New Horse Owner? Winter and Horses?

I think there are too many safety concerns to worry about when you tie the horses in the shelter to force them to be in there & get along. How big is your shelter?

My horses were outside, unblanketed, in the same blizzard that you had yesterday. Sometimes they were out in the snow & wind, sometimes they were under the shelter. No one suffered & they all survived. I was out there to check on them several times during the day and everyone was happy. My point is....stop worrying about the horses.

I do agree that the extra hay is the most beneficial care we can provide to make the horses comfortable during cold weather. It heats the horses from the inside out.

My shelter is big enough for two horses. Sooner or later I would like to get horse stalls put up in the barn that we have and be able to separate them so that they are both able to get out of the wind and neither are getting skimped on hay. I know I probably worry too much but this is my first time having horses and I don't want to make too many mistakes especially if it puts the horse at risk
Posted via Mobile Device

I think all new horse owners worry about their horses.......I know after almost 10yrs. Now I still do, I run out to check to just make sure.....nothing wrong with that......

I am an animal lover so I get very paranoid over all of my animals.
Posted via Mobile Device

In opinion, don't use blankets. I have also heard that blankets make horses colder, and I think that it's because the blanket does not give the horse a change to row some of it's own warmth - their hair. My horses have been through hail, snowstorms, and mud. They have been doing fine for the (at least) ten years we have had them. I honestly don't think that they really need them, but maybe I'm wrong. That's just my opinion.

I had never blanketed at all until this past fall. We got a LOT of freezing rain (much more than usual), and every time I went out to check on them my super-fluffy miniatures were fine but my riding horse was miserable, shivering, and soaked to the skin. On cold dry days she's totally fine but I decided to get a waterproof blanket just for those wet days. I'm fairly sure she'd be just fine without it, but I don't like worrying about her!

I was a little worried that blanketing her would mean that she wouldn't grow as thick a winter coat, but I was careful to only blanket when it was going to rain and take it off again as soon as the rain had passed and now she's got a very nice full coat. I'll take -20 and dry over 0 and rain any day!

My ex stallion does the same thing to my gelding. Eventually he will get tired of running him out and will let the other one in. Don't worry about it! Horses naturally live in the wild without any of our "special" treatment. Our horses, personally, are without any type of shelter unless it gets 1. Really cold or 2. Wet and windy. It also helps them build up a better winter coat and that naturally will protect them from the elements. In wind, horses will stand a special way to prevent getting too cold. Don't worry about them at all, just make sure they are keeping weight on, and getting plenty of food AND WATER!