AmyMay
Situation normal
I don't think it's unreasonable at all. Have done it many times, with no ill effects. It actually takes a lot of the pressure off if the horses are in.
Is it unresonable to keep horses in on xmas/boxing day?
- Thread starter ChestnutConvert
- Start date
millitiger
Well-Known Member
I don't understand why you would want them in over Christmas as surely it is more work?
I have mine on full livery and would not be happy at all if they were kept in for any period of time and would expect them to be kept in their usual routine.
I used to have them at home and had 7 horses- their Christmas routine was exactly the same as any other day (I would just get up an hour earlier to get them done quicker in the morning!).
I have mine on full livery and would not be happy at all if they were kept in for any period of time and would expect them to be kept in their usual routine.
I used to have them at home and had 7 horses- their Christmas routine was exactly the same as any other day (I would just get up an hour earlier to get them done quicker in the morning!).
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Because if they're in with ad lib hay then evening stables can happen at any time. If they're out they probably don't want to stay out until 9 o clock at night? I know mine would rather be in all day than out but left there until ten when I could come and pull them in.
AmyMay
Situation normal
Yes, this is why I've kept in on Christmas day. If you're with family etc. getting up from the table at 4.00 to bring the horses in doesn't go down well. If the horses are in, there is less pressure to get to the yard to bring them in etc.
At the end of the day, though, it's horses for courses - and whatever suits the owner.
Black_Horse_White
Well-Known Member
Mine will go out and come in as normal, if the weather is really bad then he will stay in but I doubt it will bother him either way. He'll have a Guinness in his feed so probably won't care ;-))
natalia
Well-Known Member
Mine go out Xmas eve and back in boxing day or day after! They have hay feeders in the field and think a couple of day holiday out is great. I normally can't catch the buggers and have to herd them all in!
Ebenezer_Scrooge
Well-Known Member
This^^^ I am ignoring christmas this year especially as my relationship has ended
I am going up as usual and going for a long hack....have offered to help YO. will go home chill out with cats then back to bring pony in then off to work as I am on a nightshift....boxing day TO after my nightshift ends then zzzz till pm when he will be brought in
*hic*
village idiot :D
Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be business as usual but at least one day over the holiday period we will be out all day and in that case they'll be fed, turned out in the school for a leg stretch whilst the stables are done and then put back in with ad lib hay. If i left them out they'd be running up and down the fence from when it got dark.
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Yes, this is why I've kept in on Christmas day. If you're with family etc. getting up from the table at 4.00 to bring the horses in doesn't go down well. If the horses are in, there is less pressure to get to the yard to bring them in etc.
At the end of the day, though, it's horses for courses - and whatever suits the owner.
My family don't live near my horses which just compounds the situation for me. It's over an hour back from my mother's house so to stay in my usual routine I'd be arriving at 9 and leaving again at four. Given that we don't usually eat until about five I don't think I'd be terribly popular! And then I'd have to do the whole thing again the next day as I have an OH and am duty bound to visit his parents too!
AmyMay
Situation normal
AshTay
Well-Known Member
Mine live out 24/7 and come in for a feed everyday but also come in for a whole night every now and then for a rest so they don't have a strict routine (other than a daily feed).
This year, both boys will be coming in xmas eve night and I'll go up early xmas morning to put them out and then not see them again until halfway through Boxing day as I'll be with family an hour or so away. The YO will keep an eye on them and chuck them some hay in the field if needs be.
I think that unless your horse is very dependent on a strict routine (the benefits/disadvantages of such are a whole other thread) it won't hurt them to have an unusual day.
When I just had my one pony and we were on a yard where they had to come in overnight in winter, I would go up and turnout and muckout early xmas morning and then another livery who lived very close to the yard would nip up xmas evening and bring in and it would only take her about 10 mins as everything would be ready for her.
This year, both boys will be coming in xmas eve night and I'll go up early xmas morning to put them out and then not see them again until halfway through Boxing day as I'll be with family an hour or so away. The YO will keep an eye on them and chuck them some hay in the field if needs be.
