How does your horse tell you when it's time to come in?

Dark Storm

Dark Storm

Well I'll be a Krampus's Auntie! :D!
Jan 4, 2009
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Hadfield
Shadow really wants to come in now, I had to drag him out of his stable yesterday, and he hooleyed up the field this afternoon for a small feed and a check over. I know my horse too well, he gets like this every year when he's had enough and just wants a warm bed and a haynet.
 
Womble would probably love to be in now, he is a tad on the cold side even in a rug. June happily lives out in all weathers!

I think when they are looking miserable wanting to come in begging at the gate is a pretty good indication
 
Dannii5691 said:
Womble would probably love to be in now, he is a tad on the cold side even in a rug. June happily lives out in all weathers!

I think when they are looking miserable wanting to come in begging at the gate is a pretty good indication
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My lad puts his anchors on in his stable. He also becomes a fire breathing dragon on the way there, trotting on the leadrope, tossing his head. And to think, he's a Cob x shire....
 
Mine doesn't come in, the horses were all by the gate, not because they wanted to come in but because that is the more sheltered spot with the wind. It doesn't mean they want in just because they are by the gate-we assume that.
She has started growing her coat and was lovely and warm when I did her itches-she may lose the excess. :biggrin:
 
Our pair stand bums to the wind in companionable misery and as soon as I emerge either from the house or from the caravan they make their way to the nearest exit whereby they clatter into their boxes when the gate is opened. Storm hates rugs with a passion - she will tolerate being out longer than Chloe the cob - strange how I thought it might be the other way round! Joe hated wind and rain, he would shake with anger and fury if you left him out for more than a couple of hours in it!!!!!:giggle:
 
I don't think I have ever owned a horse that actually likes to come in, even in the very worst weather they have all without exception been happier living out and just bang the door or shout and holler if I have to bring them in for any length of time. Thats even with a generous hay net to eat.

But I have always been keener to keep them as near to natural as possible, so perhaps they pick up my preferences?:unsure:

The donkeys on the other hand, just love to come in......and now they have a lovely field shelter they disappear inside it at the least sign of inclement weather!:biggrin:
 
Does it depend on who they live with? The tbs are being silly, playing, running about, the cob and boyfriend just watched, its wet get over it. They are her windbreaks, it helps if they don't move so often.
 
Shadow's very biased when it comes to choosing to being in or out with his friend. His friend stands shouting at the corner of his field, when he can be stood in stuffing his face without a care in the world.
In all the years i've owned him, he has also seemed to enjoyed the best of both worlds. He only ever gets like this when the weather and temperature turn, other wise he's happy to stay out and play. Trouble is, this year there's only the two of them in the main field, making my decision to fetch him in, that bit more difficult. His field mates owner has no intentions of bringing hers in until the YO tells her, and I don't believe in leaving a horse out alone over night, especially when he frets and won't settle alone.
 
My boy likes been out in the summer, in colder weather he isn't the best. He was out in the pouring rain this morning and rather the stuffing his face when he saw me he came right up to me. Were as normally when his out in the field he doesn't want to know lol
 
I think that horses come running to the gate in winter because they know that means they will get a feed and lots of hay. In my experience, horses are very food led, but I don't believe that given the choice they would rather stand alone in a stable rather than be free with their friends in a field. When horses have ad lib hay in the field, I have found that they will still come running for their hard feed (if they get any), but are more than happy to go out again after. Of course every horse is unique, but I am a great believer in letting horses live as horses should.
 
Mary Poppins said:
I think that horses come running to the gate in winter because they know that means they will get a feed and lots of hay.
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Yes even its not theirs and some never have any they don't know why they are even coming! Now if I call mine, everyone comes, the cob being who she is canters when I could do with her being discrete.
 
May votes with her feet, most often been kicked up as she runs the opposite way from her stable... Not ready to have a night in yet then.. :giggle:

I will attempt to leave her out as much as possible again this winter as rugged and with hay out i think is better on her joints than being cooped up over night but when its really miserable she will be in, her field buddy (30 yr old tb) also did well out last year but needs an occasional night in and when the rain is driving they get a break, to save the field a bit as well..
 
Yes thats a point - I need Storm out more for her joints! Have forced them back out - no doubt they will be cross when I get home later!!!!
 
This is the first year I have had madam that she has been ready for winter routine. Very strange.

They have both been very indignant at being left out until 9pm, and I couldn't catch rascal in the stable this morning to put them out!

Every other winter they have either lived out or been in furthest corner of field minding their own business. Clearly not this year!

I too would have mine living out if I could :)
 
I think it's hilarious that a tough Cobby type like my lad can't cope with the thought of roughing it out at winter :giggle: It's like Frank Bruno not wanting to go in the ring because he has the sniffles....
They probably know what we are in for this winter hence wanting to keep a step ahead :smile:
 
Mattie's an odd one, because his Arab winter fluff doesn't really help him at all against the weather. But his racing career has left him quite incapable of being stabled for longer than it takes to eat a bucket feed, so he has a big stable of rugs instead.

Ziggy has the most waterproof coat you can imagine but is very easy going about where he is. If I bring him in, hey ho, he's in. He chills out and has a kip. Not that I ever do, unless someone is coming for whom he has to be dry! :playfull::help:
 
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