Is It Ok For Me 2 Turn My Horse Out Spring Summer Autumn(Fall), I Will Have A Rug Put On It When Its Cold.
And It Will Be Stabled In Winter =]
2007-09-27 07:13:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Horses
Yes it is and its healthy to even turn them out in the winter too.
2007-09-27 07:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by Mulereiner 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I live in Alberta, Canada, where the winter can get to -40. My horses live outside 24/7 and do very well. If I were to keep them blanketed all the time, or clip their coats, they would not grow a thick winter coat, that would cause problems, but if you allow them to go natural they will be prepared for the weather. The only time my horses ever shiver or are cold is if we get wet, melting snow, or if it's raining and windy. At those times I will put on a water-proof blanket, or put them under roof for the day. Otherwise they are outside all the time, and that includes my expensive show mare.
You do need to provide a place for your horses to get out of the wind. A windbreak, a barn, a row of bales, a bunch of trees, all those things can shelter a horse. If you can, you should provide them with a roof overhead for really bad days, but many horses do find without a shelter if they can keep out of the wind. You also need to give your horse extra hay to eat in the winter and during cold weather. Horses produce heat by digesting fiber such as hay, so eating keeps them warm. Also make sure they have warm fresh water all the time, if they have to eat snow it will make them cold, and they will become dehydrated and be at risk for colic. It takes many, many gallons of snow to make one gallon of water, so a horse has to eat snow constantly if they don't have a waterer in the winter.
Good luck with your horse. I would suggest you buy some good books on horse care. Cherry Hill has some excellent ones that discuss how to care for your horse in the winter, and all the things you'll require.
2007-09-27 08:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My little barrel/pole horse who recently ran a pole time that is .4 seconds away from the record (sorry i had to say that i love her so much!) always stays outside but if it gets real bad she does have a nice warm stall to come into. Oh and btw it is not good to bring your horse in turn them out regurally because the temperature change is hard on ther body. Just try to buy a blanket to keep your horse dry and warm they will be much healthier outside. oh and i live around buffalo NY so we aways get cold weather and random freak storms but none of the 50 horse we have have ever gotten sick or to cold most of them stay out through it all.
2007-09-27 10:41:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats fine. My horses live on pasture, granted there's no grass. But they are fine. As long as your horse has a shelter to get out the elements it will be fine. Be sure you get a waterproof rug to put on your horse it case it rains. If a horse is turned out in the rain with a non waterproof rug it can get really sick and die.
2007-09-27 08:41:17 · answer #4 · answered by apha_barrelracer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep him as natural as possible its best for his mental, emotional and physical health. Being in a stall is not natural. also they need to be with at least one other horse. I live in MN and they stay out all the time even in winter, they have a shelter if they want it but usually they don't. We don't cover them because if they get too warm that is worse for them and they could get sick.
2007-09-27 07:58:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ktcyan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But keep an eye on him/her. Make sure to blanket if it's rainy. Bring him in if it's snowy ( if you have snow where you live) Also, check the pasture for any poisonous weeds before you turn out. There are books you can get that will show you which plants to watch for. Thousands of horses get poisoned every year by weeds & flowers that people don't even know they have.
2007-09-27 08:29:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually it is healthier for your horse to be outside and not in a stall...even in the winter. You will find that his coat gets healthier, and his attitude gets happier. This is due partially to sun shine which carries vitamens to the horses coat, but horses by nature they are not a domesticated and confined animal. They will survive but they will not thrive in this environment of confinement.
They actually will thrive outside where they can run and graze as their bodies and systems were intended.
2007-09-27 08:35:23 · answer #7 · answered by jhg 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My horses are outside all year long (I live in Wisconsin). They are able to go in and out of the stalls as they wish, and they can go hide in the woods if they want. I do blanket my old Arab in the winter, as his metabolism isn't the best anymore, and we blanket my husband's Appy, she has a very thin coat and thin skin. The other 2 are wooly little furballs who never shiver.
2007-09-27 07:17:23 · answer #8 · answered by But Inside I'm Screaming 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's okay for you to turn your horse out anytime you want. Even in the winter. He'll grow a coat to keep him warm and you can put a blanket on him as well.
2007-09-27 07:16:30 · answer #9 · answered by Texas Horse Lover 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion, unless the weather is terribly harsh, horses are naturally outdoor animals. They are much happier outside in their natural environment. I have a 20,000 warmblood who stays outside year round, blanketed, but he is MUCH happier out in his own space. It's all opinion I suppose! But I would say yes, they are just fine outside and are ok inside too, I just find that my horses are much happier outside year round.
2007-09-27 09:01:04 · answer #10 · answered by Dallas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