Horses in Pouring Rain - Horses belong outside, rain or shine.

Ascribing human characteristics to animals or things (anthropomorphism) is something we all do to certain extend. It's human nature. But we go too far if we think that a horse needs to be cared for the same way as we would care for a human, especially when it comes to protection from heat and cold. A horse can much better withstand the cold than it can withstand the heat and the reverse it true for humans. A horse's digestive system is designed to eat (little bits) almost continuously while moving almost continuously and therefore a horse should be kept outside. Field shelters are used more often during the summer to shelter from insects and the heat of the sun, than they are used for shelter against the cold in the dead of winter. Although continuous rain lasting for days on end can result in localized skin infections and thrush due to muddy conditions, this outweighs the problems that may occur in stabled horses; psychologically, physiologically, physically. This video was taken in June in Ontario, 15 degrees C or 59 F (and no need to feel bad for Ontarians, this is not the average temperature for June!). Horses had access to a field shelter. It rained all day long, at times heavy and the shelter was never used once.