In a bit of a conundrum... very very long!

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
Where I currently stable my three horses (one if a yearling) the fields are completely saturated due to the most horrendous rain and the yard owners have quite rightly taken us off the fields because there is not much grass and they were getting destroyed
frown.gif


We have a trash paddock which consists of the old arena surface and we can tie nets up in there so they have some free time but just not out at grass. My yearling has also been going out in a small paddock for an hour or two while I muck out, but this is alone because it is not big enough for one of the other two to go in with him.

I really like the yard I am on, it is lovely and peaceful, we are pretty much left to our own devices, the haylage is excellent and the stables are nice and large
smile.gif


However, my young mare who underwent colic surgery and endured 9 solid months of box rest through a PSD injury, has started not eating again... When she developed colic, she slowly stopped eating her hard feed, then wouldn't even touch it and finally would not eat the haylage either
frown.gif
Because of this, they tested her for GS, which thankfully came back negative. The surgeons at the hospital believed it had been caused by something she had ingested, but I am now beginning to wonder whether stress was part of it???

She has been without turnout now for just under one month, and in the past few weeks I have noticed she has been slowly going off her feed, to the point where she is not eating any hard feed at all now... Last night she consumed 1kg haylage (she has a 6kg net every night) and is dropping condition like crazy.

Could all this be being brought on by the stress of being stabled 24/7???

I have the option of moving onto another yard but the draw backs are that it is 30 mins drive from home (I work, so the extra time would cut down on time spent with the horses), it is more expensive but at the moment they are turning out for half days in separate paddocks.
 

Madam_max

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 February 2005
Messages
7,948
Location
The Shroom
Visit site
Personally, I would make the 1/2 hour extra drive. I wouldn't contemplate keeping Corroy anywhere without turnout. How long would it make your journey altogether?
 

kit279

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2008
Messages
3,612
Visit site
Is there anyway you can rent some extra grazing nearby? I find my two drop condition very quickly if stabled so I let them live out 24/7 all year round, rugged up and only brought in if the weather is really awful. I put them on full livery once when I was on holiday for 3 weeks and they had to live in at that yard. When I came back, they were like skeletons
frown.gif
I do think some horses are just happier outside. Could you move just the mare if she is a worrier?
 

kerilli

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 April 2002
Messages
27,417
Location
Lovely Northamptonshire again!
Visit site
i think turnout's absolutely essential tbh, i only ever keep a horse stabled full-time if it's on absolute vet's orders. can't they live out in the trash paddock, or be out in it overnight together while the other liveries are stabled, and then yours stand in during the daytime?
 

Tangaroo

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 December 2005
Messages
2,534
Visit site
I would definitely move them. The stress of being in so much, especially at this time of year when we still have a lot of daylight is probably why she is not eating.
It isnt good for the yearling to be in so much either. Personally, i would rather they had access to turn out every day even if i couldnt ride both every day.
The last thing you want is for her to get colic again when it possibly could be prevented. Sorry, dont mean to sound harsh!
I am lucky as i keep my boys at my parents who have 2 acres. In the winter i sometimes just turn out for a couple of hours but even that makes a difference to their sanity and stress levels.
 

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
I can't move just the one because I simply don't have time to do all three in different locations (I know that makes me sound selfish...)

My journey would be 25 mins there, 25 mins back twice a day most days...

There is no turnout in the area to be honest at the moment due to the fact we are in a bit of a valley and the soil is not brilliant in this area.
 

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
[ QUOTE ]
i think turnout's absolutely essential tbh, i only ever keep a horse stabled full-time if it's on absolute vet's orders. can't they live out in the trash paddock, or be out in it overnight together while the other liveries are stabled, and then yours stand in during the daytime?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, it really is tiny... about 1/4 size of the arena. You could only safely put on in it without fighting and injury unfortunately.
 

Baileysno1

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 October 2006
Messages
1,148
Location
Newark
Visit site
I reckon I'd move, I though we were on limited turnout last year (alternate days) from Jan - Mar and I found it hard and felt it was unfair on the horses, I'm now further out but 24 hour grazing from April to November then daily turnout thereafter - there grass coming out of their ears some are still muzzled now - had to make sacrifices in other ways (no indoor school) but neds a v happy.
 

Skhosu

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 May 2006
Messages
8,193
Visit site
I think you really need to move tbh. Or cut down on your horse that gets colic and your yearling, it's not fair on either of them in partciular or good for their health. There are other yards with good stables and haylage, surely someone on here must know of one?
 

