Stabling youngsters (foal to 3yrs)???

Everything stabled during the winter - out in the day, and rugged if needs be.

Foals are a different kettle of fish altogether, as the weather plays a huge part in how long they can initially go out for. And as for rugging - again yes, if needs be.
 
amymay said:
Everything stabled during the winter - out in the day, and rugged if needs be.

Foals are a different kettle of fish altogether, as the weather plays a huge part in how long they can initially go out for. And as for rugging - again yes, if needs be.
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I do this too, mine still haven't gone out 24/7 due to the wet ground and may still have to be restricted when it dries up if the grass shoots up. The yearling is out with a 2 year old cob who I suspect will easily get obese if allowed. Easier to supplement the yearling than restrict just the cob
 
Mine are both 10months they go out all day and come in at night all year round, winter I rug up. Summer they stay out later them usual
 
The two I've owned long term stayed in at night over winter, out the rest of the time. Avoid rugs where possible for any horse, but have certainly used them on youngsters, both mine & other peoples, when required. Hate over rugging, but wouldn't see one miserable either.
 
My 2 year old is out 24 7 now (still Rugged depending on the weather), but was stabled at night and rugged up during the day. When the fields were muddy he was turned out in the arena (until he realised he could jump the fence!!) because he had mudrash and tickley legs! I think you get to know what your own horse likes and dislikes though!
 
Always stabled youngsters overnight in winter - out 24/7 in summer.
I find it gets them into a routine for their adult ridden life & gets them used to all the usual yard goings-on.
Mine were rugged according to the weather.

I try and keep my babies as i would my adult horses, i find they grow up totally relaxed as they've experienced most things from an early age.
However they still get turned out with other youngsters to be the babies that they are during the day :)
 
My yearling filly will be stabled overnight all year and out to graze in the day with the length of time being dictated by the weather. She is rugged and i think she would be lost without her stable she loves coming in for a snooze and a munch!
 
Mine are stabled every night throughout the year. They go out through the day and only stay in if the weather is really crappy or the fields become too muddy. I rug according to their needs which are all different.
The 2 year old is rugged through the winter and when he needs it the rest of the year. I rugged him as a foal through some crappy weather in the summer and my daughter posted a picture of him on a Dutch forum and what a furore that sparked, We were well and truly berated for rugging him. Like I said at the time and someone else on here has also said it, I know my horses better than anyone else. I ignored them!
 
I keep babies out in my 'baby complex' (massive massive field on a hill) and they are pretty much feral. They come in a few times a year for handling and see me every day when I check/feed them. They are very friendly etc but I never rug them because I think it makes them soft (breed dependent). But if you don't rug you usually find that you don't need to. They are outdoor animals after all.

They get backed at 3 then back out, then into work at 4.

I find that with this method they usually come in tough and happy, and clever at looking after themselves. Plus I like them to just 'be horses' for a few years.

I also call horses 'babies' until 2 and then 'yoofs.'
Although perhaps that belongs in the 'things non horsey people say' thread!
 
When I was breeding sport horse types they where stabled at night in winter because it's exposed here and the soil is clay but I never rugged them I would also bring in during the day in summer if the flys were awful it was a good time to do a bit of handling
 
patterdale said:
I keep babies out in my 'baby complex' (massive massive field on a hill) and they are pretty much feral. They come in a few times a year for handling and see me every day when I check/feed them. They are very friendly etc but I never rug them because I think it makes them soft (breed dependent). But if you don't rug you usually find that you don't need to. They are outdoor animals after all.

They get backed at 3 then back out, then into work at 4.

I find that with this method they usually come in tough and happy, and clever at looking after themselves. Plus I like them to just 'be horses' for a few years.

I also call horses 'babies' until 2 and then 'yoofs.'
Although perhaps that belongs in the 'things non horsey people say' thread!
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I do understand why some stable... But I like this! My youngster lives out 24/7 with no rugs and only has handling once maybe twice a week, not including general checks and feed. My hardy TB lives out too but she is rugged as she is clipped over winter and worked.
I don’t feel them not being stabled will have a negative effect, as they’re in if they fell in with anything and everything. Not to mention all though 2yo never been rugged, she waits eagerly by my side as sometimes likes the TB's rug chucked on her whilst I do rug changes so it doesn't go on the floor :p .
 
Yep - my TB has been out this winter with a hunter clip, a good rug and a big bale. He looks great now and it's done him no harm at all. I usually find that the less you do the less u have to do....they are animals after all.
I know it's not a case of 'one size fits all' but I do try and have everything out where possible. Good for them, saves money, and saves time so you don't end up fed up and hating horses come spring :)
 
I also agree free range is best and only rug when needed, but our two had to contend with knee deep mud for a good 300yds to access the barn/stables, resulting in our 18yr old severly damaging his back leg, ultimately resulting in his death a week later, the vet said pain related colic, but his heart gave out while colicing.
As I type, our two are out in dripping rugs, having rained all day, fed in the field to save going through mud, toasty warm in the dripping rugs and still grazing the field, horses know what's best for them and choose to stand out in the rain
 
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