How much do you do with your horses, when turned away?

The bare minimum has to be picking out their feet daily, checking rugs and looking for any lumps, bumps or scabs (plus adequate hard feed fed). As mine needs to be stabled every now and again I find it useful to bring in at least once a week for some 'stable time' and some concentrated one-to-one. Personally I don't especially do any extra work in-hand. I guess I might if I had an issue to tackle but on the whole mine's good to do and nicely mannered.
 
With my TB I pick her feet out twice a day and adjust rugs while she has her food. Stand and fuss for a few minutes. Twice a week i bring her over to the yard for some extra attention and love, she'll then have a plastic curry comb groom (don't believe in over grooming when out all winter).
Otherwise not much....don't get to see her in the light much as dark am and pm.
She gets some fuss when she follows me around with the wheelbarrow when pooh picking.

She has friends in a huge grassy field to play with
 
Absolute bare minimum. My competition horse is off on his holiday from Oct until about Jan / Feb (weather dependent). He lives out 24/7 with access to stables, hay etc. so all I need to do is check his rug / change it when needed and feed them hard feed twice a day. I tend to groom him lightly about twice a month, I do pick out his feet every few days but his shoes have been taken off so they rarely fill up with anything.
 
Mine isnt necessarily turned away but I only ride once or twice a week. The companion pony doesnt do anything during winter so is effectively turned away with no shoes on. On the days I dont ride, they are always fed/watered, rugs adjusted, checked for bumps/nicks at least once a day. I pick their feet out at least every other day, the companion pony probably less and he only gets a quick flick with the brush once a week just so I get to put his headcollar on etc. I probably wash their feet and give them a spray with disenfectant once a week as well during the winter just to keep a check for thrush and mudfever.

I do poo pick daily so get to see them move about in the field and this is usually when I would notice anything odd. Also I can see the whole field from my bedroom window so I again I can see if they are OK
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top