Horse welfare.
Discussion
Maybe I'm worrying over nothing, but near where I live is a field where around six horses are kept. I passed by this morning, and they just looked so miserable in the cold and pouring rain, up to their ankles in mud, huddled together under a tree, their only shelter. Only two of them appear to have blankets on; that said, they all appear well-fed, and there's a large bale of hay nearby for them to eat. I don't believe they are taken in at night, but I can't be sure.
Personally I wouldn't keep a dog, or any other animal in such conditions. Am I right to be concerned, or is it acceptable to keep horses that way?
Personally I wouldn't keep a dog, or any other animal in such conditions. Am I right to be concerned, or is it acceptable to keep horses that way?
Our 2 horses have access to their stables 24/7 and yet even in the depths of winter they would prefer to be outside (even when it’s raining!)
As long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
As long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
georgefreeman918 said:
Our 2 horses have access to their stables 24/7 and yet even in the depths of winter they would prefer to be outside (even when it’s raining!)
As long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
What about them being deep in mud, would that be a concern? As long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
My other feeling is it seems they don't actually have access to proper shelter for the to choose.
Aside from those two concerns they do sound like they are being provided for (assuming, as you said, they have an unclipped coat)
bexVN said:
What about them being deep in mud, would that be a concern?
My other feeling is it seems they don't actually have access to proper shelter for the to choose.
Aside from those two concerns they do sound like they are being provided for (assuming, as you said, they have an unclipped coat)
Horses are generally very hardy and being out is their natural environment. It sounds like the fact that 2 of them have rugs on, they do get cared for/checked on. I wouldnt worry about the mud (good luck finding fields for horse turnout WITHOUT any at this time of year!) IMO they are very lucky they have access to turnout, a lot dont get turned out this time of year due to lack of grazing and that IMHO is far worse than being out in all weathers. My other feeling is it seems they don't actually have access to proper shelter for the to choose.
Aside from those two concerns they do sound like they are being provided for (assuming, as you said, they have an unclipped coat)
FYI I have had horses for 15 years or so
Wild horses are the norm here. We have temperature variations between 30 below & 45above. Gawd knows where they go in the depths of winter but there's no trees for shelter just open steppe. There isn't a lot of vegetation either so I think they live on stones.
They are also the national dish!!
They are also the national dish!!
Update: I drove past the field the other night, and they were outside, but ok. Having a closer look by day shows that they are healthy looking, and the only really muddy part of the field is the part nearest the road. I've also seen the owner attending to them.
Thanks for the informed replies from the horse people; I need worry no longer.
Thanks for the informed replies from the horse people; I need worry no longer.
georgefreeman918 said:
Our 2 horses have access to their stables 24/7 and yet even in the depths of winter they would prefer to be outside (even when it’s raining!)
As long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
Horse are thick....they will stand in Mud rather on grass, they will stand in the rain rather than the field shelter, they will roll in the wet mud just after being washed, they will sAs long as they have food and water I wouldn’t worry too much. They are quite hardy and are built to survive the weather. If they haven’t been clipped (their coats are in tact) I am sure that they will be plenty warm enough. The 2 with the sheets on have probably being clipped or older and therefore need a bit of extra warmth.
Keep an eye out, but I wouldn’t worry.
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