For those at yards - is your turnout still open?

All year turnout on clay soil. The fields are big enough to be able to do this and we dont over populate them. You get the normal deep bits around the water sources, hay feeder and gates but thankfully alot of the fields are stream fed. Just invest in a good set of wellies and we dont seem to get shoe loss or bad mud fever. This year is the first I've kept my WB in overnight because of her recent hock operation otherwise she'd be out.
 
I also rent somewhere. Approx 1 1/2 acres with 2 ponies on - clay soil.

The land is divided into 3 paddocks. They trash one all winter, and the shetland lives mainly on that one in the summer as the grass never grows back properly.

This year I've had more grass than ever before, maybe because I've fertilised, weed killed and poo picked more carefully than normal.

Plus, the ponies are older and just don't run about or fence walk like some I've had, it makes a BIG difference!

One of the grassy paddocks will hopefully keep them fed during the daytime until Christmas, and then they'll go on the 'trash paddock' at night with hay, or in their stables if it's wet and windy. Normally by now, they're on the trash paddock all day and night and on 100% hay/haylage so just having this much grass will save me so much £££ :-)

And a few years ago I dug out the crap ground around the gateway and put down proper flat hardstanding - that's been a godsend.
 
Ours were pulled off the fields within the last week or so, because we've had a lot of rain. That said, they are on dirt w/hay, and will probably stay there now as it's getting colder and will be snowing soon...
 
scotsmare said:
For those of you at yards, is your turnout still open? Mine announced today that turnout is closing from now til April as the fields are wet!
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My fields are wet but the horses are still out! We apparently had the entire months rainfall in one 36 hour period last week, it is still raining. God Bless sandy soil.

I get a bit of mud in gateways but the horses are never standing in anything deeper than their hooves and even then that's their choice!
 
We have all year round turnout but only during the day in winter! It is completley DIY though with a non horsey owner (but fields are well maintained with lots of grass) so he doesnt mind what we do and its owners choice :). Other yards I have been on would restrict turnout on the very worst days and not turnout if too dangerous but have never been on a yard that doesnt allow turnout at all - I think the boys would go mad!
 
there are 11 horses at my yard and all of them have started to bring in bout month ago! there is only mine and my friends cobs out and wont be coming in till YO begs us to which im hoping maybe middle of nov. Dont want her in yet as YO partner (both non horsey) is annoying and they were in for 11days last year with no reasoning other than they cant see the fence. Does anyoines elses horses struggle with electric tape in snowy conditions?

Due to her horses are out in day, in at night. Very wet days there in snow there in.
 
Honey08, that picture was taken in November! You can see on his legs how deep it got (his front legs are white to the knee!) :)
 
Yep, we have all year turnout and I have 2 that live out 365 days a year. I don't think I or my horses would cope with being shut up for 6 months of the year. One of the reasons I love my yard!
 
I'm at a livery with my own fields. 5 horses 8 acres. They go out all day in all weathers. Yup fields get trashed. Spring time rolls around and 2 paddocks get done and two are turnout then I reverse. May be more work and money in spring but staying in is not an option. Going out in all weathers enables them to cope with ground conditions.

Terri
 
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