Live out? Or stabled at night

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Kate_13

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I am moving yard soon and I am going from restricted Turnout even in summer to as much turnout as I like!

The girl I am sharing a field with keeps her horse out 24/7 even in winter! My boy has never lived out ever. Do you think he will get on with living out? His previous owner said he used to want to come in, but surely if I bought him in to eat his tea e.t.c then turnout again he would get used to living out 24/7?

I think however I would bring him in at nights when it is really horrid weather. Probably from Dec-March.

What do you guys think? I am not used to so much freedom!
 
I used to worry about mine being out 24/7, but he loves it. I put a light rug on nights like tonight when it's windy and rainy, and he comes in for tea and then goes out again. It is so much better for them, I believe, and your horse will thank you, I am sure!
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We don't have the choice to leave out at night in winter, though. Many a winter night I would do, if I could. As long as rugging is appropriate, and there is some shelter, it is fine.
 
What breed is your Horse, we still bring our horse's , TB, in at night (quite late in the evening's), but have also left them out in the warm nights. They love it but seem to yawn though-out the day at each other. I think if your field is safe, then leave her out one night see how she goes....
 
WE try and keep ours out all year round. They prefer it and even my new horse who lived in at night is happily living outside. During the winter you might want to take him in but I'm sure he will tell you if he wants that. We also just feed ours in the field.
 
My horse used not to be fussed about going out at his last yard but since we moved yards where he has unlimited turnout, he loves it and I'd struggle to keep him in if I wanted to. Him and his friend come in at night in winter, mainly because the fields get so wet, otherwise I would try leaving him out. I'm convinced he's much happier for being out and I've become a real convert to turning out as much as possible. It probably doesn't suit every horse though so just see how he goes over the summer.
 
He is a connemara x Arab and 6 years old this year.

I am moving to a private yard with 5 horses near Southbourne/ Hambrook. It doesn't have a school, but we can ride in the field and there are 2 schools a 5min hack away we can hire. Plus an indoor 10 mins in the lorry I can hire.

I am soooooo excited! No more paying £300 a month for livery. Yippee!!! (and that's DIY assisted!)

Thanks for all your replies, I think it will do him some good to have some freedom, he has been couped up for so long poor little mite.
 
Turnout 24/7 is the best way....keep your eyes open for the following:

Excess grass, if you're on restricted exercise it might be an idea to remove the hard feed. Better still strip graze and keep an eye on their weight, I do it by volume of poo...works for me.
Poo pick daily.
Ragwort hunt weekly
Stone pick all the time
Have amineral block at hand
Clean water trough fortnightly/ water buckets weekly.
When not exercising groom with rubber curry comb daily for around 15 minutes.
Pick hoofs out absolute minium of twice a day.
Have a selection of good quality rugs so where accidents occur you're perpared.
Have 2 of everything.

I'm sure I could think of more but that's a start...less hassle than mucking out stables
 
Mine seem happy to live out be out as much as possible, I think the majority of horses seem happier that way even in winter providing they are adequately rugged and have enough food/shelter.
 
Mine live out all year round and are much happier They use the stable as a field shelter and I have never had to shut the door even in the worst weather
 
Ooo yay, closer to my neck of the woods
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He'll be fine with all year turnout; the andys at RS coped from coming straight off a spanish lorry & spanish temps to being outside 24/7
 
mine like to come in at night in winter and belt up the field when they see me, but then are glad to go back out after brekkie (6.30 ish). they are out all the time in summer just coming in for a feed and a fuss
 
Id put her out as much as possible, my horse comes in overnight in winter but in this weather he is fine out unrugged 24/7. Just watch out for the arab in her as she may need a bit more warmth, so a lightweight rug may be needed.
 
my horse was very spoilt before he came to me...he lived in a stable had hay all day and just ate his breakfast and dinner each day. Was not out very often. I bought him and he started to become naughty in the stable and would be a nightmare when out riding with loads of energy...in the end I stuck a huge thick rug on him and turned him out 24/7 - I cant catch him he is so happy living out..he does not want to go in the stable...I leave it open for him and he is rarely in there...horse in the new forest etc live out 24/7 and dont even have rugs...so I would say most can survive outside fine...
 
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