Storm predicted path to hit us first - horses in or out?

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myhorsefred

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Sorry for another storm question, but am worried.

The storm is predicted to hit Pembs first, and I am on the west coast of Pembs too.

I have a big American barn with stables in, it has always been fine in windy weather, but there are trees overhead.

Horses could stay out in the big 8 acre field, but I am worried that flying debris could harm them.

My guess is that it is safer out in the field? What would you do? thanks.
 
We are in Kent, and I am not as yet sure if we are going to suffer this storm or how much, but pony will be in. I wouldnt want to be out in it and I dont see why my pony should be any different! Each to their own, but I would profer him to be safe in his stable, than getting soaked through to the skin and blown off his feet!!
 
"Safe in his stable" is an interesting choice of words because personally I think they are at a greater risk indoors during bad storms. Even well-built barns and stables aren't indestructible - roofs can be ripped off, buildings can be badly damaged and even collapse completely. I wouldn't want my horse trapped inside a damaged building tbh! It can also get VERY noisy in barns and stables during storms and a lot of horses will get stressed and worried by this. I would go for Out every time.
 
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Unless there are power lines likely to come down in the field I'd be tempted to leave out. I've seen more pics of ponies in collapsed stables and barns than injuries from being outside (only heard of one incident where two ponies were killed from sheltering under a tree when a big bough fell on them :( )I guess it would also depend on how many big trees there are in and around the field. 8 acres is a lot of space so I'd imagine they should get out of the way mostly.

Fingers crossed it doesn't come to much and everyone is safe x
 
Definitely in for me but depends on what the horses are used to I suppose, mine are used to coming in over night in winter and staying in in bad weather so would be worried by being left out. My stables are also very sturdy so I'm not worried about them collapsing or the roof blowing off whereas my field shelter has blown away before so wouldn't risk them being in the field with that.
 
its not due to be too bad where i am but one will be in one will be out. one is in a field with lots of trees surrounding it and he is in electric fencing and i could do without him getting loose and causing havoc... he also hates wind and rain... the other is out in the middle of a massive field with a hedge to provide a wind block but no trees, he doesnt like being stabled other then at night so i'll chuck a couple rugs on him and let him decide if he wants to go out :) im not sure whether i would rather them in or out but i will let them decide im not forcing them to stay out in it!
 
out for sure,would rather they were free to run away from something as opposed to getting trapped in a stable. in windy weather they seem to know to stay away from the willow trees which drop branches regularly so imo they are safer outside
 
In the 1987 storm our horses were in the stables. At 3.00am our massive barn which was at the bottom of our land couldnt stand up to the wind and disintegrated. The stables got struck by a piece of flying metal roof from the barn and the whole roof except for one stable got sucked off with the all horses in. We put them all out as quickly as we could despite being bombarded by flying bit off the barn. Very scary. Our mare circled the others all night in the safest part of the field bless her.
Out would be safer but depends what your fencing is, what trees and other possible hazards you have about.
 
Mine will all be out, as they're on holiday in Cornwall....right in the path of the storm.

I am sure they will be safe...least I hope they will be. I know they are in super safe hands, just hard being so far away from them.
 
however sturdy people may think their stables/barns are, they are not normally tested with 80mph winds! just had this discussion with my friend at the yard and we have agreed to keep them out. they have plenty of space to get out of the way if any trees fall, but also if they are spooky they can run around instead of feeling trapped in the barn. i'm south, which is apparently predicted the strong winds but not as much rain as north.
 
My OH is policeman, they've got emergency planning in place as it really is expected to be nasty (South Lincs) I think I'll leave mine out, structural damage is expected and barns must be at more risk, outside they can race around and yep risk branches etc but if the roof comes off the barn they will be in a mess.

Sadly this sounds like more than bad weather (which I'd normally keep them in for to stop them ploughing my fields!!) they'll get over being rained on for a night.
 
DragonSlayer said:
Apparently so! I've not seen anything on TV (not watching the right channels?) and the BBC weather isn't saying anything too drastic!

Can someone link me to this info please?

Ta!
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Only realised a storm was heading our way reading this! Just googled & found this:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/...&zoom=5&lon=-3.50&lat=55.50&fcTime=1382918400

Mine will be out, she always is. Whenever its raining heavily/windy she never stays in her field shelter & generally stands in the most open part of the field.

We've had 2 trees fall down when she's been in the same paddock she seems to know they are going.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I will leave mine out. I am sure my agricultural, steel framed barn will cope, but I am worried in case the roof sheets come off and fall in.

Although I hate it that they will be out in awful weather, they will be wearing lightweight combo rugs, and I think on this occasion it will be safer than risking falling debris inside the barn.
Thanks for your replies, everyone.
 
I am thinking mine will be out. We have a corrugated roof and I am not sure it will stand up to 80mph plus winds. Someone did say that it could blow off and hit them in the field!! They are out now and will come in eventually but still quite happy out. May put padded suits and crash hats on them :)
 
Interesting. Our YO has insisted that all horses are to be left in on monday to save grazing, but reading this I think I would now be questioning this and asking about the safety of them being kept in.
 
Given the choice at the yard, mine will be out where they feel safest. They'll probably choose the dips in the field near the hedges.

Do check fencing though. Finding a country road littered with dead and dying horses during a storm isn't an experience I want to see again.
 
I was keeping in but since my boy seemed a bit stressed in during the lighter winds of the past 48 hrs and reading comments on here I have changed my mind. Main problem is I must limit his grazing as he has EMS so can't just turn out in a big field as grass still lush. Have fenced off a smaller area well away from the tree lined fence line in case any come down and break fence. He has access to stable but I will leave door open so he can get away if structural damage occurs - although unsure if door clip will hold up to 90mph gusts !
 
Mine live out anyway. Hopefully the shelters will be fine, but as a precaution I plan to remove the electric fence which limits their grazing tomorrow afternoon or put them into the next field, as I want them to have some running room and current field is a bit squelchy!
 
joosie said:
"Safe in his stable" is an interesting choice of words because personally I think they are at a greater risk indoors during bad storms. Even well-built barns and stables aren't indestructible - roofs can be ripped off, buildings can be badly damaged and even collapse completely. I wouldn't want my horse trapped inside a damaged building tbh! It can also get VERY noisy in barns and stables during storms and a lot of horses will get stressed and worried by this. I would go for Out every time.
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Agree, a couple of years ago a local yard left thwirs in during heavy snow - the barn roof collapsed and the horses were trapped in the stables. Luckily they were all fine. I would much rather mine was out during bad weather as long as there is shelter for them such as hedges.
 
We don't have a choice at our yard as we can't turn out at night. Plus they are in individual (large)paddocks so I think it would be horrid if they couldn't huddle together.

In the storm of 1987 the stable where my pony was kept was blow half off its foundations and the roof came off but none of the horses were injured.
 
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