Individual turnout

[bz88]

Hi two cobs on my yard are moving to different one which means my cobster will be on his own for a while. I could put him in herd but he’s been there before and it caused lots of trouble. He was at the bottom of the pile and constantly had bites, kicks and ripped rugs as well as they did not letting him drink plus it was a nightmare to get him out there as they were herding him away from us. He was just miserable there standing at the gate for most of the time.
Other side, other owners weren’t poo picking let alone worm their horses therefore mine always had high worm count when he was with them. He has horses all around he can see and interact with but I’m worried. Did you ever had to transition horse from small herd to individual turnout? He’s normally fine as I turn him out first before others join, he does occasionally call and look towards the gate where they will be coming but that’s far as it gets. No pacing or trotting. I guess I just need reassurance.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Try not to overthink it too much..pop him out as usual and if “undesirable” behaviours appear then consider how to solve them. Try not to look for problems before they ve presented themselves. Hope he s chilled and all goes well for you both

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I was told on this forum that I shouldn't have my horse if he is on individual turnout, that I should send him away until I could make better plans, even if it was only temporary.....

However, my opinion is that you can only do what you can do with what you have, give it a go and see if he seems happy. Presumably someone will come and fill their spaces at some point, so it may be that he has friends again in the future.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just turn him out as normal hopefully he will be fine just maybe keep and eye on him from a distance so he can't see you.

 

[Cortez]

If horse is happy, what's to worry about?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Gosh not individual turnout again

Your horse will be fine as long as he can see others….

BB hated being turned out with other horses but as long as he could see others he was fine, but Orby I think would be fine , but Im not starting it even if I could which I can’t.
I dont want the separation anxiety, the worry fullness about company and as you can see from any of my videos, Orby is really suffering for it

 

[ycbm]

Mine has company in with him some days and not others. He doesn't seem to care much which it is. He might scratch the companion for about 20 seconds, but that's the limit of his interaction. My last horse was the same, though I moved him to company to get a bigger field, more hours out, and keep him moving.
.

 

[bz88]

Thank you all. Hopefully this is temporary and other ponies will come to the yard and he can have some company. I know he’ll be fine but I’d prefer some company for him(I’m not against individual turnout it’s I’d rather he has friends)
He isn’t interested in other ponies, when they come he’ll go opposite direction.
Lucky we switching to in at night out in the day routine this weekend.
I’d hate having him on his own at night, I can bear it in the day.
I’m actually considering moving yard not only due to turn out but other things as well (yo seems to have soft spot for some liveries so if you not up to his back side you will not be privileged with less muddy field ect) so it might be happening.

 

[nikkimariet]

Mine is on individual turnout but sometimes will spend the day in / out on his own for some reason. It’s good not to let them get clingy or obsessive and realistically sounds like his own paddock is the best thing.

 

[Goldenstar]

What can you do is the question for your horse in this yard the herd did not work.
What I would do is follow your own routine as before see what happens .
you know at some point their will an other horse who needs peace from the herd and he will get a friend again .

 

[SantaVera]

Yes my cob has successfully transitioned to individual turnout, it's been very successful with the horse being calmer to handle and ride and apparently less stressed generally. There's no competitive eating or him gobbling hay so others don't get it although it was always available ad lib. It's worked out very well.