They choose to be outside in -50 that’s there problem, they weren’t shaking so must of been just fine. Wasn’t snowing so horses were dry, if they want to be outside that’s there choice. Hay near shelter or not doesn’t make them use the shelter,they still stand outside. Only time they might use shelter is when bugs are bad in summer.
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I prefer my horses to have a choice to be in or out and I monitor them daily. They are miniatures - a mare, a gelding and a mule. They are extra fuzzy and fluffy but I also have blankets for each of them.
I do not blanket them unless they require it. The mare will sometimes get cold. My gelding is IR and once became hyperlipidemic. He needed that blanket. They all have access to complete shelter if they need it. I have a 12 x 12 stall and a 14 x 16 stall-like area and I can close all the doors, if needed.
I generally keep the barn doors open so they may choose.
In looking at these minis you’d think they’d survive the ice age - but they wouldn’t. The little appaloosa in the photo is now deceased. He had neurological issues that eventually affected his ability to eat. He frequently needed blanketing because his temperature would sometimes drop.
I’m content with my friends having the option to be in or out.
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Maunder your minis are wonderful!
Regarding too cold, people may not have remembered the early blizzard in 2013 that killed a lot of horses and livestock …in South Dakota.
Weather kills and we all know this. We do the best we can to provide for the animals that share our lives as is evidenced here by the many posts. We also live in different climates and conditions, our horses all have individual preference and needs. Clearly the posters here are very caring and diligent in their care.
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Mine live outside on the plains of Colorado. They have a 3 sided shed for shelter, free choice grass hay, and a heated water tank.
I only blanket for prolonged temps around or below zero Fahrenheit. My TB also gets a waterproof sheet when it’s 30-40 and raining because he’ll just stand outside and shiver.
I have stalls and tried stalling them last winter when it was -40 Fahrenheit. They just paced until I put them back out.
My 24 year old WB. He spent most of his life in coastal SC but grows a wonderful coat
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214929595782148&set=a.2298608473432.2142243.1495740009&type=3
Horses grow very thick winter coats. Certain breeds, like the Yakutsk Pony, grow coats up to eight inches long. This enables them to survive winter temperatures as low as −70 °C (−94 °F). So long as the coat stays dry, which allows body heat to remain trapped, the horse will stay warm. Horses are also very good at finding shelter. If there are no trees, they’ll huddle at the bottom of a hill that forms a windbreak. If there are no hills, they’ll group together with their hind ends towards the wind.
Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of Yakutsk ponies at local shows. Not the rated ones, just things like 4H. I think they must make great 4H ponies… Kids get judged for braiding the coat, as well as the mane.
I’m not sure that making fun of children is an acceptable way to advance a discussion.
4H kids are in a youth development program, not a “qualify for indoors” program. Their pony is their project, they keep records and do all the work themselves. They do their own bathing and grooming and braiding. They don’t have grooms and their ponies are not prepped and tuned up by adults. They may not be as polished as the ponies you see at the rated shows, but they work just as hard and deserve just as much respect and encouragement as the kids and ponies you see at rated shows.
Let me just comment on what made that blizzard different.
It was indeed EARLY. Therefore, cattle and horses were still in summer pastures that were not adequate for winter conditions (no heated water source, no windbreaks or shelters, miles away from home, etc). Plus, most of the animals did not yet have their full winter coats. It was those combinations that led to most of the deaths.
Yes, blizzards are dangerous. I don’t think anyone can argue that (or is arguing that). But just wanted to comment on the particular Atlas blizzard mentioned.
We were not affected quite as badly (I live in south central North Dakota) as our neighbors to the south, but I very specifically remember those few days. My horses too were not in their normal winter pasture so we had to do some switching around. They WERE cold, but we got it taken care of. We did not have as much snow so fortunately we could still get around to do so, but that wind was nasty.
When you are in white out blizzard conditions, you simply cannot get to your animals, without risking your own safety. Hence why so many animals were lost. It’s not that they did not care for their animals; it’s that the blizzard happened so suddenly, there was just no time to prepare and get livestock home.
LOL I’m not making fun of 4H - I’m making fun of the inclusion of the Yakutsk Pony in any conversation about general horse keeping. Since the majority of riders don’t keep a Yakutsk Pony or Przewalkski’s horse for riding…the fact that they can survive in extreme weather is hardly relevant.
The only horse I have blanketed right now is my 22 year old TB mare. If she could grow an 8" coat that would be different…but she can’t.
PS my kids rode in 4H and never in rated shows.
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