My first winter as a mini owner

[MiniforFaith]

Hello everyone.. I have a questions for you all.. Our temps here in Pa have been warmer than normal. But, tomorrow and Friday they are calling for temps in the teens and a winter storm advisery. Do you still turn your minis out during the day in the teens?

Since I've had mine, they have been turned out everyday execpt one day..(Due to heavy rain and flooded drylot)..(and they protested)

My sister just called and said it might be up to 2 ft. by tomorrow..

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Just wonering what all of you do??

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Ps. Posie is doing better. She still isn't eating grain(and thanks to my son's ruprtured ear drum, I haven't been out to get anything else to try.) But she is cleaning up her hay.. Thanks for all the help with her.. I'll keep you updated on her once I try something new on her. The wonderful owner of the mini farm down the road is going to bring me up a small sample to give her a try.. Sue is wonderful

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[Jean_B]

Oh you are going to get some very heated answers on this one. Here's my view - and I've had horses since I was a little girl....and I am now a grandmother.

When I lived in NW Wisconsin -- my horses were outside 24/7 -- even when it was snowing, storming, sleeting, etc. and even when the temps dropped to 30 below.

However, they all had ready access to shelters that they could make use of if they wanted to. My group of broodmares had 2 different VERY large shelters in case there was any fighting, as broodmares are very nasty about estalishing the pecking order.

And unless it was a freezing rain - they chose to stay outside. Often they were walking snowdrifts with several inches of snow on their backs! The only other time they chose the shelters was if the sun was blistering hot.

And they were very healthy. As long as they have a good winter hair coat - they'll be FINE.

The main thing is the opportunity to take shelter if they want....and to increase their roughage (hay) when the temps drop as it is the act of digesting hay that keeps them warm.

 

[chandab]

When I lived in NW Wisconsin -- my horses were outside 24/7 -- even when it was snowing, storming, sleeting, etc. and even when the temps dropped to 30 below.

However, they all had ready access to shelters that they could make use of if they wanted to. My group of broodmares had 2 different VERY large shelters in case there was any fighting, as broodmares are very nasty about estalishing the pecking order.

And unless it was a freezing rain - they chose to stay outside. Often they were walking snowdrifts with several inches of snow on their backs! The only other time they chose the shelters was if the sun was blistering hot.

And they were very healthy. As long as they have a good winter hair coat - they'll be FINE.

The main thing is the opportunity to take shelter if they want....and to increase their roughage (hay) when the temps drop as it is the act of digesting hay that keeps them warm.

I agree with Jean. I've lived in Montana most of my life and my horses have always lived out 24/7 with shelter. They all do quite fine, even my 24 year old half-Arab gelding; he rarely if ever shivers. I always be sure to feed plenty of hay if the temps are going to drop.

 

[MiniforFaith]

Thanks for the replies :aktion033: Hubby thinks I should leave them in even if it is cloudy/chance of rain.. All three are woolie bullies and they have shelter... I know I'll wear a path walking to check on them...

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: And I am out every 3 to 4 hrs adding hot water to buckets as I don't have heated ones..

 

[KenBen]

My minis go out side everyday at 8:00 in the morning.After they have there grain they feed on hay tthat I scatter outside for them.It was -25C this morning. I bring them in at 4:00 and feed them and they are in for the night.

KenBen

 

[Jean_B]

But, coyotes wouldn't have bothered him.

We have MANY coyotes here - but miniatures are too big for them to bother with. Their main diet is rodents...rabbits, squirrels, etc. and birds that nest on the ground. Oh, and carrion....you know, carcasses. I wouldn't worry about them if I were you...even a newborn foal is too big for them to mess with (but I do keep my mares up close to the barn until the foals are at least a week old but that is mainly so I can give them a chance to get to know me).

 

[Mona]

I agree 100% with Jean on this. Her reply reflects my operation also!

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[Marty]

Nope, sorry, not mine.

I don't see the point of leaving them outside like that when they don't have to be.

If it's lets than 30 they are inside the barn and very happy too in there.

That's what my barn is for; it's a using barn.

