turning out in the snow

On our yard the horses are on individual turn out so we can easily hay in the fields which is good. Mine are out (quite a few are in) but then I don't think the paddocks are that slippy and if I kept him in he would be a nightmare after a few days. I'm just making sure they've got plenty of hay - tbh I would rather turn out in this than when it's really wet/muddy.

I think each to their own - so long as the horse is able to move around a bit (ie going on walker/walk in hand etc) and has plenty of food/water I don't see the problem with either in or out.
 
jumpthemoon said:
On our yard the horses are on individual turn out so we can easily hay in the fields which is good. Mine are out (quite a few are in) but then I don't think the paddocks are that slippy and if I kept him in he would be a nightmare after a few days. I'm just making sure they've got plenty of hay - tbh I would rather turn out in this than when it's really wet/muddy.
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This, pretty much. The ponies i do are going out as normal. Snow isn't slippery, its ice that is and I'm making the most of the proper snow before we have to get through the inevitable thawing, slushing, freezing again as sheet ice, etc. Then they'll be in for safety, now they're out as much as possible, very happy and IMO no more likely to injure themselves than normal!

My arab at livery is in and I have to travel there every day to exercise him because the yard are scared of injuries. I take him out and he wanders round happily in the snow without any slipping or stumbling. Its doing my head in a bit, tbh. :confused:
 
mine are in because we have to walk down a path to get to the field and its pure ice so not worth the risk, and to be honest if they went out all they'd be doing is standing around eating hay- so not much different to being inside and eating hay.

Not looking forward to putting them out though as they were already on their toes yesterday when coming in.
 
My problem is my pony is a fatty - even his blinking hay makes him fat! So he's on rations, he also just about inhales the hay I do give him. He currently finishes his morning ration within an hour and then stands by the field gate demanding to come in! I swear if I tried to give him enough hay to keep him happy turned out he'd be like a house side! I was looking for straw last week but there i no chance of anyone being able to get any to the yard at the moment so he is going out for couple of hours then coming in like a steam train, he'll need a chifney for the bringing in part soon :(
 
After reading all the posts I too can now understand why some people don't turn out! If I had a fairly long walk along sheet ice to my field I would not risk it. Also if there is a thaw then a hard frost so all the field is covered in sheet ice then I would keep in. If it keeps on snowing I am worried about the fences being covered by snow - how would I stop my horses walking into the fences? Ideas so far are to beg a tractor to drive along the fence line so it is visible or get some dynamite and blow up the snow along the fence line - before you say I am crazy in 1963 they used dynamite to unblock some roads - where can I get hold of some dynamite and detonators!! - luckily not that bad yet but only another foot of snow is needed before I have this problem. Another safer option would be to try and attach electric fence posts to the fence and put up some orange tape. Who thinks I should remove shoes?
 
Mine is going out for a couple of hours a day minimum. I don't like them standing in too much as it can cause them to loose fitness quicker than going out if they're not being worked too! However, I have no problems leaving in either... it really does depend on circumstances. :) However, I never let my horses value rule how I manage her, she would be managed the same regardless of whether she is worth £100 or £10000. She is a horse at the end of the day, and will be dealt with as one ;) :D
 
Mine is out 24/7 as are 16 others. They don't bomb around, quite the opposite in fact - they just eat and sleep.

I agree that it depends on the horse.
 
My 2 are out at the moment, we've got our own paddock at this yard so I can hay in the field. They refused to come in 2 nights ago so I gave them more hay and left them to it. They were toasty warm the next morning.

Wasn't going to turn them out today as the ground has been quite frozen but walked down to my field and it wasn't as slippy as I'd feared. And it's stopped snowing now so I probably won't have to take a late lunch break and bring them in earlier than normal so they'll be out until about 6.30/7pm when I get there from work.
 
Your horse do what you want with it, I think it just seems a bit selfish when people are so precious about their horses. You’re are not keeping him because it’s better for the horse, you are keeping him in because you can’t possibly risk him getting injured because it will might affect YOUR plans or YOUR finances if he drops in value. He’d probably love to go out for a play in the snow. Oooh yay he gets to go to an indoor school for a lunge at the weekend.. lucky him! That’s just what horses want to do!!!

