Do competition horses have to be stable kept?

[Jul]

Mine are both out all day every day during the winter and in at nights. In the summer they go out at night and just come in for part of the day.
In summer I usually bring them in for the night before an event. We have sooo much grass and this helps the belly go down a bit as I don't think it would be fair to ask them to do a BE with a big fat tum! I also find that keeping them in for that night 'sharpens them up' a bit, ie they can be a bit too laid back when they are out nights.
I must say I do find it easier when they are in nights but as I like them to have as much turnout as possible I take the overnight option when the yard I am at offers it.

I was talking to someone who produces and events to advanced. She said she would event a horse off grass up to PN but above that she would prefer them to be in nights and out daytime only. That has stuck with me but doesn't apply yet!

 

[Tiffany]

My trainer is competing at Grand Prix Dressage and her horses are turned out most days for a few hours. Personal opinion but I think horses are happier if they can go out at least some of the time.

 

[teapot]

The comp horses at my RS are all out 24/7 365 days of the year, including one at PN BE and Elementary BD

 

[Tinkerbee]

do they bollocks lol

our eventers (and we used to have an advanced level one)

are out as much as poss, rotating fields and stable so grass stays nice

 

[conniegirl]

i compete at county level showing. My ponies/horses are out 24/7 in summer with flysheets if nessecary, however since they are mucky little beasts they come in the day before a show and have a bath, stay in overnight which also helps get rid of the grass belly.
In winter well the natives are out 24/7 without rugs (they have winter off as well).
the veterans are out 24/7 with heavy weight rugs on and if nessecary we weill add more rugs, id rather pile on the rugs then bring the veterans in because if i do they will stiffen up.
my arab and Tb will come in at night (8pm to 7am) when it starts getting bad because they are both wusses and will stand at the gate looking miserable.

 

[Shrimp]

Mine is stabled because we have restricted turnout.

In the summer he would be turned out at night and in during the day depending on the weather (which is pretty unreliable here!) At the moment we're only allowed 4 hours turnout a day which he gets in the morning.
In the summer I would like to have 24/7 turnout because I do think its better for legs and joints rather than standing in. In the winter I would have him in like I do at night because he's a wuss and doesnt like being out for too long in the cold and wet!

Oh forgot to say we compete at PN/N level eventing and unaff Novice dressage