Snow and no hay in fields - would you turn out?

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ShadowFlame

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Quick question.

Our yard doesn't allow hay in the field, even in snow. I work 9hr shifts, so if I turn out just before work and bring in straight after, pone has around 10hrs out. Is it fair to expect a horse to dig through snow and attempt to forage, if he has plenty of hay when he comes in?

WWYD?
 
I have no problem turning out in snow, but would only really do it for a leg stretch.

I'd have the horse turned out for me at around 9.00, and brought in again at midday.
 
I wouldn't, but then 3 of ours live out 24/7 so it would be a little unfair - depending on snow coverage obviously, current effort is not up to much :p

Depends on how much longer grass is available too.
 
I can never understand yards that don't allow hay in fields. Very poor practice. I would not like my horses to go without forage for 9 hours, but would not like them stood in either... I guess it is a matter of opinion which is worse. I think it is totally unacceptable that yards do not allow hay in this kind of weather. Can the liveries not get together about this?
 
Wagtail said:
I can never understand yards that don't allow hay in fields. Very poor practice. I would not like my horses to go without forage for 9 hours, but would not like them stood in either... I guess it is a matter of opinion which is worse. I think it is totally unacceptable that yards do not allow hay in this kind of weather. Can the liveries not get together about this?
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I don't allow hay in the individual paddocks....it causes a HUGE mess! However all the paddocks have plenty of grass still and the horses are only going out for 2 - 3 hours. I agree if a horse is out all day with no grass to eat.
 
I'd probably let them out for a few hours and then ask for them to be brought in, but I guess thats what I'd do as we have large round hay bales in our fields so I'm lucky I dont have that problem.

Not good practice not allowing hay, they are horses! :(
 
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Mines been in for over a week now. Field is shot to bits and no grass just wet shoe pulling mud :mad:
I fed her as usual on the yard this morning and she normally gives me a funny look when i put her back in her stable but this morning she practically barged me out of the way to get back in, lol :D
She will be walked out later for a stretch and then lunged when i get down at about 1730 if its not snowing too much :)
 
Wagtail said:
I can never understand yards that don't allow hay in fields. Very poor practice. I would not like my horses to go without forage for 9 hours, but would not like them stood in either... I guess it is a matter of opinion which is worse. I think it is totally unacceptable that yards do not allow hay in this kind of weather. Can the liveries not get together about this?
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I would agree with this. Yards really have to start catering for the horses needs and not their own IMO. I thank the Lord every day that I have my own place from everything I read regarding Livery yards.
 
Wagtail said:
I can never understand yards that don't allow hay in fields. Very poor practice. I would not like my horses to go without forage for 9 hours, but would not like them stood in either... I guess it is a matter of opinion which is worse. I think it is totally unacceptable that yards do not allow hay in this kind of weather. Can the liveries not get together about this?
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I've never been on a yard that had hay put in the fields - all though to be fair there's never been any need as there is always decent grazing all year around.
 
Antw23uk said:
Mines been in for over a week now. Field is shot to bits and no grass just wet shoe pulling mud :mad:
I fed her as usual on the yard this morning and she normally gives me a funny look when i put her back in her stable but this morning she practically barged me out of the way to get back in, lol :D
She will be walked out later for a stretch and then lunged when i get down at about 1730 if its not snowing too much :)
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haha! :)
 
MillionDollar said:
I don't allow hay in the individual paddocks....it causes a HUGE mess! However all the paddocks have plenty of grass still and the horses are only going out for 2 - 3 hours. I agree if a horse is out all day with no grass to eat.
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I use hay hutches in some paddocks, nothing in others. The mess is only temporary IME. Better to have well fed horses than be overly bothered about what the fields look like. I am a YO myself and when grass is in short supply, I even feed haylage at the end of the summer. The trick is to not put too much out, so that pretty much all of it is eaten up.
 
I have one out 24/7 and not currently getting anything other than grass, the other out from 8-3 and no hay in the fields, there's still quite a bit of grass to pick at though - he has a net before he goes out a and a feed bulked out with chop and readi grass so certainly won't starve - comes in to a net at 3.
 
Tinsel Town said:
I'd probably let them out for a few hours and then ask for them to be brought in, but I guess thats what I'd do as we have large round hay bales in our fields so I'm lucky I dont have that problem.

Not good practice not allowing hay, they are horses! :(
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If the ground freezes we are all chipping in for a big bale to go in the field as well ... but only if it freezes otherwise she isnt going out other than turnout in the school, lol
 
amymay said:
I've never been on a yard that had hay put in the fields - all though to be fair there's never been any need as there is always decent grazing all year around.
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What about when it's covered in snow? Two years ago we were under snow and ice for a month.
 
At the yard I'm on we all work as a team in this weather. The horses have been put out this morning and at lunch time I will be bringing them all in and taking their boots off. Their stables are already set fair with hay and water and they will be dry and clean and warm.

