In or out?

Katie__Connie

Katie__Connie

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Do you think your horses prefer to live in or out over the winter... i could do either with my pony this year but i wonder which one he would prefer... obviously its hard to tell as we dont speak horse!!
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But would love to hear your opinions... which do you think is better?

Thanks...!!
 
I think in, My girlie and my past lil man love coming in and being groomed wrapped up in a thick rug or 2 or 3 lol and they always snuggle into their deep beds and look happy, If theyre left out any later than 6 they sulk.But depends on what they are used to
 
Our old fjord is out all the time my 14 yr old has just started to come in when i got my 4 yr old last week, but this is to keep them handled regularly and so no favourtism but i bet they would prefer to be out with the old boy after all stables are really a human invention for our convienance.
 
Out. My boy doesn't understand the notion of being stabled, he hates standing still and doesn't relax in one.
It's a more natural existance, and I think that most horses would prefur to live out, although you would still get the occasional odd ball that loves being in!
 
Two of ours would cheerfully live in all year round, let alone in winter. Another one loves coming in for tea but wants to go straight out again. And the others aren't remotely bothered about coming in at all.
 
Out if its dry and he is warm and there is something to eat. In if its wet with a big net. He hates wind and rain and just stands at the gate giving anybody who walks past the 'please bring me in' look. Well thats what I think anyhu lol
 
I wonder how many owners misinterpret(sp?) signs from their horses about where they would like to be. For example - horses standing at gates. Some horses stand at the gate at a certain time waiting to come in out of habit, rather than wanting to come in. When the weather turns colder, they know they normally come in, so they come to the gate, rather than they actually want to be in. More routine than anything. Tis my opinion anyway!
 
I do think a lot depends on the individual. Some really do struggle with being left out - physically and mentally, while others struggle being kept in.

Mine is being kept out at the mo - he is in a field on his own overnight so has plenty of hay to keep him going (hopefully past midnight) and company over the fence. He is currently unrugged and although, hungry when he comes in for his tea, seems happy enough to go back out again. I will rug him when the weather gets colder and wetter and will increase his hay to a point but if he appears to start to struggle with it, he will come in. I love having him out as I get to spend more time with him rather than doing things for him - like mucking out!
 
I usually get my horse in the same time everyday and unless it is raining or the flies are really bad he is never stood at the gate waiting for me. On my yard horses have to be brought in in the evening anyway so isn't really a choice for me anyway.
 
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I wonder how many owners misinterpret(sp?) signs from their horses about where they would like to be. For example - horses standing at gates. Some horses stand at the gate at a certain time waiting to come in out of habit, rather than wanting to come in. When the weather turns colder, they know they normally come in, so they come to the gate, rather than they actually want to be in. More routine than anything. Tis my opinion anyway!

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Hmm thats a good point... bet thats true actually to a point.. depends on the horse though...
 
Mine are out and will stay out as much as possible. They have plenty of grass so are not hungry, they come over for their tea, and when I turn them back out they wander off to munch. They don't sulk by the gates, if the weather is very wet and windy they do and then they come in. I much prefer knowing they are out eating, rather than stood in a stable with no hay left (as much as I give its gone by the morning!), particulary if its cold and dry - they are much better wandering around outside keeping warm than stood still in a stable.
 
i have my stables left open in the field so the horses have a choice if they are in or out, and they are at home so i can watch them all day. i've had all sorts of horses ponies out there and i'd say they all have prefered to be out. The only time they go into the stables is to get away from flies/midges or on very hot times of the day. if its tipping down with rain they are always stood out in it, if it's freezing cold they are always out. they will go in to eat hay if there is no grass left on the field but if i put some hay in and some hay out they will go for the hay outside every time.
They do shelter behind the stables tho so they do need shelter but they like to see whats going on around them!
 
Mine is in overnight when the weather gets really bad but she'd prefer to be out no matter what the weather. As soon as she sees me in the morning she's ready to go out and starts knocking her headcollar off the hook outside her stable. I only bring her in because she's old and an arab and in reality she'd lose too much weight
 
Depends on the horse surely. I have had an arab that refused to LEAVE the stable if it was raining so he obviously preferred his room.

Current horses get antsy if they are in for more than a couple of hours let alone because there's a bit of weather going on outside, they all live out.

The foals and surprisingly the (supposedly macho) stallion all nest in the shelters a lot.

The fields have sheds so the horses can make their own decisions, I don't lose any sleep if they choose to stand out in a blizzard. They'll let me know if they are miserable outside.
 
mine love being in. when i come up to turn out in the morning, all four feet are firmly planted until she eventually gives up, drags her feet, then stands at the gate sulking until its time to come back in again
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Out if possible.

If there's shelter and they have a suitable rug (if needed) I think it's a more natural state.
 
Out every time...

They can come in if it's really wet or their feet get too soft, otherwise they are much happier & healthier out 24/7...
 
Personally i think it is best they are out, with shelter if they want it and plenty of food if they want it.
Alot of horses simply want to come in as there is food and i think this is often confused for something else personally
 
i think it is how you condition them, ie train them. the majority of mine (up to 26 of them) prefer to be out, with rugs and food. some like to come in but only to eat their grub and haylage then want back out within 2 to 3 hours! some like to come in if wet and windy the others just park up and dont give a damn. however the owners have different thoughts. stabling and confining to a 12 by 12 is a HUMAN thing! the horses that live in are colder and req more rugs than the outside ones! as they cant move around to keep warm (other than box walk) not desirable!! you have to do what suits your situation. if everyone in at night then yours will feel left out! if some are out and you can bring in to feed, squeeze and cherish! and well rugged and then turn out agin he will be a happy camper!
 
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