Cotton Wool Horses!

[JFTDWS]

JT, I've found him in the "wrong" field a couple of times, and not been able to work out how he's got there. Then the other morning I found him in the crop field... He was just standing there looking puzzled ("how'd I end up here "). I could see he might have squeezed through the internal fencing which is 2 stands, but the external is 3 and there's no way he could fit through without breaking it, which he hasn't.

I'm thinking of changing his name to Houdini. If BH could keep him occupied (with their shared cluelessness!) it may at least keep him in the right field!

 

[Jesstickle]

JT, I've found him in the "wrong" field a couple of times, and not been able to work out how he's got there. Then the other morning I found him in the crop field... p

little monkey!

 

[SamanthaUK]

Okay, this is an open discussion/debate on how you get equine owners who wrap their companion(s) in cotton wool because their human mind set.
'Oh! I must keep my horse/pony cooped up in a small confined space ALL day because its raining/too windy/snowing/muddy!' -This is an example. Others are stuff like unnecessary rugging, giving them too big a feed (I know a couple people who've gave their horses severe laminitis doing this) etc... You also get the people who like horses but don't have one or have never owned one who think it's terrible to keep your horse in a field 24/7- wtf!? It's stuff like this that REALLY grinds my gears. Horses are NOT made of glass, they won't die over being put out to graze in the rain. They won't have a nervous break down if you don't go up and see them EVERY day and they won't care if they're not stabled at night. It's good to care about your pets but treating them the way you would treat a human can cause problems in most cases.

As you know I don't own a horse but I do know that horses are outdoor animals. In the wild they live out all the time, whatever the weather, with no humans to come and pamper them. And I know they can survive outdoors. However, I am one of those soft hearted people who hates seeing horses outside in the rain with no rugs on or shelter. Just stood by a wall, head down, ears back. I feel so bad for them then!! I guess that one day, when I get my own horse and have to pay the bills i'll change my mind

 

[Wishful]

Good quality, rich soil doesn't need to be fertilised. You get natural, rich good soil that grows lots of good grass. My two previous yards had very good grazing all year round turnout where as another yard I was at just had really bad soil where there was more or less no grass.

Actually, naturally rich soil with good grass is bad for horses - nice bare moorland would be better although if we don't get a proper cold snap to stop the grass growing, the feral ponies on Dartmoor will probably come into spring a bit podgy this year!

 

[Cedars]

Okay, this is an open discussion/debate on how you get equine owners who wrap their companion(s) in cotton wool because their human mind set.
'Oh! I must keep my horse/pony cooped up in a small confined space ALL day because its raining/too windy/snowing/muddy!' -This is an example. Others are stuff like unnecessary rugging, giving them too big a feed (I know a couple people who've gave their horses severe laminitis doing this) etc... You also get the people who like horses but don't have one or have never owned one who think it's terrible to keep your horse in a field 24/7- wtf!? It's stuff like this that REALLY grinds my gears. Horses are NOT made of glass, they won't die over being put out to graze in the rain. They won't have a nervous break down if you don't go up and see them EVERY day and they won't care if they're not stabled at night. It's good to care about your pets but treating them the way you would treat a human can cause problems in most cases.

Sorry, this post has really made me cross.

Our horses are in their stables almost full time at the moment because are fields are so muddy, they would be dangerous to turn out in - clay soil + water + damage by horses = pulled muscles, damaged ligaments and potential broken bones. So they are in. Not because I don't want them to get muddy, but because I have a responsibility to keep them safe.

Our horses have rugs on because they are clipped. Is clipping unnecessary? Well I think its necessary because when they're ridden they get unbelievably uncomfortable and sweaty - which is not nice. So they are rugged - or should we not ride at all, after all, thats not natural?

A horse might not have a mental breakdown not being seen every day, but you SHOULD check your horses twice a day - again, because you have a responsibility to animals that we have bred to be far removed from the wild animals they came from - when my pony colicked, she would have died had I not been up there again that day - no ifs or buts. But should we just think, oh well, she died, thats a shame but it is more natural?

MOST horse owners, I think, feed appropriately for the horses condition, work load and other factors. Of our four, one is getting double the feed two others are getting, and my baby gets nothing at all. Thats because we know what they need and whats best for them - not because I'm treating them like humans!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr self righteous I know it all my way is the only way posts like this get my goat.... you worry about your horses, let the rest of the world worry about theirs.

 

[Ibblebibble]

Oh I have some of that - it's growing right now I will sell you some seed for an extortionate price in spring if you like - for all the good it would do you

ohhhh super, make sure the price is very extortionate because then i will know i'm getting the real deal

 

[GeeGeeboy]

I keep my horse out 24/7 and dont check him every day! I must be a terrible horse owner eh!?

 

[Ibblebibble]

I keep my horse out 24/7 and dont check him every day! I must be a terrible horse owner eh!?

you want an honest answer to that??

