No shelter?

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jess894

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16 February 2015
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My 3 y/o lives out 24/7, there is grass in the field but not much of it but we can’t hay out for various reasons. He has a daily feed and so far have been bringing him in for 2-3 hours each night for hay, however am concerned this isn’t going to be enough going forward. The alternative is for him to come into a paddock near the stables overnight with ad lib hay. He will be able to see other horses but won’t have any shelter. In his field there is no man made shelter, just trees. What would be the best way forward?
 
How is his condition, and do you see him grazing in current field? Some horses exist just fine on what looks like no grass - I've got a couple who would be just fine with no hay, as my grass still seems to be growing, albeit slowly. I prefer to err on the side of caution though, and make sure that there is hay available at this time of year
 
It is most important that horses get fibre in their stomachs, a couple of hours to eat up all the hay he's going to get doesn't sound enough. Yes, there could be enough grass still available, but I think I'd rather he had a whole night to eat up a measured amount.
 
He’s looking well at the moment but in the past has dropped weight pretty quickly around this time of year. Yeah, he grazes in the field but it’s not great
 
i would prefer to give ad lib hay, as long as he has a rug he should be ok with no shelter/trees as long as he will settle in the paddock. of the weather turned really bad you could bring him in for a while just as you are doing now...
 
Although not ideal, I would bring him in overnight, so that he can eat enough. He is still growing, so needs plenty to eat, he also needs company, so if he can't get enough to eat in the big field, he needs to come in.
 
He isn’t on his own. He lives out with about 15 others but we can’t hay out and there isn’t enough grass left. There is a paddock near the stables I could keep him in over night to have hay so he’ll be able to see the others in their stables.
 
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