Stereotyping which horses can live out

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stitch

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Hi

I am looking to buy my first horse would prefer if it him/her could be kept out all year and i have been constantly told i will need to be looking for a native - however i was wondering what your experiances are with keeping unstereotipically sturdy horses out during the winter months e.g thourghbred (and summer).

Sorry if it dosnt make sense couldnt think of any other way to word it
 
That's daft!

Any horse can live out. I have seen lots of TBs advertised as living out all year, you can get plenty of thick rugs these days!

I have never kept one though as I love my little hairy things.
 
Any type can live out. They make amazing rugs now and as long as you make sure they have plenty of food etc. I know plenty of people who's TB's live out, depending on the individual horse though, some just hate it. Don't rule any type out though, find out about each horse.
 
Any horse should be able to live out providing it has good rugs and shelter. In some ways cobs and natives are less suitable for living out because they almost always need to have their grass intake restricted. I think out 24/7 with a good field shelter is the best way to go. That said it is always useful to have a stable, or bars/doors for a shelter to keep them in before a show or in case of injury.
 
Agree with all the above. We've had TBs, cobs, natives and WBs and every single one has lived out all year round 24/7. Just make sure they have shelter and correct food intake and decent rugs and they'll be happy chappies
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My very fine and short haired "veteran" Akhal Teke is out for most of the year. He is rugged up well in Winter and its much better for him to be moving and not get stiff. We leave his stable door open (stable is in the field) so he can go in if he wants for shelter, not that he ever does.
 
I would say (and will prob get shot down) to steer clear of too well bred WB types though due mainly to the way they've been brought up and they can be pathetic when it comes to being chucked out in all weathers (although i guess a bit of tough love and they'd sort themsleves out!). I think most TB, for all people generally think they cannot be left out, are actually pretty hardy and, in the racing world they actually are used to being turfed out and roughed off and are generally mud pigs!

I do however think your more native connemaras, welsh etc will be better doers over the winter months and do not require the rugging that other thinner coated horses will need (however no rug means alot of cleaning!).

At the end of the day a horse is a horse, they are designed to live out so, with adequate shelter from the elements and sufficient food and water ALL horses should be fine!
 
Depends entirely on the horse himself and the fields you have I would say. Something with shelter that didn't turn into a rice paddy by December would be fine I should imagine.

Plenty of finer types thrive very happily outside with shelter, good rugs and plenty of grub to fill their bellies, at the other end of the scale there are natives who relish their home comforts and do better inside.

I have an extremely dainty arab mare who lives out all year round with just a MW turnout (admittedly she is spoiled and it does have a full neck) and we have a bit of snow and pretty cold temps. Very little rain or mud though so at least I am spared the dreaded mud fever. After 20 odd years, I have called time on mucking out every day, so anything I get HAS to live outside unless it absolutely needs to come indoors.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would say (and will prob get shot down) to steer clear of too well bred WB types though due mainly to the way they've been brought up and they can be pathetic when it comes to being chucked out in all weathers (although i guess a bit of tough love and they'd sort themsleves out!).

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LOL! My very well bred WB spent her first winter out this year and if anything I had to watch that she didn't get fat because I couldn't work her as much
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She had one rug on throughout (either a M/W or H/W rambo) and hence kept such a sleek coat she didn't even need clipping despite being in work.

I have wintered out WBs, TBs, Arabs and PBAs, natives, etc etc and I think virtually any horse can be out. I have 4 stables at mine that never get used for more than a couple of hours, and only *very* occassionlly!!
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Far better out than in for their joints, breathing and sanity
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My two Arabs have lived out 24/7 all year round for about three years now. I was told they wouldn't tolerate winter conditions but properly rugged and provided with ad lib hay and shelter they've been as happy as Larry. In fact, if I bring them in for feeding they start banging the doors to get out as soon as they've finished.
 
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