Loose housing in foal mares in big barn for winter

[ladyaga]

Has anyone any experience of keeping mares in foal in a deep litter barn for the winter, we had the wettest fields last winter, and could only turn out in the sand arena for a spin, the fields were a lake. I am trying to sort out work load for winter, and the mares are in foal not due that early, so was thinking they would get more room loose housed in the barn with a round bale of hay, It will depend on the weather too,

 

[hollyandivy123]

if the space is large enough and the hay is not in a cornering area, then no problem obviously if there is a very food dominate one then that has to be in consideration.

 

[Morgan123]

We do this at the sanctuary I work at - works great. Like an indoor field. Just use plenty of straw and hang haynets in different places etc. Worth looking at enrichment ideas as well as it's less interesting than a field and so less stimulating mentally, but as long as this is taken into account it works really well.

 

[LittleQueenie]

Not with mares in foal but we did it with our horses a couple of winters ago when it was really wet, had a mix of mares and geldings, only up to 4 horses/ponies together I think as barn wasn't huge. Worked out well and we did the same with round bales in middle.