I think that unless your horse is very dependent on a strict routine (the benefits/disadvantages of such are a whole other thread) it won't hurt them to have an unusual day.
When I just had my one pony and we were on a yard where they had to come in overnight in winter, I would go up and turnout and muckout early xmas morning and then another livery who lived very close to the yard would nip up xmas evening and bring in and it would only take her about 10 mins as everything would be ready for her.
Llanali
Well-Known Member
Whenever there is a thread like this and people say their horse would go "mental" if in for a day, I do worry about box rest.
We spend out lives preparing them for things- get used to traffic efore going on a road; used to a saddle before hopping on board....
Is there not something to be said or getting them used to the OCCASIONAL day in?!!!
Mine will be in, worked twice a day as per usual. It fits me, my horses are happy, that's that.
We spend out lives preparing them for things- get used to traffic efore going on a road; used to a saddle before hopping on board....
Is there not something to be said or getting them used to the OCCASIONAL day in?!!!
Mine will be in, worked twice a day as per usual. It fits me, my horses are happy, that's that.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
Or you chuck them out as usual in the morning with hay and can then get them in either before or after your Christmas meal?
I know mine would rather be out as usual in the day and then evening stables can be done a little earlier or later to suit me but the general routine is the same.
Having had them at home, it was never a hassle or irritating to have to get them in- gives you something to do while mum is dishing up the mountains of food
Dizzydancer
Well-Known Member
My old yard always just had an hour in school loose while we muck out. Mainly because fields were a good trek and generally icy.
However at new place my share horse looses the plot in school loose so will get turned out by his owner about 9 then ill call and fetch in bed down and haylage at about 12 on route to my parents. Yo will do evening check and extra hay if needed
However at new place my share horse looses the plot in school loose so will get turned out by his owner about 9 then ill call and fetch in bed down and haylage at about 12 on route to my parents. Yo will do evening check and extra hay if needed
noblesteed
Well-Known Member
At my old yard which had VERY limited turnout they asked us all to come up xmas morning, do horses and put out. Then they said if we left everything ready in stables they would bring in - they lived on-site so not a problem for them.
I thought this was much better than having the horses left in because it just makes more mess!
I thought this was much better than having the horses left in because it just makes more mess!
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Or you chuck them out as usual in the morning with hay and can then get them in either before or after your Christmas meal?
I know mine would rather be out as usual in the day and then evening stables can be done a little earlier or later to suit me but the general routine is the same.
Having had them at home, it was never a hassle or irritating to have to get them in- gives you something to do while mum is dishing up the mountains of food
As I previously said, I don't have the luxury of celebrating Christmas near my horses. Because I moved away from home I now have to drive up and down the A14 for over an hour. So just popping back and forward isn't an option. I know this might seem ludicrous to some people but it is the reality plenty of us face. Not everyone has a mother right on their doorstep. I am working on moving back towards home though so hopefully by next year it'll be something I can manage more easily
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
Has anyone ever noticed that the ones on very strict routines (fed at 7, out, fetched in at 4, fed every day of their lives etc) are usually the ones that stress about if things go wrong and times are changed?) All those that come hovering at the gate waiting before you come and so on. If you're a bit more flexible with times they do seem to settle better. Doesn't mean you can't have a routine, just means nothing's set in stone time wise so the horses don't stress and look at their watches. My farrier only ever gives me a date, never a time so mine stay in all day; they're hayed, have water bowls, mucked out and have good beds, they're perfectly happy and half the time are flat out asleep. I can't see the harm in doing the same Christmas Day or any other day for that matter as long as they have plenty to eat and a good bed. I know several yards that won't give a feed at all from the night before until afterwards but their hay is always there, they will never be hungry - which is when stress usually happens.
If I was a DIY livery owner I would want everything done and people off the yard by 10am at the latest on Christmas Day and nobody back until 4pm earliest, everything done for all horses by 6pm; they deserve a bit of peace too at this time and it's not too hard an ask surely for one day of the year.
