turning out in the snow

diggerbez

diggerbez

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have spoken to quite a few people about this and have some musings... firstly i totally understand people's arguments for and against horses going out or staying in when the weather is like this... i get that horses are more likely to charge about if in and then you let them out and if they go out every day they are more likely to potter about- equally i get that injuries are much more likely when its frozen/snowy/icy/rutted...

my horse is in at the minute. he's a calm type and he quite likes being in as he can sleep all day when normally he's out in the field. TBH i think he'll be staying in too until there is a bit of give in the ground- he;s worth quite a lot of money and can't afford to risk him laming himself- its not a risk i'm prepared to take. lady at farm was horrified by this when i mentioned it tonight- i don't see the problem- yes its a bit boring for him but he's not playing up and doesn't seem bothered. lots of horses get put on box rest for injuries and are absolutely fine so i don't get why people get so horrified?? its all just about being sensible- i plan (snow permitting) to box out at the weekend to use a friend's indoor- where i'll do a bit of lungeing and then a bit of easy schooling and up til then he can be walked in hand and have massage every day... then obviously he won't be turned out when completely fresh... i do think sometimes that horse people are convinced that 'their' way is the only way of doing things. really bugs me!
 
diggerbez said:
lots of horses get put on box rest for injuries and are absolutely fine so i don't get why people get so horrified??
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And there again many horses which are on box-rest need to be sedated to cope with it.
Of course it is up to you how you keep your horse.
Ours are going out every day. I really wouldn't want to have to deal with them if they been kept in for days. They are being sensible atm even though they are having less turnout than normal.
 
If I kept mine in when ground frozen/covered in snow then last winter they would have been in for over 3 months. I put them out every day - if weather vile then only for a short time - when they want to come in they come to the gate looking sad! This winter looks as though it will be as bad if not worse than last winter - if that is the case then they could be in for over 4 months - not healthy! In an ideal world they would live out with access to a HUGE shed with water that never freezes and ad lib lovely hay. In the wild they would drink from streams and shelter in lovely woods and always be able to escape the wind! There is always a risk turning them out but think how many risks we take just living not to mention riding! You can minimize risks but never escape them!
 
I think it depends on the horse - I personally turn all 3 of mine out together everyday in the field which is now covered with 18 inches of snow from 7.30am - 3pm with ad lib haylage and only one is rugged!

They are not desperate to get back in at 3pm either they seem very happy, healthy and content but I appreciate that not all horses would enjoy this routine.
 
diggerbez said:
i totally understand people's arguments for and against horses going out or staying in when the weather is like this.

my horse is in at the minute. he's a calm type and he quite likes being in TBH i think he'll be staying in too until there is a bit of give in the ground- he;s worth quite a lot of money and can't afford to risk him laming himself- its not a risk i'm prepared to take.

i don't see the problem- yes its a bit boring for him but he's not playing up and doesn't seem bothered.

i do think sometimes that horse people are convinced that 'their' way is the only way of doing things. really bugs me!
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Sorry i edited so much but i agree with the above statements. If you have a horse that doesn't mind being in then i don't understand why so many people get their knickers in a twist about horses staying in while there is snow on the ground.

I know there are many horses that live out 24/7 (with or without rugs) but there are also horses that live in. As long as your horse is seems happy i'm not sure why people are "horrified" that your horse has been in a stable?

My horse is in and has been in for 6 days now...he's not climbing the walls, he's not developed any vices, he doesn't need a calmer, he hasn't turned savage and as soon as the ground is safe i will turn him out...not before.

You know your horse better than anyone and you do what's best for them regardless.
 
My pony is going out for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon. He's getting more fizzy by the day and I have started putting instant calmer in his feeds as a result. I may up that to sedaline soon lol! I am having to turn out in a bridle and hope I stay standing up on route to the field!!

Before I got him - he used to be in 23 hours every day and used to weave violently - if I don't put him out I think he gets stressed he will be shut in again and gets all worried bless him and starts weaving again.

Once he is out and has had a little run around and roll he is fine. He can't go too mad as the snow is 2ft deep and well past his knees!

After an hour he is standing at the gate waiting to come back in so everyone is happy!
 
we have about 2ft of snow at the moment so my boy is going out at about 9am and coming in around 2pm. He gets a net of haylage to keep him going while he is out but when he starts to look depressed he comes back in. Although it is easy for me as he is at the family farm so someone is always about to bring in etc.

