How much does a climate effect a horse’s happiness? Where should I choose to send my 4 year old TB for some let down time? I am ONLY asking for opinions on climate / atmosphere based off of experience or knowledge. I have already discussed health risks with my vet in terms of temperature change, risk of founder, laminitis, colic, etc.
That being said - - My horse is recovering from an injury and coming off an extensive stall rest that has caused him to become very anxious & frantic. The vet wants him turned out for 3 months to mentally recover & get back to the sweet baby horse he was before the stall rest. I have the choice between sending him to FL or Central VA for the let down. My vet said “wherever he is happier.” I want to do what’s best for my horse. I don’t know if I should send him with my trainer that I absolutely love- he would be living in warmer weather but it would probably be more expensive than what I’m paying now…and potentially a situation where he is put on the back burner as he is not a sale/competition horse & my trainer is in FL for that reason. The other choice is to send him to a rehab facility my vet told me about…it is owned by another vet. This option’s climate is significantly colder than where I live, $800 less than what I’m currently paying for board, 24-7 turnout aside from coming inside to eat for an hour twice a day, living in a field with another young TB recovering from an injury- this could be trouble as mine loves to run, and the biggest issue is he HATES the cold. I’ve bought him every weight of blanket with & without hoods, but I had to keep a sheet on him until almost May last year because he has no coat & hates the cold.It also means that my horse may not have a spot at my trainer’s barn when he comes back from FL.
**The reason behind moving him is that he needs to be under professional supervision while he’s going back to being turned out. My trainer is splitting time between my barn & FL so my horse can’t stay where he currently is as it is not supervised during the day or overnight. After 5 months of stall rest, he is on the brink of a mental breakdown.