Help - would you turn horse out overnight on its own?

[little_flea]

My horse has been banned from the field for two weeks due to recent back treatment - he is now allowed to go out again, but should stay as quiet as possible. The best thing for this is to turn him out on his own as if he goes with other horses he will play too much.

He has been turned out for a couple of half days in the daytime on his own and he has been fine.

We can't get a field for him to be alone in during the day, but can if we turn him out overnight instead. There is loads of grass for him to keep busy.

Do you think this is risky or do you think he'll be ok? There are other horses in the fields next to him - he can't touch them (electric fence) but obviously see them and talk to them.

I feel quite nervous about turning him out on his own overnight...

 

[TarantuLove]

I would never turn my horse out on his own - he would stress too much, but if he has horses RIGHT next to him, this may be ok...

Can you give him a calmer to keep the edge off him also?

 

[Rana]

Mine would be fine in this situation. If she has horses "next door", she's perfectly settled (and she's a TBX stress-head!). Can you turn him out early evening, so you can check on him before it gets dark?

 

[little_flea]

There are horses in the fields either side of him, and he doesn't seem at all stressed when out on his own next to other horses in the daytime. Just wondering if he would be more stressed at night for whatever reason, but I suspect I am just applying human emotions to my horse...

 

[HelsB]

Mine's fine out overnight even with no other horses around.

You know your horse better than anyone else....and it seems he is fine in the day so I can't see a problem overnight

 

[TarantuLove]

They can see better in the dark that us ...but nighttime is when predators usually strike, but if there are horses either side of him they can still act as a 'herd' if danger is around...

 

[welshied]

I have turned my horse out on his own with no other horses out but him but it depends on your horse mine doesn't get stressy.

 

[legaldancer]

My 3 live out 24/7 during the summer & the pony is separated by an electric fence. TBH I don't think it will make much difference to him if he has horses nearby.
I once had a horse run through the (internal) post & rail fence, but he had others in with him at the time, so I think accidents can happen whether or not they have company.

 

[Cliqmo]

I think he will be fine if he has been turned out by himself for the odd half day and hasn't been worried by it. I would turn him out.

 

[little_flea]

Thank you all for putting my mind at rest. He is going out tonight!

 

[GatefieldHorses]

Depends on the horse, i can leave mine out 24/7 by himself. Horses can be turned out all day and he can be left alone all night and he doesnt carel

 

[kellyeaton]

i think it all depends on the horse!

 

[blackcob]

As others have said, depends on the horse! I know mine would be (and has been) fine out alone at night. If there's other horses in nearby fields I wouldn't worry in the slightest.

 

[Persephone]

No, under no circumstances.

 

[Bowen4Horses]

depends on the horse, mine wouldn't care less as long as he had some grass to munch.
my YO lives on site so i know she'd keep an eye out too.

...but i feel bad doing it, so try to avoid it.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

It totally depends on your horse, i know my mare is the calm type and would be fine and dandy out alone, food would be a great comfort ofcourse, but she would not worry, she has been out alone many a time, but like i say she is a calm sort, it makes all the difference to such a situation