POLL: It's going to be 9 degrees tonight—do we put the horses IN or leave them out?

[Oldenburg Mom]

AND, what are YOU doing ... leaving yours in or putting them out.

[CanterQueen]

I'm in No. VA and mine are not clipped. I blanket with medium weight blankets, give them lots of hay to much on and leave them all out. They have a run-in shed as well. I only bring them in for the night if it's raining hard and windy and cold. They're all fat boys, so I think they're doing just fine. :D

[Oldenburg Mom]

Poll's up now, CanterQueen. VOTE!! Yours sound like mine ... fat boys!! :lol:

[GallantGesture]

The HIGH of the day today is below zero here. My boys are outside. They are heavily blanketed, have a run in shed, and plenty of hay. Last report... they are playing in the snow and not using the run in yet.

[FoxChaser]

I have one butterball fat pony and two OTTBs. They are out all the time unless it we have cold rain, then they're in. Right now, they're out, unclipped, in med. weight Rambos. They have access to a run-in and plenty of woods to use as a wind block. I'd worry more about them being in w/frozen water buckets than I do about them being out.

[FindersKeepers]

We have a shetland pony happy to be out, a fat QH gelding, happy to be out, a my sensitive as a flower TB mare, that wants to be on my couch in slippers with hot chocolate.

Being that gelding and pony still don't want to be friends, and my girl is too fragile to be out today (the high is 9 and low is -20) they are staying in tonight, and tomorrow too. Saturday they will likely get a trip out again.

My girl and the QH don't care...but this is pony's first indoor living experience, and he is less than pleased with his accommodations (14x14 warm snuggly stall... go figure)

[FLeckenAwesome]

Mine are also at home. I have a 26 year old who is fat and furry, another geriatric also fat and furry, my competition horse who was clipped earlier but still has a short coat, and my friends horse, who is not clipped but has been kept blanketed. IF I could turn them all out together, I would leave them out with access to stalls. However, I have to keep the two boys separated, which means, only two of them have access to the stalls. So... when the windchill is 5 degrees tonight!!! They will all be locked in! That way there is no fighting and they all have protection from the wind. Last night the windchill was 18 and they were out, but blanketed appropriately.

I would prefer them to be out but when it's EXTRA cold...especially when they aren't used to it...like this sudden drop!, in they go.

[fleur de duc]

I'm going to bring mine in tonight. They have access to their stalls 24/7 so I rarely ever keep them in. I dont even bring them in when it rains b/c they can come in if they want. My farm's property backs up to a reservoir so when it gets in the teens it can REALLY get chilly and windy fast. They are calling for wind and 9• Tonight, so I'm planning on taking them in and closing up the barn for the night. One is clipped and already in 3 blankets.

[IFG]

Both. He has a stall with 24/7 access to the paddock. His choice. Based on the piles I find in the morning, he is out more than in.

[Quiet Riot]

Geez, if you have a barn bring them in.:eek:

[Puddin Pie]

I am double blanketing (with a hood) my trace clipped fellow and heavy blanketing the fuzz ball. Said fuzz ball coming 26 this year, so I worry about him, just a mom thing. If it gets windy, I have asked for them to come in. Otherwise, at least outside they can move around and eat hay and they can go in the woods if they want. Unheated barn, but again, if it is windy or precipitating, they come in.

[asbjockey]

I'm at a 5 stall co-op. The turnout paddocks don't have any shelter, so when the wind chill is double-digits below (-27 right now) they stay in.

[CanterQueen]

Geez, if you have a barn bring them in.:eek:


Why? Really, I'd like to know why you think they should be in.

[Bogie]

Outside! They have access to shelter, blankets, lots of hay and a heated water tank. They prefer to be out.

[catknsn]

If wet/windy/icy - bring in.

If dry cold and tank heaters and blankets are in place - leave out.

[AppJumpr08]

Out.

The only two who are locked in at the moment are both on stall rest.

I've blanketed the skinnies, and the fatties are happy as clams with their own fur coats. They all have sheds and rarely use them, but it makes me feel better to know that if they want to use them they can ;)

I'd rather have them out and moving around then locked in :yes::yes:

[greysandbays]

Oh, god, 9 above for an overnight low will be heaven. If it ever gets that warm again, mine will start shedding...and maybe I'll run around outside in shorts and tee shirt for a little while. Just because I'm so damn sick of putting on 50lbs of winter clothes and STILL freezing my face, hands, and feet. And then having to take that 50 lbs of winter clothes off when I come in. Four times a day.

