Researchers found that most foals handled being turned out during the winter with shelter access well. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Reija Junkkari

That’s why Finnish researchers recently investigated the respiratory health effects of loose indoor/outdoor group housing on weanling foals in cold Scandinavian winters. And they found that, generally, the foals did very well in this environment.

“With a few exceptions regarding age and breed, weanlings put out in really cold environments with shelters actually had no more respiratory issues than those kept in warmer stables during a harsh Finnish winter,” said Reija Junkkari, PhD, of the University of Helsinki Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine.

“Foals born later in the season—especially the Standardbred foals in our study—might benefit from staying in a warm stable, however,” she added