You shouldn't have youngsters in - they need to be out!

I had lil from 6 months old - she lived in at night until she was 3, she is out 24/7 now at 4 years, but my D has come in at night as it's easier to keep a routine, tell others to mind their own business and please yourself!!
 
My lad has lived out all summer and in at night through winter for the last 10yrs of his life(from being 8mnth old),he then had two yrs of living out 24/7 until he was 12,moved yards and he came in at night,lived out 1st summer but kept injuring himself so this summer he has been in at night and out by day!He developed well skeletal wise etc,manners however can be taught wether in or out
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Ours are out 24/7 but that doesn't mean I wouldn't bring them in to be stabled overnight if needed. It's down to the individual horse and owner and what works best for them.

You know what the horse world is like. Everyone has an opinion. Just go with what works for you OP.
 
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I got it in the neck for not bringing my horse in when she was 3-4 yrs and accused of not loving her. Why didn't I want to tuck her up in a nice warm stable? Because she was perfectly happy outside.

It's your horse. Do whatever you think is best.
 
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My 2 year old is out 24/7 every day any weather unrugged. He's fine. IMO I wouldn't bring him in for any reason as I feel being out is far better for him physically and mentally, he would be more mischievous if he was part stabled, but I'm lucky as he can be out with company 24/7 so it works for us.

As others have said only you know your horse so it's your choice ultimately.
 
I don't think any horse should be kept in let alone youngsters. Youngsters I think its important they are out in the field with other hores learning how to behave from the rest of the herd. My last horse, I got as a 3yo - he had been kept in a field on his own for the previous year and a half and as a result he was a stroppy git who didn't know how to interact with other horses or me!

Just because your horse has got cheeky, IMO stabling him isn't the answer! How does putting him in a small box teach him disipline? and the only way it creates a (IMO, fake) bond with you is simply because he has to rely on you to give him water etc.! You get to see him tucked up every night - sorry but that is my main issue with people stabling!! You MUST think from your horses point of view. A horse is made to live OUT! A horse thrives on living out with other horses, he would never ever choose to stand about in a shoe box all night/day! You summed it up by saying your horse will hate you for it.

I have always kept mine out 24/7, they have full access to 2 large stables whenever they like (ie. doors are left open) but 95% of the time they choose to stay out. I do keep a horse in if need be, for example on vets advice etc. Mine have always been very very happy physically and mentally. They are rugged and fed well. They compete at BE & BSJA off grass no problem.
 
Really can't see the problem. I bought my youngster home at 16 months and he had to stay in at night and was allowed out four days a week. On days with no t/o, he went into the school for a good run round with his "dad" for an hour or so twice a day. I also spent a little time teaching him basics of leading and good manners and he had ad lib hay in the stable.

He was perfectly fine with this routine and would wait at the gate to come in even when the grass was still ok in the field - and he is a tough gypsy cob. He actually seems to like being warm and dry in his stable rather than out in the field when the weather is bad.

What I do not like to see is youngsters in 24 x 7 for days on end with just a short period of controlled exercise.

Where I am in Essex, whilst I can get 6 months of 24 x 7 turnout, winter is restricted and yards with 24 x 7 all year turnout are very far and few between - I already travel 30 miles to my yard to get this much t/o.

Personally I would rather have daily t/o on good ground than 24 x 7 in a poached mud bath during the winter.
 
My horses are in at night over winter because thats the rule of the yard....they live out in summer though.

Our young one has just turned 5....he was in at night last winter too. They go out at 6.30am and come in about 12 hours later. They are standing by the gate waiting for me so I guess that means they want to come in lol.

He's happy eating his hay and can be handled by my young daughter safely in the stable....they have half-walls with wooden poles accross so the horses can see and touch each other if need be.

Dont see the problem with it myself......each to their own
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In my opinion it's a good idea to get young horses used to being stabled.. just in case they ever HAVE to be stabled... there's nothing worse than a horse who hates/isn't used to stables on box rest.

It's your horse, do whatever you want. My 4 year old is in at night now (comes in at night over winter, out 24/7 rest of year). He loves coming in, but would equally live out fine.
 
My 21 month filly lives in and has done since I bought her. She is out 4 hours in the morning and 4 in the afternoon unless the weather is horrendous. I have neither the land appropriate for 24/24 nor the desire to leave her out in all weathers. In Italy, its too hot in the summer and the winter we get down to minus 10/15. The summer insect population does make for easy living either. Most Quarter horses (here) are box bound for most of their lives unless being worked
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.If I had the possibility to keep her out 24/24, I would.
OP, go with your instinct and ignore the know-it-alls
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I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing a 4 year old in overnight. I prefer to keep mine out as there is plenty of land. You can still establish a routine if you bring them in every day, tie them up to groom etc. They don't have to be stabled to do things at the same time of day.
 
When I read "young-horse", I thought you'd go on to say one that was some where between being a foal and a rising three year old! At four and backed, why wouldn't you have him in at night if you wanted to? Why, when he turns 5, would this suddenly change and become "okay"?? Even if you weren't riding him over winter, the routine of bringing him in and settling him into his stable each evening, is a good practice for him and certainly not something that you should be made feel guilty about doing. In at night, or out at night, as long as he's well fed, comfortable and relaxed - who cares! Tell whoever to mind their own business!!!

I am now down in the south west, where it tends to stay mild and wet in winter, and my horses get mud fever if left out continuously. Despite ample land, shelter, rugs, twice daily hard feeds and ad-lib haylage when living out, they all mow me down at the gate in the evening, begging to come in, and pace up and down until they are brought in for the night. They haven't started doing this yet, but will let me know when they want to start coming in for the night. And none of mine are over 3 ATM.
 
my yearling has just started coming in at nite and out allday unrugged but to be honest he loves his bed and if he had his way would be in 24/7 !!! he was out all summer 24/7
 
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