Horses & Field Shelters: Reasons Why They May Not Use Them (+ Pros & Cons)

Why do horses sometimes not use a field shelter?

Some of the reasons for horses not using their shelter are incorrect design, size, and location of the shelter. A poorly composed group of horses can also lead to reduced use of the shelter by the horses.

It is becoming more and more common that horse owners choose to keep their horses in loose housing with a shelter rather than in traditional stalls.

Keeping horses in loose housing requires knowledge and planning to work, it’s not just to throw the horses out in the field and open up an old barn for shelter.

A common question when keeping horses in loose housing is – why don’t the horses use the shelter – which will be answered in this article.

Reasons horses not using their shelter:

Poor group composition

A common reason for horses not using their shelter is that the herd is not harmonious. If there is a lead horse that repels the other horses from the shelter, low-ranking horses have no chance to seek shelter.

Poor design of the shelter

Another common reason for not using the shelter is that it is incorrectly designed. Ideally, a loose pen should have at least two entrances and exits so that a high-ranking horse does not stand in the only opening and block the other members of the herd from getting in or out. A study from 2018 found that a group of horses with two entrances to their shelter used the shelters significantly more than groups with only one entrance. The group with only one entrance also were perceived as more stressed. Also, the entrance should not be too narrow, as all horses in the group must dare to enter the hall. If a large group of horses is kept loose, the entrances should be wide enough to allow several horses to pass at the same time. It is also natural for horses to have control over their environment and therefore they may feel unsafe entering a dark shelter where they do not have control over their surroundings. Windows or translucent wind nets can improve the shelter.

Poor size of shelter

The size of the shelter is important for the horses to thrive in it. The minimum requirements set out in the legislation are not always enough. Recent studies have found that the area needed by horses is much larger than previously thought. However, the size is very much determined by the composition of the herd, and a tightly knit group that thrives together requires less space than a scattered group of high-ranking horses that excludes low-ranked horses. As much as 16-24 square meters of space per large horse may be needed in a shelter but more research is needed here.

Poor placement of shelter

Another reason why horses do not use their shelter is that it is not positioned correctly. It is placed in the field where the horses rarely or never go and therefore it is not natural for them to seek shelter there.

Poor bedding

The surface inside the loose housing must be dry and clean for the horses to thrive inside. The surface should also be even and non-slippery and have

bedding to provide good lying comfort. The type of bedding determines how much time the horses spend inside. Studies have shown that horses prefer straw, cuttings, or pelleted sawdust to filled rubber mats.

How much do the horses use their shelter?

Shelter usage ranges from a low of <10% of observations in many weather conditions to a high of 62%. Breed and therefore the amount of coat can also affect how much time the horse spends in the shelter, according to a 2015 study small Warmblood horses were observed to use the shelter more than small Coldblood horses. Normally horses spend time in the shelter resting – both standing and lying down.

When do the horses use the shelter?

· According to one study the shelters were used mainly at night and use of the shelter was increased when the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

· Several studies show that the weather has a major impact on the use of the shelter. A combination of wind and snowing significantly increased the time spent in the shelter also the combination of wind and rain had a similar effect on the horse’s behavior.

· Another study showed that horses usually go there at night and during rainy weather or to seek shade in the strong sun.

· Higher temperatures (above 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit) are also a reason for horses to seek shelter.

· Large numbers of flies or biting insects are also a common reason for horses to seek shelter.

What to think of when planning and building a shelter for horses

· Place the loose housing in a place in the pasture where the horses like it and where it is naturally dry. It will be trampled in the vicinity shelter and if it is also wet, the horses’ environment will deteriorate.

· It is also important to take into account the positioning of the shelter in relation to wind direction and latitude. Usually, the opening is placed towards the south, but this should be adapted to the local conditions (e.g. how the wind directions tend to be).

· Harden the surfaces around the shelter and where the horses are fed. Horses avoid mud and seek dry places.

