We keep our horses out as much as we can, only blanket them in really cold weather. If it's wet we bring them in, otherwise they're fluffy and fat enough to be comfortable until it gets down to -10 C or lower as long as there's not too much wind. They stay out nights unless the weather's too miserable.
His coat gets thick and curly as hel* come fall.
The grey is a friend's horse, 3/4 Arab, 1/4 Morgan, the bay is our 5 year old. Nice thick winter coats. I wish I had as much hair!
Nice cold winter day, no one seems to be put out by the cold.
They get pretty much all the hay they want and grain morning and night. Morgans are easy keepers at the best of times, we give them a square bale among 5 horses twice a day. Water is available to them 24-7, 300 gallon plastic fish tub with floating de-icer.
They are pretty active all day which helps too. He's 5 this year, just finishing growing.
The missus will ride any chance she gets, cold isn't much of a deterrent.
A good roll in the snow and a shake after to get the smells off after spending a storm day in the barn. He's 30 now and not showing much sign of slowing down.
Sean
I figure it certainly can't hurt. One reason people look for rural properties is to keep animals after all. Looking 10-15 years down the road I will probably be about ready to move somewhere where the livin' is a little easier.
