When do you start bringing in at night?

3Beasties said:
To those of you who don't bring in till later on in the year - do you clip?

Mine usually come in when the clocks change, they are usually clipped around that time too, but I have more grazing this year so want to leave them out for as long as possible, I would need to clip before they're in at night though....
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Mmmm, I usually tend to clip mine before their winter coats come through properly, especially Traddie Boy coz he's got sweet itch and its just so much more comfortable for him if we clip him before his coat gets too heavy and hairy, also we do his legs as otherwise he gets all scabby and horrible down there. I'd normally do this in the late October half-term break or a few days before that, ready for opening meet.

Mare just has a chaser clip which will normally last her all winter (bless her, she's such an easy girl:)).

After they're clipped I'd just bung them out with a rug on throughout November, IF the fields are reasonably dry, which for the past few years they haven't been, and hope (in a "normal" year) to keep them out till at least early December if possible, then they'd come in at night.

But this year as I don't seem to have much grass, they're coming in for part of the day already :(
 
Mines in for the first time tonight, he's been quite chilly in the mornings and I hate rugging up especially this early as his mane will get rubbed out so I'd rather bring in. :)
 
3Beasties said:
To those of you who don't bring in till later on in the year - do you clip?

Mine usually come in when the clocks change, they are usually clipped around that time too, but I have more grazing this year so want to leave them out for as long as possible, I would need to clip before they're in at night though....
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There are 25 horses on the yard I keep my mare on and 23 of them live out all year. We are lucky in that we have fantastic grazing. A lot are clipped out - my mare gets too hot to work if not clipped so she will be done early October. They don't even come in for snow and that is the only time hay is put out. Some of them do come in during the day for a feed and haynet. There is a range of types and ages - quite a few (about 6) are ex racehorses and there are horses and ponies in their late twenties and thirties living out. They are all happy and look fantastic. My mare has never been so healthy and she is 22. The fields have natural shelter from hedges but no man made ones. I am a complete convert - YO competes BD from the field and some of the horses SJ or event.
 
Mine stay out until its no longer possible due to ground conditions.
last winter they were in by September but the winter before it was December and even then if It was mild and dry id sometimes leave them out if they seemed happy enough.
Im hoping for a later one again this year!
 
As late as possible! Working full time and mucking out two, plus rugs, turning out/bringing in is not something I relish at all. TB, seven years after his racing career finished, is now toughened up!

Rugs are used when needed and ISH is clipped but not TB as not required - his tummy gets hairy but is well rugged and fine haired enought not to go 'woolly' on the rest of his body.

December would be my ideal and back out in March/April. They are both out at least 12 hours a day in the winter anyway as kept at home and no help.
 
my farmer has said he wants the horses in Nov-Feb, so will have to do it then!! but I've had a barn fenced off next to my field, so they can get in and out of there, so hopefully I can close them into that area and only bring in when its really horrible out! they've always lived out up until now!!
 
Sparklepony said:
My wimpy tb has all ready given up on 24/7 turnout? Meaning that my other has o come in too!
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Given up how? Is the horse standing about at the gate? If so, maybe try giving him some hay in the field? Mine sometimes get bored of grass at this time of year and will pick at hay. I wouldnt bring in personally, the horse will soon get used to being out and its so much healthier for it (and cheaper for you).
 
My horse gets that look in her eye and I just know that she wants to come in ... usually October or November. I leave it up to her to tell me.
 
Only one of my gang (3) comes in at night during winter! I usually leave it until the clocks go back and TBH he only comes in as it's easier to have him on the yard ready for him to be ridden in the morning!
 
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