miniature horse health issues & weather issues

Question
hi!  it is going to be freezing outside tonight.  my mini is 3.5 months old and is an outdoor / indoor filly.  i'm so afraid of leaving her outside when it is below 30 degrees.  but i know that if she was in a norman living environment she probably would be outside?  am i being overly protective?  do i need to worry about her being outside in the freezing weather?  what can i do to protect her from the weather.  she has a roof to go under, but not a 4-sided barn per say.

also, a few times a day she coughs.  i've never heard a horse cough before... is she okay?  

thanks so much!
morgendee flannery

Answer
I have to say a horse is a horse and I don't think they are very healthy going in and out of a warm to cold outdoors enviornment. I also don't believe they should be alone with no other horses for socializing. I am assuming she is your only one? And she is very young. My advice to you would be to put up a small shed that two could be comfortable in bed it up in straw and they would be just fine. They are meant to grow huge coats and you deter that by keeping her inside. If she is coughing it could be for a number of reasons. Parasites can cause coughing, dusty hay, upper respiratory infection(is her nose running? Is it clear or colored? Does she have a temp? If she is doing more then just coughing or isn't eating well call the vet! I am going to send you to a couple of places on the net to purchase some mini horse books and get more information. www.smallhorse.com and check out Joann Ross's site at Scottcreek miniatures she has a lot of info too. Please put up a structure and get a playmate for her that she definately needs at this age and I hope you have a fenced in pasture area for her? If you are keeping her in your back yard be aware of toxic plants. I could go on and on but books are what you need and just remember a horse is a horse no matter what the size. One other thing if you are stuck with that kind of weather tonite.I would keep her in your garage which will be a bit cooler and I would consider getting a mini blanket for her as well if you are going to be keeping her alone. Bed her well in straw and she will be fine.