rugged with a MW stable with HW Taka full neck on although hes all clipped except his legs.

Am I cruel for turning him out? I usually like to keep him moving in this cold weather as I feel it does him no good standing in when its so cold, but I felt I took that to the extreme today, its just I really didnt realise how cold it actually was until he was half way through the mud.

There were others out but I just felt so bad. I cant wait until 4pm so I can get him back in and check hes ok.

What would you have done?
 
I wouldnt worry... horses just know when somethings not right. Our turnout is about 1/4 mile down a country lane, and Checky was walking soooo slowly cos it was icey on the road.

Try not to worry, im sure he will be fine.

I have to turn mine out or there is a riot the next morning when he goes out, its just not worth it, and lets face it if we kept in when, wet, icey etc - i dont think that they would be out much!!!!

I use the Taka Full neck as well - its the snuggliest rug for this weather!!
 
Don't worry, we've turned ours out too. He'll be absolutely fine - and far better mentally for having been able to go out, stretch his legs and see a bit of the world.
 
Not sure why you're worrying and why you think its cruel! Mine all live out 24/7 (including a hunter clipped TB x Luso) and yes the muddy patches are frozen solid so not easy to walk on. But horses are designed for any ground conditions really, they're clever - they just go slowly on it! Id only worry if the horse was tearing around on it.

Much kinder to turn him out than leave him in.
 
Thank you, I am not feeling quite so bad now. It was just when he got half way though and looked at me as if to say 'what am I suppoesed to do mum' that I felt REALLY bad. That is when I put his headcoller back on and led him through.

I hate those situations when you don't know what to do for the best, then sit there worrying incase you did the wrong thing
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Relax
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he will be fine , Got my 2 out , they have been out the past 2 nights although I dont think its as cold over here as it is in england , was -2 at its lowest last night but I think its better for them to be out and moving instead of stuck in a cold stable .

Missy is wearing a full neck heavyweight turnout and tommy is wearing his stable rug and a full neck MW turnout as hes clipped .
 
He's a horse for God's sake! I really wouldn't worry my dear. I think we often frget that before we start riding them, they (most of the time) spend a good few years out in all weathers so I'm sure he's quite used to it. The ground will thaw out a bit anyway.

What a lucky horse to have such a caring owner!
 
You done the right thing for popping him out - just think he is now wandering around his field grazing and smiling and not bored stuck in his stable.

When you get up there later, boil a kettle and give him a nice warm tea - that should do the trick
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Dont feel guilty and NO you are not cruel - you sound a very caring mummy!!
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LB xx
 
It was just the way he was walking through it, I was worried incase he strained his legs. The mud is the really clay type mud that sucks and he was stuggling to get through. He just stood there and wouldnt go until I got his headcoller on and he followed me.

I can relax now, and feel a bit silly for being so overprotective. I am sure he will be happily grazing and by the time I get him back in all the mud will have thawed
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turning him out was the right thing to do. horses are built to withstand cold weather (someone posted a wonderful in-depth article about it on here, i have it if you want, very enlightening), unlike humans, and we anthropomorphise them way too much. fwiw my lot were all out overnight on the frozen ground and are perfectly happy this morning.
 
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