How many of you actually turn your horses out daily?

Mine all go out everyday, unless its absolutely chucking it down all day then they would just stand at the gate and wait to come in so they stay in bed. I much prefer them to be out as one is retired, one a youngster, and of the 2 in work my mare hates being in all the time (actually becomes dangerous to herself and others around) and the other is 17 so he really needs to be out waling round to ensure he stays comfortable. However, I fully understand that some people prefer to keep theirs in if the weather is really bad, especially if they are prone to mud fever or similar winter ailments. Until a couple of years ago I would have had no problem leaving my now retired mare in all day as she was perfectly happy to just eat hay as long as she got some attention and maybe some sort of work, however, she just wouldn't cope with it now and it wouldn't be fair as she can no longer be worked.
I think its all down to personal preference, if you think your horse could cope with the restrictions there is no need to ignore a place at the yard, however if you are even the slightest bit unsure then I wouldn't try as it could turn out to be very stressful for the horse and you.
 
My 2 are out every day for about 7/8 hours in the winter. If it's a truly awful day then they'll stay in, which they're happy to do - they're both fairly fair weather TBs afterall :p
 
Ours are out for 12 hours most days, slightly less at the weekends. We are at the top of a Pennine hill, so they are used to wet, windy weather and in fact if we kept them in in these conditions, they'd NEVER get out in winter. We did keep them in for longer on the days, last year, when we couldn't get out to go to work ourselves, because of the snow but we got them out for a couple of hours every day, even then when the snow was falling thick and fast.
 
Only the snow and ice prevents ours from going out.
The track leading up to the fields is too dangerous when we have snow, which then gets compacted and slippery by vehicles, so we are not allowed to turn out then.
 
My horses live out 24/7 now. This is the only place they've been able to do that though. (And I do bring them in if it's going to rain for hours and hours on end but that's the only time).

When we are at a yard they got turned out irrespective of the weather, as yard rules were they had to be in at night during winter. I didn't want them standing in all day and although we used to get some odd looks sometimes out they would go. And more importantly they were happy to go out.

I think turnout is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing and would never leave them in for days on end.
 
Out every day, unless of course it's completely VILE. Mine are were out last night and will stay out today - and it's tipping it down and blowing a gale. They've got good rugs, 20 acres and lots of shelter. Even TB's and WB's can cope! :)
 
Out every day and in at night. When it snowed last year there was one day when they couldn't get to the field as it was icey crossing the carpark so they went out in the sick paddock in shifts till they gritted the carpark.

He's a TB but would still rather be out if possible. The other day I got a half day from work so went up to ride. It would have been about 2pm, so only a couple of hours before they come in anyway and it was pouring with rain.
Still, He didn't especially want to come in and when I did put him in his stable he stood at the back pointedly staring at the field he had just come from.
 
Mine go out every day in winter, normally from about 7.30am to 3pm (I normally get them in at that time so daughter can ride after school). The exception would be a couple of times a year when it is absolutely torrential rain and galeforce winds all day, when they might stay in - partly to save the field, partly because they are not keen to be out in those conditions and partly because I don't want to hay the field when the weather is like that!
 
my boy goes out every day unless:
-> the hunt are in the area (i'm either with them, or he spends the day in so he doesnt join them!!) Saying that though he still goes out for a few hours when its over.
->in the snow. this is because he is a fuss bucket and doesn't drink enough, if he is in then i can warm the water (a little) and monitor how much he drinks. - He got impactation colic during the snow last febuary.

Simply wouldn't keep him at a yard that was in 24/7 through winter, there are lots around though!
 
At my yard in the winter they do alternate day turnout, mares one day, geldings the next. They share the same field to give the others a rest.
I found this was fine, and made sure that on the days he was in I would go out for a really long hack, then the days he was out I would go in the school before turning him out for the rest of the day.
 
Mine go out all day every day from 6.30 am to at least 6pm.....much later in summer. I don't have a huge amount of grazing so I have to manage it carefully and they they have to come in overnight, but I strongly feel they do better for being out.

Even if the weather is total crap- knee deep in snow or whatever - if they are rugged ( appropriately) and have access to hay and shelter its better than being inside- they get chance to socialise/groom/play/roll etc. Mine are deffo happier for going out everyday.

I have been on a yard where in winter it was day-in, day-out. They just about coped with this, but only because I could chuck them out for an hour in the evening to sort their stables out.
 
Yep, every day from around 7.30am to 4pmish.

If the weather is very bad then she will stay in but if at all possible she goes out.

Sadiemay
 
Hovis goes out every day from about 7 ish til 4 ish in the winter (only because he's a girl about being out in the dark) and longer in summer.
At my previous yard last winter we couldn't get them out due to the snow and it was hell - a week of them being in and even the most sensible horse turned into a nutter. Hovis started scraping his teeth down the doors -something he'd never done before- so i know he was stressed. I couldn't take him somewhere that didn't allow me to turn him out every day - he'd be a strong, tanking nightmare to ride if he couldn't burn off some energy, not to mention unhappy.
Sid lives out 24/7 365. He's a big 17.2HH poofy delicate hanovarian but he's rugged up and happy as a pig in poo. He has a barn to go into in the worst of the rain / snow but is usually found stuffing his face with his bum to the wind. He's retired and I want him to just be a horse: he's muddy, scruffy, shaggy and happy.
 