· Plan the composition of the horse group carefully – not all horses can, or enjoy, living with each other. Introduce the horses properly and remember that feeding hungry horses are often a cause of conflict and fighting. Grouping horses together is therefore advantageous in summer when pasture and large areas are available.

What is a field shelter for horses?

A shelter is a building structure designed to protect horses kept outdoors from the weather, particularly rain and wind. The shelter usually consists of three walls and a roof, as well as an open long side. The shelter is usually of wooden construction in the walls and sheet metal or other rainproof material as a roof. However, many different materials of shelter exist and can be used as long as it is safe for the horses and does not pose a risk of injury. The material should be kick-proof and there should be no sharp objects that horses can cut themselves on. There should also be no items that horses can get stuck in.

Why do horses need a shelter?

The shelter helps the horse to keep its body temperature constant, as it can get shelter, stay dry and lie on a dry surface. The shelter also protects the horses from strong sun and annoying insects.

Can I use natural shelters instead of constructed shelters for my horse?

No not according to a study where the use of natural shelter was very low when the horses had constructed shelters available, which leads to the conclusion that horses prefer constructed shelters to natural ones.

Do horses need shelter, wild horses can manage anyway?

Yes, today’s horse breed does not have the same resistance to the elements as the original breeds. Nor do wild horses have the same longevity and quality of life as our domestic horses. From an animal welfare point of view, free-range horses should have access to shelter in both hot and cold weather so that they can seek protection from cold, heat, wind, and insects. Just because they can survive without shelter does not mean that we should not provide it. Studies clearly show that horses are happy to use properly designed shelters, thereby improving their welfare.

Pros with using a shelter

· The horses’ needs for fresh air, exercise, and social contact are met naturally.

· Heavy and time-consuming operations, such as cleaning the stables and feeding roughage, can be mechanized holding horses in a shelter easier than in traditional stables.

· Many people worry that the horse will be unmanageable and antisocial when kept in a shelter, but studies have shown the opposite – young horses in loose housing are for example easier to break in.

Cons with using a shelter

· It can be extra work with feeding concentrate in a group of horses compared to individually housed horses.

· Availability for training.

· A separate grooming area also needs to be added.

· It is more difficult to detect if a horse is not feeling well, e.g. has not eaten its feed or has urinated and defecated normally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, horses may not use the shelter because it is poorly positioned or incorrectly designed. Another reason for the horse not using the shelter is due to

insecurity in the herd, for example, the leader not letting the other horses in. By providing a shelter that is safe, comfortable, and well planned for your horse, you can help ensure that he stays healthy and happy.

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Resources:

Janne Winther Christensen, Katarzyna Olczak, Rupert Palme, Karen Thodberg,

The effect of shelter design on shelter use by Icelandic horses in the winter period,

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 27, 2018,Pages 47-54, ISSN 1558-7878,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.07.006.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787818300765)

Camie R. Heleski, Irina Murtazashvili,

Daytime shelter-seeking behavior in domestic horses,

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 5, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 276-282, ISSN 1558-7878,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2010.01.003.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787810000067)

Jørgensen, G. H. M., et al. “Preference for shelter and additional heat in horses exposed to Nordic winter conditions.” Equine veterinary journal 48.6 (2016): 720-726.

Melissa G. Snoeks, Christel P.H. Moons, Frank O. Ödberg, Maarten Aviron, Rony Geers,

Behavior of horses on pasture in relation to weather and shelter—A field study in a temperate climate, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 10, Issue 6, 2015, Pages 561-568, ISSN 1558-7878,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.07.037.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787815001203)

Leanne Proops, Britta Osthaus, Nikki Bell, Sarah Long, Kristin Hayday, Faith Burden,

Shelter-seeking behavior of donkeys and horses in a temperate climate,

Journal of Veterinary Behavior,

Volume 32,

2019,

Pages 16-23,

ISSN 1558-7878,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2019.03.008.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787818302326)