milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
so perhaps individual turn out with neighbors would be a better solution for him... perhaps.
His current turnout time for winter is 7 - 2.30, i finish work at 7 so it is dark, no lights so i cant work him unless i get up really early which i do tend to do.
Is less turnout time better ie 4 hours a day if you can work them after finishing work?
The reality of it is yards are very slim pickings in my area.
Many of us are in a similar boat, where compromises have to be made and sometimes it's only trying things out to see, that allows you to find out what works for a horse and what is a complete no-no.
I prefer small group turnout for mine, that's what I grew up with, but few yards offer this now and one of mine will pick a fight with her own shadow so is best kept in her own paddock. This is a compromise for my other one, who would love a field buddy... but she's relaxed and well adjusted in this set up where there are loads of small paddocks close together so we get by OK. She likes to chat with her neighbours over the fence so she has a paddock in the middle with neighbours on every side.
It wouldn't work if she was shoved up the road or in a corner, she'd get too lonely. It wouldn't work if I put the other one in with her, they'd both end up fighting. so this is a compromise.
Same with winter turnout. Many yards in my area really struggle with this, its not ideal but I make sure they go out as much as possible and are worked daily to provide extra time out of the stable. I know most yards round here limit winter turnout, so I would only choose one with a floodlit school so I can work them when the light is short. Another compromise, but it's how you can make the best of it to give the horses a decent life that counts, IMO.
Last winter ours had half day turnout for months at a time (i.e. morning or afternoon). provided they had company and food all the time, and plenty of ridden exercise, they coped very well. Horses are good at adjusting provided their basic essential needs are met.
The thing I will no longer compromise on, is I will never have a single horse at DIY livery ever again. having 2 gives me a lot of benefits, they always have company, i'm never let down by other people doing random things, and I can manage their routine to suit myself much more easily. Putting your chap on full or part livery might actually help in this regard, as he would be in the same routine as others without fail.