Advice on how to exercise mare while away

[maisiestreet99]

I just found out that I have to go back to my home country for 2 months due to family stuff and my parents divorcing.

I currently have my mare on DIY livery though, and I am unsure about what to do. Obviously I'm going to switch to full livery as I won't be here to take care of her for a while but I'm concerned about the amount of exercise she'd get. Full livery would include turnout and at additional cost, putting her on the horse walker, though I'm not sure whether that's enough exercise for her. I've come up with 4 options, if you have any more advice please share. <3

Also, does full livery usually cover the cost of feed and shavings?

1: Turnout is fine as exercise

2: Turnout and pay extra for horse walker

3: Look for sharers to ride her

4: Rehome her (I'd prefer not to but she's an amazing horse and I want the best for her)

Thank you!

 

[fredflop]

If she’s getting turned out every day in a reasonable sized field will be fine without exercise

 

[Red-1]

I wouldn't use the walker, turnout is fine as long as the field is reasonable and it is for at least 8 hours.

Otherwise, as an added precaution, I would make enquiries with a rider/trainer locally and pay them to go once a week. They could do the added attention that livery yards often miss, have a ride if she will cope with once a week, take photos and keep you updated.

Some livery yards aren't that good if left to it long term. Miss scrubbing buckets and even picking feet. Of course, yours may not be like that?

 

[Trouper]

I would absolutely want a livery-independent pair of eyes on her each week and to give her some exercise other than turnout.

 

[Widgeon]

For two months I defintely wouldn't be rehoming, plenty of horses have two months off in the field and it doesn't do them any harm. Full livery at the yard, plus paying a local (trusted) rider or trainer to come in one or twice a week for a check and ride seems like a very sensible idea. They could keep an eye on her behaviour and whether they think she's getting enough turnout. I'd do that.

Alternatively, if you think that won't work for whatever reason (tiny paddocks, limited turnout etc) , is there anywhere she could go out in a big field while you're away? Maybe a holiday or returement livery type place? Obviously that would also have to be somewhere you trusted, and probably still worth engaging an independent friend or professional to keep an eye on her.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think as long as she is getting a good time out like all day or all night she should be fine without exercise.

Or you could turn away somewhere for that time if you know of anywhere.

Or if you really would like her ridden do you have an instructor you can pay to ride a few times a week.

I personally wouldn't get unknown sharers in while I was away as there wouldn't really be anyone to keep an eye on what they were doing.

 

[rara007]

If you have someone to keep an eye on her weight the couple of months off will probably do her good.

 

[Kat]

Unless you have a need to keep her fit given the time of year I would just give her a holiday. As much turnout as possible and get a friend or professional to check her once a week in addition to the yard staff.

If the turnout is insufficient, or you need her to have more exercise I would pay a pro unless you have someone you already know and trust who would take on a share/loan type agreement.

Unless you have time before you go to get to know a new sharer I wouldn't get a sharer unless they are already known to you. Say a friend whose own horse is out of action or something.

 

[ITPersonnage]

I had this problem, I had a knee replacement and couldn't walk/ride for 6 weeks and my mare was out F/T. I thought she'd be fine but she got too fat and nobody took any action, as a result she ended up with EMS and hideously flat feet. DO NOT allow this to happen! But if somebody you trust is looking out for her and (more importantly) can and will take some action if she gets fat, the rest will be good for her. But PLEASE don't make the same mistake I did.