Keeping an eventer out 24/7

I had a very lazy 4yo and if I had an important lesson I would keep her in for at least 12 hours beforehand, otherwise she would use up all of her energy playing in the field and I needed the freshness and sharpness to teach her new things.

Now, she's rising 6 and barely manageable kept in. She's a 180 spinner if she can get away with it and is feeling sharp enough. The other week, she stopped and spun at a cyclist appearing from behind a hedge, and then spun back again at a big scary log in less than a second! I don't know how the heck I didn't go splat.

I keep mine in to keep them clean before a show/lesson, reduce the "bloat" if it is a bloaty horse as I don't believe in riding a bloated horse as I think it must be uncomfortable.
 
My novice eventer is out 24/7 in the summer. Its been trial and error with him over the past few years but he definitely thrives from being out and (weather providing) will be out 24/7 this summer too. My 2* eventer however won't as it doesn't suit him and I prefer him to have the rest in the stable, similarly this is how he thrives. I think its just finding what is suitable for your horse rather than going off what others do as it will be different for each individual horse and what level you are competing at (and how often). If you find he's a bit lazy after staying out 24/7 then bring him in before you compete, see how he is and then go from that.
 
My guys live out 24/7 all year round and I would aspire to event around BE90 level.. :-) although we do most things - UA dressage, SJ etc as well, I use grazing muzzles overnight during the summer and find this works well in both controlling their weight and usually avoids that "bloated full of grass feeling" when ridden. I too tend to bath and plait the night before a competiton, stick a rug on and turn back out- horse is bay though and easy to clean! he is also a bit sharp and tends to be much calmer competing off grass than stabled ..but, they are all different and I guess you have to try what suits your horse best
 
Thank you! I guess I will try it and see :)

I'd just never really heard of people doing it so thought I may be missing something!
 
Interesting comments about the rest.

Mine lives out 24/7 but normally stays in the night before a show to keep her clean (She is a grey).

I am happy with that and it seems to suit her.

I do REALLY like her being out most of the time but I am lucky that I can strip graze to control the amount of grass she gets.
 
I don't understand why people choose to stable any horse. IMO a competition horse more so than any other is better kept out where they're allowed to keep themselves fitter and more supple by moving about. For example, I cant think of anything else worse for a horse than coming back from an ODE and then cooping them up in a stable - surely putting them out for a good stretch means they won't seize up? Most eventers are generally very fit anyway so the last thing they need is to be cooped up with energy levels going crazy. If I had kept mine in all the time, he'd have been ridiculously sharp to ride!

By choice, I've always kept mine out which includes my ex-eventer (retired due to injury last year) and he was always on good form. Don't get me wrong, I'd sometimes keep him in the night before an event but that's because he's light grey so I had to keep him clean!

It really bugs me when people seem to think a competition horse MUST be stabled, crazy.
 
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