Temperatures ... inside and outside

[zeuscleoharmony]

For the majority of us horseowners we have a bog standard stable with no form of additional heating.

I know a stable shelters from rainfall, snowfall and wind but on an occasion such as tonight, here, for instance, when the sky is clear, no wind, temperatures surely are exactly the same inside as out, so what point being in?

A lot of people emphasize the fact that they are bringing their horses in due to the temperatures but surely there is more to it than that. Is giving their horses a respite from standing on frozen ground a reason? I have mats in my field for Archie to stand on, off the frozen stuff.

(Edited - after reading first reply I feel decidedly thick - many of you coming to the conclusion I most definitely am. Mind you, the roof in our american barn is very high and it doesn't seem to be any warmer in than out - thats my excuse and I'll stick to it

Oh, and its getting late!

 

[lucy1984]

I dont have stables but when my horses are eating their breakfasts I stand in the field shelter and it's suprisingly warmer in there than standing out in the open, even though its open/airy.

 

[RuthnMeg]

iam sure horses can stay warmer out, as they can move around more, but some yards don't allow 24/7 turnout, so its not always an option. Standing in may well help get feet off frozen ground, but I thought keeping feet cold was a good thing??

 

[glenruby]

Thats one reason why I think horses may be best off out well rugged up (if thats what you think is best) in this weather. they have th option to move around and keep themselves warm. A south facing field shelter with plenty of roughage and a good rug and any horse would probably be as well off - clipped out or not.

 

[Taffyhorse]

Our stables are very sheltered and you can feel a temperature difference whether its still, wet or blowing a force 9!

My cheeky sec D is also very good at telling me what he wants so the 'routine' gets adapted to him. In the winter as a rule he's standing shouting at the gate by 3pm (earlier if its wet or windy) to come in but from March, you're the devil incarnate and won't get near him if he thinks he's coming in because he wants to be out - hence he's out all summer and in at night in the winter.

Today was a classic example - snowy, freezing cold but very still and sunny. He was chucked out this am for a few hours and YO texted me at lunchtime to say he was still out as he was pretty 'insistent' he didn't want to come in! I went down early afternoon and couldn't get near him - he was blatantly loving being out in the fresh air so he was left out until teatime - which is my preference anyway