Turning away mid winter for a month

[Michen]

Would it be unfair to do to a horse that was clipped mid October and hasn’t lived out in the 4.5 years I’ve had him!?

I am away over Christmas for nearly a month and my yard doesn’t do services anymore so him and Bear need to go somewhere. I don’t want Bear ridden by anyone other than me or his loaner, or Bog really for that matter in an ideal world. They could go on stabled part livery somewhere but tricky to find somewhere with year round turnout if not in work. I’d quite like both to have a month off anyway. I have found somewhere they could have a month in a field with lots of forage and rug changes if and when required and it’s someone I know which makes it more appealing.

One horse has hock arthritis so would probably only benefit but he is used to coming in, he hasn’t lived out since he was removed from his bog in Ireland as a 5 year old ?

Both horses would be well rugged appropriately. Tell me they don’t melt please and I’m not an awful mother for considering it!

 

[First Frost]

I know yours are beautiful Connie's - so are mine. Last winter my two were full clipped in November, then I ruptured a ligament in my knee and was on crutches for 3 months. To make it easier for the people looking after them they were turned away and lived out for the first time since leaving Ireland - 14 years ago for one and 5 years ago for the other. both were well rugged and had plenty of forage and natural shelter. They settled really well and were happy to be checked and cuddled twice a day! I'm sure yours will be fine too!

 

[laura_nash]

If he was living out over here till 5 years old I'm sure he'll be fine (assuming enough forage and not too muddy).

 

[AandK]

They will be fine! By Dec a lot of the clip will have grown out. Appropriately rugged with shelter and hay, I can’t see it being an issue.

 

[splashgirl45]

what a good idea, no they wont melt much better than the other option. as long as their rugs are checked and changed if necessary and they have plenty of hay and water they will be fine...

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Michen, they should be fine.
Better in December than now or Feb/March onwards - when rugs are constantly on/off, swapped for heavier overnight, needing brushing mud off after a warm day etc etc.
As long as they get rugs lifted, twice daily checks and the usual fodder, shelter from hedges etc, they ought to be perfectly ok.

 

[Auslander]

Turning fit clipped stabled horses into feral field beasts is my specialist area, and I can say with my hand on my heart that yours will be absolutely fine! I would recommend getting them out overnight a week or so before you fly, so that you know they are fine, and can enjoy your holiday without stressing about how they are adapting

 

[poiuytrewq]

Yes! We turn racehorses away mid winter if that’s when a break is due ?
A nice warm rug and plenty of hay. Probably better and happier IMO than the many many horses at yards who will be stood in 24/7 at that point.

 

[tda]

I think they will love it ? enjoy your hols

 

[palo1]

Ours would pay good money for a holiday like that and I wouldn't worry about them at all!! Sounds a fab arrangement and you can enjoy your holiday too.

 

[splashgirl45]

why not send them a week early so you can be around to make sure they settle ok and the person is happy with how you want them managed. that would mean 5 weeks off and an easy week for you before you go away

 

[Michen]

Yep they would definitely go a little early before I flew. Probably 5 days or so. Thanks guys that’s put my mind at ease!!!

 

[babymare]

Do it. They will be fine. “Neither salt or sugar”. They will surprise you x

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

They will be fine my 2 arabs lived out mid winter for about 4 weeks when I broke my ankle, the weather was freezing snow wind really horrible and I had just just clipped them, luckily they both had 350g full neck rugs I think that was they most they have ever worn them it's normally not cold enough

 

[Jellymoon]

Completely fine, sounds amazing and much much better than being kept in. They will love it. My clipped hunters live out with free access to stables and they only use them in the summer!