Livery/turnout dilemma!

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LouiseG

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I already know the answer to this but I am just looking for opinions to put my mind at rest...*

I'm currently at an all singing all dancing yard with great facilities, amazing hacking, regular shows and help at hand all the time. Downside is my lovely sociable 5 year old is only getting a 4 hour turnout per day all year round, and no matter how often i ask for him to go on grass livery or out with the grass liveries for at least all day, I *am told no and given all the excuses under the sun! I have to like it or lump it basically. I have only been there 2 months and when I moved there my boy had an injury and the made on that longer turnout would be an option when he was recovered.

This weekend i decided enough was enough, I can no longer deprive my boy of his most basic and natural need, and I found a lovely yard with good facilities with all day and all night turnout if i wish for my boy, the YO was very nice and happy to please and be flexible, however there is no hacking other than a few country roads which is a major downside for us!

I know deep down the hacking is more for my enjoyment rather than my horse's as he would be content munching grass in a field all day, not stood in a stable for 20 hours a day like a caged animal!

So my question is, has anyone been in a similar situation and what would you/did you do?

Thanks in advance for any replies! *
 
We moved because we weren't allowed overnight turnout, even though we could turn out all day!! I looked after a couple of horses once that were only allowed 4 hours maximum a day, and they were bored stiff :( It's a shame no where is perfect.
 
Personally, I would go for as much turn out as possible. Pity about less off road riding, but maybe a few like-minded riders could organize hire of a horsebox for stimulating rides a bit further afield..
Another thing, IF you were unable to ride for a week or so, it would be better your horse was wandering around the fields free, rather than un-naturally cooped in.
Sounds like you know the best answer for you and your horse LouiseG . Am sure it will be in both your best interests.
Teg :)
 
Hacking is just hacking. You can make do with what there is, ride in fields or box to where hacking is better.
Turn out is a horses basic need.

Like you said, you know the answer :)
 
20 hours a day locked in your room, no telly, no music, nothing to do or see unless someone comes and takes you out for a couple of them? Imagine it?

Move!!;)
 
An unhappy horse wont make for pleasant hacking anyway...! Thanks for your replies... only one thing I can do! Going to hand in my notice today! x
 
Elsbells said:
20 hours a day locked in your room, no telly, no music, nothing to do or see unless someone comes and takes you out for a couple of them? Imagine it?

Move!!;)
Click to expand...

Well I actually hadn't seen it like this before, quite sad really when you think about it poor horse being locked up for all that time like that :(

This is why my next one I want to keep as natural as possible on grass livery

Good luck with the move though hope your boy settles well, sure he will :D
 
I'm all for turnout, but I'm going to go against the grain here. As long as the horse's routine is four hours per day, every day with work (especially plenty of hacking) as well I don't think many horses would be unhappy with that. I don't think I'd swap good safe hacking for longer periods out in the field tbh. No turnout, or irregular turnout is unacceptable to me but IIWY, unless the horse seemed stressed, I'd stay in the situation you are in as an acceptable compromise unless you can come across the ideal yard with unlimited turnout and good, safe hacking.
 
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