Totally agree that it all depends on circumstance, what your horse is like and what is convenient to the owner. A few winters ago the snow was really bad to he was kept in all day but took him for a wee walk around the farm buildings twice a day to stretch his legs
 
maxapple said:
My pony is going out for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon. He's getting more fizzy by the day and I have started putting instant calmer in his feeds as a result. I may up that to sedaline soon lol! I am having to turn out in a bridle and hope I stay standing up on route to the field!!

Before I got him - he used to be in 23 hours every day and used to weave violently - if I don't put him out I think he gets stressed he will be shut in again and gets all worried bless him and starts weaving again.

Once he is out and has had a little run around and roll he is fine. He can't go too mad as the snow is 2ft deep and well past his knees!

After an hour he is standing at the gate waiting to come back in so everyone is happy!
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Please remember if you use Sedaline that you wont be able to feed him!
 
We have 6 all out 24/7. 3 are rugged, 3 are not. They all have access to a shelter and the water is kept topped up and the ice gets broken. They get hay when there is snow in nets in the shelter and if not snowing, then out in the field. Not much point if still snowing as it gets covered (made that mistake before, lol)
 
Like all areas of life, people nearly always think that they know how to look after things/do things better.....

I think you have to listen to advice in varying scales of how much you respect a person, but you still have to make your own mind up.
 
I dont think about what other people do tbh. Each horse and circumstance is different.
Mine goes out in the day even if the snow is 3 feet deep (which it is now :() I could never afford to replace him with a horse of his quality and training (I've put so much effort into him!) if something happened but I don't think about that. Mine would probably be happy in as well, he's not a stressy horse. However I opt to keep him in his routine. I think he needs to be out if just for a couple of hours for exercise and mentally.
If something happened because I turned him out I would be devastated but I've made my decision. It's my decision based on what I think is best. I can understand other peoples decisions and it's up to them. There's nothing wrong with trying to do the best by out horses in out own ways, shows we care :)
 
maxapple said:
Thank :) I was actually joking about the sedaline (don't have any) - but didn;t know that!

He's actually starting to chill out a bit so he'll be fine i'm sure. x
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I wasnt sure, but I know there are lots of people who dont realise that. The problem with sedaline is that it is a SEDATIVE and NOT a calmer. Therefore, the horse looses some of its natural reflexes, so could easily choke.
(I've used it on my big mare a few times. ;-) )
 
Turned mine out this am, the first time in snow this year. The silly b**ger belted round the field and fell over, he skidded for quite a way on his side. Got straight up and trotted sound.

He seems ok, probably a bit bruised but better off out moving around if he is.

As to wether or not to turn out in snow down to the individual owner and horse.

Jane
 
My horse has been going out for an hour in the afternoon for a stretch/mooch around.

Would ideally like him to go out for half the morning but as i cant get to my own field, and am boarding in someone elses I cant really take the mick!
 
Mine are in as the ground under the snow is frozen solid here, they are in but are being walked in hand morning and evening and are quite happy with this. I did turn J out with a big pile of hay the other day and he just stood at the gate and screamed to come in. Both are quite happy in their stables with plenty to eat and nice and warm. Our fields are very exposed and they have no shelter, the wind yesterday would have cut you in half.
 
Both mine are out with a big pile of hay which they are both studiously ignoring and are digging about trying to find a single blade of grass (some hope in this depth of snow!)

Mine like to keep to their routine, old mare weaves and barney bounces off the walls if kept in. Its just much easier to shove them out, they don't do a lot more than have a roll and a mooch

Up to you what you do, your horse sounds happy with the situation
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
And there again many horses which are on box-rest need to be sedated to cope with it.
Of course it is up to you how you keep your horse.
Ours are going out every day. I really wouldn't want to have to deal with them if they been kept in for days. They are being sensible atm even though they are having less turnout than normal.
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oh totally i understand- if horse was like this then i would put him out as the benefits of him being out would outweigh the risks- but he's not so i don't see the point of risking it...
 
Mine are itching to get out at 6.30 am- and thats with a foot or so of snow:)

They are out till about 5.30 with hay....its what they are used to. They have a play and a roll and they have a nice sheltered corner. I checked them yesterday in a blizzard....happily munching.