[yellow-horse]

I'm bringing my old cushings horse into the paddock and letting her use the barn if she wants, the other 2 are young and healthy and can stay out with the shed. None of them want to be in a stall. None of them have blankets on. I'm in virginia, it will be unsually cold the next few days, I think the horses will be fine though. I stacked up extra straw for the goat shed and my husband took care of the hounds with extra straw,he built them a big shed, he has their dog houses inside the shed up on bales of straw and straw on top of the dog houses and he put a tarp up in the entry of the shed. Last night when I checked on the dogs, none of them were inside, they were running around destroying the dog beds I mistakenly bought the other day and put in their dog houses.

[bird4416]

Mine are in the barn. With no turn-out sheds in the pasture and 20mph winds with 10degree overnight lows predicted, they were more than ready to come in to the barn.

[seeuatx]

I stopped by the barn about 2 hours before normal bring in time. I had just been planning on popping by to make sure G was warm enough and dry in his blanket (it is older and I don't trust the waterproofing). Well there my horse is by the gate, crying his wimpy little head off "I WANT IN NOW"....

Ok... in he goes.

[horsekpr]

Mine really ,really ,really prefer being out...but the have no shelter.Last few nights they were fine,but today they were hunkered down in a corner of the paddock that is a little bit out of the wind.I guess they would be okay out ,but i don't think they will move around very much,and their buddies in the next field who have no shelter either will be in.So in tonight and most likely tomorrow night.Something about single diget temps saya "come on in the house ,boyz." If they had shelter I would leave them out.

[Daydream Believer]

My own horses are out with round bales, shelters and seemed quite happy munching hay. I don't normally put round bales in the fields but I felt the extra cold weather warranted the extra hay. My boarders are in...which is what they pay for.

[goobs]

Mine is only 8 months old - so he is going IN with the pony who keeps him company. They have an automatic waterer and a brand new shed with a big old roundbale of first cut - but I think at his age he should be inside! They both HATE going in their stalls too! I guess it's more for my peace of mind at night!

[Edgewood]

They have a run-in shed as well. I only bring them in for the night if it's raining hard and windy and cold. They're all fat boys, so I think they're doing just fine. :D

Ditto. Plus I have their run ins bedded very nicely and they are cleaned 4X/day so nice and clean too. I only bring in with freezing rain and 33 and cold/wet weather or humongous blizzard weather. FWIW, all my run ins face south and stay pretty warm, even in the windiest weather (which generally comes from the NW this time of year)

[BelladonnaLily]

Mine are out. They all have high neck or full neck blankets on. They all have a brand new round bale in front of them and auto waterers that don't freeze (the balls sometimes freeze but are easily knocked down...I might have to kick them loose in the morning).

I honestly think, depending on the barn set up, they might be warmer out as long as they have a blanket and windblock. I think standing around in a stall might be colder than moving around outdoors.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Mine are fat AND fuzzy, but yes, they're in. In In In.

My princesses would have it no other way. Truly, the OTTB would never go out if given the choice and the Dutch mare thinks that she should come in after 15 minutes.

Our large pastures have no shelter, and because we built a farm on what was once a 35 acre bean field, there are no trees and nothing stops the wind.

[Lauren!]

Geez, if you have a barn bring them in.:eek:

Why? :confused: What's your reasoning?

They're horses. They're meant to be out.

If it's wet, or they don't have shelter, or they look simply miserable at any point, sure, bring them in. But otherwise? Mine stay out. It's supposed to be a windchill of -20 tomorrow morning, and mine will still be out (no blankets, but they do have access to a couple of stalls if they want to come in... doubtful they will though).

[DLee]

With no run in sheds, mine are in. But only three are blanketed and it will be -3 tonight or so.

[HandsomeRansom]

I'm in NoVa, and mine is in. Generally the horses at my barn are on 24/7 turnout, however the last few days, they have been in at night. They don't have any shelter in the fields, so figured they would prefer to be in. My TB is prince foo foo and is cold in anything under 40ish, so he's in his heavyweight blanket, with a ton of hay in his stall.

[EqTrainer]

I have one pasture of horses who would rather be out than in, under any circumstances.

So they have a fresh, beautiful round bale, a huge heated water tank and are each wearing TWO heavy weight blankets.

I think they will be fine.

