Is field shelter necessary?

[moon_and_spoon]

Hi all,
Recently looking into a DIY livery yard to keep my boy. I’m an advocate for 24/7 year round turnout, but there’s no access to field shelter and I’m worried the winters will be too harsh for him without it. Do you think with enough feed & forage, sufficient rugging and mud boots he’ll be alright? Used to share a horse that is kept on the yard and the fields don’t get too bad, so he won’t be knee deep in mud. Thanks!

 

[Afon_34]

How much natural shelter is there?

 

[milliepops]

is there shelter in other forms such as trees or hedges?
My gang don't really use the shelter in bad weather, they are more often found in there when it's hot and sunny.

 

[ihatework]

Depends on what the land and field is like. If it’s well drained and naturally sheltered then no you don’t need a purpose built field shelter.

If it’s a small bare paddock then yes, but tbh in those circumstance it wouldn’t be a 24/7 situation for me anyway

 

[moon_and_spoon]

Not much natural shelter, but the land is well drained and possibility of moving near some hedges for summer shade.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hedges don't usually give summer shade, they are better at protection from wimter winds.

I would recommend a field shelter, the horse can then choose whether to use it or not. Although my fields are partly sheltered, my 3 use their field shelters a lot all year round, I wouldn't be without them now.

Could you put a temporary mobile shelter up?

 

[Wheels]

is there shelter in other forms such as trees or hedges?
My gang don't really use the shelter in bad weather, they are more often found in there when it's hot and sunny.

This

 

[moon_and_spoon]

Hedges don't usually give summer shade, they are better at protection from wimter winds.

I would recommend a field shelter, the horse can then choose whether to use it or not. Although my fields are partly sheltered, my 3 use their field shelters a lot all year round, I wouldn't be without them now.

Could you put a temporary mobile shelter up?

The hedges are up and then the land slopes down straight after, so it works pretty well but not much chance of getting a field shelter in. I suppose I could try but it would have to be yard owners decision as he’s very intent on having control!

 

[ihatework]

The hedges are up and then the land slopes down straight after, so it works pretty well but not much chance of getting a field shelter in. I suppose I could try but it would have to be yard owners decision as he’s very intent on having control!

Is there no stabling at all? If the field is less than ideal you could have out 24/7 for 80% of year but bring in overnight for worst of weather, or in during day in very height of summer.

 

[moon_and_spoon]

Is there no stabling at all? If the field is less than ideal you could have out 24/7 for 80% of year but bring in overnight for worst of weather, or in during day in very height of summer.

That would definitely be ideal but they’ve just given up their last stable, so dependant on space really.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

How about a wind break? I have one here and it makes a huge difference. I've been out in awful weather when checking the horses and not wanted to move away fro the windbreak myself LOL. It does help that the hedge behind it has overgrown and become a bit of a roof that does cut out some of the rain. There are sheep in that field at the moment and they often rest there for the shade, so it does depend on the position.

ETA - pic. Not the best photo as it's in the background. Yorkshire boarding about 20ft long. The ground by it now has some hardcore with mats on top to reduce mud.

 

[ihatework]

That would definitely be ideal but they’ve just given up their last stable, so dependant on space really.

In that case you probably need a field shelter. What are you going to do if the horse is injured and you don’t have a stable?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I don't have any man made shelters in my fields but lots of natural shelter that they can pick and choose which field and which hedge row or trees they use. We have one particular spot in a small third of an acre part of the big field that is like a small bowl like valley with huge great trees along one side.

In the very bad winter weather they head straight for it - it remains almost bone dry there and all wind from any direction is almost completely shut off, you would think you were in a different county. I am very fortunate as I am a huge advocate for allowing them to live out 24/7 as natural as possible.

Just edited to add that I do have stables up at the house should anyone need them due to injury etc.

 

[moon_and_spoon]

In that case you probably need a field shelter. What are you going to do if the horse is injured and you don’t have a stable?

Luckily my friend who keeps her horses there has a stable and offered to let me use it should god forbid that situation came around!

 

[moon_and_spoon]

How about a wind break? I have one here and it makes a huge difference. I've been out in awful weather when checking the horses and not wanted to move away fro the windbreak myself LOL. It does help that the hedge behind it has overgrown and become a bit of a roof that does cut out some of the rain. There are sheep in that field at the moment and they often rest there for the shade, so it does depend on the position.

ETA - pic. Not the best photo as it's in the background. Yorkshire boarding about 20ft long. The ground by it now has some hardcore with mats on top to reduce mud.

That’s a good idea, could definitely be a possibility. Thanks!

 

[chaps89]

Couldn't find pony this morning to start with. Seems he approves of having a shelter
Interestingly in the bad weather last week the shelters were barely used and the ponies hunkered down in a dip in the field. Yet the hot weather the last few days the shelters have been used plenty.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ours have a big field shelter . They only use it in really awful weather in the winter but the last week they have barely left it during the day , so whilst maybe not essential I wouldn’t like to keep horses out all year without one personally.

