24/7 turnout care

[Guilherme]

If you not done so get and read Cherry Hill’s book Horsekeeping on Small Acreage. It’s very well done and very comprehensive.

If you put doors on a run-in shelter you’ve converted it from a run-in to a barn. I’d not do that. If you’re providing sound basics let the horse choose where it is most comfortable.* Horses don’t like “caves” so making your shelter a bit larger would be a good idea. Orient the opening so that it faces away from the prevailing winds in the worst weather conditions you face. I’m in the TN Valley. Our worst winds come from the southwest, as they can be strong (35-45 mph) and can carry heavy precipitation before a cold front passes. Then the winds shift to the northwest. They are then quite cold but almost always dry. “Almost” means we can get a lot of “wrap around” after a winter low pressure center passes but it will be snow, not rain or ice. This means I orient my shelters so that the opening is to the east.**

Between about +15 degrees F and +60 degrees F the healthy horse has a neutral heat budget, making all they need as long as they have hay.*** Below and above we husbandry-men must help out the horse with wind breaks, shade, or other material items. Some horses need more than others. This means we follow the Golden Rule of Equine Husbandry: We give the horse what it needs, when it needs it, and appropriate quantity and quality. Remember it’s the horse’s actual need, not our need to feel good, that is the key!!!

You asked about cold weather watering. Google “solar powered livestock winter feeders” and you’ll find a number of examples.

Horsekeeping your part of the world can be challenging but is doable. Good luck in your project.

G.

*It’s intensely frustrating to look outside and see all the horses standing around in cold rain when the run-in is empty.

**Our weather here can be difficult, with LOTS of rain at any time of the year except late summer and early fall. We also get periodic easterly flows and means wind and rain from the east. Fortunately wind velocities from the east are generally low, as is precipitation amount. So the optimum, not perfect, orientation is straight east for us.

***The very act of eating hay for the horse generates heat. That’s why it’s better to increase hay, not supplements like grain, in cold weather.

[bingbingbing]

I agree with cnd8.
My concern from the start is just the initial bringing her home. She is very young and has never been alone. Horses can completely lose it in this situation and you definitely don’t want a horse streaking around somewhere new in a panic. I am not sure how much the horses next door will help. You can’t count on them for company for her unless they are in a very small area and can’t go far from the fence line. What sort of fencing will be between them?
Also, your question about leaving her out in the extra cold weather so she can run to stay warm is not a good idea. You don’t want them running because they are cold. Then they get hot and then they get even colder.
Best of luck, and good for you for being willing to ask questions. As you will find, one question in the horse world can get you 50 different answers.

[Bookmans1]

Thanks for all your advice, I just got an email from a barn about 30 minutes from home. She will be going there for full board, with a trainer to not only work with her, but me as well. I want to make sure that she has consistency, from the trainer and me and that I’m asking for the same things in the same way that the trainer does. She will be able to be turned out with other horses, provided they all get along, as well as a stall so she can stay in during bad weather, or the enviable injury that requires stall rest. I managed to put enough money away in an Emergency Vet Bill Fund. I learned from my friend who went against all advice and bought a 10 month Arab colt. He was a great horse, but she didn’t have the experience to work with him, and when she saddened him for the first time he freaked out and bucked all over the round pen, cutting his leg really bad (down to the bone). She ended up selling him because she couldn’t afford the vet bills and board. (Lesson learned: have enough money put away for When not If your horse gets really hurt) The Arab is with a nice family and little girls who love him and spoil him. But I don’t want to risk her having a bad experience this young carrying over to later in life. I’m excited to be at a barn with a trainer, instead of having her trailered to a trainer, or only have her with a trainer for 30, 60, 90 days. I like having the ability to ask a trainer whenever I have a question, or concern. CND8 thank you so much for your advice. You are completely right, I will be saving more with her at a barn, but not only that, I know she will be well taken care of during bad weather. Again thank you all for your advice and comments. I will keep you all posted on our progress and pictures as soon as she gets here on the 18th!

[cnd8]

Excellent update. You are making a very wise choice. I commend you for being able to take a step back and see the situation from other perspectives. Your willingness to learn will benefit you greatly. Soak up all you can at the boarding barn. It’ll be better for you and the horse. Good luck to you.

[Bookmans1]

Thanks CND8 for all your advice as well as others on this forum. What’s best for her is more important than that is easier for me. I look forward to picking your brains on further subjects that come up. I’ll keep you all posted on her progress.