thefarsideofthefield
Well-Known Member
Mine are out , unrugged natives , with free access from their field to an all weather pen which then gives access to a concrete yard and their stables which are left permanently open ( rubber matting and deep shaving beds ) , which makes for interesting watching . If the ground is wet and they want to lie down they will do so in a stable ( often both in the same one ) . If the weather is absolutely appalling ( driving rain/hail ) they will stand half in/half out the stable door , but otherwise , depending on the wind direction , they will be standing outside , either on the yard under the stable roof overhang , in the corner of the small all weather pen where two buildings form high walls or under the thick 7' hedge that forms 2 sides of our boundary fence , but mostly they will be out in the middle of the field , whatever the weather , just eating or dozing . They are fed hay and straw on the yard , under the overhang and we are fortunate to be on slightly higher ground with well drained fields so it's relatively dry underfoot so it's a set up that works really well for us . Interestingly , they spend far more time in their stables in summer ,