Every day of the year, 24/7 April to Nov, then from 8am till 4pm during winter months.

Been at the same livery yard for nearly 9 years and I've only ever known them been kept in for a day or two due to the snow, purely because it was like sheets of ice to walk on, not for any other reason.

They go out no matter what, I couldn't bare the thought of my horses been couped in their stables, I can understand why some livery yards do though, guess I'm just lucky being on a yard that doesn't need to.
 
Everyday regardless of the weather! My mare goes out even by herself sometimes as i think its very important to get out of the stable in winter when she has to come in at night.

She doesn't care about the weather, and is quite happy to go out whatever it is.
 
Out 24/7 April to November then in at night over winter. We are on heavy clay in the bottom of a valley so have to accept that on really wet days they cannot go out - the fields are trashed within minutes and I mean trashed, the spring grazing would be ruined and the YO would be shrieking at us to pay for reseeding.

Over the past few weeks they've averaged four days out a week, 7am-4pm, and are ridden on the other three days which I find acceptable. The yard is large and securely fenced so they get mooching about time with hay every morning and evening if they're in.

Unlike others we turn out in the heavy snow - there's a paddock attached to the yard that we aren't allowed to use in winter to preserve it for spring but if the ground is frozen they can go out on it all day.
 
I do, mine are out 24/7/365 regardless of the weather, they are out on ground that has plenty of natural shelter.

It would be nice to tuck them up in a stable on a rough winter night, but I just don't have the time for mucking out. It is far more healthy for them to be out though, even if the weather is rough.
 
Mine come in during the day. They are out 24/7, but after a really foul night I bring them in to dry off and have some hay. Back out at teatime.
They will start coming in at night if the weather stays wet & grey. Fields are getting waterlogged and we have 6 horses on 20 odd acres.
 
Ours stay in if the fields get really wet as there isn't that much land, so if it gets ruined that's it. They are out today though - it's only usually if it's really hammering it down. Sometimes I keep him in for a few days following heavy rain but he will be ridden and also go on the walker twice a day.

I turned out in the snow last year but was the only one on our yard who did - everyone elses horses stayed in for about 2 weeks 'in case they slipped over and injured themselves'.
 
I quite agree with you OP, bad enough if box rest is enforced for health reasons! Think it's very important to give any healthy horse as much turnout as possible, both for physical and mental reasons. Last winter we had 16" of snow at home (where I keep mine), probably more in some places of the field, but my TB went out everyday, even just for a few hours. Bit like children, they need time to get out and let off some steam and as long as they are wrapped up well, I think they are far happier for it!
 
Ours live out all year round - although they come into the barn occasionally when the weather is really bad. We have them at home which is great but previously had them on grass livery so they were out 24/7 then too. I would never have had them anywhere where they couldn't be out at least 8-10 hrs every day, even in the depths of winter. I think turnout is of major importance to all horses although I know most do appreciate coming in when the weather is wild! You hear of some places where the horses have barely any turnout all winter and it makes me wonder how on earth they get turned out safely in spring after 4 months stuck in a box?
 
live out 24/7 in summer winter come in at night, but they go out in fields everyday without fail, rain/snow whatever, we have brilliant livery owners who look after the ground really well and manage it well, so were able to turn out all the time we are very very lucky i know!!!
 
Mine go out everyday unless it's really horrid, like snow or driving rain then they are happy to stop in with haylage and then go on the walker later on. They are out from 8.30am until 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am till 4pm Saturday and Sunday, unless competing then they will get turned out after if not late.....All are happy and YO is happy for us to turnout, just as long as we don't take the p*** when it's really wet...... Three are in work (well two at the moment, one on box rest) and one is retired (four in total). Summer time three are out 24/7, unless it's really hot and then they will come and stand in for the day, one is in at night, laminitis watch, but she a little bu**a to catch, so easier to be out in the day, so I can catch her at night...........
 
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I would like mine to be out every day, but was shocked having moved up from the midlands that round where i live now they are all kept in 24/7 all winter! I finally found a yard where he can go out about 3 hours per day for a leg stretch and socialise but if its really wet we are not allowed to put them out! to be fare it is very wet and heavy clay soil with bogs in winter. His turnout is on the only dryish field which is around the edge of a small stone quarry. I prefer mine to be out as hes old and stiffens up but he prefrs to be in!
 
SNORKEY said:
Hi, when I was phoning around to find a new yard I was told that my horse would either have to stay in a few days a week or only go out for 3hrs a day.
And at my new yard ive now moved to people dont put their horses out if it's cold or drizzling with rain!

I think it's so important for my boy to go out as long as possible every day, unless it is very bad weather, he is a horse after all!

Does anyone else think this or do you prefure or not mind your horse staying in for long periods of time?
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I feel exactly the same as you.

Even in the snow my horses will get a bit of time out.

Id like to keep them out as much as possible, behave like wild horses but limited pasture (not the moors on my door step!) and clipping etc stop this.
But daily turnout in winter is a must and in summer they live out.
 
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