Keeping horses out in the snow..

Well, I tried to break the ice in the barrels/containers this morning.

I stood on the ice, I jumped on it, but no, still couldnt break through it :mad:

couldnt even give them buckets of water, because all outside taps had frozen and I have no access to a house for indoor water!

So eventually, I went and got a hockey stick and started to bash the ice - hey presto, ice all broken up!

All of our horses at yard are out - better out than in. The sun wasnt "up" till 12pm here, so they also have hay in the fields. They are very happy; most of the hay isnt touched till around 3pm when they come in.

They do come in earlier because it starts to get very very cold here at about 3pm, so they come into the stables.

We do not do anything to their feet either; don't pick their feet out before they go out, as that acts as a stop. They have no problem with ice balling up; the only ones that do are the unshod donkeys :p
 
My TB is on box rest but he seems pretty happy to be in! I'm probably soft but he has 2 rugs on and a extra thick bed :)
Why I'm posting is because I was out walking the dog when I came across a field of horses. It was about 4 and getting dark (and snowing heavily). From what I could see there were about 4 horses, none with rugs and 2 of them a mare and foal. There was no shelter and although I could seem marks where hay had been put down, there was none left, and as it was dark I doubt anyone would come up later. None of the horses looked 'hardy' possibly TB's. Just wondered what you thought, I know I'm a bit soft but I could help worrying about their lack of rugs
 
almrc said:
Both the buckets had their ice broken today so they must have done it themselves! Do they do it with their feet then?
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Last year my 7 month old foal was out all winter, he did have rug when it snowed, but he worked out how to break the water for his friend who was older and sorted it everyday! Their instincts are amazing even when we have domesticated them so much. The last time we had really bad snow in 1979 my 12hh pony was out with my mum's hunter, who was having a year off, and the pony dug an igloo in the snow drifts for them to stand in!
 
I'm with the chicken brigade :)

TBH I never really stable mine, so am enjoying doing it for a change :) Plus it gives me a chance to:

Use the new stables,
Feel like a propper mumsy to them
Be really hands on with my youngster who is being a superstar
Molly coddle my mare (who for first time ever is enjoying her stable :eek:
Faff around making perfect beds and neat banks for them :p haven't done that for ages
They have been out from 8 - 5 the last couple of days but are loving coming in

EB's has 2 LW rugs on and benny is Naked :eek: They would both be fine out but since they and I am enjoying stabling them I will continue to be chicken.

When out they have a river in the field (god send!) and some haylage in the field.

The only thing I can't stand is the compact ice in ebonys hooves when she comes in :( couldn't get vaseline in the shop so tried butter as a last resort... waste of butter, she still came in with her icy platforms!
 
Mine's a thoroughbred and is the ultimate fair-weather fairy. He does not believe in and will not get his feet muddy or wet so shuffles along the fence to the gate so this does not happen!! He's out from 7am until 7pm and he hates it!!! Has a heavyweight turnout on so is snug as bug and is still disapproving for being turned out, but he did come from a pampered lifestyle and is not getting this treatment any longer!!
 
They will be fine - just rug accordingly, and make sure they have fresh water twice a day, and are fed adequately, IMHO they are far better out meandering around than stuck in a box!
 
somethingorother said:
indiat, every horse is different, you're being sensible not soft. :D
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Absolutely agree. Cappy will take the gate off and take himself in to his stable if it gets too cold(under 60 degrees) Fany loves being out, whatever the weather and got depressed last year because our yard was too icy to take them out.

Horses for courses, so you most definitely are not being soft you are suiting what you do to your horse. Which IMHO is the best way to go.
FDC
 
Mine are still living out, fields still covered in snow for 5th day and all 3 of them and the TB x youngster. Was going to bring them in, but they are quite happy out so have left them there!
 
mine lives out 24/7, is clipped out, but has a heavy weight rug on with a neck cover, with plenty of hay, he was like toast earlier.
i did think about leaving him in tonight, but i thought all the time he can move around in the field he can keep himself warm plus he gets naughty and bored locked up.:)
he does'nt have a field shelter but has plenty of trees and hedges.
 
My pony is out in a massive field with an untouched pile of hay, and an untouched bucket of fresh water! Ungrateful sod! :P
 
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