In? Out? Shake it all about?

D

daughter's groom

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So sitting here feeling a bit cold and looking at the nasty weather outside wondering if my horses would be happier in or out. They are currently out, some in lightweight rugs, others completely nude. Commonsense says they are OK, Silly Me says it would be better if they were in. What are you all doing with yours?
 
TBs in a light weight full neck; Irish bog pony (ISH) has a rain sheet on. It's blowing hard and raining but it's September and they're horses.

They've been out competing all day so have been stuffed with hay between classes and the grass is still growing.

They have natural shelter in the field i.e. a big bush which is a windbreak but no field shelters. I delay bringing in as long as possible.
 
All out three in light no hoods the TB in a warmer one with hood its a bit wild but they will be ok .
No need to go full on into winter to soon!
 
Oh God no. Much too soon for bringing in as per winter. But I'm so close to stables I could let them stay in a bit in the worst of the rough weather and chuck them out later. But if they were in I'd be worrying about some other issues they have so you can't win really can you.
 
Out - I went up earlier as thought he may appreciate a break from the rain but he was at the back end of the field with absolutely no intention of coming in - so I left him to it. I don't use rugs until the temperature really drops or until I feel that he needs one. We are a new yard so will have a bit of a different winter routine this year but I'm planning on leaving him out 24/7 until the farmer decides they have to come in at night.
 
Mine are in. They went out at 7.45 and came in at 12.30. They would hate to be out in this weather, mare hates the wind the native ponies aren't keen on the rain either! Also have the added problem of Network Rail having bulldozed a huge hole in my hedge and also the hedge onto the railway embankment, and although there is now a harris fence blocking the hole, I can't really leave them out whilst I'm not there incase they start making a hell of a noise, or start bringing cranes in as my horses could panic and run through their electric tapes. Going to be a long old winter!! Thankfully, they like their stables, the hay is excellent and my riding horse gets plenty of long hacks to keep her sane!
 
mine are out, have put light weights on, which I really didn't want to do! but they are stood with their backs to the hedge, also ignoring their massive shelter with hay nets!! crazy kids
 
Out is better for them, especially if it's cold and especially if they're arthritic as they can keep moving and not get stiff. Not sure my boy agrees though, he's a bit of a wuss!

We have to bring ours in as it's the YO's rules, would leave them out if I had the option though.
 
Out and naked - I do feel a bit mean but all three need to lose more weight and they're all tough natives. Checked them and they weren't cold, they have plenty of shelter. If my wussy tb was still alive then he would be rugged up, but the cobs are made of sterner stuff.
 
Mines out in a rainsheet. He'll stay out until start of November. I like him out until after fireworks night as he's much better out with them, and I don't fancy him kicking a brick built stable. Obviously if it's really bad he'll come in earlier. But he's an IDx he should be hardy enough and it's been our routine for 8 years
 
in for tonight with lightweight rug on as it is raining very heavy and 7oC and very windy but normally out until later in autumn then comes in at night. she is WB and has no shelter or hedges.
 
Out with a LW, haynet and field shelter. Brought him in for a couple of hours this evening though, and he planted in the stable door when I went to turn him back out lol! He hates the wind and the rain - he trotted straight up to his shelter when I took his headcollar off - wuss! ;)
 
Mine are in at night and out during the day. Not rugged. Our fields are already boggy, I've had to take them off their usual field as it is so wet. Hope it isn't going to be like last winter.
 
In at night, but only so I can save the fields a bit longer. Our land is very boggy and dont want it to churn up to quickly. Coming in at night already means they get better turnout as the weather gets worse. Djs in a lightweight, but not overly warm so will have to up his rug at night. *sigh*
 
Out, my three (all natives) are naked for now..we do rug our Shetland as she is elderly and doesn't do well in minus temps and rain, even though she's pretty yeti like.

Hubby's horse is in a MW turnout. And out, but we do bring him in for feeds and a bit of in time with hay...in denial that soon it is winter and dark and mucking out :( but he will be in at nights, probably in next month, Shetland goes in with him :)
 
In at night but thats mainly cuz 2 of them keep bringing themselves in as soon as it hits 5pm! And we are fed up with smashed fencing!! The other 2 have come in cuz well its easier!!! Out during the day in lightweights!!
 
Mine is still out with no rugs. She's growing a nice coat. We are on dartmoor but she's coping just fine. She has some shelter and lots of hay and she's also on a small hard feed. We are hoping to keep them where they are until dec and then we will prob move them to winter grazing and have to bring them in over night for a few months.
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
In, in full neck MW rugs. They would be hat racks if they were out overnight.
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This! I'm afraid I can't afford to pump my horses full of food just to let them shiver it off in the field, they started coming in mid august, one was bullying the other in the field, they were bored of being out! I know some people successfully keep ex racers out 24/7 but mine have always come in and see d about 2 months out at night only. They are normally ready to come in after 3 hours out!
 
i dont know anyone that can keep them out 24/7 and compete to a decent level if im honest (ex racers i mean).

i would be feeds bags of feed a day, not scoops, if they lived out, no way could i keep them warm and well conditioned enough to be working at Adv (Fig) and GP (CS), just impossible.
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
i dont know anyone that can keep them out 24/7 and compete to a decent level if im honest (ex racers i mean).

i would be feeds bags of feed a day, not scoops, if they lived out, no way could i keep them warm and well conditioned enough to be working at Adv (Fig) and GP (CS), just impossible.
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Mine wouldn't even be at a decent happy hacker level if living out, I want to get out to some BD after Xmas (prelim) can I ask if u also rug up early not to clip or do u clip yours?
 
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