Stable or Live out ?

[Dougal9]

I am looking to purchase my first horse - a 9 yr old cob gelding. At the moment he is in during the day and out at night. Do cob's thrive better on living out full time (only brought in during adverse weather) or shall I be looking to stable him ?

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I think it really depends on the individual. When I first got my Irish cob I kept him out 24/7 but found I struggled to keep his weight down as he was such a good doer. He's now kept in during the day and out at night although now the clocks have changed I may switch it so I don't have to drag him in from the field first thing in the morning when I go to ride before work. As for bringing in during adverse weather, as long as he's rugged appropriately you shouldn't need to.

 

[Enfys]

That is a how long is a piece of string question

There are lots of variables to consider:

What is your land/ grazing like? If it resembles a ploughed field, or rice paddy then, yes, stable at night just to give the horse a chance to dry off.

Are you at home, or on a yard? You may have no choice if yard rules state 'in at night' in which case your problem is solved.

How much time do you have? If you have the option of out 24/7 then that cuts your stable maintenance time down and you actually have more horse time. On the other hand you will have a wet, muddy horse to sort out before riding - minor inconvenience.

What does the horse prefer? Obviously it goes without saying that it is better for them to be out and able to move around (which I, personally, think is debatable if they are past their ankles in liquid mud or leg sucking clay ) They are all individuals, some hate being out for long and just stand miserably at the gate all day, some actually DO like coming in to a clean bed and some peace and quiet to eat. The better the ground the happier they are to be out in general.

Do cobs thrive better living out? They are all individuals, some do, some don't, some are as happy as pigs in the proverbial, some are couch potatoes and like their home comforts, some stay fat on fresh air, others have to be coddled a bit more. It is impossible to say yes or no as it really is down to the horse itself.

 

[Dougal9]

Thanks everyone .... I guess it was a bit of a how long is a piece of string question . He is such a placid horse that I think he would do whatever I decided. He will be at a yard, their paddocks are amazingly well kept with good drainage so little mud, and they are willing to be flexible. I was going to have him on a full livery package, but the owner mentioned that she believes horses should be out as much as possible and the riding school that I am buying him from said he would do well either in or out ..... Thing is being a cob I may struggle with his weight once he realises just how good the grazing is . Obviously out is going to be cheaper - but I just want what's best for him.

 

[LHIS]

As your first horse OP I think full livery is a good start, or at least part livery, as it will give you some support (I too am going to be a first time owner soon and have opted for full livery to give me the support I need).
I would suggest just see how your horse settles, take advice from the YO and friends (I'm sure you know not to listen to everyone - take advice with a pinch of salt). Learn all you can from your friends and maybe work out where your knowledge gaps are and work on swotting up on those.
I'm sure it will become apparent to you quite quickly if your horse is happy with a TO then stabling arrangement, and if not then consider letting him live out.