My horse is on box rest at the moment and I think it’s pretty rubbish for him, he’s behaving though because he’s a good boy, but I can’t understand why someone would choose to keep their horse in 24/7 just for the sake of it?? If you have to due to box rest/lack of TO then fair enough but to make him stay in just for the sake of it and because “he’s worth a lot of money” is a bit selfish IMO.

Not having a go at you, but you did ask “i don't get why people get so horrified??” so this is why. IMO! :)
 
Each to their own really!

Two of mine live out 24/7 and my TB comes in at night during the winter. This continues whatever the weather. So yes they are out in the snow, with plenty of hay, and seem perfectly happy. Have just posted a vid in PG of the 3 of them playing yesterday morning.

I think a lot depends on where you keep your horses, as I am at my own place, I can hay in the field as its just my horses, and I can rotate them on to their summer pasture if the ground conditions warrant it (i.e. winter field becomes poached and then frozen); I also dont have a concrete yard or drive (its road planings) so whilst I have scraped the majority of the snow off, the surface does not become slippery as its slightly uneven.
 
It depends how slippery it is. Yesterday is wasnt too bad so she was out for a good 12 hours, today is vile so YM is going to put her out only for the time that she is at the yard and then put her back when she goes.
 
Starbucks said:
Your horse do what you want with it, I think it just seems a bit selfish when people are so precious about their horses. You’re are not keeping him because it’s better for the horse, you are keeping him in because you can’t possibly risk him getting injured because it will might affect YOUR plans or YOUR finances if he drops in value. He’d probably love to go out for a play in the snow. Oooh yay he gets to go to an indoor school for a lunge at the weekend.. lucky him! That’s just what horses want to do!!!

My horse is on box rest at the moment and I think it’s pretty rubbish for him, he’s behaving though because he’s a good boy, but I can’t understand why someone would choose to keep their horse in 24/7 just for the sake of it?? If you have to due to box rest/lack of TO then fair enough but to make him stay in just for the sake of it and because “he’s worth a lot of money” is a bit selfish IMO.

Not having a go at you, but you did ask “i don't get why people get so horrified??” so this is why. IMO! :)
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hang on a minute- i don't think this is entirely fair- yes value is a consideration for me- i don't see the point of forking our crap loads of money on horse, training, physio, chiropractor, dentist etc etc to then turn him out on hard rutted ground where he'll run about and possibily injure himself- in the same way that i wouldn't risk running at a comp if i wasn't happy with the ground- that would be considered as sensible surely?
but calling me selfish? did you miss the part where i said that the ground is rutted, the other horses are all mad and run around a lot and we aren't allowed to put hay in the field to occupy them? i think i am making the best decision for my horse. if he was bothered about being in then i'd put him out but he's not. i actually did put him in the field this morning for an hour- there was nothing else out so didn't have the worry of him bombing about - after an hour he was happy to come in and lay straight down for a sleep. normally i'm at work so this isn't an option to turn out for an hour on his own to mooch about....
 
Mine are living out. I wouldn't keep them at a yard that didn;t allow turnout or hay in the field.

I think a lot of horses get used to their routine, whether they are in or out. My old boy used to run around for 1/2 hour then come and stand at the gate waiting to come in, becuase that was what he was used to before I had him.

I think 4 months of no turn out is a little excessive, but as I say I would never go to a yard that didn;t have winter turnout and hay in the fields. Saying that, I can;t imagine ever owning a horse that made me more concerned about his financial value than his welfare and mental state.

