24 hour turn out

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abbie29

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My boy is a Tb and has been stabled at night as long as we've had him (hearly 5 years). After an out-of-character stop at a cross country fence, and him feeling totally lack lustre which is so unlike him, I turned him 24hours and gave him a fortnight off (worrying at night about him being out in the dark kept me awake but he seems to love it). I've brought him back into work but left him out. He's a bit porkier than usual but so chilled and not as stiff when I ride him. He's 15 now. Has anyone else done this and what have you found? I'm tempted to keep him turned out as long as its not too cold and wet. Have other people done this and competed on it? We do BE and BD... Just wanting to make sure I do the best thing for him. He loves competing but I don't want to bring him in unnecessarily! HELP!
 
Mine are out 24/7 at the moment until the flies get too bad and I find they get totally chilled being out.

I also compete BSJA and BE from grass. It seems that you are doing all the right things with your boy and he is loving it.
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You just need to monitor the situation with the regard to the weather and enjoy a more relaxing muck free time !
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I have never competed regularly, so unsure of competing from grass. However, if you're horse is happy - leave him out! He is a horse after all, and being 'older' is more likely to stiffen up in a stable. I'd rather have them out in the field and rugged when cold/wet.
At the end of the day, listen to your horse, if he's telling you he prefers being out, then let him. Reduces bedding and feed costs anyway
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(and the mucking out of course!)
 
Has to be said, am loving not mucking out!!! I think because I've never had a horse thats lived out all the time bar a yearling, I'm looking to reassure myself that he's ok doing that! I listened to him when he said he didn't want to jump at the competition, I don't know why I'm scared to listen to him now when he's says that he's happy out!! Thanks for response, feel a bit better!
 
Horses are obviously happier when they are free to roam. My ponies are out 24/7/365 and they much prefer it this way. There are so many rugs on the market these days that your horse should never be cold when in the field. My newfie has an old injury and when she is stabled she gets very stiff but it doesn't bother her while she's out. As said above, do what makes your horse happiest. And it does massively reduce costs, you just need to make sure you regularly muck your field out.
 
My ex-eventer used to be stabled at night but for the last 5 years has lived out 24/7 all year round. I think he is much healthier and happier. He's 24 now and my vet says he's much better off being out all the time because he has arthrititis. Being kept in for any length of time just stiffens him up.
Keep him out, he'll be much happier and it will be much easier for you. It just takes a bit of extra effort to clean them up for competing but I think it's worth it.
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Mine are happiest out and I do all I can to give them that option all year round.

You have to assess each individual. If it feels right it probably is.
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Ours live out all year round, my boy is 16 now and doesn't have the stiffness he used to have, he is also the only one who is rugged.

Another benefit of leaving them out 24/7 is that you don't get the looniness which can come from being in, they always have a chance to burn off their energy in the field!
 
Mine are out 24/7 all year round, & only in the odd night if the weather's filthy. I've got a 6 yo ISH who does BD & BSJA & a 35 yo TBx mare who is still in work & who isn't stiff.

It's great - no mucking out & a lot less work all round.
 
Merlins out 24/7 as he gets stiff and uncomfortable if kept in overnight
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He was stabled at the last yard for about 18 hours a day and in the end I had to move him as he was just about crippled...... not the yards fault, he just needs to be on the move all day
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Ihave to admit to having my lot out at the moment. Victor the oldie comes in if its really torrential rain as he hates it and is 28, however our TB we had loved living out and as long as they are rugged if required, they shoudl never be cold, in fact they probably stay warmer because they are moving.

Most of the best training yards turnout tb's all winter and rough them off, no rugs, just plenty of forage and shelter!!
 
Leave him out 24/7. Honestly, it is a pet hate of mine when people just seem to think its better to bring horses in for no real reason! ANY horse can live out 24/7 all year round IMO. I mean jeesus, there were pics on here in the winter of some members horses out UNRUGGED in crazy snow (Canada I think?) with serious minus temps which we dont get anything like here.

All mine are out 24/7 all year, even through the winter. Currently that includes 4 natives and a Lusitano x TB who was imported from Portugal (so he wasnt used to Scottish winters). The Luso and 1 native are hunter clipped during the winter but as long as they're rugged really well, get lots of hay, decent feed and shelter then they are happy as can be. None lose condition. Have also kept out a woosy warmblood, an anglo arab, arab x's etc. BTW the Luso x and 1 native compete off grass - the native does showing / WHP etc. and RC stuff, the Luso x is currently doing BE Novice and 1.20m BSJA.

There's no doubt at all its better for you're horses physical and mental health to be out! Its purely people with the problem of humanizing them!
 
Took him show jumping last night and he jumped the first double clear he's done since I had him!! Obviously feeling better! Thanks for all the replies!
 
My horses hunt and event (when they're not being cripples!) from the field and I've never had a problem. People think I'm mad shoving them in the field and leaving them after a long day's hunting but they love it and it stops them stiffening up.
 
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