Storm Bella

[gemisastar]

80 mph winds forecast here overnight. Horses are going to have to suck it up with an extra rug as they aren't fans of being stabled at the best of times and their barn is made partly of corrugated iron which I'm afraid may lift off. Their field isn't the most sheltered ever, and I do feel a bit worried as electricity pylons run across it.

What is everyone else doing?

 

[southerncomfort]

Mine are coming in as we live on a hill and the land is very exposed.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Mine refuses to go in the field shelter in high winds, so I know she'd freak out being stabled (she was fine in our old lovely brick built stables. Sigh) She's been unrugged til now but I've just put a 100g rug on her in preparation for gale force sleet/snow (she loses her mind in high winds, so if I'm going to rug I try to make the decision before the winds hit!)

And I've opened up the January grazing a bit early so she's got access to shelter on more sides, and she'll hopefully be a bit occupied grazing rather than just standing at the hay ?‍

Side note: I'm so well aware of the dangers of over rugging (native good-doer, query EMS, she needs a proper winter "reset") but i have to say, it's really lovely seeing her out there all tucked up cosy and warm for once, feels like a bit of a weight off my shoulders!

 

[J&S]

Hopefully only 40 mph here. They will be inside in block built stables with safe roofs.

 

[Antw23uk]

We arent on the radar for 80mph winds but they will be high. I will be stabling. He gets to spend most 'nice' nights out so the odd night/ day in with the bad weather wont hurt him and he rather likes being in (he's new!)

 

[Flowerofthefen]

In as usual. We are forecast 40mph winds and heavy rain overnight., making wet fields even wetter!!

 

[HobleytheTB]

My very sensible cob will stay out as she usually lives out and is far too wise to get herself into trouble!

My other mare, who is usually turned out overnight, will come in. She's quite injury prone and quite frankly I don't want to have to be awake all night worrying about what she's doing! She's been out 24/7 over the last few days for Xmas anyway.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Flying forecast at little airfield a mile or so away now reading gusts here to come of about 55mph then plenty of rain overnight.
I left B out last night, will do same tonight but put on full neck rug, she does have the choice of 2 shelters with hay in. Little A will still be in and have to take chance with the trees behind stables.

 

[sherry90]

They are in overnight anyway. We are forecast 40mph winds here from about 8pm onwards and heavy rain. They’ll be snoozing by then ?

 

[irishdraft]

59 mph & heavy rain here so they will be coming in over night

 

[doodle]

In overnight anyway. Stable window will be closed (American barn, door in the isle and a window out back of stable) as the wind comes in that way. So nothing different really.

 

[SpotsandBays]

In overnight. Ones in ok boxrest anyway but will bring others in too out of the rain. My fields are so wet as it is so they can have a cosy night.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Kept mine in today..really windy and rain and as so little to eat and keep them occupied it’s the best option.

 

[rextherobber]

55mph wind and rain forecast tonight, we also have electricity lines running across the field. They will be in tonight.

 

[gemisastar]

Still showing 79mph at 2am here, they're well rugged and fingers are crossed, my mare would be doing cartwheels if she was kept in so have just got to hope for the best, there are a few sheltered spots in the field that they like to stand in and they have plenty of hay, I predict I will be awake tonight worrying!

 

[Surbie]

In overnight anyway - in a new block of stables so the roof should be ok. It should also stop the houses next to the yard setting off fireworks again.

 

[SEL]

Been in over night since storm Alex at the beginning of Oct flooded the fields. The pre Christmas rain has turned them into lakes again so I'm sure Bella will be topping them up.Barn will be noisy but YO lives just across from it and is on hand if anything serious happens.

 

[TPO]

Mine are in I've ight anyway and they had a long lie with hay this morning.

Popped them out at the back of 10 with hay and rugs (excluding fat cob) while I did stables.

Once the hay was gone they all just tucked in under the hedge looking miserable and getting soaked. Most of the field is already underwater with all of the previous rain and frosts melting so not much for them to pick at.

I caved and opened the gates at 12.30. The way they galloped in made me think that they were quite glad to come in.

If the wind and rain drop a bit I'll stick them back out with hay for an hour later while I redo stables and what not.

