I have made my decision - your thoughts appreciated

My thin skinned TB x WB loved being out as much as possible. My supposedly hardy ISH (all 3 of them) have been complete wimps with a clock as to how long they stay out. My boy is one of the very few on our yard who doesnt switch in summer to being out at night and missing out on the flies. YO got fed up after he made his point on numerous occasions and broke down fencing! He will actually start to yell for his slaves to come and get him in after a couple of hours!
 
Many thanks to all of you for your support. Sorry not to have responded before but I can only get internet access at work!

In answer to some questions, I have done all the necessary to ensure he could be happy in his field, but, it seems, certainly during the winter that a good roll and 15 minutes grass is all he wants and then it's in.

He has also jumped the gate several times and brought himself in (a 20 minute walk all the way back to his stable) - nobody panic here, I am on a private gated country estate so no roads involved but jumping 5 bar gate and home while I am at work is not ideal to say the least!!

I also make sure he has ad lib hay, snack ball and plenty of succulents, grooming, mirrors and fuss. I agree that his past management (not while I owned him) has contributed to this behaviour but I just want him to be happy and I felt awful the other day that he looked soo fed up.

Many thanks again, will keep your advice to mind and will remember that I am doing what is best for him - I must be, the mucking out is horrendous"!!
 
I was going to bring my 26 year old horse in at night at the end of October (has a week to settle before the fireworks) but brought her in 6 days early as she was just standing at the gate looking fed up. There isn't any grass and no chance of another field. Its muddy, she has arthritis and only lies down in her stable so has been on her feet since April. Every night now she RUNS into her stable and chows down on her feed, looking relaxed and thoroughly pleased with herself. She lies down at least once and looks forward to going out for the day after breakfast. Best of both worlds in my opinion. I suspect that many people leave them out all winter simply because they don't want to have to get up early to see to them. Living the natural life is all very well if you have loads of grazing, well drained land and adquate shelter. If you don't then you have to compromise.
 
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