who is still turning out in the snow

Sid lives out 24/7 although he has got a barn to go into if its really bad.
Hovis and the rest of the yard have all been turned out. He's rugged and perfectly fine. He was flying bucking all over the shop on sunday chucking snow up with his nose, "helping" me smash the ice out of the troughs and generally being a total arse playing in it all. Last year we were on a different yard and couldn't get the horses out at all - it is SUCH a pleasure to be able to get them out this year. Being stabled for weeks was a nightmare.
 
mine go out regardless... Tom just wouldn't cope with being in. He threw an icicle at me this morning when I insisted on feeling his legs before I turned him out! Ron wouldn't care either way so long as he has somehting to eat.

they go out as late as we can leave it, and come in again as early as is possible. So today they went out at 8 and will have come in at half 3 when mum got home. yesterday they went out at 10 and came in at 3.
 
Aside from a hurricane, earthquake or maybe serious ice, mine would be out. Horses will not melt in snow, and like others have said I would prefer them out in snow than knee deep in mud......
 
This is our 3rd day in a row of solid snow in the field. Mine have been out, as have the foals across the way. We aren't used to snow down here, looks as though it will continue for at least another 5 or 6 days at least in the fields, eek!!
 
I don't see the snow as a problem for turn out... but I have lived for several years in colder countries where horses are turned out in snow for months every year, and it may even be dark too.

Unless they are clipped they may not even need rugs for daytime turn out - Some horses like having a good roll in the fresh snow :-) however a rug is nice if it is snowing and the snow is wet and piles on top of their backs. Basically as long as they are dry they are fine.
 
Mine are still going out for the day with plenty of hay in the field and hot water to melt the ice in the trough!

If the field was very rutted I would be more wary especially as I have a foal who does everything at maximum speed but we decided to save our closest field for this sort of weather this year so its pretty flat under the snow. They seem to like getting out although are ready to come in by about 3.30.
 
TicTac said:
I do! Mine go out from 6.30am untill 3.30pm. I don't believe in leaving horses in un necessarily and as long as they have water and hay they are happy just mouching around.
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Me too out at 6 in at 230 today due to blizzards, normally 730 til 3.30/4 in bad weather.I prefer mine to have turnout but make sure she has plenty of hay even if I have to go to yard three times a day.I know most people cant do that with work.:o
 
If Wisconsin horses were kept in everytime we had a balnket of snow they would spend well over half the year indoors. Mine spend all winter out in feet upon feet of snow every year without rugs on and hardly ever get put inside. It just piles up on their backs and they are warm, dry and cozy under their think winter coats. Most horses here live like this. Yes even the TBs and arabs
 
Seren pretty much lives out 24/7 all year round, she does not like coming in so I tend to leave her out, in all weathers, depends on your horse really and what suits them but mine prefers to be out with hay, snow or no snow :D
 
I prefer mine to go out every day because if they are kept in they go mad when eventually turned out, and in more danger of accidents. If the weather is really bad I would bring them in earlier than normal, but best out exercising themselves.
 
We have loads of snow on the ground, over a foot. 2 of mine are living out and my gelding who is stable overnight is going ouit around 8am and in around 4.30pm with haylage in the field.
 
enfys said:
.....and yes, my horses are out in the snow, when we get it, 24/7. They are pretty smart and watch their footing, once they've hit the ground a couple of times as babies in their first winter they learn.
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I imagine ours still sometimes hit the ground sometimes and they're all grown up :D

Can't protect horses though, they're just as likely to slip on the roads (when not icy!) or any other time - can't wrap em up in cotton wool :)

Mine loves the snow, doesn't really want to come in tbh. :)
 
I have 4 neds of various sizes and ages and they are out 24/7 all year round regardless (i dont have stables). We have field shelters, ad lib hay, good natural shelter and good rugs. last winter when we got hit pretty badly my horses didnt even seem to notice the snow! Poos still all round the field and footprints (horse and deer!) everywhere.

Having been in livery yards where i have had no turnout during snow or very limited i have to say having them out all the time is much less stressful for myself and the neds and i wouldnt dream of going back on a yard.
 
i see no reason why the horse cant go out in all weathers they as a species are able to cope with weather changes!! Our yard turns out no matter what the weather, they go out with hay if the grass is under snow and we put water buckets out if troughs are frozen!! Mine is a tb and clipped hes out in a heavy weight rug and doing very well!! Is better for them to be moving around!!!
 
Mine are in...Water buckets in the field are frozen, track getting to the field is like an ice rink, we're not allowed to put hay out in the field so there is nothing to eat, the ground is rock hard which isn't good for the legs. As there isn't any grass they end up playing and boys being boys...always ends in tears and ripped rugs!!!

So they are tucked up in their snug rugs with a big hay net, unfrozen water buckets, deep, soft beds and radio 2 in the back ground!!!

They seem more than happy to stay in and my youngster won't go out in bad weather...he refuses to leave the barn!!!

Just because you have the option of turnout doesn't mean you have to use it and if your paying for a stable then don't feel afraid to use it. Do what's best for you and your horse, not because someone else tells you your being a whimp for not turning out or cruel because you do...horses for courses.
 
Mine has been in today, but mainly because he's a fairweather creature, and will stand looking forlorn and call to anyone who comes nere to his field, in the hope they will take pity and rescue him. My last horse though, would go out in all weather and was a night mare if she didn't!!
 
All mine are out 24/7 including clipped out hunter mare, all rugged, hayed and fed in the field, they prefer it to standing in a stable all day/night.
 
Mine was in today. Those that chose to go out came in early anyway. YO has said that if it's snowy/icy etc then horses aren't allowed out.
 
Me too they enjoy a wee run in snow then a roll or two, as long as plenty of hay or haylage and rugged appropriately they are fine. Out at 9 in at 4
 
Mine are out every day whatever the weather.
Just now they are in till about 10.30 then out to 3.30. There's still some tufty grass sticking out from the snow and I think it helpd break up their day by getting out, and picking at things. They certainly appreciate coming.
If they stay in they become convinced it's dinner time by 12 and then refuse to eat hay.
 
There's 17 out 24/7 on our yard at the minute. They seem pretty happy. Mine seems to love it and has his rug off for abit today so he could have a roll.

 
im in surrey and no snow yet although some forcast for tonight/ tomorrow they will be going out as normal with lots of extra hayladge and hot water added to the field water so that the will actually drink it lol

i most prob will work them as normal in it aswell if either of my girls are stuck in for a day or two they end up crazy and will do themselves more damage going crazy when i do let them out (it will prob still be loads of ice around for them to slip on) than if i just let them out each day. besides bronte is a dales pony if she isnt made for snow then i dont know what is lol (well apart form islandics tee hee)
 
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