Raincoat, Bring in or Shelter? For Mo

[MosMum]

Mo is 18 mos, out all the time. He doesn't like coming in, but he does have a field shelter he doesn't use.

We're going up today to put down some hay and lead him in, see if he gets the point.

He's just been a bit miserable from the rain, no rainscald yet but don't want to risk it either. I could put him in, though he doesn't like it, if necessary, or I could get him a raincoat but with the amount of rolling and being a colt he does I think it would be in tatters after a day.

What would you guys do with your 24/7 kept out horses?

 

[bryngelenponies]

My horses are out 24/7, my gelding had nearly always been stabled so got the idea straight away but my mare was born on the mountains so would stay out in every weather. I worried about it at first but then just thought it's best to leave her to it, to be honest don't underestimate their common sense, even in the wild they'd prefer to be under trees in rain. So after a while she realised that it was far better to be inside and now you can't get her out of it! Although if you wanted to you could try and buy a rug made from something more durable like canvas (won't win any fashion awards but may stand up to more wear and tear.)

 

[MosMum]

Thanks, its just been raining here for about 8 wks and in his last field he had no real shelter, so I'm slightly aware of rain rot and thrush, although there is higher ground he can go to as the field is on a hill. Hope he gets some common sense but I'll check the tack store and see what they reccomend as far as a blanket/rain coat too x

 

[Shysmum]

agree that it may be worth trying a high thread count rug (1200 denier ?). You could try putting a paddock lick in the shelter to tempt him in as well as a haynet.

Lots of horses won't use their field shelters - weird !! sm x