Quit worrying about outdoor horses!

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I think the key point is to rug them according to their breed, type, age, etc.

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Unless they are clipped horses do not need to be rugged - I moved a TB from the desert to the mountains. They went from 46 degrees to -16 degrees over a 2 month period, with no problems at all. Ofcourse an older horse would struggle more, but blanketing horses is unnecessary.

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Not true. My TB copes with cold, dry conditions, but even in a summer rainstorm becomes so cold she can't eat...unless rugged.
Now if she was a Highland, or Shetland, or other native, fair enough...but she wasn't bred with the British climate in mind.
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I think worrying is part and parcel of having horses TBH. My YO found her mare dead in the field one morning and now can't leave her horses out overnight in that same field as she's convinced they'll drop down dead.
I'm not at all worried about my horse being out naked 24/7. She has a HUGE coat and a huge layering of fat
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- in fact I wish she would get cold and lose some weight! She's got a grass muzzle on during the day as well and she's still not losing much, and I doubt she can eat much through it as all the grass is frozen to the ground! My share horses are out overnight (there are three cobs and an Anglo Arab up there) and are all fine, one has a 100g turnout with a fleece underneath and she's toasty in the mornings.
I agree that it depends on the individual horse and that horse's breed, age etc. but most horses would be fine out 24/7.
 
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I think the key point is to rug them according to their breed, type, age, etc.

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Unless they are clipped horses do not need to be rugged - I moved a TB from the desert to the mountains. They went from 46 degrees to -16 degrees over a 2 month period, with no problems at all. Ofcourse an older horse would struggle more, but blanketing horses is unnecessary.

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Not true. My TB copes with cold, dry conditions, but even in a summer rainstorm becomes so cold she can't eat...unless rugged.
Now if she was a Highland, or Shetland, or other native, fair enough...but she wasn't bred with the British climate in mind.
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That is because she is pampered.
 
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That is because she is pampered.

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No, that is because her ancestors were stooopid Arabs which came from dry countries....with huge temperature ranges in terms of hot - cold, but no rainfall. Hence she has evolved/been bred with a coat which is great in terms of dense insulating underhair, but cr*p in terms of waterproof guard hairs. So there!
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Yeah, I dont agree that all unclipped horses could be fine unrugged. My Lusitano x TB gets cold in the summer (not clipped)! If it rains he shivers so badly, even if the temperature is mild! He came from Portugal so NE Scotland isn't exactly the sort of weather he was born into. I dont believe he's "pampered" since he lives out 24/7 all year round and I never over-rug. He's simply a bit of a woose! Whereas my Welsh Cob is the total opposite. I could turn him out in -10 hunter clipped and naked and he'd still be warm! (although I dont!).
 
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Not meaning to offend anyone! But there's been numerous posts on here about people "worrying" about their horses being cold when out. Why?! Horses are MEANT to live out, they keep themselves warmer outside where they can move about and of course its healthier for them! ANY horse can live out (unless for vet reasons) no matter WHAT breed and even if clipped! As long as they are well rugged with shelter and lots of hay I don't see the issue!
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Quit worrying people!

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Bloody Well said, MagicMelon.....
 
My 17 year old appaloosa x lives out all year and has done for the past 4 years. her legs used to creek a little when stood in but now they never do and she looks healthier than ever.

She is on 90 acres with plenty of shelter with one medium weight rug on and looks fab. The land owner pust haylege out for them too.

I also have my yearling TB filly out with her, one rug also. she is doing great.

surly they feel better being able to stretch there legs and get warm moving round, eat what they want whenever they want instead of waiting for people to feed them!

I hate having them in little square fields, I prefer them to be a bit natural.

If I was a horse I would like to live where mine are!
 
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Ours always live out 24/7/365. They appear to have no desire to be in and they are perfectly happy out. The old man has a rug (MW) as he has little shelter, and the 30 year old donk has a rug as a recent rescue she is still underweight. The rest - including the donks (who originate from hot dry countries) are very happy out and unrugged. The majority of equines can live out 24/7/365 with adequate feed and shelter, and some with rugs if needed.
 
What exactly is the problem? Where I come from is regularly gets below -20C and LOTS of horses are out the bulk of the day, if not 24/7, many of them naked. So long as they have shelter, fresh de-iced water and free choice hay (which is the most important heating feature) they're fine. Better than fine. Blankets, if they are appropriate and fit properly, can provide "shelter" for horse going out for part of the day but aren't essential by any means if everything else is adequate. If you're careful it's even possible to RIDE horses living like this so long as they are not in hard work.

I've got to say I've never heard of a properly cared for freezing to death. All the studies done prove horses cope MUCH better with cold than with heat.
 
I think in a perfect world most of us would keep our horses in a field with a good field shelter, lots of hay and good natural shelters (e.g. hedges and trees) and let them have the choice whether they are in or out. However, in many parts of the UK grazing is at a premium and most people do not have a choice. Where I live it is hard to find a yard that allows any winter turnout, never mind 24/7.

My boy is unclipped as he grows almost no winter coat and he feels the cold. He is getting better - the first year I had him he was shivery if not rugged in the summer - now he is not rugged until it starts to get cold. He is ridden most days so does need to be rugged, otherwise I would spend all of my time drying and grooming him and none riding him. He does have hay in his field but still likes to come in. He is fond of sleeping and likes to streach out in his stable - I doubt he would do this in the pouring rain or snow. He does lie down outside but only in summer when it is warm and dry.

On balance I think he is perfectly happy being out during the day and in at night. It suits me as it is less hassle for me to ride him when he is warm, dry, clean(ish) and close at hand. I don't think it is a big imposition for him to come in at night and do an hour of work a day. He could be in a big professional yard where he is stabled 23 hours a day and worked very hard for one hour a day. Not much of a life so I like to think he's a pretty lucky horse all things considered.
 
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