Mr. Coffin Bone is in, but he would be anyway. His pasturemate is w/him. I only have one boarder right now and she is in, as per her owners wishes. The ponies are in their run-in/paddock.

I actually worry more about the ones who are in. It seems like when they are out, in their herd, they have their patterns of eating/drinking/sleeping and they stick to them. Once inside, they all act differently.

[blackstallion2]

I said outside, but mine have free choice, out or in their deep bedded run in barns. Winter coats, no blankets. During the day, as long as the sun is shining, they like to be out sunbathing on the south side of their barns. Locked inside and I've got at least one ticking time bomb! So it's the ideal situation and they keep moving around and keep warm that way.:winkgrin:

[citydog]

Outside, hairy, plenty of hay and a shed. Happy as can be at -3º at the moment.

[Ride On]

My horses are outside during the day with 3 blankets on and in the barn at night. They feel warm under their blankets. They will get lots of hay and water.

[strawberry roan]

Single digits tonight so I am bringing mine in. Mind you, going down at 10 pm to do so. I usually leave them out but single digits and wind, in they will come. But right back out tomorrow morning. :):)

[Sillypony]

Well, it's currently -14.6 degrees here, without the windchill, with windchill, we're looking at -40 for a low. Mine is in. He's furry and blanketed but he's a retired show horse and likes to be inside when it get COLD, hay or now hay. Those temps are just a little too low for me.

[FindersKeepers]

I tried to get the kids out tonight while I did stalls. Fat hairy pony marched out and had a blast playing in the snow. The princess tiptoed out, looked around, and did a 180 leaping back into her stall and shivered against the wall (she has a full winter coat and a super heavy blanket...) Cranky pants fat gelding wasn't given the option. When you try to kill the new rescue pony on Monday, you don't get to play on a limited turnout day.

Everyone is snuggled in for the night though. Even fat hairy, lived outside everyday of his 15 years pony, came in when the wind got going...

[RubyLink]

The horses at the barn I work at are all outside tonight. They are always out and only come in to be fed in the mornings and then go back out. The only time they stay in is if it's a blizzard. No blankets, no run ins, etc though it is an island and they have woods and what not to find shelter in. It's supposed to be 3 degrees tonight and in the teens tomorrow.

[ASB Stars]

Mine are jammied up, hayed out the wazzooo, and they have heaters in their tanks- they are OUT! They are happier, and better off, all the way around, if they can eat, drink, and move, in this weather. I am no fan of impaction colics, and the like.

Many years ago, I kept my hothouse flowers in. Then I remembered that they were...HORSES... :lol:

[Gray Horse H/J]

My horse is boarded and stays in at night anyway, but today the barn did not do turnouts. The temp hovered somewhere around -10 for most of the day, right now it is -14.

If your horses are furry and bundled up and have hay to munch all night, they'll probably be fine in 9*. Especially if they're used to living out all the time.

[cheryl ann]

I voted out, but mine have the barn as their run-in, so they can choose. Right now, it is 8* w/ a -10* windchill.

[Debbie]

Mine are out. The tank heater keeps the water in the pasture clear of ice and they drink better out there. My barn is a shedrow style so not very warm. Clipped mare has two heavy weight blankets and the non-clipped mare just has one blanket. They seem happy and comfortable.

[crazy gray horse]

Mine are at home and I voted *in* but only because I don't have run-in sheds.

My 22yo pony really prefers the fair weather. Any weather extremes and he sulks, occasionally gets mad! The 2 young TBs are ok about being out. But by 4:30 or 5pm - they're all standing at the corner of the paddock that faces the house waiting for me. The 3 amigos :lol:

[T.G.I.F.]

Where my horse is, the barn can't even persuade him to go out during the day for longer than 5 minutes. He has decided he is a hot flower horse & he is coming in NOW. After 5 minutes he is ready to jump the fence. They have tried different fields & always with hay but it is a no go. Weather report says it is a balmy -8F right now at the barns...

[Huntertwo]

AND, what are YOU doing ... leaving yours in or putting them out.


:lol::lol: It was in the single digits most of the day here with snow and our guys were out all day. In fact when I went to the barn after work, my mare was outside in the snow instead of standing inside her stall.

Surprisingly, I slipped my hand underneath her blanket and she was pretty toasty. :yes:

[Huntertwo]

Mine are out. The tank heater keeps the water in the pasture clear of ice and they drink better out there. My barn is a shedrow style so not very warm. Clipped mare has two heavy weight blankets and the non-clipped mare just has one blanket. They seem happy and comfortable.