If I was a DIY livery owner I would want everything done and people off the yard by 10am at the latest on Christmas Day and nobody back until 4pm earliest, everything done for all horses by 6pm; they deserve a bit of peace too at this time and it's not too hard an ask surely for one day of the year.
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Yes, can be very tricky pleasing everyone (including our horses
My horses are by far the easiest to please
If they have food they don't much care what you do with them. They'll stand on the lorry all day, in their stable all day, in temporary stables. Pretty much anywhere you put them. Wish I could placate my mother so easily!! lolFantasy_World
Well-Known Member
I don't think it is particularly unreasonable, but is it really labour saving? I will be actually turning out earlier than usual and bringing in later - it will give me most of the day to spend on xmassy things and it will reduce the amount of muck that needs to be shifted.
You have to ask yourself a question: which is quicker - turn out and bring in or muck out twice
Agree as it is more labour intensive when you keep a horse in during the day. Not only is there two lots of mucking out, but unless you have automatic drinkers ( providing they don't freeze) then you have to fill bucket twice and give 2 nets for day/night.
I would rather (if I had the choice) to put them out and muck out and bring in as usual. Certainly less labour intensive ( even allowing for rug changes) than cleaning out the stable twice.
My own would go out around normal time on Christmas/Boxing Day but may come in either a bit earlier or later depending on what my plans are for those days, and for Boxing Day then the King George chase comes first lol as I won't miss that race!
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
Having had them at home, it was never a hassle or irritating to have to get them in- gives you something to do while mum is dishing up the mountains of food
That's fine but what if you're the Mum and doing everything to please everyone else?
On a day like that it's perfectly reasonable to put the horses on the back burner for once, they won't suffer as long as they have plentiful forage, water and a good bed.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
My sister is 1 hr and a half away my parents 2hrs .
As I previously said its LESS work keeping them in no stress to rush back to catch them in and try dee poo fields in dark .
The horses are less stressed staying in as when left out we don't get home till 9pm which my that time most would have churned the fields up or wound themselves up as they used to coming in 3pm.
this way when we get back a quick skip out water check rugs etc, And they are done .
I don't think its unfair at all I work this yard on my own its nice to spend a day with the family and kids.
At the end of the day as long as the horse isn't stress- has got food- hay water and m8's thats what matters.
If your local to yard on xmas day yes you can pop up but Christmas is a time for family to be together and that family is not always close to the yard some travel to Scotland some south east and west .
No one is ever going to have the same opinion on this , if you turn them out fine, we used to and it was more more work.
to those who say its less work keeping them in.... for us it would be
on top of the routine for if they stay in there would be:
x 9 animals
a. cutting the family time shorter to get back.
b. catching horses in
c. brushing horses off
d dee pooing field
e. changing rugs
So its more work putting them out
As I previously said its LESS work keeping them in no stress to rush back to catch them in and try dee poo fields in dark .
The horses are less stressed staying in as when left out we don't get home till 9pm which my that time most would have churned the fields up or wound themselves up as they used to coming in 3pm.
this way when we get back a quick skip out water check rugs etc, And they are done .
I don't think its unfair at all I work this yard on my own its nice to spend a day with the family and kids.
At the end of the day as long as the horse isn't stress- has got food- hay water and m8's thats what matters.
If your local to yard on xmas day yes you can pop up but Christmas is a time for family to be together and that family is not always close to the yard some travel to Scotland some south east and west .
No one is ever going to have the same opinion on this , if you turn them out fine, we used to and it was more more work.
to those who say its less work keeping them in.... for us it would be
on top of the routine for if they stay in there would be:
x 9 animals
a. cutting the family time shorter to get back.
b. catching horses in
c. brushing horses off
d dee pooing field
e. changing rugs
So its more work putting them out
Last edited:
TallyHo123
Well-Known Member
I don't think it is particularly unreasonable, but is it really labour saving? I will be actually turning out earlier than usual and bringing in later - it will give me most of the day to spend on xmassy things and it will reduce the amount of muck that needs to be shifted.
