Tonight’s quandary

sheep

sheep

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2011
Messages
5,947
Location
Northern Ireland
Visit site
Having horses at home is fantastic, but sometimes (and I think some of you good people warned me about this!) being wholly responsible for everything is scary 😂 if I was still on livery, there would be no thinking to do lol!

Anyway, my gang have been mostly living out, in the odd night where it has been really wet. They are out at the moment, and I can’t decide whether or not to bring them in. Why? It’s a bit windy. They are rugged, have plenty of grass and while their field is on a hill, they are near the bottom and have access to good natural shelter.

Responsibility is a head melter 😂 tell me to wise up please 😂
 
Before mine had 24/7 access to a barn (and therefore choose for themselves whether to come in) I used to bring them in if it was two or more out of
1. really cold
2. really wet
3. really windy

It didn't actually happen all that many times, which is good because it meant co-ordinating with another livery for turn out / bring ins, mucking out and feeding.

Mine didn't have very good natural shelter though - with decent natural shelter you can probably add another "really" into the above descriptions, unless they are poor doers or complete wimps (which some horses just are, no judgement intended).
 
They will be much happier out and able to make their own decisions about where/whether to stand. Ours are out unrugged at the top of the Pennines tonight. They can get into a field shelter but I bet they won't stay there all night.
 
Definitely out, mooching about and being horses! If it wasn't for all the hideous lush grass that's where our 3 would be - and much happier for it 🙈 We have so much of the bloody stuff our gelding herd now numbers 20+ and we are even throwing yearlings in to try and get on top of it:eek:
 
Having full responsibility can be stressful.

If they’ve got decent rugs, alright shelter and the field isn’t turning to mud then yes out is fine.

Mine have just started coming in this weekend and it will be nice not losing sleep because the wind and rain is lashing on the windows. I do like to try and keep them out as long as possible though.
 
New Forests Rock said:
Definitely out, mooching about and being horses! If it wasn't for all the hideous lush grass that's where our 3 would be - and much happier for it 🙈 We have so much of the bloody stuff our gelding herd now numbers 20+ and we are even throwing yearlings in to try and get on top of it:eek:
Click to expand...
would you like to add 2 mares in the mix?? please?!🤣
 
sheep said:
Thank you folks!
They probably will start coming in at night soon, but I might as well let them to continue to be out for as long as I can. ☺️
Click to expand...
Are they still alive this morning? 😀 it was blowing a gale at 3am this morning with rain, but I know the ponies would be stood outside somewhere, and not in the shelters
 
When I first bought my mare, she was on DIY livery and I lodged with the YO. The very first real storm we had, I just had to go and check on her. Cue me slipping on my wellies and waterproofs over my pajamas at 2.00am and going out to check on her. She was grazing, unbothered by the rain, thunder and lightning and I'd just got out of a nice warm bed for nothing. Now, I leave them to it.

I also factor in if the aggravation of mucking out is worth it for bringing them in, when they'll probably be completely fine anyway.
 
All present and correct this morning 😂
Despite being hardy Irish lads, I think they’d probably quite like the tropical butterfly lifestyle 😂
I’m so used to a hard stop on overnight turnout from September onwards, it’s nice to have the flexibility. It was windy last night but I don’t think they were too concerned!
I don’t mind the mucking out so much, bringing them in is more of a logistical challenge cos there are 3 of them 😂
Anyway, thanks all for the advice & reassurance 😃
 
Highly recommend getting a camera for the field - you can check on them to see if they're still happy without getting cold and wet yourself!

It was one of the best things I got for having the horses at home. I can check on them however often I want and also if I'm away for the day and there's no one around, I can still check on them. It's also fascinating to watch what they get up to and how they interact with each other when a person isn't around.
 
Squeak said:
Highly recommend getting a camera for the field - you can check on them to see if they're still happy without getting cold and wet yourself!

It was one of the best things I got for having the horses at home. I can check on them however often I want and also if I'm away for the day and there's no one around, I can still check on them. It's also fascinating to watch what they get up to and how they interact with each other when a person isn't around.
Click to expand...
What do you have? I'd love cameras in the field as altough mie are right by the house there are no windows over looking the one field and a grainstore/stables block the view of the other. Are they wired/rechargable?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top