How many of us are at yards which dont offer 24/7 turnout at all?

I'm at a yard where they have to come in at night all year round. Yes, I'd prefer him out 24/7 in summer, but the yards I found that offered it locally didn't have great grazing, so I've compromised on 24 hour turnout in exchange for a super, well run, friendly yard with good facilities, herd turnout and excellent grazing when he is out on it.

I'd far rather that than sole use of a postage stamp of mud 24/7!
 
The important thing for most horses is that they go out to the field every day (and that means every day not days when the YO thinks the ground is firm enough) and that they are out long enough to cleat their lungs, have a good roll and a wriggle (pref naked), a munch on some grass and a chat to their mates (and that they can also see and talk to their mates when they are in their stable).

I am a great believer in the pleasure horses get from being nude and getting really muddy and rolling and wriggling, so those horses who are constantly rugged 24x7 day in day out with the rug rarely changed or lifted off I sometimes feel more sorry for, than a horse who is in at night but as he will dry off then is allowed to have a really good wriggle naked when he is out during the day.

Also I think some comments are a bit tough on YOs esp for the overcrowded areas of the country. Here in NE Scotland it would be arguably unreasonable to not offer 24x7 at least in summer, as land is plentiful and relatively cheap. (Ironically however I dont turnout 24x7 on my own land with my own horses as my neighbour lost a horse to grass sickness and 24x7 turnout increases the already high risk of it in this region).

However at our old livery yard where there was quite a few acres and only 10 horses, the YO struggled constantly to keep the fields in decent repair. 24x7 turnout was never an option, and it was an excellent yard with far better turnout (approx 8-5 winter, 8-7 summer) than nearly everywhere else in the area.

Those who wish the yards without 24x7 to close down should be aware that they could do just that and leave very very few yards left in huge areas of the home counties. Lets concentrate on the real issues of 24x7 stabled horses who are too 'valuable' to be turned out.
 
The thing that puzzles me is why people move to yards, with a particular management system in place, and then complain and want to move.

Are people not asking the right questions before they choose a yard. I could understand if a yard suddenly changed its policy, but often that is not the case.

I spent ages looking for a yard where my three could be together but on their own. I couldn't find one and had to compromise. When that didn't work I handed in my notice but didn't blame the yard. Actually they compromised for me and I ended up staying :D

Perhaps people should think harder about what is really important to them before moving to a yard. Is it 24/7 turnout all year or facilities like an indoor school, they often dont go together.
 
'Not being rude - just factual. Ask a farmer, or a livery yard owner who has to provide good grazing all year round - nigh on impossible.'

Not actually if its properly stocked nad not overstocked which is what most people do.
 
SusieT said:
'Not being rude - just factual. Ask a farmer, or a livery yard owner who has to provide good grazing all year round - nigh on impossible.'

Not actually if its properly stocked nad not overstocked which is what most people do.
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OK, lets reword it. Night on impossible to do it given the amount of land it would then require at the current cost of land in proximity to built up settlements in home counties and still make a basic living when allowing for business rates, insurance,maintenance etc etc.

'Proper stocking' means fewer horses on more land and thats where the problem comes from a financial perspective. Of course some YOs are greedy, some also change the goalposts once a livery is there and some even lie about what turnout there is. But the majority do not, and from my perspective, as long as YO is upfront about the turnout arrangements and sticks to them (my big gripe is when that doesnt happen as it is unfair), then the livery can choose to go elsewhere.

There are places with much more turnout but that will often require livery to either travel further, have fewer facilities or pay more. It is a choice THEY make.

Having not met any millionaire YOs (and I am not one so not biased from that) I will wait till I meet one before deciding they are all out to be cruel.
 
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