 

[Ranyhyn]

Sometimes I have had horses in over winter, sometimes I've had them out. Sometimes I rug them up more, sometimes I rug them up less. Sometimes I ride them , sometimes I don't.
All of the time I wonder why people take so much time watching what others are doing and don't spend less time busying themselves with something more productive.

If it's not a welfare issue who cares?

 

[Cedars]

Geegeeboy I think that is pretty terrible, yes. What if your horse got a wound, infection, colicked, got let out onto the road, broke the fencing?? Even if you don't care about your horse (which has got to be somewhat of the truth....) then you have a responsibility to ensure every day that your horse isnt damaging other peoples property or harming anyone!

I actually cant believe you wouldnt check your horse every day.

 

[GeeGeeboy]

He does get checked every day just not by ME every day. Ofcourse I care about my horse-what a ridiculous thing to say!

 

[Hackie]

Sorry, this post has really made me cross.

Our horses are in their stables almost full time at the moment because are fields are so muddy, they would be dangerous to turn out in - clay soil + water + damage by horses = pulled muscles, damaged ligaments and potential broken bones. So they are in. Not because I don't want them to get muddy, but because I have a responsibility to keep them safe.

Our horses have rugs on because they are clipped. Is clipping unnecessary? Well I think its necessary because when they're ridden they get unbelievably uncomfortable and sweaty - which is not nice. So they are rugged - or should we not ride at all, after all, thats not natural?

A horse might not have a mental breakdown not being seen every day, but you SHOULD check your horses twice a day - again, because you have a responsibility to animals that we have bred to be far removed from the wild animals they came from - when my pony colicked, she would have died had I not been up there again that day - no ifs or buts. But should we just think, oh well, she died, thats a shame but it is more natural?

MOST horse owners, I think, feed appropriately for the horses condition, work load and other factors. Of our four, one is getting double the feed two others are getting, and my baby gets nothing at all. Thats because we know what they need and whats best for them - not because I'm treating them like humans!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr self righteous I know it all my way is the only way posts like this get my goat.... you worry about your horses, let the rest of the world worry about theirs.

Agreed... My horses (back in Aus, different climate) were rugged at all times, and stabled if its yuck outside or too hot, fed such that they were in show condition and generally looked after 'in cotton wool'... They were competition animals, and I treated them as such. But you know what, it never did them any harm. They were kept in excellent physical and mental health and it certainly wasn't to their detriment, which I believe is what led to their sucessful, long careers. I don't believe they would have been winning like they did if we hadn't been paying the appropriate attention to their feeding and general well being.

I retired a mare to stud, so she went to live in the paddock, however after a few years of failed attempts she was brought back out of retirement (she was only 12 at this stage) and back into the stables to be rugged, worked, fed etc, and she seemed as happy as ever and is now back out winning again, so go figure.

 

[Janah]

I have just moved my boy from a fairly pristine paddock, on his own,company in next field, to a very muddy field with companions to play groom with. I know which he prefers.

 

[Ladydragon]

If you could pass the details on that would be great....

Me too... The farmers can resurface the mountains and any other grazing areas completely...

Even the bullied cows can go back out then...

*scribbles out flippers and snorkels on the 'horse accessory list'*

 

[Cedars]

He does get checked every day just not by ME every day. Ofcourse I care about my horse-what a ridiculous thing to say!

That is not what you implied in your post. I don't check my horse EVERY day - very occasionally someone else does half a day or a full day. But they need to be checked by someone responsible twice a day. If that happens, then thats good, but that wasn't what you implied.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I don't check my horses twice a day, every day.

 

[GeeGeeboy]

No, you assumed wrong cedars and were very judgmental. These things are not always black and White.

 

[Spring Feather]

That is not what you implied in your post. I don't check my horse EVERY day - very occasionally someone else does half a day or a full day. But they need to be checked by someone responsible twice a day. If that happens, then thats good, but that wasn't what you implied.

No that was what you inferred Cedars. Geegeeboy didn't imply anything, he/she simply said that he/she didn't check the horse every day.

 

[Fantasy_World]

That did make me laugh... The horses on our yard (a mix of breeds) are all booted out by 9ish at the moment and in at around 4pm... And good luck to anyone nipping on the yard to do anything in between as by lunchtime they're normally all clustered in the mud bath around the gate and start yelling and kicking holy hell out of it if someone shows up... The oldest is in his twenties...

In the warmer weather they could be hiding anywhere in 23 acres (I'm sure three horses can magically fit behind one tree somehow) and they all become conveniently deaf if you want to bring them in of an evening for a ride or groom etc... Even though they're on 24hr turn out then...

They make their preferences pretty clear I think...

