Ok im allowed a horse.. by my mum and i want to turn it out all year, so basicly its never stabled as it only costs 拢7 a week to turn it out and we cant afford like 拢50 a week for full livery and i dont have time for half livery. i havnt got the horse/pony yet but can it cope out all year and never stabled, i mite do full livery but onli for the winter months as it mite be 2 cold but will it be able 2 cope all year outside with just hay and grass, the grass int rich so no chance of laminitis hope fully, and i dont think im going to ever feed it meal.. is that ok to do that? and is it ok 2 just av it on hay and water, of course id have a carrot/apple/polos all dat :) when i visit ( everi day possible) as livery is onli a mile or so away, i only want the best for the oncoming horse/ pony IM SO EXITED! LOL
Answers:
I keep my horses at home and technically, they have a barn to go into. They very rarely do.
Here in the US it's common to keep horses at pasture in all weather, even in the summer heat and then in several feet of snow in the winter. As long as you can be sure your horse is comfortable and well-fed, they're generally very happy living in a turn-out or pasture situation.
horses can be in any weather with the exception of freezing rain. being stabled prevents them from developing a sufficient winter coat. they actually love snow as much as little kids.
you need grain in their diet as well, not just hay.
some horses do okay alone, but others don't like it. depends on previous socializing.
if money is a problem though i would consider the cost of veterinary care and riding equipment and other costs before actually buying the animal.
But when the winter comes and grass is scarce, it will need to be feed hay for at least five to six months. Remember even in the winter, also you haven't mention Vet's fees a pony need annual innoculations against Influenza and Tetanus and can be expected to cost in the region of 拢35 a year. Farrier: horse's feet continually grow and so even if unshod will require regular visits from the farrier for trimming. Whether shod or not the horse will require attention from the farrier every 6 weeks and this can cost around 拢40-拢45 per visit. ponies need to be regularly wormed whether stabled or at grass. I'm just tell you not to put you off. But to warn you it going to cost more than what you have mention. 拢50 a week. I was brought up with horses all my life. I was on a horse before I could even walk.
horses in the wild live off of grass, so unless you rs is sparse, then it should be okay, but if this horse is getting thinner and thinner, it's a good idea to give it hay.
In what climate do you live? I spend a lot of time at my relatives' horse ranch, where they breed Tobiano paint horses, and all of the broodmares, foals, and the stallions are kept out in the pasture the entire year. Things like hay and grain can really boost the heat of an animal- so if you feed the horse during the winter to ensure that they've got plenty of food and that added energy, it is perfectly fine. Horses live in the wild around the world and are able to survive comfortably. They've got the coat and the body for the weather. We feed our broodmares and foals twice a day, hay in the morning and evening and then grain in the evening only (but this is a supplement for our foals and for the mare's milk, so its not exactly necessary). Anyhow, if you're looking to save the money in the difference of a paddock and a stall, it is perfectly fine to keep a horse out in the open. In fact, they like it better! In the livery, there is a higher chance of the horse developing vices and, generally, getting lonely. At least turning it out, the horse can be out and about and within their natural element! =)
I can tell you are excited. About the hay...you said there will be 2? other horses out with it? Horses together in a field always have a "pecking order" and the alpha horse will always run the others away from the hay or feed, then next in line...sooooo, what if your horse is last in the pecking order. He will not get his hay, the others will.
That said, you really will need to feed some grain, even if it's only 1/2 to one gallon a day and even if you have to stand and hold a little bucket for the horse to eat from.
Another thing. A field should have AT LEAST one acre of grass per horse. If your horse is up in a stable all day (you said MAYBE full livery in the winter time) it would be best for him to have turn-out time for a while every day.
Please know that you can afford vet bills and good care before ever getting a horse. The man who coined the phrase "healthy as a horse" never owned a horse!
Best wishes to you. I remember getting my first horse and I thought I was in Heaven.
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