Common Sense - Turnout
Turn out is one of the most important things in a horse’s life. They need to move a lot. Their entire system is designed to graze and walk miles a day. This keeps their digestive tract moving food, circulation for their body especially their hooves, keeps their bones and joints healthy. A 12X12 stall is not conducive to this. When does the horse not want to be outside? When should you bring the horses in?
Winter:
I live on a hill in the middle of flat Northwest Ohio. We can get some winter wind gusts that will take your breath. I have a run-in area off the barn for the horses, they get to decide wether they want to be inside or outside. The wind seems to be the one main factor that will make them want to go inside. However, I found if I put a blanket on them on those real cold windy days, the horses will be outside all day until dinner arrives. They would probably not need a blanket if I had better wind brakes on the property.
Other:
I have witnessed the horses standing outside in sleet, snow, and rain. They turn their butts to the weather and stand together outside the barn. Heat with extreme humidity will bring them in the barn especially if there is a breeze. Sometimes, I make a breeze with a few fans. Flies seem to be the other draw to coming inside. I have started using fly predators from April through September and this has lessened the number and intensity of flies helping the horse’s enjoy more pasture time and humans more barn time. I use NaturesGoodGuys available on Amazon.
The common sense approach is turn your horse out.
Note*** Horses can withstand -40 degrees as long as they can get out of the wind and have “all-you-can-eat” hay. Horses can tolerate a lot of heat as long as they have all the water they want. Their hair coat naturally protects and reflects the sun light. If your horse has a white nose, a little sunscreen will be appreciated.
Horse’s who are used to being inside or brought in at a certain time, they may need time to learn to stay outside. You may need to find them a favorite buddy and increase the time in small increments. Horses running and pacing at the gate is not healthy either. Horse’s don’t like change anymore than we do.
S. Potts