 

[Manda]

...

 

[chandab]

But, coyotes wouldn't have bothered him.

We have MANY coyotes here - but miniatures are too big for them to bother with. Their main diet is rodents...rabbits, squirrels, etc. and birds that nest on the ground. Oh, and carrion....you know, carcasses. I wouldn't worry about them if I were you...even a newborn foal is too big for them to mess with (but I do keep my mares up close to the barn until the foals are at least a week old but that is mainly so I can give them a chance to get to know me).

We have coyotes too. I don't worry too much with the healthy animals, but... Coyotes have taken sickly calves down. [Haven't seen evidence of them getting to the healthy ones. Would have seen it by now.]

 

[Bess Kelly]

Mine are in their "pastures" 24/7 with run-in shelters for all. Alas, it is I who feels cold when I see them out there choosing to lay on the ground and play in the weather.

: :bgrin Gotta remember that they have a great fur coat and actually like much colder weather than we do. Cold winds are the main thing that make them look for a wind break, otherwise -- they love it! Much healthier for it, too. Older ones just need to be watched for shivering...but, mine haven't had a problem with it. Otherwise, they would be inside in the almost empty barn with stalls. One stallion has his stall as a run-in to his paddock

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Oh, yeah -- WATER.....lots of WATER. Gosh, I remember carrying that and finally I was determined to buy the heated tubs/buckets. WHAT a wonderful, worth every penny expense that was for ME :aktion033: I have enjoyed them and it makes me feel better not having to be the "water boy" several times a day. With 40 of them, it's a big issue.

We've had terrific weather here in VA area I am in (near the coast, Va Beach) and yep, those Canadians are sending us a little "sample" of their winter weather this week. Brrrrrrr. I was out plugging in buckets late today in prep for the next week or so.

 

[chandab]

Then there's the worry about stray dogs in the night......

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This for me would be a bigger worry. Dogs are more likely to kill/maim for sport than a coyote who is usually out for food.

 

[Miniv]

In this area a pack of dogs is more frightening than a pack of coyotes........We have a coyote den on our neighbor's property, as a matter of fact. But with our fencing, our "marking", and other methods - we just don't have the coyotes crossing our line. I know, I know <knock on wood>.

As for the minis and our ponies in cold weather? We are like Jean B. We don't get the MINUS degree weather, but we've been known to have the single digits at night. Our kids all do just fine as long as they have the opportunity to get out of the elements (which they often don't choose to take) AND we double their hay amount. **I can't stress enough the importance of increasing a horse's hay (internal fuel) during cold winter months.**

MA

 

[hhpminis]

I try to turn out everyday however there are days I dont. Some reasons I dont turn out

Young ones in very cold rains

ICE!

High winds with cold

I need to add that most of my horses are clipped once the new year hits so I have to protect them from the elements.

If your horse has a full body of hair they can handle most weather situations as long as they have the choice to get out of it by some sort of shelter.

 

[Sandee]

I guess I'm turning my minis into wimps but they don't go out for long periods when it's below 20. I turn them out for exercise but if the snow is deep and they can't find any grass they are more than willing to come back in when I go to the barn door. In fact my 4 yr old stud doesn't want to go out at all. I have his pen fixed so he can come and go and he prefers his stall. Don't know if he's just too lazy to dig through the snow or doesn't want to leave the company of the other two horses.

Once I put blankets on I like to leave them until it warms up but our temps have been so erratic (up and down over and over) that I haven't even blanketed this year. The horses seem to be doing just fine but they don't like the snow - hmm, come to think of it neither do I!

 

[tracerace]

All of my horses are out 24/7 with exceptions:

ice

sleet

freezing rain

hail

lightening storm

wind that blows wind/rain/snow completely sideways

I bring them in for ice because I don't want injuries. Freezing rain and hail because it wears them out. Sideways wind because they can't eat their hay when it's that windy!

They always have access to the barn 24/7.

I'm lucky that I am home and I can change my mind...it would be hard to make a decision on the weather for all day in Indiana...it may change in 15 minutes!