I hate them standing in but I guess it's no different standing in than standing out for a day

 

[BBP]

Horses should be fine as on all weather turnout, but we have flood warnings here, with people being evacuated, so I’ll be watching my garden for floods. Everything is still upstairs after the flood of a few days ago.

 

[Griffin]

In, due to our fields already being wet and they have all been out for the last couple of days. If it was going to be just windy, we would leave them out but with the rain as well, ours will prefer to be in.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I used to be at a yard where the roof always blew off in high winds so horses always stayed out where they would be safe. However I have moved up the lane into American style barn stables warm and secure, I usually leave out for most of the time healthier and cheaper and the land is good but I have a mare in foal and who isn’t rugged and my thoroughbred gelding so they will come in tonight and whenever it is heavy rain From now until she foals.

 

[southerncomfort]

We've got a Met office warning for snow now as well so mine will definitely be tucked up in their bedrooms.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Our fields have suffered from the relentless heavy rain, so currently turnout is very restricted. Hoping for a reprieve in a few days. It's exhausting trying to keep a stabled horse physically and mentally healthy without turnout.
Same old story every year really. Livery yards that can cope with winter weather are as rare as hens teeth. Too many horses for too little land.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have a different problem with mine. I'm able to turnout every day. Unfortunately the horse wont stay out! It's very tiring trying to keep him mentally relaxed. Roll on spring!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Our fields have suffered from the relentless heavy rain, so currently turnout is very restricted. Hoping for a reprieve in a few days. It's exhausting trying to keep a stabled horse physically and mentally healthy without turnout.
Same old story every year really. Livery yards that can cope with winter weather are as rare as hens teeth. Too many horses for too little land.

I've always worried about "all those poor horses with no winter turnout". But my mare is out 24/7 and she literally stands in exactly one spot eating hay. So essentially the same as living in, just with more wind and rain ?‍ (I do sometimes split her hay in half, and then she stands in one spot until the hay is all gone, and then walks across the field to stand in the other spot for the rest of the day!)

 

[wiglet]

High winds (45-50mph) and heavy rain for us overnight. My girl will be in - she comes in at night all year round so no different to any other night.

 

[exracehorse]

In, due to our fields already being wet and they have all been out for the last couple of days. If it was going to be just windy, we would leave them out but with the rain as well, ours will prefer to be in.

I’m same. Left out Christmas and today. But with wind and rain forecast and very wet fields I shall pull in at 4pm.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Bella isn't coming this far north. Pretty grim out there today even so. Temperature dropping and rain falling so my hardstanding will be an ice rink by morning. Horses going in front field shut off from hardstanding overnight.

We get high winds quite a lot here and up to about 60 mph gusts is "carry on as normal" range albeit with a fair bit of swearing. But the buildings and trees etc are tested more regularly by the weather here so I guess there's less risk of stuff coming down. I doubt anyone in Caithness has an unsecured trampoline!

Over 60mph I'd start to be concerned, depending on direction, but they'd probably still be more comfortable out in it than in a creaking/rattling building.

 

[MereChristmas]

We are forecast heavy rain and up to 50mph winds.
The field is hill and faces almost north with only a thin hedge.

Pony is rather fat and has been out 24/7. He is fully clipped and wears a snuggy hood and neck, a cotton sheet and a Rhino no fill rug.

He is usually reluctant to come to the gate in the evening but today was already there at 4pm.

This will be his first night in since I bought him.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I've always worried about "all those poor horses with no winter turnout". But my mare is out 24/7 and she literally stands in exactly one spot eating hay. So essentially the same as living in, just with more wind and rain ?‍ (I do sometimes split her hay in half, and then she stands in one spot until the hay is all gone, and then walks across the field to stand in the other spot for the rest of the day!)

Lol, isn't that the truth !
The winters of 2009 and 2010, when we had endless snow and artic and temperatures, my three horses opted to be out 24/7. They wanted to be out with the herd on a lovely little yard.
All the horses stood by the round hay bales. The field was devoid of hoof prints on the deep virgin snow. I guess they did have the benefit of (very) fresh air and companionship though.