perchie.girl
Loving the herd life
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2012
- Messages
- 96
- Reaction score
- 50
- Points
- 123
A windbreak and an over head shade from a runin shed. Wether they use it or not. Most horses are good to well below zero without much more. Though I wouldnt buy a show horse and throw him out in a field and expect him to thrive till he adjusts. I would situate the shed so he could use both sides or build the shed with at least two sides to block the main prevailing winds. If they get cold they will use it.
If you havent had a horse before I would suggest getting some lessons in the area and learn about what the horses need for care in your area. There are times where you will need to bring your horse in out of the grass to controll how much they eat. So building a smallish corral along with the runin shed is a good idea. This would be a place where you can tie and groom feed and inspect your horse. During the spring Grasses are very high in sugar and founder is a possiblity. So controlling the amount of time they get to graze on that grass is something you should consider. A small dry lot. 24 x 24 minimum.... This will be a time when you will want to control their calories so feeding dry hay there is a good idea. After the grass matures no problems....
I live in the high desert. EVERY one of my Draft horse friends on line told me it was a bad idea to bring a draft horse to temperatures in the 105-110. I spoke with a few people here and found out that management of diet and providing a place to get shade in the midday was all they needed. My girl is fat and happy living in her queendom in the High desert. She never gets pasture grass because natural pasture doesnt exist here and I dont have enough water to irrigate.
deb
If you havent had a horse before I would suggest getting some lessons in the area and learn about what the horses need for care in your area. There are times where you will need to bring your horse in out of the grass to controll how much they eat. So building a smallish corral along with the runin shed is a good idea. This would be a place where you can tie and groom feed and inspect your horse. During the spring Grasses are very high in sugar and founder is a possiblity. So controlling the amount of time they get to graze on that grass is something you should consider. A small dry lot. 24 x 24 minimum.... This will be a time when you will want to control their calories so feeding dry hay there is a good idea. After the grass matures no problems....
I live in the high desert. EVERY one of my Draft horse friends on line told me it was a bad idea to bring a draft horse to temperatures in the 105-110. I spoke with a few people here and found out that management of diet and providing a place to get shade in the midday was all they needed. My girl is fat and happy living in her queendom in the High desert. She never gets pasture grass because natural pasture doesnt exist here and I dont have enough water to irrigate.
deb
