Wintering out advice please

[glamourpuss]

I own a 15.3hh TB gelding and a 12hh welsh mountain.
As you can see from my ticker down there I am also most definitely up the duff. My horses are on DIY but this isn't a problem at all, I'm also lucky in that I have no limit on turn out. There is no field shelter but quite a bit of natural shelter.

Usually I bring my 2 in at night through the winter. Firstly because I'm a total softy and secondly the pony is a chronic laminitic and is frost sensitive.

This winter so far though I haven't brought them in yet. They are fed once a day and the TB is given plenty of hay, the welshie gets a token amount of hay. The Ponies weight is good, she isn't fat, her crest is lovely and soft and she is sound.
I am still riding my TB but as the bump is getting bigger this is not being as hard work for him as it usually is (well if you don't count lugging my fat arse about

) and the work load is very likely to get much less over the next month or so, therefore I won't be clipping him. He has plenty of warm rugs including a brand new Rambo Duo.
The welshie doesn't have and doesn't need any rugs.

Now I was wondering whether it would be possible to winter them both out this winter. This would obviously save me a huge amount of time and mucking out particularly as I'm getting bigger/more tired.

I'm sure I can feed/rug my TB up enough to partially ease my 'mummy guilt' at leaving him out in all weathers but I don't know how to get around the frost situation with the pony?
Bringing the pony in at night and leaving my TB out isn't an option as he will go mad without her.
I was told yesterday that the frost stresses the grass and its actually when it is a really bright and sunny day after a frost that is most dangerous as this when the fructous levels are very, very high. If this is so would it be possible to bring the pony in for the day after a frost meaning that the TB will have friends all around him and will be less likely to get upset.

Anyone else got any ideas?

(Oh and thanks for reading what turned into a mammoth post

)

 

[Rudey]

OoooOOOooooh I see

Initially reading your post I thought you were worrying about your TB roughing it this year!!

I was going to tell you about a friend of mine what had no choice but to turn out her 17hh TB type who is extremely greedy with feed and NEVER kept his weight well for all the years she had him! It was the best thing ever for him! As he was alot happier turned out all winter it reflected in his weight! So much so, there were some days he turned his nose up at his feed!!!

But I now see your point... and problem!!! I think you're idea about bringing in little one during the day whilst the other horses are out is a very good idea! What about making him a small pen in the corner of your paddock to restrict him during the day?? What about a muzzle during the day? Or how about loaning/sharing him out during this winter, to someone who will stable him for you, and see if anyone else at your yard is wintering out so your TB has a field buddy at night??

I didn't appreciate how difficult it can be with the 'type' of horses which are prone to laminitis. Everyone 'assumes' summer grazing is problematic, but crickey.... there's ALOT MORE to it then what meets the eye!! Pleased you have identified this, your pony has a much better chance of steering clear because his mummy cares

Good luck, hope you find a practical solution

xx

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

I read an article somewhere arguing that ponies who are sensitive to frost actually do better living out, the frost build up gradually, both as the weather gets colder, and as the night goes on, and so are able to build up a resistance to it.
I would ring your vet and ask what he thinks about keeping said pony out 24/7.

 

[CBFan]

I think it's a 'suck it and see' situation and you don't know until you try. There is the option of using a grazing muzzle or a bare padock but you sound pretty clued up and only you know what is likely to work for your pony.

p.s. my boy is still out and I plan to keep it that way. he's 2/yo and only just had a rug put on..

 

[turkana]

Congratulations
You sound very clued up & I'm sure your horses will be fine out full time. My horses are out full time with just thick hedges for shelter. One is a 29 year old warmblood & the other is a very fine & dainty looking anglo arab but they both do very well.
As long as the tb fed properly & well rugged, he'll be fine. I haven't got much experience with laminitics so can't advise you but you sound like you know what you're doing.
Don't feel guilty they'll be fine.

 

[glamourpuss]

Thank you all for your replies. Its nice to hear that I'm not mad and keeping them out would be an option. I think I will also give my vet a call and see what he says. I've spoken to my farrier this afternoon and he seems to think that the bringing her in after the hard frosts and keeping an eye on both of their weights they should be fine.

Just typical of me to own the most high maintenance welsh mountain in the whole world