Keeping horse on own but out vs in a yard but in a lot

B

Becks01

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 August 2015
Messages
68
Visit site
Hello,

I am musing a potential dissertation type project and I was wondering on about peoples thoughts about stress, company and turnout...

i.e. is a horse on a typical yard (at this time of year) with individual turnout and stabled 18/19 hours a day more content / less stressed than a horse who can be out all the time but on it's own...and then I guess a control group of horses kept out 24/7 with company! (and equally a horse kept in 24/7 but probably not many of those about...)

In this yard scenario the horse is within sight and sound other horses at all times but actually kept in relative isolation and expressing behaviours is restricted, or out 24/7 able to express natural browsing behaviours and unrestricted movement - but on its own...

Still thinking a lot how to structure it all and how I would actually measure all these things... but interested in peoples thoughts!

Thanks!! :)
 
My view is that a horse would be less stressed out on its on but with view of other horses (provided it had plenty of forage), than stabled for 18/19 hours a day on a yard
 
Mine live out 24/7 so can't really comment as I've never done anything else but I wonder if things like ulcers colic cribbing and wind sucking are any good as stress indicators rather than just what owners think about stress levels in their horses.
 
One of mine gets turned out alone, can see the other horses but not in the adjoining field. At night she is stabled next to the others, so does get contact with other horses.

She seems fine, obviously you can never be 100% sure, and also it wouldn't suit every horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top