Horses out to graze

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vikkibeth

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Those of you who have horses out to graze how many times do you go and see them in a day? Been talking to two different friends and one does it once a day and the other twice. What do you do?
 
Twice a day, first thing in the morning then at around 6 ish evening. Just to check, they pull off fly masks, straps come undone, all sorts of mischief !! Plus you need to check the water supply.
 
Twice a day minimum. Check them over, fly repellent, fly masks, pick feet out, top up water, poo pick etc
 
Always at least twice a day.....as it has been said 24 hrs is a long time if they injure themselves five minutes after you have left.

I see mine at half six in the morning and then again at 5 in the evening for exercise and general attention. Don't have long in the morning to give them any love, just a rug change, feet picked out and pooh pick, water check.
 
Always twice at least - always bring my yearling in twice a day for breakfast and dinner for her vits and mins, feet, fly spray etc - as others have said, checking for injuries or signs of discomfort plus good for the handling :) xxx
 
See glad you all agreed with me as was very shocked when my friend says she only went once a day!!!! I always go at least twice a day but thats cause I always fear the worst and can never really settle knowing in the back of my mind no ones there!:eek:
 
Once a day - because they are 25 mins drive away! I'm not the only person about though, there are others visiting to keep an eye on things.
 
Mine and my liveries are at my home, so endlessly throughout the day - but the definite checks are 8.15am, lunch time and 7pm ish.

I think it's vital that you - or someone you trust - sees your horse AT LEAST twice a day. Reason? My mare was ill for some months this spring. She was on stable yard rest so I'd go out at about midnight to give her a final check. My two livery horses, out 24/7 as she would usually be, would be hanging round near the stable yard gate for a last carrot. This particular night the pony came over, but the big horse didn't. I could see him standing about 10 yards away, but making no attempt to come to me. I SO nearly didn't go to him, as the ground was muddy and I was in house shoes, not having expected to have to go off the concrete. But I did go over, and to cut a long sad story short the poor fellow had broken his hind leg, right high up near his hip. So it was calls to the owner and the vet, and the big lad was put down.

If I hadn't gone out he would have been like that for another 8-9 hours. I'm not saying you have to check your horse at midnight, but please please don't just do it once a day. Just think if it was you with the broken leg.......
 
On my yard rules clients are expected to check their horses at least once a day in the summer and twice a day in winter - I am happy to oversee them at other times as live on site and not a problem to give them a quick glance whilst doing my own horses.

If I wasn't on site I would insist on twice.....
 
I go once normally to my yearlings, sometimes twice if I am in the area. But my family lives in the house overlooking their field so they are checked multiple times per day. I am lucky that there is a house at the bottom of their field too. Once they broke the fence at the bottom - it is visable from our house, but is quite far away so wasn't obvious that they were grazing on the wrong side of it! The lovely neighbour popped out and herded them into a stable and rang me straight away. If I didn't have these extra people, I'd go twice a day.
 
This is exactly the point. It is absolutely useless checking twice a day unless you do it properly. I once left my horse at (grass) livery whilst I went on holiday - he was kept there anyway. Turns out the farrier had pricked his foot the day before he went away and yard muppets didn't notice he didn't move for 2 weeks. Nightmare and only saved by exceptional vet intervention. Had the same thing happen to friend with Lami in November.
 
I only go once a day, my mum also goes once a day although this is sometimes at the same time as me. There are people on site though and if there is ever any problems we get a phone call straight away.
 
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