Thats a good point. Given either turnout with access to ice free water or in with frozen water, I'd too go for the turnout in that situation.

[winegum]

I board my horse at a local barn and he is on the cheaper option, pasture, so naturally he stays outside 24/7. He loves it and tonight it is dropping to five degrees! He has a nice winter coat in and a heavy weight blanket (in addition to a shoulder guard which really doesn't add much warmth but it probably helps with drafts in the front of the blanket). He is also out with a number of other horses and they have a nice big round bale to munch on and a run in shed if they need it.

[tmo0hul]

In - but only because it is easier on me and DH.

[Irish Ei's]

IN...You'll be warmer in the morning not having to trudge around out there......

[county]

Its -31 here right now all 30 of ours are outside from the 08 foals to the 27 year old stallion munching on round bales to keep warm. Our high today was -5 everyone was romping around in the sun playing even the brood mares.

[amdfarm]

-13 actual temp, w/c -20 something. At home and they're all out 24/7, 365. Naked w/ round bales, heated water in their tanks, wind blocks and they're happy and warm. Those that take mid morning naps, did so in the sunshine in the snow today, as usual.

Gonna be in the teens tomorrow... woo hoo!!

[BasqueMom]

Mine would be out with blankets but they have 24/7 access to their stalls. About the only
time they would be locked in is icy weather. In Colorado, they came in for the blizzards
with the dutch doors closed as previous owners had faced the stalls to the west (prevailing winds). Had to dig them out the next day, though......

[LMH]

Mine are in the barn. With no turn-out sheds in the pasture and 20mph winds with 10degree overnight lows predicted, they were more than ready to come in to the barn.

same here-except mine HAVE sheds-they looked at the sheds and then me asking-do you REALLY think that little box will do us any good?

Mine normally live out all the time and every single one was waiting by the gate to come in.

I have created sissies. :lol:

The ground will be rock hard, the water will be frozen, the grass will be grass-sicles.

A night in to practice being a show horse never hurts.:lol:

Now that said, my mini donkeys are out because both of them are nervous in barns.

[2DogsFarm]

It was -12 here yesterday morning and when I went to feed (like g&b, after piling myself into layers, layers & more layers) both my boys were out play-fighting in the snow.
My Old Guy is 27 and was acting 1/5 his age :D
They are wearing canvas thermal-lined turnouts and have free access to stalls if they want.
{shrugs} So their choice is Out.
I am feeding hay like there is no tomorrow - nearly an entire 55# bale a day but I'd rather waste some than have them expend a single extra calorie trying to keep warm.

Today I'm going to check Erewhon Outfitters online to see if I can find a one-piece solution for ME to wear!

time to start putting myself together for breakfast at the barn.....

[manyspots]

Mine are out 24/7 with access to their stalls. It was -17 when I fed at 5AM. Frosty heads, icicles on the muzzles and eyelashes and happy happy happy as can be. My gelding cannot handle being locked in and his old man friend goes where ever he goes. Both are in medium turnouts which will come off when temp rebound. I chose out because of the above reasons and the heated tank outside.

By choice they were OUT at 5AM when I headed outside. And they were just playing in the sun. I let them tell ME what they want. And this is with a brand new barn and bedded 12 x 12 stalls. Horses know what they want...

[Pat]

OUT.

I have two in stalls, but I'm haveing trouble keeping thier weight up. I feel that keeping them in has helped quite a bit. There is a third that I *think* would like to have a stall, but that's not an option. She also has weight issues too, so I now bring her in in the afternoon for a snack and then backout she goes. The skinnies also have blankets on. Not bundled up like a little kid in a snow suit, just one.

Only if if is raining do I keep the blanket horses in but that's because they have old blankets on that aren't waterproof enough any more.

Stalls are OUR idea, not thiers. Horses that stand at the gate and 'cry' are bored and/or looking for a snack. Especially if they only/mostly associate you with food. That's why they pitch a fit when you appear! They think they are getting something!

[xeroxchick]

Geez, if you have a barn bring them in.:eek:

Horses are Ice Age animals; they die of heat, not cold in general. They are not us! Outside they are actually warmer. They can move around and get next to eachother. Plenty of hay is what they need to keep warm as long as it's not freezing rain.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

Mine are in. While it does get cold up here, it doesnt get THIS cold. 9 degrees and blowing winds...they are staying in. If anything...I worry about the wind breakign a limb and them running on the frozen ground and hurting themselves.