BBs

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2004
Messages
17,653
Location
Northamptonshire
Visit site
My yard is a good 15 miles from home takes me along the most rubbish road in Oxfordshire but I dont care.
I have super facilities and turn out. Lovely stables and a great bunch of ppl to mix with, mainly dressage.

I wasnt that keen on moving to a big livery yard, but Im really liking it.
 

nikki_07766

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 June 2005
Messages
996
Location
Lincolnshire
Visit site
I'd move, at the end of the day it's not fair to keep your youngster in for long periods of time as he's growing and needs time to play and strech. and also for your mare who has had to have long periods of box rest she needs some her time to get out in the field and relax, I would never have my horse somewhere without turnout. yes I keep mine in here and there for the day if the weather is really bad but not day in day out. until about a year ago I had mine at least 30 mins from home and ok it's a drag having to drive for that long but I would rather have happy horses than stress ones.
 

keekee

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 April 2008
Messages
456
Visit site
Oh poor you what a horrible situation i would speak to the YO and explane that your going to have to move unless u can get some sort of turn out on a daily basis if they no the score they should be helpfull but if not then you will have to move ..good luck keep us posted x
 

Halfstep

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 July 2005
Messages
6,966
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
Glad you like it BBs!!
smile.gif
smile.gif
wink.gif


Jet_Set, I think you have little choice. It sounds like Grace doesn't take well to her present routine, and that she simply needs to go out. She'll be a happier and healthier horse for it.

xx
 

Maesfen

Extremely Old Nag!
Joined
20 June 2005
Messages
16,720
Location
Wynnstay - the Best!
photobucket.com
I have to agree with everyone else that you need to move them to somewhere with turnout.
Not only is Grace a problem but Troy needs, not just wants, he needs, good long turnout, it is totally unfair to expect him at his age to be cooped up for 22 hours plus a day; it's verging on criminal. Sorry if that sounds harsh but that's what young horses need and you need to get him somewhere that can happen.
It also sounds as if Grace is going sitr crazy too which is the last thing you need. If I was in your shoes, I've said it innumerable times before but I would be looking for a stud which takes long term boarders, there are plenty about, even if that means you can't see him every day, they tend not to be DIY places so you're not strictly necessary to his daily welfare. If that is something vitally important to you, that you have hands on every day, well then, you'll just have to move them and put up with the inconvenience; I'm afraid it really is one of those situations when your horses must come first.
 

AmyMay

Situation normal
Joined
1 July 2004
Messages
66,617
Location
South
Visit site
Turnout is vital, and a half an hour drive is bugger all.

I wouldn't hesitate to move yards for the sake of the lovely Grace, and your others.
 

Skhosu

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 May 2006
Messages
8,193
Visit site
yes in answer to the not eating. I think you need to give yourself a kick up the backside and do what's best for the horses tbh.
 

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
Thank you once again for everyone's posts...

I have decided to move to the yard that I mentioned and have spoken to the yard owner who is a frequent user on this site
smile.gif
I just needed to make sure I was not over reacting and making the wrong decision because right now when it comes to Grace most of you know I am a complete worry wart and struggle with her emotionally.
 

AmyMay

Situation normal
Joined
1 July 2004
Messages
66,617
Location
South
Visit site
Impessed B.

Well done you. I really hope that you'll all be happy there. But with more turnout, the horses are bound to be!
 

Maisy

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2008
Messages
1,692
Visit site
I recently moved my girls to a yard where the turnout was very limited.

My fat little pony stopped eating and dropped about 30kg in about 3 weeks, so yes, I think the weight loss could be very much as a result of being stabled 24/7.

Finding a yard which has everything you need is very hard
frown.gif
.

Are there any fields near you that you could rent for a short time?
 

_jetset_

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2005
Messages
11,389
Location
Lancashire
Visit site
I know... shocked at my own decision!!!

I think someone hit me hard with the fact I need to put my horses first. I know Grace is not happy, and I am just seeing her sliding towards the same destination she came to on 16th December 2007 and if that was my doing I would never ever forgive myself.

It is going to be hard work for me with an hour travelling morning and night, riding two every day and getting all my jobs done (as well as running my house, walking the dog etc etc) but I will somehow have to manage. I am not saying it is going to be easy, or that I am not going to be completely exhausted by it, but hopefully if Troy can get more turnout that is one less muck out in the evening and perhaps I could even start riding one in the morning and one at night again in this situation.
 

Halfstep

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 July 2005
Messages
6,966
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
I'm sure you will manage! Is there anyone at the new yard who can turn out for you in the morning or bring in in the afternoon? Spare you two trips every day?

Well done, I'm pretty sure you've made the right decision.

xx
 
Top