 

[Cowpony]

Ours are out in a big herd in a huge field. There are no artificial shelters, but plenty of trees and hedges. The field dips down towards the back fence, and I often can't find my mare because she's down in the dip and you can't see them until you get close!

 

[scruffyponies]

Mine ignore a built shelter in winter, preferring hedges or embankments to shelter from the wind, but spend most of their summer days in a shady shelter if they have one.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Mine live in the field shelters in weather like we currently have. Their choice, there are plenty of shaded areas under the trees, but they choose to snore inside.
In winter they will use the shelters too, but only till any decent supplies of hay have run out.

B Fuzzy will even run into one if it starts throwing it down...... she spent the 1st 8 years of her life on a north east of Scotland cliff top which was open and no shelter!

 

[Leah3horses]

A lot depends on what kind of horse he/ she is, what part of the UK, and their previous way of living. None of my cobs have used their expensive field shelters in winter,ever, but do like them in this hot weather. My mini Shetlands are the same, except for my little prince, Harold, who makes a bee line for the shelter at the first drop of rain... although he was stabled (too much) as a youngster , so didn't retain his hardiness! TBs surprisingly mostly not too bothered by cold winds / cold temps/ mud but bad rain saw them shelter in the worst of it, but that was up on North Yorks moors so understandable.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Not having a shelter in bad weather wouldn't concern me. I would just rug accordingly.

I would find it nothing short of cruel in summer though. I hate seeing horses in paddocks with no shade in summer. It's vile.

 

[moon_and_spoon]

Thanks everyone! Seems like summer is more of an issue than winter then, there is quite a bit of shade so should be alright, will try a wind break and hope for the best.

 

[Winters100]

So many variables as others have said. Apart from those already mentioned I would also consider how flexible I could be - are you generally available to go and change rugs in truly awful weather and will you end up divorced if you bring sopping wet / muddy rugs home to dry?

Also depends on your own feelings about them being out in awful weather. I have to have a field shelter as mine are out dawn to dusk and without one I would be constantly worrying, which I accept is mostly ridiculous, but then again my old girl is firmly convinced that she will melt in the rain and heads for the shelter at the first sign, even if she is wearing a rug with a hood. The geldings barely set foot in it all winter, but on a hot sunny day, when old girl is sunbathing, they hide from the heat in there.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I was on here grumbling all winter that my ponies insisted on standing out in the mud rather than in their lovely (expensive!) field shelter. BUT this most recent month of just absolutely relentless rain they holed up in there and barely moved for several days.

My fields are hideously muddy though, and the ponies aren't rugged. They probably would have been fine with a bit of hard standing and a rug. Presumably there are other horses there out 24/7 already, have you asked them whether their horses seem to cope?

 

[Leam_Carrie]

My horse prefers trees to my shelters... but they’re there as an option. Shade or shelter natural or manmade is key. Then rug appropriately - which is never for the mini Shetland and less than I used to for the horse.

 

[moon_and_spoon]

So many variables as others have said. Apart from those already mentioned I would also consider how flexible I could be - are you generally available to go and change rugs in truly awful weather and will you end up divorced if you bring sopping wet / muddy rugs home to dry?

Also depends on your own feelings about them being out in awful weather. I have to have a field shelter as mine are out dawn to dusk and without one I would be constantly worrying, which I accept is mostly ridiculous, but then again my old girl is firmly convinced that she will melt in the rain and heads for the shelter at the first sign, even if she is wearing a rug with a hood. The geldings barely set foot in it all winter, but on a hot sunny day, when old girl is sunbathing, they hide from the heat in there.

He would be on sort of part livery (they’re going to feed and rug in the mornings as yard is 30+ minutes away and on a main road) so hopefully they’ll have the intuition to change rugs if need be! I’d be down at least once a day and twice a day on weekends too but I‘d probably still be worrying haha.

 

[Honey08]

I think I’d want some form of stable. If only to tack up/groom and have for emergencies. I know your friend said she’d lend you her stable in an emergency- but would she really want to throw her horse out mid winter in a blizzard for yours? I had two of mine out in summer without stables for four months while we built the yard, and found it a nuisance not being able to dry them off to put rugs/saddles on etc. While I’d love being able to have them out 24/7 I would still have a stable.

 

[Fransurrey]

I once had my Exmoors in a field without a shelter one winter. I put one up early Spring and they used it straight away. I've never had horses without shelter since. My cob and Exmoor use their shelter in wind and rain as well as hot sun and are frequently seen taking their naps in there! This is despite having the most sheltered field on the yard with hedges, trees and a dip where the wind drops to nothing. I'd try and bag the first stable that comes up for him so you have the option - even if it's just to dry him off and tack up when the weather turns.

 

[moon_and_spoon]

I think I’d want some form of stable. If only to tack up/groom and have for emergencies. I know your friend said she’d lend you her stable in an emergency- but would she really want to throw her horse out mid winter in a blizzard for yours? I had two of mine out in summer without stables for four months while we built the yard, and found it a nuisance not being able to dry them off to put rugs/saddles on etc. While I’d love being able to have them out 24/7 I would still have a stable.

Good point, will get on the waiting list for a stable as soon as possible just unsure as to when it’ll become available