Is it fair to keep youngster on individual turnout?

[Joyous70]

Following the loss of my eldery pony last week, I am now wondering if i am doing the right thing by my youngster.

We have individual or paired turnout paddocks, my girl is now in the paddock on her own, she does have horses either side of her later in the morning, and there are two horses opposite that she can see when i turn her out at the moment.

I am just wondering if its fair on her to keep her on individual turnout or whether i should consider looking to move her somewhere else? At the moment its only been a few days, she seems quite content to go out and eat her hay, and has been seen lying down as she used to before my old boy went, which suggests to me she is comfortable.

I do like the yard i am on and would only consider moving if it was in her best interests.

Do any of you keep yours on individual turnout, if so how do you get on?

 

[Arizahn]

Mine had to be on his own for several months due to a stifle injury. Like yours, he had horses either side. He coped. We eventually found a suitable older pony he could fieldshare with, and now he is fit he gets out either with them or in a small group.

If you and your youngster are happy where you are aside from this, I would wait and see. Moving yard is often stressful for them too. Maybe she can be paired with another livery, or could you take on a sensible loan pony or else a rescue as a companion?

Sorry for the loss of your oldie.

 

[Wheels]

How old is your horse? I personally don't like any on individual turnout for any great length of time. Youngsters learn so many manners from field companions etc that I wouldn't generally consider it but some may cope better than others

 

[Joyous70]

How old is your horse? I personally don't like any on individual turnout for any great length of time. Youngsters learn so many manners from field companions etc that I wouldn't generally consider it but some may cope better than others

Sorry should have said, she is 3, will be 4 in June of this year.

 

[Kallibear]

They cope. They have to. It's probably the best that can be said.

Would I even contemplate it for my youngster? Absolutely not.

 

[Abby-Lou]

Don't underestimate how important it is for young horses to be in a herd environment it teaches them manners. My filly was particularly confident and needed taking down a peg or two on a regular basis by other horses. We went through a real rough patch from foal until about 3 yrs until she calmed herself down. The problem is if you don't give them a friend to do the rough & tumble with then in some case you can be seen as the other horse. My foal used to gallop flat out at my mum with her ears pinned back and she meant it !

 

[Chestnut horse]

Iv'e never been keen on individual turnout, but as she has neighbours on both sides and she seems happy I would say she is ok.

 

[WelshD]

My three year old is on his own overnight and is absolutely fine but my other pony goes out with him in the daytime. I would not keep them with a fence in between as when they are together I like them to really interact and I dont think company over a fence counts in the same way

 

[Joyous70]

Don't underestimate how important it is for young horses to be in a herd environment it teaches them manners. My filly was particularly confident and needed taking down a peg or two on a regular basis by other horses. We went through a real rough patch from foal until about 3 yrs until she calmed herself down. The problem is if you don't give them a friend to do the rough & tumble with then in some case you can be seen as the other horse. My foal used to gallop flat out at my mum with her ears pinned back and she meant it !

She was in a herd environment until she came to me 14 months ago, she then went out in my turnout paddock with my old boy until very recently, maybe i need to see what is available nearby then, as i don't think any of the other liveries would want to field share, there are only two others, one a huge ID gelding at 17.2hh, and another mare who is around 10 and a similar height, neither i think would be suitable field mates, as one lives out the majority of the time and the other one i feel would take the mick with turnout etc.

 

[Lottiedots]

This is something I have been considering I have three horses, my older boy is currently on his own with the Shetland. My new boy is four and is currently kept in the paddock next door on his own. There are two other horses in a neighbouring field so he has horses both sides. I have kept him on his own because of the risk of one or other being kicked both having back shoes. He seems happy on his own but I worry that he would prefer to be in with the others. I may let them in together when the grass starts to grow and there is less likely hood of squabbles over food. The Shetland was bought as companion to my older horse when I only had one horse and the size difference has never been an issue, I may try letting the Shetland in with the youngster too.

 

[celia]

I wouldn't. We have two boys the same age as yours. They live out together with our neighbour's elderly shetland and are always running, playing, grooming together, etc. It's quite comical watching a 15hh cob play with a teeny shetland! They moved fields a couple of weeks ago and are now next door to our other three so they're having a great time getting to know them too. As others have said I think it's really important to have lots of interaction with other horses at that age and I also think it's good for their physical development to do lots of running about and playing.

