TBs living out all year

Hi

Back in the day we all used to 'rough off' our TB event horses at end of season and get them back in 1st January. Unrugged. Last winter my TB mare was out in thick snow (Aberdeenshire) 24/7 unrugged (was feeding a foal and they can hang themselves on rug straps). She was fine - as was the foal.
 
Mine lived out before I bought him but has been stabled at night for 4 years. I am thinking of moving him to grass livery, he will be rugged.
 
My TB lives out all year round, I rug her when it is cold and wet and she has the use of a shelter in the colder months, She does so much better out than when she is stabled.
 
My TB mare has been out every winter since I got her, she's a loony in the stable! lol .. She has access to a field shelter and she gets rugged up. Haylage goes int he field and last year she didn't need hard feed.
 
TBs can grow the most amazing coats if you leave them be. Its just that if they are a hot headed TB they sweat so much they need clipping.
 
Mine grows a coat like a yak in the winter. It must be 2 inches long. He is clipper phobic though but we manage every winter regardless
 
many of the polo ponies i've worked are roughed off every autumn and turned away for winter - living out in a herd 24/7 unrugged with ad lib hay - they all coped just fine :)
 
My 7 yr old TB and our 25 yr old poney live out 24/7 365 days a year , unrugged, obviously not clipped. They grow a great coat and eat well. There is a good field shelter, and I stable them for a couple of hours to cool down slowly after hacking.
My opinion is that such a life leads to a healthier horse, mentally and physically, but it clearly is only suitable for someone who doesn't rely on their horse looking smart and clipped , ie those who compete etc.
 
Melodysnow.jpg


She will be rugged this winter though as she is now 19. :)
 
My lot (including fullTB) are out 24/7 with access to field shelter and rugged. (in Aberdeenshire)
Much more natural and majority of the time they go into the shelter to eat and snooze, then back out whatever the weather
 
My chap lives out all year round, rugged when the weather is bad and with plenty of hay as needed. Suits him really well, he doesn't drop weight and always seems happy. : )
 
Mine live out all winter in rugs, but before i broughtthem they lived out without rugs.
The stud up the road winter all their brrodmares and youngstock out all winter without rugs, big hairy coats but all look well
 
Mine lives out all year round with an uber-thick rug in Winter :) However he is clipper-phobic (he even freaks out when sedated) so I don't know how badly that would affect him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top