Horses for courses.......you should do what suits you and your horse best
 
Mine are all out...two are really lazy and wouldnt dream of working up a sweat by hooning around, the other one loves to play and run and buck but wont unless the others do :D they just tend to go up the top of the field and munch....
 
i should also add that our fields are horrendously rutted underneath the snow and also we aren't allowed to put hay or haylage out in the field (yard rule) so he's just end up running around- he's in a field with lots of other young boys and they spend a lot of time bombing about normally :eek:
if he has to be in for 4 months then i'm afraid he'll be in for 4 months- i used to be on a yard that had NO winter turn out october-april and even my stressy TB was fine- so think this horse will cope. also have the option of taking him up to trainers to play in her indoor whenever i want so not too stressed about it all! just interesting to hear other opinions! (want to add as well- i totally understand why loads of you are turning out- as someone said, you each know your horse and make decisions accordingly!)
 
Mine went out every day last winter, but now we are at a different yard where they don't turn out much in the winter. She went out on Sunday for a couple of hours but was desperate to come back in and the access to the field is along a frozen, rutty track, so her enthusiasm to get back in the warm is a bit of a worry. She will also run around if she gets cold (despite wearing a Rambo duo with the thickest liner!)
On the plus side we have an indoor school and a round pen, so she has been able to do something every day, and as she's getting plenty of hay she seems quite happy. I was also managing to graze her in hand before it snowed. Horses do cope - every situation is different and it's important not to worry if your own regime means they can't go out. Looking forward to the thaw tho - a horse whose origins are in Texas is not amused by the cold!
 
It does depend on the horse naturally, people think I'm to over protective with my mare, she dosent go out if gale force winds, heavy rain, if its going to rain all day, too cold or snow lol but that's just me and her she's happier in than out.
 
Oooo I wouldn't put my boy out if there was no hay :(. Well I would but I would bring him in again after I had mucked out.
Mine gets a big pile of hay, his brekkie and 3 rugs to keep him happy out in the field. He does gallop and roll but it's very soft and he has boots on. He's also out in a small, flat paddock on his own but next to his friend. I would be wary of turning him out in a huge crowd too so I dont blame you!
I'm so jealous of those with indoor schools! I would be in there every day lunging/schooling and jumping! I'd loose school and then not be so worried about turnout.
It's not so much my horse being in the field that worries me but the leading in and out across an icy track/yard, hopefully that's being gritted soon though! My horse is going through a naughty to lead phase and I'm using a bridle so it is a bit hairy lol!
 
Mine are out 8am-6pm everyday as usual, with 6" of snow. They're both native types but my connie is clipped so is rugged well. Their field is well sheltered with trees and they have access to a large field shelter and hard standing, with loads of hay! They seem happy enough this way, but don't really seem to venture out of the shelters much but I know they would hate it if they were forced to be in 24/7 and they at least have an option to have a stretch and a play. However they're always very willing to come in!
I do understand when people want to keep theirs in though, sometimes it not practical to have them out -mine friends yard is so icy it's just not safe to be constantly bringing in or turning out and if the horse hates it then they're better off in. As long as the horse is happy I don't think it mattes what you do :)
 
I can see why people wouldn't turn out in this weather! and i definatly agree its horses for courses as to whether they're stay in or are turned out!

But i find people are equally 'horrified' when they find out that the 9 on my yard are all turned out 24/7 when winter comes and we have a foot of snow!

However this is what they're used to, so non of them run around, they each have a big pile of haylage/hay to stand in/lie in/munch on, which is topped up twice a day, they have two feeds a day, we take buckets of warm water down to the field twice a day. They all have heavy weight turnouts on with either one or two stable rugs on underneath.

...the one day i 'take pity' on them and bring them in, they refuse to touch their haynets and stand staring down at the field untill i take them back out!

Its definatly horses for courses!

The fact that i have a yard full of native ponies helps me think they are all definatly able to deal with a 'bit' of snow!! (3 welsh cobs, 2 connemara's, 1 new forest, 1 shetland, 1 irish cob and a fjord!!!)
 
We can't hay in the feild - big feilds and large turnout groups - so Bell will only go out for a leg stretch and I'll walk her inhand as well. I think its personal circumstances - this is the first winter I've owned her so I don't know how much of a handful she'll become but I wouldn't turn her out without hay for love nor money when there is snow covering all the grass other than for a leg stretch.

t x
 
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