I think horses cope with a lot, but the natural state of the horse (ie, turned out, roaming, grazing) can't be ignored.
 
diggerbez said:
hang on a minute- i don't think this is entirely fair- yes value is a consideration for me- i don't see the point of forking our crap loads of money on horse, training, physio, chiropractor, dentist etc etc to then turn him out on hard rutted ground where he'll run about and possibily injure himself- in the same way that i wouldn't risk running at a comp if i wasn't happy with the ground- that would be considered as sensible surely?
but calling me selfish? did you miss the part where i said that the ground is rutted, the other horses are all mad and run around a lot and we aren't allowed to put hay in the field to occupy them? i think i am making the best decision for my horse. if he was bothered about being in then i'd put him out but he's not. i actually did put him in the field this morning for an hour- there was nothing else out so didn't have the worry of him bombing about - after an hour he was happy to come in and lay straight down for a sleep. normally i'm at work so this isn't an option to turn out for an hour on his own to mooch about....
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I personally think it’s a bit of a selfish thing to do, and you asked so I said what I thought! In the whole scheme of things it doesn’t really matter does it, but I personally think you should treat horses like horses, and would assume other people do as well which is why they are horrified when you keep him in all the time. If you don’t want people to pass opinion on what you do with your horse then don’t post on HHO what you do with him and ask why people are horrified by it.

You think my comments are unfair, I think it’s unfair that you keep your horse in for your own personal gain, but it’s not of my business really, so I’ll shut up.
 
I don't think DB is being selfish at all, I think an informed decision was made based on the risks.

I won't put my horse out because I can't get him to the field as we have to cross a road which is very slippy, plus we would have to deal with the possibility of cars hitting us if they slipped on the ice....I'm not being selfish, I'm being sensible. I know he would much rather be out, but I am not willing to take the risk of either of us getting hurt.

He too seems pretty happy in his stable, and when he was turned out prior to the snow he went out at 7am, then was more that ready to come in by teatime - in fact, once he got bored he would tear-arse around, so again, not worth the risk of him being turned out all day, and I changed his turnout to a half day.

I do worry that he isn't getting enough exercise - he can be lunged in the arena as the snow has not set to ice yet, but he is made to work and not allowed to hoolley about. I also worry that he will be extremely lively when I ride him again, but would much rather this that have a lame horse, on box rest, because he has hurt himself being turned out.

I think the decision should be based on safety first, whilst considering the individual horse and how they are likely to react, plus looking at the feasibility of getting them to the field safely and in one piece. For my horse and my situation, it is best that he isn't turned out at the moment - same for DB's horse.
 
Starbucks said:
I personally think it’s a bit of a selfish thing to do, and you asked so I said what I thought! In the whole scheme of things it doesn’t really matter does it, but I personally think you should treat horses like horses, and would assume other people do as well which is why they are horrified when you keep him in all the time. If you don’t want people to pass opinion on what you do with your horse then don’t post on HHO what you do with him and ask why people are horrified by it.

You think my comments are unfair, I think it’s unfair that you keep your horse in for your own personal gain, but it’s not of my business really, so I’ll shut up.
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BUT HE'S NOT BEING KEPT IN FOR MY OWN PERSONAL GAIN!!!!!!! If i could turn him out on his own or with one other quiet horse in a flat field with hay to eat then i would turn him out everyday. i'm not prepared to have him hooleying around all day on rutted ground- this is not selfish IMO, i've had a horse with a lot of lameness problems who had to be on box rest for months on end and i'm going to do everything i can to prevent this from happening again!
i DO treat my horse like a horse- in the summer he lives out 24/7 and only came in at night at the end of October. normally he goes out everyday from 10am to 6pm but i don't see the point in the snow. i'm one of the least precious people that i know with my horse!
i have no problem with people passing opinion but it bugs me when they don't read what i put properly and then make sweeping statements about it! :mad:
thanks amaretto- glad to know that someone understands what i mean :rolleyes: clearly i am typing in dutch or something... :confused:
 
We dont have much turn out at the mo.
Our ground is very rutted and hard as concrete. We havent really had much snow untill lastnight, but all the fields are slipeery as hell and iced up. All of the yard is sheet ice as is the track to the field.

In winter generally if we ride then they are in if we dont they go out. But at the moment mine is in and i have only ridden a few times in the last week in the arena but not for long.

