Leaving horse out at night

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squirrels

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I've recently moved my horse to a new yard with 24/7 turnout in the summer, but at our previous yard he was only out for about 8 hours a day at the most. I am keeping him in at night at the new place for a bit to be safe, how long would you leave it before keeping him out at night too? What should I look out for? Will it increase risk of colic or other illnesses?

Sorry numpty questions but I've never had him out 24/7 and I worry! I know he'll love it though so looking forward to keeping him out. Also he has settled really quickly at the new yard and seems very happy :)
 
Any change should be done slowly but if anything he will be less likely to suffer any ill effects living out than in. However when you next have to leave him in for long periods make sure he always has wet food for the first few days as going from constant grass to dry hay can cause colic due to dehydration
 
windand rain said:
Any change should be done slowly but if anything he will be less likely to suffer any ill effects living out than in. However when you next have to leave him in for long periods make sure he always has wet food for the first few days as going from constant grass to dry hay can cause colic due to dehydration
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Thank you, that is very reassuring! Might get brave and leave him out soon then!
 
Agree with the above. I can see mine from the landing window so the first night I leave them out I am up a dawn to see they are OK - of course they are!

Agree with the "change of diet thing." Mine only have a small summer paddock so I do feed some hay all year round, so if I have to keep them in - either for very hot weather or cold rainy like last week - they are used to eating hay. It is something you have to bear in mind. Also if they have been out at grass for a long time then don't put them in on a shiny new straw stable in case they tuck into that and try to eat it all, because that can cause colic. Mix some old bedding with any new.

It is rather nice to see them dosing in the early dawn. You might find that their lying down pattern changes too, as some like a morning lie down when the sun comes up if they have been walking round all night.
 
The only thing I can think of is he might seem quite sleepy to start with. In the main though he'll be chilled out and have no excess energy to burn so don't worry about any lethargy, it's chilled out-ness. He needs to adjust, but the only way he'll do that is to be left out.
 
I would put him out as soon as possible - as long as there are others out too he'll be great!

If you're worried about him, you could always bring him in in the daytime for a few hours for a snooze. But IMO the best thing to do is put him out as soon as you can so he can get used to it and his new routine - he'll love it!
 
Ours are out on summer turnout. They get brought in for a groom, top up feed, and chillout every couple of days...or brought in if it's going to be really sunny and they could overheat or get sunburnt.
If the weather forecast is cold/rainy then the TB either gets brought in or rugged up.
Clipped cobs get lightweight rugs if necessary.
For youngsters, we bring them in every day for a feed as they do drop weight quite badly with growth spurts.
 
Ours are out overnight and in for a few hours each day for hay and a sleep. If it's extra hot they come in twice during the day - first thing for a couple of hours and again late afternoon for a couple of hours. If it's a horrible night they come in too. When we change from winter Turnout to summer Turnout, I put them out in the morning as usual and bring them in for a sleep in the afternoon for a couple of days. It always works fine.
 
Generally 24/7 turnout reduces the risk of colic or injury etc as they tend to be much more settled and don't gorge when turned out etc. Give a few days on existing routine then just leave out at night and he'll be fine
 
When I brought my gelding home from loan and to our new property (first time with a horse at home) I was going to stick to the in at night routine ... I didnt even make it the first night, lol! Not stabled since ;)
 
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