Moving to 24/7 turnout. Hints and Tips

[Shoei]

Hi Guys
So my 2 horses (Gelderlander and a KWPN) will be moving to 24/7 365 turnout. We will hopefully be putting some stables up but in the meantime they have lots of acres, woodland and plenty of natural shelter.

I'm hoping to put down some hardstanding or grass mats and this will give there feet a rest from mud but we're lucky that the ground is high and rarely muddy.

Any hints, tips and must buys? We have a large barn for storage so that's not an issue and an arena to use.

I'm thinking additional turnouts would be beneficial?!

Thanks

 

[tda]

Spare rugs, mud control mats are worth the money, buy more wellies for yourself and another waterproof coat

 

[poiuytrewq]

Lots of rugs!

 

[SEL]

I layer rugs if it's a really wet night - I find that's better for protection. Lots of places to hang wet rugs is really useful! My hay barn is split in two with hay one side and a tie up area the other and we've put hooks up for wet rugs.

It's also the place where the farrier works - farriers like dry concrete.

 

[Peglo]

Rugs with reflective strips so they are easier to find in the dark.
A really good flood light, either on your barn or shelter once it is up facing out to the field.

Your place sounds lovely.

 

[poiuytrewq]

It sounds really lovely though.
What’s your fencing? Spare bits are always good or a selection of electric fencing stuff, posts and spare rope etc incase of emergency.

 

[Jenko109]

Nothing to add.

Enjoy your lay ins

 

[Goldenstar]

A plan for illness , lameness and weight control is essential.
My experience is weight control is the biggest issue .
With modern rugs it’s easy to keep them warm in the winter but weight gain is hard to manage in the situation you describe.
I would also build a small fenced area for vet visits and the like .

 

[Shoei]

Thanks Guys, I'm planning on separating grazing with electric fencing (mix of perm/plastic posts.

 

[Alibear]

If fields are away from storage than a plastic loaded tub at the gateway to keep headcollar lead rope and change of rug dry and close to hand

 

[MissTyc]

Is your barn big enough to include an under cover grooming area? That would be my one wish in life ... I do have stables but I don't like to use them as "workplace". I do, when it rains, but I'd love cross ties under cover with all my potions in reach!

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

We moved to a new place in March that had lots of land but no stables. Our boys had to live out as there was no alternative. They found lots of natural shelter and I think they preferred it to be stabled at night.
Mud is the big problem in winter. An all weather turnout area or hard standing is a great alternative to being stabled and some form of shelter be it man made or natural.

We have stables going up next week which can be used in the worst of the winter.

 

[tda]

And a head torch, and a flashlight

 

[Shoei]

So to update -
I have purchased a few more rugs in the sales, and will stock up on some lighter weight ones later on.
Mud matts sourced, these will be going into the winter area once I have been to collect them.
Fencing is ongoing but paddock 1 to be completed by this weekend and the boys will be moving.
We have decided to have a big shed at home as we need one, where I can store rugs etc that are not in use, this is on back order.

There are some paddocks local that are very practical but not particularly tidy, it does the job for those people and no criticism but we are in a conservation area and I like to keep everything as subtle and tidy as possible (I have bought a new black trough to be as least obtrusive as possible).
Has anyone any thoughts on how to keep everywhere tidy? I have a black box to put paddock bits in, my fencing is all green and will be kept taught, poo pick regularly obviously. Anything else you can think of?

 

[HollyWoozle]

When it comes to feeding hay in the field I would suggest some sort of ground feeder to contain the scrappy bits, otherwise the mess of the 'hay area' just spreads, and a rake for picking up any loose bits here and there if needs be. We have homemade wooden feeders which I think look tidy and unobtrusive.

Ours live out 24/7 all year on limited acreage but with free access to stables as shelter. I weaned them off rugs, except for the elderly pony who benefits from them, which has made life 100 times easier. I realise that's not always practical or a popular choice and depends on your horses, what you do with them etc. but it helps with weight management too if your grazing is good.

