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Post by dunoon12 on Jan 1, 2008 11:58:15 GMT 1
I am sure everyone does keep an eye on the weather but i just wanted to raise the concern about the big freeze that is heading our way especially in the East. They are talking about temperatures of -17 and Siberian weather etc. If your horse lives outside 24/7 then i would suggest that you will have to think about bringing them in of giving them some shelter as you may well find them frozen to death if left out even if rugged as these temperatures that are being predicted are not normal for our winters. In the USA on the east coast they experienced similar temperatures and wild life was dying as well as horses that were kept outside 24/7 so just be warned.. I am not scare mongering although i have no doubt someone will think i am but all i am really doing is to raise the concern and to think about what you can do to ensure your horse is warm and safe. I am surprised the RSPCA have not issued warnings as if this exceptionally cold weather does arrive then potentially there could be problems. Keep warm!
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Post by moody-mare on Jan 1, 2008 12:18:41 GMT 1
When is thinks expected to happen?
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Post by iceberg on Jan 1, 2008 12:20:54 GMT 1
Apparently wednesday or thuraday this week.
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Post by marianne on Jan 1, 2008 12:24:15 GMT 1
If you do turnout - and horses stay warmer moving around if they're rugged than just stood in a stable unfortunately - please pick the most level field you can, without deep gouges or tread marks: these could break limbs when they're frozen solid.
xxx
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Post by lolamae on Jan 1, 2008 12:26:35 GMT 1
Lots of hay, and decent shelter, a good rug to keep the wind off and they'll be fine. Honestly.
Sorry folks, but don't panic......if your horses are living out they should have decent coats by now, all they really need is shelter if they choose.
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Post by jill on Jan 1, 2008 12:43:39 GMT 1
Make sure they have plenty of fodder for body heat, and also make provision to keep the water supply from freezing solid - without water they won't eat the fodder for one thing. And maybe check on nearby horses' water supply if owners don't visit every day, if you can. Horses can survive without food but not water, and I suspect those so-called "frozen to death" succumbed to dehydration first. But above all don't panic - we have had this kind of weather here in years gone by and didn't lose horses so far as I know.
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Post by indibindi on Jan 1, 2008 12:46:05 GMT 1
My foals will come in and so will the clipped horse - the rest will be out and they will be fine. Loads of haylege, rugs and good natural shelter. they are far better at coping than we are.
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Post by horsey123 on Jan 1, 2008 12:46:43 GMT 1
scary lol
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holly
Olympic Poster
Posts: 511
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Post by holly on Jan 1, 2008 12:48:58 GMT 1
when is the weather due to hit us so we can be prepared
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Post by maggiesmum on Jan 1, 2008 12:49:15 GMT 1
Have just been onto the met office web site and there's no mention of it, will keep an eye on it and keep you posted.
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big e
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,055
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Post by big e on Jan 1, 2008 12:51:38 GMT 1
The most i've seen on the weather is -3? I will be rugging all mine late this afternoon and they are out with 3 huge round bales of hay and 4 baths of water, as i know our hose will freeze up.
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Post by lolamae on Jan 1, 2008 12:52:49 GMT 1
Look after yourselves first, you are absolutely no good to your animals if you are in the Emergency Room with a broken limb.
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Post by Gail&Merlin on Jan 1, 2008 13:03:42 GMT 1
Oh blimey here i go panic mode..lol.. in all seriousness by the sound of it we are gonna get the worst of it here, i have 2 very open and airy stables 3 horses, and paddocks are currently mush.. They have no shelter what so ever and are flat, tj n elsa have lightweight rugs and dancer has a middle weight, i dont have more rugs for elsa and tj as i only put lw on them to help with lack of shelter, do i leave them out with no shelter, or risk putting 2 in a stable together . If it freezes that bad my paddocks are going to be absolutely lethal so i am worried.
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Post by lolamae on Jan 1, 2008 13:08:57 GMT 1
Have just been onto the met office web site and there's no mention of it, will keep an eye on it and keep you posted. I can't find it either, that's good news isn't it? Check out your local forecasts here: weather.aol.co.uk/worldweather
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Post by Hannah on Jan 1, 2008 13:16:10 GMT 1
Neither the bbc weather website nor the met office are predicting severe weather in my area. Gail, don't panic! As long as they have plenty of hay, I'm sure they will be fine
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