Lol at this and quite agree.
When it comes to the time of year when they are out 24/7 they can sometimes be difficult to catch to ride. They also don't appear the gate very often.
However come the winter months and they are usually either at the gate or grazing near to it when it is around bring in time. This is something I do vary and when the nights start to draw out they are out a bit longer providing the weather is not hammering it down, the fields are not waterlogged or I am not being restricted by the yard owner.
I have kept my horses in when there have been gales due to risk of debris as they have been sited in some quite open places and near to places with busy traffic too.
I have also kept in when the path to and from the fields is icy and slippy so that I don't risk injuries to me or them.
The same is true when it has been hammering it down and very windy too.
If the horses are to remain in said field most of the year why ruin grazing by turning out in such conditions when they are not likely to graze much and will spend most of the time with backs against the wind or fighting around the gate to come in.
Churned up ground is no good for anyone and no it does not always recover that quickly.
It depends on the condition of the land and drainage to start with.
So to secure good grazing during the warmer months when I expect the grass to provide 99.9% of their forage and energy needs I could be considered to mollycoddle my horses at times during the winter.
Of course if I had access to many paddocks or a lot of acreage then I could risk a field becoming a trash field. However I have yet after a few yards to find a place which has enough grazing to be able to do this. Most that do have many fields try to fill the yard as full as possible meaning that there are never any 'spare' fields.
Of course if you are lucky enough to have your own land then you can do what you want within reason and also leave out 24/7 all year round too, but not all places if you are on any sort of livery offer this.

 

[GeeGeeboy]

Thankyou spring feather! Funny that cedars was moaning about the op's thread being self-righteous and that's exactly what she's being!

 

[Tinseltoes]

What gets my goat up is NONE horsey people saying to me DO THEY HAVE SHELTER being there out all the time.Yes loads of trees Duh!!!!! Idiots Grrrrrrrr Really annoying.
Then there was a man (passed on now) he said my horse has to have shoes grrrrr (horse not going on roads anyway). I just ignore them all!!!

 

[Ranyhyn]

There are always people who will tell you exactly how everything should be done. These are usually the people who are best ignored I find

 

[rockysmum]

Thankyou spring feather! Funny that cedars was moaning about the op's thread being self-righteous and that's exactly what she's being!

I might have some sympathy if I wasn't absolutely sure that you posted the comment just to wind a few people up

 

[GeeGeeboy]

But that's the point Rockysmum! Why should it wind people up!? People that have no idea of my circumstances and are far too quick to judge others!

 

[rockysmum]

But that's the point Rockysmum! Why should it wind people up!? People that have no idea of my circumstances and are far too quick to judge others!

No need to tell me, I'm the one who is immoral

 

[Megibo]

not read all of the replies, well only read original post...

but the cotton wool people would be horrified at how i treat mine! She's out 24/7, un-rugged unless clipped of course and fed only what she needs. she's native and she's tough!!

In summer she's in starvation with soaked hay so fed as minimally as possibe! Never been mollycoddled in her whole life! If she gets cold while she's out she can run around can't she!

 

[LeneHorse]

Dearie me, I have been reading this thread for half an hour and my brain is so numb I've been reduced to cliches -
'There is more than one way to skin a cat'
one man's meat is another man's poison'
'it takes all sorts'
'horses for courses'

can't we just accept that horses/yards/owners are all different and there is no 'right' way to manage the care of your horse?

PS did anyone else notice that OP's picture thingie shows a pony in what appears to be a stable? Should we inform the authorities?

 

[rockysmum]

PS did anyone else notice that OP's picture thingie shows a pony in what appears to be a stable? Should we inform the authorities?

LOL I dont think its a stable, looks more like a mud patch to me

 

[minesadouble]

Haven't trawled through the million other posts BUT I own 8 horses/ponies, some being for my daughters. They range from a section A who lives out all year round, unrugged and unfed (not even hay/haylage this winter as yet) she is happy as larry and TOO fat!

To a TB who is in and rugged and goes out for approx only 1 hour a day because after that he just stands at the gate begging to be in, on wet/cold days he sticks his nose out of the door and retreats to the back of his box! He too is happy with his lifestyle.

The others live somewhere in between these arrangements. According to WHAT SUITS THEM. There is no right or wrong way to keep horses. They are all individuals.

 

[DragonSlayer]

All my 4 horses live out, and have done 24/7 for the last 4 years since we moved to our new place. Now none of them will be happy in the stable. One booted the door out, another jumped out, the 3rd just won't go in, and the other neighed at the top of her voice even with her friend less than 3 metres away where she could see her...

We have muddy spots in the paddocks but it's the old ridge and furrow pasture, so even if the gulleys fill with water, they can always get out of the wet...

For me, it says it all when one will start to bronc and gallop around just because they can, usually it's Tia who kick-starts them off, but then away they all go!

We have artificial and natural shelter. My horses are healthy, have great shiny coats and clear eyes....they greet us when we arrive and do everything we ask of them.

THAT for me, shows me that I'm doing right by them.