Can a good doer live out 24/7

[Smoky 2022]

I was viewing a yard the only problem is all horses on the yard live out 24/7 in the summer(Early spring to autumn) does this routine work for good doers or should I look at different yard.

 

[nagblagger]

It depends whether you can restrict grazing if you need to. Mine all live out 24/7 except in an emergency.
Do you have access to a stable if needed?

 

[J&S]

Its fine for good doers to be out 24/7, just monitor weight carefully, muzzle or make a pen in the field if necessary.

 

[Smoky 2022]

It depends whether you can restrict grazing if you need to. Mine all live out 24/7 except in an emergency.
Do you have access to a stable if needed?

Yes I do have access to a stable you just have to do everything yourself. They can make the field smaller if needed and yes there is shelter.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Mine does on a grass track - but I can control cutting sections off and adding hay etc.

 

[nagblagger]

I find them living out so much easier. Are they still allowed out in winter, if so sounds good to me.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Ours do but we control their access to grass a d feed hay, year round.

 

[Jenko109]

If they are happy with you popping up some electric fencing to restrict grazing then it could work.

Just be mindful that if everything else in the field needs the grass, your pony may be in a restricted section alone.

 

[SO1]

Depends on how lush the grass is and how much work they are in and if you are willing to use the winter to get their weight low enough to give them some leeway in the spring and summer.

My good doer lived out all year for 6 years out of the 15 that I had him but it was with other cobs and natives and the grass was not lush and he was muzzled some of the time and exercised every day. Exercise was the key the one retired pony did get laminitis sadly.

 

[maya2008]

All mine are good doers, out year round. Muzzling is your easiest way to control weight, exercise comes second (because it’s time and exercise for you too!). You can have a basket muzzle on 24/7 without issue if you pad it appropriately and check it daily.

 

[Abacus]

Mine are good doers and always live out 24/7, all year. Their weight can fluctuate depending on grass and we manage the paddocks to minimise this (but never muzzle). The old boy who was always a very good doer has started dropping off in November / December time so I will be upping feed and adding haylage soon. In so many ways living out is beneficial - it’s a good thing that your yard will allow it.
ETA - I’m not against muzzling, in case that sounded negative. I just try to manage things a different way as it seems a bit of a faff!

 

[tda]

Depends how good your grass is, and how greedy the pony ?

 

[irishdraft]

Yes it can be done even my retired good doer is generally out 24/7 but I do strip graze and can move mains electric fencing about to make a smaller area as the horses are at home.

 

[Jellymoon]

I actually find it easier if they live out - use winter to slim them down and then restrict grazing in summer. I’m not keen on muzzles being on 24/7.

 

[Annagain]

It depends on the set-up and how supportive the YO is. Our good doers are looking great this summer due to the lack of rain so no grass but they normally need muzzles or to come in for some of the day as YO won't allow any fields to be strip grazed or tracks to be put in. It's too complicated with water etc and there are some public footpaths that make it difficult.

 

[Leandy]

Yes of course it does but it does depend on the set up and your and the yard's flexibility. If the grass is lush and your horse is lami prone and you are unable to adapt the routine if he gets too fat then it may not work all the time.

 

[meleeka]

My good doers live out full time but in order to achieve that I need to restrict it in summer. I have a track up then. I do need to feed hay all year as I only have a couple of acres, but even that’s too much some of the time.

 

[AntiPuck]

Mine does with a muzzle on 24/7 and minimal hard feed just to take supplements

 

[Gloi]

Mine live out 24/7 tightly strip grazed.