horses/foals

[chysun]

horses / foals outside in field in snow with access to haylage/water o.k or not ?? first time i have left them out mare has rug on as she is thorobred foal is half bred and hasnt a rug on yet she is seven months self weaned as mum has no milk anymore but drinks water anyway and has a hairy coat.does anyone else leave them out all year .

[Clanad]

Ours (here in the western U.S.) are pretty much left out all year. They are provided a solid windbreak, however. They are also given a daily ration of grain mixed with molasses and, even though they are cow ponies (most are Appaloosa/Arab cross with some Quarter Horse blood) they go into the winter with extra body fat and a good winter coat. Our winters often see -20F, but keeping them out of the wind is important. If a sustained blizzard is expected we might bring them in for additional shelter, but that's mainly for our advantage in feeding them their daily hay ration, and of course good, fresh water. We use a fairly high protein native hay raised here in the valley. We find that it's a better forage than Alfalfa, which is somewhat cheaper.
We bring them in about every week or so (unless they are needed for work) and inspect their feet. Walking on the cold, wet snow will cause balls of snow to build up on the frogs and makes it uncomfortable for them to walk. We pull the shoes off in early winter and they go barefoot until spring...
Good luck with your foal! (By the way, seven months for weaning is perfectly acceptable, most wean sooner than that. Just make sure the foal gets enough to eat).

[lankeela]

Wet weather is more of a problem than cold. Have you anywhere you could bring them in overnight, as thoroughbreds tend not to have the thick woolly coats that some of the native breeds grow. Even a field shelter would give them some protection, but a stable or barn would be better. Even my old cob was brought in at night, he lived till 34 so must have done something right.

[jules77]

It is bitterly cold by me, and all the horses have rugs on. The thoroughbreds, and most of the others are either bought in at night, or put in a field that has a three sided shelter to give some protection against the wind.........and possible snow if the weather man is correct.

I would have said the mother and the foal definitely both need a rug.

[Ice.Maiden]

Agree with jules. Ours've had coats on during the day, but are always stabled at night, especially as it's been so cold.

[chysun]

thanks to you all snow came down last nite with a vengance they are out and mum has a rug on they also have a shelter in the field i do bring them in once a week to check them over but they spend most of the time looking back out . going to try to get rug on foal today not sure how she'll take it .im prob more worried than them.

[Ice.Maiden]

May I just suggest trying the foal with a coat during daylight, when you have a bit of time to spare. Let her smell it first, then place it over her back, but leave unsecured. She might shrug it off at first, but keep encouraging her with kind words. If it slips off, replace it again, and try to lead her around. Is she halter or bridle trained yet? Keep putting the coat over her, until she feels comfortable with it, and then you'll be able to fasten it to her. However, she might take to it quicker than you think.

[chysun]

foal wearing blanket like a real pro ! didnt fuss her at all at least she is dry now seems like a happy bunny and im happy to see she has took it all in her stride.