I always say this but waterproof overalls/onesie = game changer for winter. When it's wet and the hay is sticking to you etc. you can stay totally warm and dry. That and a good head torch as others have said - preferably one with a USB charger as you can charge it in the house or even the car when you're on the way.

 

[Shoei]

Oh my goodness yes, I have some waterproof overalls and they are amazing! Made such a difference to my life!!

Husband has just suggested, my old horse trailer which is no longer road worthy... painting it green and using that for storage of wheelbarrow etc. So I'm quite pleased with that idea.

I was looking at hay hutches but they seem quite expensive

 

[setterlover]

If you have a large barn for storage could you not partition off an area to create 2 stables for use even if only for emergencies.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Hay hutches are pricey, yes! You might be able to find some wood feeders though... we bought one but then my stepdad made our others. The bought one is like this: https://tinyurl.com/4cj3dzyz

We've had ours for years now and do find them helpful.

Trailer for storage is a great idea in my opinion - bravo husband!

 

[Shoei]

That looks fab.... maybe husband can make me one of these lol

 

[Shoei]

If you have a large barn for storage could you not partition off an area to create 2 stables for use even if only for emergencies.

I do have access to stable for an emergency as my very, lovely friend is next door and would house them for me and the barn is an option too.

 

[Fieldlife]

think about ways to manage grass access? If have too much might want to restrict when grass is growing rapidly.

I also find living out when wet, means need to think about mud fever and thrush preventation.

 

[Shoei]

I've sectioned 4 acres off into 4 area's so I can rotate, I don't think too much grass will be an issue but I have electric so I can reduce further if I need to. Thrush and mud fever are worrying me a little, so I'm planning on creating feeding stations where I will give hay on mud matts? I've also been looking at barrier cream/ chaps?

 

[Fieldlife]

I've sectioned 4 acres off into 4 area's so I can rotate, I don't think too much grass will be an issue but I have electric so I can reduce further if I need to. Thrush and mud fever are worrying me a little, so I'm planning on creating feeding stations where I will give hay on mud matts? I've also been looking at barrier cream/ chaps?

I think if you can control mud in gateways, and where feed, should be manageable.

I used to use pig oil as a barrier oil, now use Gold Label leg guard spray / cream / lotion as current horse allergic to pig oil.

I find worth applying something for thrush prevention regularly on horses that live out when the ground is wet.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Not to sound contrary as of course it depends on many factors such as the ground, the horses themselves etc. but we've never really had any mud fever in our horses or ponies, even during very wet periods, and we have never applied any sort of barrier creams, chaps etc.

It might be due to our type of soil or something but I wouldn't panic about investing in too many products unless you know you will need them. I have occasionally used Red Horse products like sole cleanse if I thought their feet needed a bit of help but not often needed thankfully. We do have mud mats in the gateways, an area of hard standing and some bits of higher ground so they can always stand in the dry and I think that is crucial. We also move the hay feeders slightly if the ground gets very churned up/deep around them, but we always keep them in the same sort of area so that only one part of the field is sacrificed.

 

[Muddywellies]

Mine didn't thrive on 24hr turnout at all. All the textbooks say it's best, but mine was so unhappy. So just be mindful that it doesn't suit every horse.

 

[Fieldlife]

Mine didn't thrive on 24hr turnout at all. All the textbooks say it's best, but mine was so unhappy. So just be mindful that it doesn't suit every horse.

Mine is the opposite - with the option of 24-7 turnout, he wont stable at home. Doesnt matter how many neighbors are in. He knows exactly where his field is and wants back out after about 45 minutes. Irrespective of how bad the weather is. He's okay to stable at vets / camps etc as doesnt know where his field is.

 

[Shoei]

Thanks guy, they've both been out 24/7 for periods before and because their current stables are under large, old trees, I don't like to leave them in during high winds so they have been out 24/7 in arguably the worst of the weather!

 

[Shoei]

The boys have moved and seem very settled, they're on a small area and will be strip grazed into the standing hay that we have. Both seem very happy with their situation! Lets hope they (and me) still are in the depths of winter!