 

[pippixox]

i wouldn't. with any horse, but especially a youngster. like others have said- they learn manners and how to interact with other horses. also it is stimulating for them, while they can't do much work. my friends 4yo has individual turn out when she got him and at first he struggled with how to behave with our herd, he would get in the way, get kicked ... (not trying to put off by the way) after a few months he realised how to read the others horses. this is useful even when ridden, like if he has to share a school with another horse or hack next to one, he knows how to read them. another youngster at his old yard has apparently started going through fencing, i think because he is bored. they want to play! although my friends 4yo does not get the others to play very much as they are all 10+ and boring!

 

[noodle_]

Mine (3 _ just) was alone for weeks through choice no ,

 

[pipper]

i do find it particually sad when i see a youngster on it own (some in small pens) they need to be babies and learn manners ect from other horses and more importantly to play, idealy being in a herd enviorment. I realise that this arrangement is not always possible - so can i be controversial and say - if you dont have the correct facilities dont have a youngster!!!! ***runs away and hides****!

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

i, on the other hand wouldnt get too worked up about it.

rather individual turnout than constant niggling (or worse) injuries.

ours are all boys and are all seperated otherwise they take chunks out of each other, and destroy their rugs: they dont just gallop around and play nip, they shove each round in circles on their knees like colts, or grab the top of their necks and push them down, then jump up and box at each other.

not good. leads to all sorts of strains, cuts, bumps, bruises etc. They rough play for hours, dont eat, run each other ragged and lose condition.

they are far more settled in individual paddocks where they can see but not touch each other-no looning around, just quietly eat.

for real babies ie not broken, i would prefer them to have company, but if they are backed (or shortly to be backed) getting work and stimulation elsewhere, its not the be all and end all IMO.

 

[Joyous70]

i do find it particually sad when i see a youngster on it own (some in small pens) they need to be babies and learn manners ect from other horses and more importantly to play, idealy being in a herd enviorment. I realise that this arrangement is not always possible - so can i be controversial and say - if you dont have the correct facilities dont have a youngster!!!! ***runs away and hides****!

You may be controversial, however, she wasn't on her own until Friday!

 

[Joyous70]

i, on the other hand wouldnt get too worked up about it.

rather individual turnout than constant niggling (or worse) injuries.

ours are all boys and are all seperated otherwise they take chunks out of each other, and destroy their rugs: they dont just gallop around and play nip, they shove each round in circles on their knees like colts, or grab the top of their necks and push them down, then jump up and box at each other.

not good. leads to all sorts of strains, cuts, bumps, bruises etc. They rough play for hours, dont eat, run each other ragged and lose condition.

they are far more settled in individual paddocks where they can see but not touch each other-no looning around, just quietly eat.

for real babies ie not broken, i would prefer them to have company, but if they are backed (or shortly to be backed) getting work and stimulation elsewhere, its not the be all and end all IMO.

Thank you, for making me feel slightly better about a difficult situation she is backed, and is doing small amounts of work at the moment, come spring she will be able to a little more.

i will keep my ears and eyes open, or try and find an alternative arrangement where i am, as it is a lovely yard with nice facilities.

 

[catroo]

I don't like individual turnout for owner convenience. My boys all live in a herd together (including entires), the breeder of one of them was mortified as 'he could get injured' but to me he is a pony first and foremost and they like herd life so that's how they live. The youngsters always have great manners and interact well with others when out and about.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

I don't like individual turnout for owner convenience. My boys all live in a herd together (including entires), the breeder of one of them was mortified as 'he could get injured' but to me he is a pony first and foremost and they like herd life so that's how they live. The youngsters always have great manners and interact well with others when out and about.

they are, but they are domesticated and particularly for competition horses, have a very definate purpose for the owner.

dont misundertand me, they are loved and petted and treated like an animal not a machine, but im not about to pour thousands a month in to this, only to have the daft pillock injure himself scrapping in the field......

 

[Arizahn]

My pony was fifteen months old when we had to isolate him. He had a fractured stifle sustained whilst out in a herd 24/7: vet said box rest, then individual turnout only. He has not only recovered, but is actually very nice to work around. No physical, mental or emotional damage from his time alone.

However, I'm sure had you spotted him during the first fortnight alone in his tiny paddock, standing looking sad, it would have seemed cruel, but he was recovering from a serious injury! He couldn't move very well at first. He was sad, and he was in pain. We spent hours just keeping him amused. Eventually he was able to walk properly, then trot, and one wonderful day he cantered! (We all did a victory dance, and I may have cried.)

