Roughing off a weanling (Welsh D)?

[domane]

I have a 6m colt who was unfortunately kept in a stable for 3 weeks (after weaning) before he was delivered to me. He arrived 8 days ago and I also kept him in for the first 3 days, just to get a bit of a relationship going and to give him time to settle. He's been out in a small paddock with my 17m traditional who is proving a wonderful babysitter. I have 4 acres with a block of stables in the middle and I sectioned off the corner of one of my paddocks for the boys to be in during the day so that they can get acquainted plus my TB can meet the new one over the fence for a few days. My yearling has been living out with the TB (and a tenant Welshie mare) but I've been bringing him in at night with the little one so that he's not alone but the plan is to have them all living out with free access to a couple of the stables at night so they can shelter if they wish. Because the colt has been in, he's not developed much of a winter coat, although just since Saturday I can see that his neck is starting to fluff up. I am planning on turning the boys out in the main field on Saturday and then staying to supervise how they all get on for the day.

My question is - how long do you think it will be before I can leave the colt out all night? Obviously we have very low temperatures at the moment so there is part of me that thinks being in a stable where he is restricted is just as bad as him being out in the cold - at least he can run around freely to warm up if needed.

Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[metalmare]

Last year my native foal was out during the day and (because I was soft) in at night. Only once did I find him shivering which was in some particularly icy driving rain with a northerly wind. Of course I was able to bring him in and rub him down. This year he is living out 24/7 so he has a lightweight rug, just in case of driving rain and wind, because I don't have the option of bringing him in to rub down this year.

Unless he is cold perhaps you should bite the bullet and leave him out? The usual test for cold is to feel the base of the ears. I think he is unlikely to get very cold unless there is driving wind and rain and then you have the stable to fall back on. I imagine his winter coat will come through much quicker if he is out and needs it.

Is there any shelter in the field; hedges, etc?

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

its not much warmer in a stable than the field, but no wind or rain!! has he had a rug on whilst in? if so i would take the rug off for the next couple of days then let out. if not been rugged i would leave him out with some company, and as long as he has grass(????????) or plenty of hay to eat he will soon toughen up and grow more coat. at least outside he can move around to keep warm.

 

[Maesfen]

Agree with this ^^^^^^^^^ My boys have been stabled at night for a fortnight but next week, after our local meet they're going to the field up the road to stay out 24/7. Plenty of grass and shelter up there and they already have yak coats, they've never been rugged; it'll do them good to be boys alone for a short while I hope.