Snow related question?

[em2010]

I have a question (numpty question?). Well due to this horrible snow all the horses are stuck inside and it's driving the shetlands mad cuz there too little to look over the door bless um! So if I was very careful do you think I could walk them out inhand so they don't go insane?!

 

[RuthnMeg]

I don't see why not! But a word of warning.. if they are desperate to get out, you may have to find some skiis... small in stature, big in stubborness and all that!! lol
Can't they be turned out for a few hours... they are hardy little things!!?

 

[SilverSkye]

I have turned my girl out to play in the snow and she was having a lovely time rolling and digging when i left her! She will come in earlier than normal so i can catch a bit of day light and i will hack her out this afternoon. So in answer to your question i don't see why you can't walk them out in hand, could you not pop them out in the field or in a menage for an hour to play while you mucked out?

 

[L&M]

Why can't you just turn them out? I assume with no shoes you won't have to worry about the snow ballling in their feet.

Mine live out 24/ and am just putting out hay and cracking the ice every few hours, but where we lived before they had to come in at night, so we adapted the stable doors so they could see out.

Can't see any reason you could not lead them out in hand, but turning them out would be a lot less hassle.....

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Mmmm, this is difficult innit. The problem is that whatever you do, you have to bear in mind the surface under your feet, as well as the danger of the horse/pony slipping - if there's any risk of YOU going ars@ over tip then I'd say to be cautious, personally.

I keep looking at mine and thinking gosh he needs to go for a hack just to chill him out, BUT even though we're on a bus route here and therefore the road is well gritted, I'm a tad dubious coz all that needs to happen is to have to pull in to the side for a car or whatever and you're likely to be on slippery black ice which you can't see.

Its not worth the risk IMO. So I've turned mine out, with plenty of hay and his turnout rug, and he'll have to get on with it I'm afraid.

 

[em2010]

I don't see why not! But a word of warning.. if they are desperate to get out, you may have to find some skiis... small in stature, big in stubborness and all that!! lol
Can't they be turned out for a few hours... they are hardy little things!!?

Yes they can be little buggers and are normally very sensible walking out but maybe iv got a challenge today! Unfortunatly the YO has said not even the shetlands are to go out today! Thanks for our reply I'm going to get the woolies out and head off!

 

[only_me]

You could ask to turn them out in the arena (if you have one), so at least they can have some hooly time

 

[em2010]

Thanks for all the replys guys..
the YO has said no turnout today too dangerous?!
& of corse I will walk the route that I would take them before.
& They have been in the menage this morning and tryed to jump out and get to the field

 

[PurplePickle]

mine are out today the ground is extremely hard though, and its very slippy once anyone walks on the yard. Can you give them some things to play with to keep them occupied?

 

[Katkin]

It's -3c here and 2 ft of snow. I would turn out in the school if you can't use a field and take a camera for some great photos.

Half of mine live out 24/7, shetland included, and he's not even rugged (others are). He's very happy and warm in his lovely shaggy winter coat. The stabled ones were out as normal first thing - they love the snow! Great for rolling and frolicking about. Got plenty of hay and water so its a holiday for them. Another advantage is that they are so clean and the fields don't get poached. As to slippy yard surfaces, I discovered last year that it's best to clear as little snow as possible ie. don't salt. Let it form a nice hardpacked surface then use grit (or straw) over the top to get a good grippy surface. Constant shovelling and using salt just made things dangerous and was a complete waste of energy.

Roll on the Spring and I'll pass on the White Xmas thanks!

 

[katherine1975]

I always turn out in the snow. Last year it was too dangerous to lead them in and out so they were out for a week in the snow. Seemed perfectly happy, fed them haylage twice a day and checked the water.