I wonder if that is because they aren't what are considered "cold/winter hardy breeds" (That and snow isn't exactly common there. Though even if it were, this is their first winter.) I've been talking to a breeder in my area and she said her Russian Orloffs LOVE the snow. (while the other...
It would be fine some years and only for a while other years. But when it gets like the pic below, even the deer head south where there is less snow! (And they don't have to paw thru a foot or more of snow to get to the winter wheat. (OR they stand around all day eating on the hay stacks.)