I know its best for a horse to be out as much as poss....but i have an idiot of a horse who even when she is out 24/7 hoons around all the time like an idiot.
She went out last saturday and i had to bring her in as she was being a complete spastic and galloping around and bucking on the icy field. (this isnt excitement as she does this if she is out all fo the time....she is just a bit odd in the field!!) She hated it and galloped up and down squeeling her head off untill i went and got her before she injured herself (shehas had 2 tendon injuries hind leg in the past so i have to be a bit careful) She dragged me back to her stable and as soon as she was in she was happy as larry.
She went out on sunday and was the same but stayed out most of the day. Im more than happy that she has been in untill today when i put her out as we have had some snow. But she wont be out for long. At 16 yrs old you would think she would know better that to be a complete plonker but she does it in all weathers.
When you bring her in she races to her stable and looks completely content.
For a tb she is fab, she doesnt need to be ridden everyday and if she is in for a few days she doesnt get stupid to ride. Her and several of the horses at the yard have almost gone into a semi hibernation mode, they are often to be found layed out in the straw, streatched right out, wickering and whinnying in their dreams or snoring their little heads off!

I agree with both arguments, horses should be out as much as possible.
But i also think that if they get really worked up to come in and are happy in and not climbing the walls and they get adequate leg stretches....its not going to kill them to be in.
 
diggerbez said:
BUT HE'S NOT BEING KEPT IN FOR MY OWN PERSONAL GAIN!!!!!!! If i could turn him out on his own or with one other quiet horse in a flat field with hay to eat then i would turn him out everyday. i'm not prepared to have him hooleying around all day on rutted ground- this is not selfish IMO, i've had a horse with a lot of lameness problems who had to be on box rest for months on end and i'm going to do everything i can to prevent this from happening again!
i DO treat my horse like a horse- in the summer he lives out 24/7 and only came in at night at the end of October. normally he goes out everyday from 10am to 6pm but i don't see the point in the snow. i'm one of the least precious people that i know with my horse!
i have no problem with people passing opinion but it bugs me when they don't read what i put properly and then make sweeping statements about it! :mad:
thanks amaretto- glad to know that someone understands what i mean :rolleyes: clearly i am typing in dutch or something... :confused:
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Calm down Mrs (or Mr)! I have read what you put, there’s no need to get upset about it, people just have different opinions on what’s best I suppose. Your OP sounds different to what you’ve later gone onto say – from the OP it sounded like you were planning to keep him in for weeks but he’s already been out so that’s not really the case. You asked why people look at you in horror when you say you’re keeping him in, I’m telling you why I think they do! I can understand why you wouldn’t want to put him out if the other horses are idiots, but I think I’d be wanting to sort something out so he could go for a pootle around, even if it’s not every day and not for long.
 
What bugs me is when people say they can't turn out because the track/access is icy.

Well do something about it then! I'll happily muck out straight onto our yard even if it does look a mess so mine can get turnout. A pain to clear up when it thaws too. I woudln't sacrifice my horses freedom just because I can't be bothered to clear some ice/snow. You can always get up earlier ;)

OP, I wouldn't be happy turning out with no hay - so I can see your point there, and if field companions are idiots. Our ground is a little rutted, and they have mini hooleys - I think they all must ahve fallen at one point and though - 'ah, that hurt, won't do that again' :)
 
I think that it depends on your circumstances, i currently have one living out 24/7 in about 10inches of snow, he is getting hay morning and night at the moment whilst i have "discussions" with my YO about letting me put a roll of hay in the field! my other oy is in at night but gets turned out every day for at least 8 hours with hay.

I personally would not keep my horses at at yard where i couldnt turn out every day, I just dont work like that. Both my horses would turn themselves inside out if i tried that, that is why one of mine is living out now as he is a lot happier that way, i do have a stable that he can come into at night if he wanted but after he eats his dinner he wants back out again so i just let him get on with it. whereas my youngster looks to come in at night but is chomping at the bit to get back out in the morning
 
So long as each individual horse is happy, 'safe' and not distressed each person to their own.

