What would you do? My options are...

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Lill

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Keep Blue out 24/7 (as long as its not wet and muddy) he's got a chaser clip with the neck clipped out too. He's got a 300g HW rug with a fleece underneath it at the moment. There is a continuous supply of hay (round bale in feeder) and he gets a morning and evening bucket of feed.

OR bring him in over night (12 hours in and 12 hours out) where he would have a duvet and stable rug on over night. Few sections of hay to keep him going over night and still the morning and evening feed.

I'm paranoid he is going to drop weight but not sure which is best.
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If we do bring him in, it won't be for about 2 weeks because of deliveries of rubber matting, muck trailer and shavings (think we've decided on shavings lol)!
 
Taken 2 weeks ago

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Behind him is the field he is in, there is some shelter and bushes directly behind us in that pic.
 
Why not do both!?

If the weather is OK let him stay out, if it's awful bring him in.

What does he want to do? (I have one here who, apparently by choice, is the ultimate couch potato and spends most of his time in his shelter, and he's a hulking Haffy x not some wimpy arab)

Does he settle when he is in? I reckon a horse is more likely to lose condition if he spends 12 hours a night shut in and fretting, than out, rugged to the eyeballs with his head buried in a hay feeder.

What suits you best? We aren't meant to take that into consideration really, but in all honesty I bet most of us do to some degree.

Take it day by day and see how he goes is what I would do.
 
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Why not do both!?

If the weather is OK let him stay out, if it's awful bring him in.

What does he want to do? (I have one here who, apparently by choice, is the ultimate couch potato and spends most of his time in his shelter, and he's a hulking Haffy x not some wimpy arab)

Does he settle when he is in? I reckon a horse is more likely to lose condition if he spends 12 hours a night shut in and fretting, than out, rugged to the eyeballs with his head buried in a hay feeder.

What suits you best? We aren't meant to take that into consideration really, but in all honesty I bet most of us do to some degree.

Take it day by day and see how he goes is what I would do.

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Totally agree. Why not give him a trial run living out for say 1-2 months and if he starts to go down hill (lose condition) then bring him in.
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Why not do both!?

If the weather is OK let him stay out, if it's awful bring him in.

What does he want to do? (I have one here who, apparently by choice, is the ultimate couch potato and spends most of his time in his shelter, and he's a hulking Haffy x not some wimpy arab)

Does he settle when he is in? I reckon a horse is more likely to lose condition if he spends 12 hours a night shut in and fretting, than out, rugged to the eyeballs with his head buried in a hay feeder.

What suits you best? We aren't meant to take that into consideration really, but in all honesty I bet most of us do to some degree.

Take it day by day and see how he goes is what I would do.

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Totally agree. Why not give him a trial run living out for say 1-2 months and if he starts to go down hill (lose condition) then bring him in.
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He really doesn't mind coming in at all, not fussed, have photos of him from last year lying down in his stable all cosy and sleepy
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once he has started coming in though he will wait at the gate in the evening until you bring him in.

It doesn't matter hugely convenience wise whether he is in or not, plan to have him on shavings so *hopefully* having him and the other 2 in would only add 30mins on to my time there in the evenings which is fine.

I find it hard to tell whether he is losing weight as i see him everyday, the only way i seem to be able to tell is by comparing photos, i.e. in the one above he looks much the same as he has done in the summer so i know he is fine for the moment.

I have another underrug with neck 115g fill to add when its minus -3 sort of temps. Worry whether he will be warm enough though?!
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You were in a vest top 2 weeks ago
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flipping eck, your brave!!!

Ditto above, why not do both? if its windy and rainy bring him in, if not leave him out

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Haha
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notice the bright pink gloves though! That was taken during my lesson, do quite a lot in lessons so was quite hot, he was pretty sweaty too even though i'd just clipped him!
 
I think we humans like to bring horses in during the winter because it makes us feel reassured rather than because the horses actually need it! My TB is out 24/7 with a trace clip, in a HW rug with neck cover but no under-rug and she is absolutely fine, she hasn't even needed any hay yet. If you have shelter and he is getting sufficient feed and hay then he will be perfectly alright and I'm sure will be happier out in the field unless it is absolutely horrible (driving rain, snow etc) Remember horses don't feel the cold like we do! Just keep an eye on him and if he is losing condition or looks miserable you can always start bringing him in. Until then I'd save yourself some time, money and effort and leave him out!
 
I agree, leave him out if hes happy but bring him in when its raining and vile! Hes got white legs like my coloured so if he prone to mud fever he'd be better in when its wet and muddy.
 
i would leave your horse out, he sounds like has plenty of food and warmth, and unless he actually needs to come in for one reason or another i would leave him out, its generally a very healthy existence living out 24/7 for them
 
Well he has not had mud fever the past few winters so i think as long as i leave his feathers on he should be ok. Will have to post update pics see if he looks like he's losing condition. He's out tonight and its -1*c at the moment!
 
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