Living out versus stabled and Relationship with Horse

M

Murphs_Mum

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2006
Messages
1,441
Location
Cambs/Northants Border
Visit site
I moved Murph in October last year from a yard with grazing which I rent (and shared with two friends) where he lived out for 18 months to a small livery yard with 10 horses where he is DIY and stabled at night. I am amazed at how much our relationship has improved - when he lived out he was checked twice a day, ridden a few times a week etc. Obviously now I spend alot more time with him and he has gone from a nice natured horse who stood quitely and was indifferent to people to a horse that calls to me, nuzzles me, follows me around loves a mutual back scritch. Anyone else ever found a change like this?
 
[ QUOTE ]
That's what I meant AmyMay he kind of was like oh it's you when I used to go up now it's "MUMMY"!!!!! I absolutely love it!

[/ QUOTE ]
Couldn't agree more.
 
Having just had the wonderful pleasure of little SWUO nickering and cantering up the field calling to me I know just what you mean there....really made me smile
laugh.gif


xx
 
George lived out the first 2 summers I had him.

It did him great in terms of his brain and natural topline etc, but must admit the more he's out the less WITH me he is.

The best he has ever gone is when he happened to be in a day before and then we went out. He was so much more switched into Mike and I.

Tbh, I think from now that I may well keep him in a day before an important comp provided I can hack him and let him stretch his legs.

I would always like to keep horses living out as much as poss but think having a stable to bring into and work with them in is a must.
 
and stabled it's not just because you are the bringer of food - they are happy to see you - my 2 yr old and his mum are both 'in your face' for a cuddle - and neither are ever given titbits in their stable by me
 
[ QUOTE ]
and stabled it's not just because you are the bringer of food - they are happy to see you - my 2 yr old and his mum are both 'in your face' for a cuddle - and neither are ever given titbits in their stable by me

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't feed mine titbits either, or breakfast, only tea
smile.gif


George has always been very close to us on the ground, I find it's ridden wise that his mind sort of stays in the field when he's having a fun time with his buddies!!
grin.gif
 
The boys are pleased to see me whether in or out - they live out most of the summer and come flying over when I arrive for a cuddle - ditto the moment I arrive at the yard - heads are over the door wanting attention.

I am lucky - they are both very affectionate types.
 
It doesn't really matter here. I spend a lot of time with all of the horses. If I go into the fields, they all come over to say hello and have a scratch etc. If I go into the stables then they know I am there to turn them out. I don't spend any time with the horses when they are in the stables, but once they are outside I do. The field-kept horses definitely get more of my time.
 
Mine's the opposite. Yes he is pleased to see me, but he is bolshy when he's in and hate's standing around and just wants to go out in the field. I spend loads more time with him in the summer, because he is happy to be tied up and played around with and isn't half as bolshy
 
Oliver has never made any noise to indicate that he is pleased to see me, although the horse stabled next to him always says "Hello" to me! My friend's horse, whom I feed, "speaks" to me sometimes as well. Oliver always comes to the door of his stable to see me but only when I am standing right in front of it or if I start talking to him just before I come into view. TBH it would make my day if he ever whickered when I arrived.
 
Mine have 6months living out 24/7 and 6 months in the Winter where they come in at night. In the Summer they tend to occasionally prefer to stay out rather than come in to be ridden or fed! But they are both just as friendly whether in or not! Blue tends to follow me around he even managed to walk around the stable door last night and try to follow me into one of the stables... silly horse of course he got stuck when the leadrope wouldn't let him walk any further! He also follows me round the arena and yard unless there is food around of course!
 
I thought this is a bit selfish, and I read once an article in a horse magazine about it. If you keep your horse in, possibly separated from others, bored etc. of course it will be happpy to see you. But to be honest, even if you spend every day 3 hours with your horse, it has still 21 hours without you. I dont think that we should be the middlepoint of your horses life; I think other horses are more important to them, because this is their family. I am happy that my horse lives out and is "independend" from me and happy even if I am not there. Could not live with horse waiting for me. And she is always happy to see me and she comes every time I call her. I saw other peoples horses, stabled every day, running away when they try to bring them in.
 
Mine live out 24/7 and I spend time with them. They come and spend time with me. They generally always come to the gate to meet me.

In the summer they are not so quick to come to me as they are having a marvellous time lounging and eating in the sunshine. It doesn't upset me as they are being horses and I prefer to go out and hang out with them in their herd.

When I did stable mine, Yes, in the winter he was there waiting for me,,,,but I think it was more cupboard love than anything else.

I think our relationship is far better now but we have changed many things. I don't think it is just about being turned out more.

smile.gif
 
Jazz always has a friendly neigh whether she is in or out. She lived out for 10 years and TBH was never sick or sorry. Her EMRT therapist also commented that she really was in overall good shape . This has been her first winter in ( at night) and on the plus side I have been able to reduce her weight in preparation for Spring BUT I do have reservations on whether stabling has a detrimental effect on mental/ physical wellbeing. In an ideal world I would like her in at night in Winter but in a huge barn i.e lots and lots of space . IMO 12'x14' stables are way too small but for now I'm going to have to stick with it .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top