On our yard some are out 24/7 and some because of snow are now stabled 24/7, many have every other day out or just afew hours and all are coping brilliantly- it does help that the ones in all day go in the indoor school for a run round.

Mine are still out all day til about 5-6pm, they have hay out there but dont eat that much of it- prefer rummaging for grass lol but have plenty of hay/ haylege overnight whilst stabled. I try to keep them in their usual routine as its what they're happiest with :)
 
sugarlump121 said:
So long as each individual horse is happy, 'safe' and not distressed each person to their own.
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Absolutely.

In an ideal world I would like mine to go out just for a couple of hours but in reality I would have to turn him out at 8am before work and he would have to stay out with no hay in the field until at least 3pm. In addition I have to cross a road to get to the field which is likely to be slippery.
As he is happy munching hay in his box and can still play with his best friend next door through the bars I have left him in.

I never understand why so many horse people insist that there is one right way to do things - and that its always their way :-)
 
Meh! Mine live out 24/7, and a bit of snow isn't going to change that :D They've got very good rugs and ab lib top quality haylage. Neither of them like being in, and tbh, I don't like to see them in. :)
 
well im at opposite ends of the spectrum.
cloud is out 24/7
matrix is currently in 24/7

cloud is on a 6months holiday as prescibed by the vet for her navicular, and is coping fine. so she is out, rugged up, and fed. she was out before all this happened.

matrix cant get out, as he has to go down a steep icy lane. and tbh i probably wouldnt want him out anyway. it has taken a year and 5 grand of vet bills to get him sound.
its a dilemma really, as he has arthtitus, TO would do him good. but then him galloping around like a lunatic- he would! and getting cold and miserable is no good either.
i do not want a lame pony on my hands, or a stiff cold one.
he is coping fine being in, with walks for his legs. of course its not ideal, and id much rather he got some TO but its the best we can do.
bloody icy lane.
 
Agree totally depends on the horse and if you have a indoor school to ride in!!!Personally mine are out during day from 7.30 till 4, as 1 will try and jump the stable door if not out and the other has arthritus, so needs to move as much as possible!
 
For us it just depends on how bad the snow is and what the dangers of turning out are - we've got a 12yo and a 32yo who both love their turnout - so if the weather is too bad to go out in we let them have a wonder around the yard (with the gates shut) while we muck out etc. The old girl just stands at the gate longing to be turned out whereas my boy just gets down and rolls - thank goodness for the foot of snow above the concrete! :)
 
I try to turn out every day and have been doing until today. He was in today as we had alot of snow last night and he will be in tomorrow as it is forecast minus 8 tonight. He will hopefully go back out on Saturday as I will be about to bring him in. He doesn't mind at all being in but its just more work for me!!
 
Big Rubes & her little pony companion are the only two out 24/7 at my yard now - someone said to me today that when i arrived in late summer & said that my horse lived out all year - they didnt think i really meant it - but now they see that i do.......
The big girl is coming in every day for hard feed/bit of a warm up & a biiig haynet [ we do put some hay in the field too - so that thay can ignore it & show off the digging prowess:rolleyes:] & a general check-over - she seems fine & actually all the others who are in 24/7 seem fine too.....
my yard mantra has always been - if it doesnt impact on me, my horses or my riding & its not blatent cruelty - actually its not my business:)
 
Personae I want my horse to be able to go out everyday. At current yard she lives out 24/7 and did so last winter (she is tbxid). Every horse as access to ad lib hay and there is always water due to a tap in a toilet that has a heater. In fact this year she won't even go in a stable so bringing her in is not an option and the time she came in to have her teeth done she turned into a psycho and had to be sedated (1st time in 10 years of owning her). 2 years ago she was allowed morning turnout but we also had a covered walker.

As for people who have icey walkways then do something about it or leave them out providing you can give them hay. The rugs nowadays are such good quality horses shouldn't get cold. However some horses are happy in but if I could there is no way I could be at a yard where they had to spend 4 months in a stable just because of snow. Yard owners need to take more responsibility for rutted fields, providing horse walkers or indoor arena or limited turnout to allow people to get horses out of their stable in this weather
 
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