You have to ask yourself a question: which is quicker - turn out and bring in or muck out twice
Ditto this! Even better I'm turning out my friends horse doing all my jobs early early morning then I don't have to go back as friend is bringing in yey! I LOVE christmas
be positive
Well-Known Member
People are making their horse stressy by having this strict routine, they respond to the environment they are kept in and should be more adaptable, it is why so many horses have a problem when they do need box rest.
I have a boxwalking PBA that usually wants to go out as soon as the last mouthful of breakfast is eaten, he has in the 2 years I have owned him become much more relaxed, he eats better, put on weight over the first winter without the huge feeds he used to apparently need, on xmas day last year he was in control, if he had to go out I was going to turn all out, he looked up briefly from his haylage as if to say "its cold out there Im in" and they all stayed in happily, went out in the snow boxing day for a few hours and was quite happy.
The horses that have a more flexible routine are usually, I find better doers, will adapt quickly when moving to new homes and probably are easier to take out competing, there are always exceptions, but relaxed people make for relaxed horses.
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
Ladylina83
Well-Known Member
As change of routine goes mine would be far happier having to stay in through the day than being left out 24/7 even though they are happy to live out - They know the drill, !
plus I am 2 different yards which is killing me as it is. My mum isn't very sympathetic to the but I need to do the horses thing - she seems to think I use it as an excuse not to see her or stay over - she is a gold medal guilt tripper... my horses are much more tolerant !
plus I am 2 different yards which is killing me as it is. My mum isn't very sympathetic to the but I need to do the horses thing - she seems to think I use it as an excuse not to see her or stay over - she is a gold medal guilt tripper... my horses are much more tolerant !
Last edited:
Gorgeous George
Well-Known Member
George is on part livery but liveries are expected to do most of the work on Christmas, Boxing and New Years Day. The YO very kindly feeds them all first thing and puts some hay in, then when I arrive I will turn G out whilst I am mucking out, sorting out hay and catching up with everyone, so he is usually out for a couple of hours. He then comes in and is very chilled and seems to enjoy a lazy day in his stable the YO then feeds and hays them in the evening
The thing that I worry about it have a couple of drinks on christmas day, in case I was suddenly needed at the yard. I obviously wouldn't get in the car, but I would have a nice long walk ahead of me!
the YO then feeds and hays them in the evening The thing that I worry about it have a couple of drinks on christmas day, in case I was suddenly needed at the yard. I obviously wouldn't get in the car, but I would have a nice long walk ahead of me!
thatsmygirl
Well-Known Member
No I don't think it's fair, I treat it the same as any other day.
LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
Mine will be kept in. All the others will be too, so wouldt want her to be alone. I dont keep her in a strict routine anyway so she will be absolutly fine. I will turnout in the school or sick paddock whilst I do jobs then she will be back in. Yo will finish her off for me
aimsymc
Well-Known Member
We dont have winter TO so just be normal day in for my girl. Im on assisted livery and usually go in evening but on xmas day will go in morning and yard will do her at night (feed, skip out etc). Might fit in a wee hack if OH isnt going mental!!
Honey08
Waffled a lot!
It doesn't really matter whether they stay in or go out, as long as they get some exercise at some point and are fed accordingly. Its whatever is easiest for everyone.
Ours will go out early Xmas morning, then come in earlier than normal and get larger nets while we go to my sister in laws..
I'm amazed that people are worrying about having to poo pick fields on Xmas day - thats surely one job that could be left, and the horses could easily stay in turnout rugs for one night to save another job. Then the horses only have to be checked over and set fair (quick brush) if you like.
Ours will go out early Xmas morning, then come in earlier than normal and get larger nets while we go to my sister in laws..
I'm amazed that people are worrying about having to poo pick fields on Xmas day - thats surely one job that could be left, and the horses could easily stay in turnout rugs for one night to save another job. Then the horses only have to be checked over and set fair (quick brush) if you like.