I will be riding this evening in the outdoor school (Oz only hase fronts on and i'll make sure my riding session follows a lunging session of a horse without shoes on!) so they can clear the way safely!
 
Snow helps protect the grass and it will even grow a little under a few inches of snow so horses will dig for the sweet fresh shoots.

My Highland would much rather be outside digging for this grass than standing at the hay rack (which is available 24/7) or standing in the field shelter. A horse that is slightly frustrated will paw with a front foot -- that is digging behaviour, either through snow or soil to find grass or water. Mine are happier out.

[youtube]pm7XDRTQMtE[/youtube]
 
Wagtail said:
What about when it's covered in snow? Two years ago we were under snow and ice for a month.
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Horse was popped out for a leg stretch for a couple of hours, and then came in. He was quite happy having a little scratch around, play and roll. And then came in to a nice big fat haynet.
 
I have hay in the field but this morning when I looked out I could not see any horses in the field or hoofprints in the snow :eek: they had all put themselves in the barn that was the only thing I could not see from the windows and were standing in there watching the snow! If there is grass in your field they will probably keep themselves amused digging for it otherwise I would let them out for 4-5 hours and then bring in again.
 
amymay said:
Horse was popped out for a leg stretch for a couple of hours, and then came in. He was quite happy having a little scratch around, play and roll. And then came in to a nice big fat haynet.
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But the OP is asking about her horse being out for nine hours. If horses are not brought in after a couple of hours, is it fair to leave them in fields in deep snow all day long without hay?
 
Wagtail said:
But the OP is asking about her horse being out for nine hours. If horses are not brought in after a couple of hours, is it fair to leave them in fields in deep snow all day long without hay?
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No, I agree - if the horse is to be out for 9 odd hours, then of course you'd want some hay out there.

But many yards won't allow it (so you make alternative arrangements) - so I suggested just turning the horse out for a few hours leg stretch and then being brought in......
 
At the old yard I was at they wouldn't allow hay in fields but I still did as argued the point with the yard manager (nicely of course:p). I religiously rake up any left over/mess so you can barely tell she's had any. I also put it in a massive tub to try and help. I think that if your willing to clear up the mess it's not a problem.
 
My mare as soon as she sees the snow has covered grass her nose starts twitching and she goes hunting!:D so I really don't need to worry about hay in feilds( and no we aren't allowed any but grass is good so no one is bothered)
Mine, apart from lami pony who is having a duvet day, are out for the morning then I'm bringing back in at lunch time.
 
ShadowFlame said:
Quick question.

Our yard doesn't allow hay in the field, even in snow. I work 9hr shifts, so if I turn out just before work and bring in straight after, pone has around 10hrs out. Is it fair to expect a horse to dig through snow and attempt to forage, if he has plenty of hay when he comes in?

WWYD?
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I would say no if it is very cold - unless there is plenty of grass under the snow and your pony has a full coat or he is rugged up properly as he won't be able to keep warm without adequate forage for that amount of time.
 
I still never get how hay is 'mess' Its just a brown version of the green stuff. It rots if not eaten and adds bulk and seed to the soil. Yes, you don't want wads of it covering the grass, but I think the levels most of us would put it out at, that would never happen anyway - too many greedy horses for that. :)

Mine gets bored of hay after a while, and will always go and graze, regardless of temp/weather, but the hay is put out in such a way that providing the others don't gobble it up (highly likely) there will be some left and not trampled.
 
Antw23uk said:
If the ground freezes we are all chipping in for a big bale to go in the field as well ... but only if it freezes otherwise she isnt going out other than turnout in the school, lol
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yeah thats what we've done, the yo arranged the bales for us and got them put out in the fields and we're sharing the costs. The horses are just about to move round to a new field soon so there is a nice amount of grass waiting for them. :)
 
I never allow hay in the field after an expensive broken leg to a beauiful horse it is an absolute no no on this yard horses are never fed in the field.
All my horses even the most wussy are good at digging up grass so I leave them to get on with it.
However I do understand OP's issue nine hours is a long time .
 
Interesting reading guys, thanks. I plan to speak to some of the other liveries later today (or YO if I can catch her) about the situation, but consensus from the couple that were there this morning is that it's the same every year. No hay.

We haven't had MASSES of snow, but it's enough to coat the fields and affect the roads. It's started snowing again now. I let him munch his way through plenty of hay before going out, and he'll have extra when he comes in tonight, however he did stand at the gate looking a little disgusted.

We do have grass, but nothing long. He's out for today, really torn over what to do for the next few days though. He lived out 24/7 last year (with hay), and I'm reluctant to have him in 24/7. He's a hairy good doer, well covered (probably too much so), and is rugged.
 
If there is grass under the snow they will dig for it to a point, but not if its frozen solid and so bare you could chase a mouse on it for a week and never loose it!

Mine have adlib hay out 24/7. If they have a round bale they will make mess. If I fork it over so there isn't loads to waste there is very little mess and that's out 24/7 and they always have hay...
 
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