They are out now since the sun is shinning and will return in tonight.

[Bogie]

It was -8 F this morning when I fed. All four horses were out (by choice) although two had frozen whiskers!

I used to worry about them getting cold, but they get plenty of hay and they can move around more outside than they would in a stall.

I also prefer for them to be out as it's easier to make sure they have enough water. We don't have heated water buckets in the stalls but they do have a large heated tank. Access to water is a big concern of mine during winter.

[jazzrider]

My five are in, toasty warm in their stalls with lots of hay and a late night warm forage soup. :D But mine are in every night in the winter, and out all day.

If I had the land for 24 hour turnout, what I did on a night like last night would depend on how much wind break and shelter I have, and hay. I'm on a ridge here, and the only break they get is from the run-in shelter, which isn't big enough for all of them and Jazz likes to hog it. So I'd probably bring them in any night that the temps are under freezing and the wind is over 10mph. But my guys are older and spoiled...

I'm sure the midwest and Canadian folks are rolling their eyes at us cold-weather lightweights!

[paulosey]

Mine are outside with blankets on. They can come into the barn if they wish and in this cold they do. It is not warm in the run-in, but it keeps them out of the wind. None of mine ever have sniffles or wheezes, like some get that are kept in. They will get extra hay...not that they need it...all are quite round, but the extra fibre will keep them warmer.

[KSAQHA]

Mine are all out with no blankets or run-in, but plenty of windbreaks and hay. They're typically out 24/7 (unless we have freezing rain). I currently have more horses than stalls, so I open up the indoor for a couple if it's really blowing. All they do is use it as a giant litter box, then they're right back outside. Even the stalled horses spend more time out in the runs. Seems like the stalls are also just used as litter boxes. Bunch of ungrateful slobs.

[Catalina]

Mine are out. The two clipped ones have heavyweight turnouts on and the yak gelding is nekkid. So is the pony, who is a big ol' poof of fur and nice and toasty warm whenever I check. They all have access to stalls and there are pleanty of wind breaks around. They also have loads of hay and a heated water trough.

[nightsong]

Out. Unless you have an unusually warm barn, you are doing horses a HUUUUGE disservice to deprive them of their natural warm-up activity, which is activity. WHY do horses explode into avtivity when you turn them out in cold weather, no matter how treacherous the footing? They're COLD!!! Leave them out; let them regulate their OWN temperature.

[breakthru]

"no matter how treacherous the footing" is precisely the key! rock-hard frozen is treacherous for my ding dong clutzes. I much prefer them in where I can blanket them heavily if necessary, and keep them from injuring themselves!

[Samantha37]

Mine will go outside during the summer and run around like an idiot, so I'm not entirely sure it is from being cold, although that certainly is a reason they run around during the winter. I think they just feel good.
My horse is boarded, so he is in every night (or day during the summer) and he does go out every day regardless of weather (unless there is crazy hail or a bad lightening storm). He was in last night with a heavyweight, and will be in tonight with a heavyweight.

[lesson junkie]

Mine are inside when it's in the single digits-that's COLD for for us. I worry about water intake-I go out late in the PM and top the buckets up with warm water. If I had a heated water source they would be outside-I'm sure they would be happier if they were out.

[baymare]

It was minus 22 at my house this morning. All the horses were out, no blankets. A little frost on the whiskers, but perfectly happy with run-ins, round bales, tank heaters. And the most glorious winter coats I've ever seen! The oldest is the original baymare, age 29. If it were windy or sleety I would consider blanketing her, but I wouldn't bring her in because she would be terminally p*ssed off!

[horsegirl888]

It was -31 degrees actual temperature, -40+ with windchill for the last few nights. Ours have a moderate coat (have been blanketed since fall), and they wear heavyweights or midweights during the day, but they don't want to be out in that. They stand at the gate and beg to come in. It's getting warmer now (5 above), but their routine is to come in in the winter. When there is dangerous windchills like we had last week, I don't think it's wise to leave them out, even though they have a shed.

[baylady7]

My guy is out with access to his stall (3 sided run in facing South), lots of hay and a heated auto waterer. He woul;dn't have it any other way

[Percheron X]

It completely depends on the coat, clip, age, condition and comfort of the horse, combined with the owner/caregivers personal preference, the type of work the horse preforms (if any), and the value of the horse. Then factor in the logistics regarding the resources and the structures available at the facility where the horse resides.