It is starting to get cold and a little windy now that winter is coming. I don't have a lot of experience with horses, but when should I bring the horses inside the barn to their stalls? I usually bring them out in the pasture after their morning feeding and leave them out all day. Now it is getting cold and starting to snow. Should that schedule change? What should I do? ONe horse I have, when he's outside, sees me walk into the barn, so he runs over to the door quick and wants to come in. Is he trying to tell me its too cold out or what?
2006-10-11 07:18:48 · 15 answers · asked by horsegal08 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Keep your horse warm. He's telling you he's cold.
2006-10-11 07:20:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I grew up with horses in Canada and we did not have a barn. If there is shelter in the pasture (Trees etc.) they should be fine. Like many animals they have an extra layer of hair for the winter. Keeping them inside too long may cause them to loose their winter hair. Also if there is lots of room for them to run around they will stay warm, also provide plenty of feed.
2006-10-11 07:33:08 · answer #2 · answered by dennis_leask 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think horses need to be be able to choose during the day if they stay in or out. They need to come in during the night, especially if it's snowing.
Have you thought putting a blanket on your horse? I use them off and on during the winter, and I live in California!!
Just make sure you know how to put it on properly and that it fits the horse well.
As for your horse following you to the barn... no, he's not telling you he's cold. Horses dont think like that. He probably just wants to eat. I assume you feed him grain while in the barn, right?
Either that, or else he's curious about you. He must really trust you if he follows you around like that! You must be a great horse owner!
2006-10-11 07:40:57 · answer #3 · answered by DaBoomvang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My horse is pasture boarded and is outside 24/7 year round. I did bring him in twice last winter (we live in Wisconsin) and it was REALLY cold and windy.
Otherwise being outside really is more healthy for them IF they have a sufficient winter coat (which my gelding does). Snow is actually an insulator and keeps them warmer in the winter. That's why you see horses with 4 inches of snow on their backs that doesn't melt.
My gelding would come in to eat and then want to go right back outside.
Unless you see them shivering they are usually okay. As long as they have a lean to and plenty of forage and access to unfrozen water they can live happily outside all winter.
Here's a link to an article that was in Equus regarding the topic:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/eqshelter3279/
2006-10-11 16:04:45 · answer #4 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you not leave a barn door open so they can come and go as they please. Horses can tolerate some cold, but it depends on how cold it gets where you live. Put them in their stalls at night and during storms. Be sure that they have food and a lot of water.
2006-10-11 07:28:49 · answer #5 · answered by BUPPY'S MEME 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well I would say bring it in if it is snowy or icy out or raining hard on a cold night. My horses stay out 80% of the time. my mare does that. she'll run over to the barn as soon as it rains or if she sees someone coming up there there she is right beside the door..
:)
2006-10-11 17:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by emmie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know if it would be too cold because 2 winters age we had a ice storm here in North Carolina and my quarter horse gelding stood out in it day and night. he had a open barn he could go into to stay dry and warm but he didn't, then when we moved him to my house he would stay in his stall most of the time. i think it just a place that they feel comfortable in so they go there to relax.
2006-10-11 09:12:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they start shivering. Mine are out full time with a shelter. When one of my thin skinned ones start shivering, the blanket goes on. That usually occurs at night, or when the temperature drops really low with a brisk wind.
The horse that wants to go in isn't cold, he just wants his evening grain.
Horses are used to being outside even if its too cold for us.
2006-10-11 10:58:45 · answer #8 · answered by nokhada5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I had horses; It was set up so that they could choose on there own. As the weather gets colder they will grow a winter coat. Ya know how sometimes if you keep movin you stay warmer? I liked to let them decide 4 themseves.
2006-10-11 07:33:37 · answer #9 · answered by diane b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Horse, Yes,they need to be in the barn, in they stalls and kept warm like we do.After feeding in the morning,i would let them out for about an hour,and then bring them back in.In the early afternoon,let them out again.And in the middle evening,let them out one last time,and put them back in the barn.Just keep it like this,and your horses will love you.
Clowmy
2006-10-11 07:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the horses legs start twitching/moving alot. My aunt brings her horses in then, I'm not sure on a scientific answer, but she's been training them for years.
2006-10-11 07:26:09 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