Once he was well enough to cope, he went out with one companion. Now he has six. And can roll, and buck, and gallop. He is 100% sound again. They do cope. No, it isn't ideal, but life has a way of putting us in these situations. So please don't judge until you have all the facts

 

[wyrdsister]

Depends on the horse and the age, I think. Years ago, I moved one of my girls (LP) to a place where there was paired turn-out when she was just 4 - only she didn't end up with a companion, just horses on either side of her. I did keep asking, but she never seemed phased. She's always been the 'lone wolf' type, even though she's also lived in big herds and has a couple of others for company now (much to her apparent disgust!). My current youngster (and the older Orange Mare) would've pitched all of the toys out of the pushchair at the very idea. I wouldn't solo turn out a baby/youngster as a first option and with some of them never, but I wouldn't have a breakdown about it if there's company near enough to see/touch and the horse is coming in, being worked, etc.

 

[Megibo]

I do think youngsters need to be with other horses to learn manners and vent their play on !

Older horses going out individually doesn't bother me so much if they can see others.

 

[MileAMinute]

I wouldn't have any horse on individual turnout, especially a youngster. If nothing else they get their energy out running around and playing, plus the older ones tend to teach them some valued manners!

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's not ideal, but she's better turned out on her own than standing in a stable all day. All horses should be able to be turned out on their own occasionally, if circumstances dictate.

Any chance that you can get a companion for her, eg from one of the charities?

 

[Asha]

i do find it particually sad when i see a youngster on it own (some in small pens) they need to be babies and learn manners ect from other horses and more importantly to play, idealy being in a herd enviorment. I realise that this arrangement is not always possible - so can i be controversial and say - if you dont have the correct facilities dont have a youngster!!!! ***runs away and hides****!

I agree with you pipper. Youngsters need to run buck fart and play ! Mine are in a herd, ok not big, but there are 7, 2 yearlins, 2 YO, 2 x 4 YO, 8 YO, and 15 YO. As for injuries from playing / fighting so far nothing, but then they are in a settled herd and everyone knows their place. I think the issues with herds are when the dynamics change with different horses.

 

[catroo]

they are, but they are domesticated and particularly for competition horses, have a very definate purpose for the owner.

dont misundertand me, they are loved and petted and treated like an animal not a machine, but im not about to pour thousands a month in to this, only to have the daft pillock injure himself scrapping in the field......

My comment wasn't particularly aimed at you - there was a comment on Facebook today about a girl who preferred to keep her horse alone because then he was always waiting at the gate to come in whereas when he was in a group she'd have to walk across the field to catch him, that reasoning annoys me!

I get why you don't, but I don't feel the same way. Each to their own and all that

 

[AdorableAlice]

All young horses should be taught to cope on their own and in company, be it turn out, stabling, travelling and working. It gives them a good sound grounding to take forward into a successful life.

I turn mine out alone, in differing pairs, 3's 4's and a maximum of 5's. They are not allowed to get clingy and they are expected to get along with each other. I find it teaches them to be independent and easier to handle.

 

[The wife]

Sorry should have said, she is 3, will be 4 in June of this year.

Without a doubt, they'll be fine. our 4YO has been on individual turnout since he was about 12 months old (around the time he was starting to look a bit special and didn't want him getting damaged!!). He had paired turnout after he was weened up to this point with a sensible but dominant mare. He can still play over the fence with others and still let's off steam without the risk of him getting kicked. He has turned into a fairly rounded individual, who can be turned out with anything, left alone without too much trauma. youngsters cope better than people sometimes give them credit for, just have the attitude of deal with it, unless they are set on killing themselves in panic.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I had a 2yo gelding on his own for a month or so with horsey neighbours. There's no way I would have put him in with my pony, he'd have beaten him up and as I was planning to sell him then I wanted his legs clean!

He didn't suffer and was quite content. He had plenty to stimulate him and lots of love. I actually think it is a good idea for them to be able to be in a field on their own occasionally. I know they are herd animals, I watch mine out on the forest and in an ideal situation then every pony would have companions. Sometimes situations can not be helped.

 

[Joyous70]

Thank you for your comments. I will keep an eye on her for now and see how things go, but at the same time i shall start putting the feelers out for another yard, that may suit our requirements better. Its a shame because other than the turnout at the yard im on it has fantastic hacking, an arena with floodlights nice roomy stables, pretty much all i am looking for.

My youngster is a nice rounded individual, she does have a buck and a play around the field, before she came to me she was in a small herd of mares after being weaned and has learnt manners, she does know how to be around other horses, when my elderly gelding was well, they would play together.

I may see if i can buddy up with one of the other lone liveries if things don't work out or i can't find another yard, im not keen on getting another horse seems rather a large expensive way of solving the problem.