AmyMay
Situation normal
Yes I've been on yards that had genuine all year turnout - and grass in the winter.
The key was, enough grazing....
The key was, enough grazing....
So, on our yard, we turn out EVERY day no matter what the weather is doing. The consequence of this is that our paddocks get completely trashed and that means no grass. We feed hay outside so the horses have something to eat. In summer we have 24/7 Turnout as well on different paddocks that have been rested all winter. We resow etc in spring when horses move to summer ones. So what I would like to know is this, are there any yards that have the same kind of arrangement, but have grass all winter too?? We have other paddocks, but the walk to get to them would be very very long, and in the depths of winter, not really safe. Is it worth the compromise do you think, or do you think we are trying to get too much out of our land? We have approx 18 acres and 22 horses, quite a few of which are high laminitis risk as they are either elderly or very good doers. Thanks!
A lot depends on the type of land and how it is treated, and type of livery you have.So, on our yard, we turn out EVERY day no matter what the weather is doing. The consequence of this is that our paddocks get completely trashed and that means no grass. We feed hay outside so the horses have something to eat. In summer we have 24/7 Turnout as well on different paddocks that have been rested all winter. We resow etc in spring when horses move to summer ones. So what I would like to know is this, are there any yards that have the same kind of arrangement, but have grass all winter too?? We have other paddocks, but the walk to get to them would be very very long, and in the depths of winter, not really safe. Is it worth the compromise do you think, or do you think we are trying to get too much out of our land? We have approx 18 acres and 22 horses, quite a few of which are high laminitis risk as they are either elderly or very good doers. Thanks!
The recommended stocking rate for horses is 2 acres for the first and one acre for every other one so your land is overstocked but thats not unusual in the horsey world.
You need at least 3 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if in at night and out in the day and 6 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if out 24/7.
Surely that’s if you want the grass to be their only source of fibre all year?You need at least 3 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if in at night and out in the day and 6 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if out 24/7.
Rubbish = where are your facts from??You need at least 3 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if in at night and out in the day and 6 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if out 24/7.
You need at least 3 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if in at night and out in the day and 6 acres of well drained grass land for each horse if out 24/7.
When I had a livery yard I had grass all winter because I had significantly more land than horses. I had 100 acres of grazing for just 36 horses. They had proper grass all year round.So, on our yard, we turn out EVERY day no matter what the weather is doing. The consequence of this is that our paddocks get completely trashed and that means no grass. We feed hay outside so the horses have something to eat. In summer we have 24/7 Turnout as well on different paddocks that have been rested all winter. We resow etc in spring when horses move to summer ones. So what I would like to know is this, are there any yards that have the same kind of arrangement, but have grass all winter too?? We have other paddocks, but the walk to get to them would be very very long, and in the depths of winter, not really safe. Is it worth the compromise do you think, or do you think we are trying to get too much out of our land? We have approx 18 acres and 22 horses, quite a few of which are high laminitis risk as they are either elderly or very good doers. Thanks!
I would not even consider owning a horse unless it could have at least 8 preferably 12 hours turnout a day every day. In fact might even have to move areas as I cannot live without my horses eitherI think you are all incredibly lucky to have access to such grazing.
Around me, I don’t know of any yard that provides winter turnout. They all close the fields in September and open them up again in June. A couple of yards have a sandpit for a leg stretch, but that’s all. Even when the fields are open, many yards restrict the access to a few hours a day.
I would not even consider owning a horse unless it could have at least 8 preferably 12 hours turnout a day every day. In fact might even have to move areas as I cannot live without my horses either
The worst bit about it was the first yard I went on lied about what turnout was provided. I quickly learnt it was as I stated above, so in my search for something humane, this is when I found the yards were all like this!! How cruel!!!
Anyhow I ended up travelling a fair distance for the turnout.
So, on our yard, we turn out EVERY day no matter what the weather is doing. The consequence of this is that our paddocks get completely trashed and that means no grass. We feed hay outside so the horses have something to eat. In summer we have 24/7 Turnout as well on different paddocks that have been rested all winter. We resow etc in spring when horses move to summer ones. So what I would like to know is this, are there any yards that have the same kind of arrangement, but have grass all winter too?? We have other paddocks, but the walk to get to them would be very very long, and in the depths of winter, not really safe. Is it worth the compromise do you think, or do you think we are trying to get too much out of our land? We have approx 18 acres and 22 horses, quite a few of which are high laminitis risk as they are either elderly or very good doers. Thanks!
I think you are all incredibly lucky to have access to such grazing.
Around me, I don’t know of any yard that provides winter turnout. They all close the fields in September and open them up again in June. A couple of yards have a sandpit for a leg stretch, but that’s all. Even when the fields are open, many yards restrict the access to a few hours a day.
Unfortunately it’s because the YO’s won’t put the finance or effort into maintenance. There’s no harrowing/rolling/seeding/topping. It’s far easier just to look at green fields and have the horses in.Do you know why they restrict turnout?