No turn out to turn out....how and how long (TB)

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Twiglet

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Am potentially purchasing a new horse - an HHO purchase :) - who hasn't been turned out since he was a yearling (he's now four, has been in racing and then at an eventing yard). Due to lack of stables at the yard he may initially have to share a stable with one of our other horses until a stable is free (ie. other horse out at night, in during the day and vice versa). So for this reason and because he could do with a good dose of Dr Green, we're looking at turning him out as much as possible as soon as possible. The other horse could potentially go out 24 hours for a while until the new one is going out regularly.

What would you expect the time frame be on this? It would have to be pretty gradual as it's spring grass, and no doubt it'll be quite stressful for him to adjust to turn out for the first time in a long time. Any advice? Particularly from those with ex racers?
 
is there a 'buddy' he could go out with and be stabled next to? It might make the standing in a field bit slightly less scary if he has a friend with him who he feels happy with? Poss also depends on his personality generally, some totally suprise you and are cool with everything, others seem chilled but then over react to some small change! I would start v gradually and play it by ear, particularly relating to how he deals with eating grass. My mare was used to being in the smallest electric fenced off bit of field ever, and spent the first few months of being in a pretty small paddock just hanging about by the gate - took her a while to realise she could wonder firther! It is taking a long time for her to adapt to grass (had her for a year now). She is now out for about 10 hrs a day in a bare fatty paddock and is doing well. A couple of hours in a pretty bare paddock, but just more cover than the fatty paddock, is enough to make her colic. Slow and steady def the way forward and just watch for bad reactions to the grass. Sure when he is used to it he will love the freedom!
 
If it works out as we expect it to, he'll be stabled next to his field mate, which will be a bonus. He's another 4 year old, so am sure he'll teach him how fun turn out is.
New horse is very chilled from the looks of things, so not too worried, but obviously want to keep an eye on his (skinny little!) legs, and make sure introducing him to grass isn't going to introduce him to colic too....
 
To be honest, the risk of colic would be my biggest worry (it was a big problem for my friend with her ex racer) and I would start with just half an hours turnout a day for the first week, then build up to an hour and then two, four and then 8 over as many weeks... he won't be particularly used to a fibre based diet either so this is also something to consider introducing very slowly. Some horses are more tollerant of change than others but it would be worth taking it slowly with him to establish exactly how tollerant he is... It will also introduce the concept of being a real horse to him nice and gradually too so hopefully he shouldn't get too anxious!
 
Very short periods of time on really poor grazing.

Poor horse.....

But lucky that it will have the opportunity with you to act like one shortly.
 
I think he's pretty used to quite a fibre based diet at the moment, as he's on a lot of hay/haylege, which is the way we'll be going with him too.

If I had my way and he did well on it, he'll be out A LOT going forwards....I already have one wimpy TB who doesn't like being out in the dark (or cold/wet/windy/slightly damp with a northerly breeze), I could do with one who is a bit more ready to act like a horse ;)
 
Twiglet said:
Am potentially purchasing a new horse - an HHO purchase :) - who hasn't been turned out since he was a yearling (he's now four, has been in racing and then at an eventing yard).
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:eek: Poor horse! Apart from the lack of grass, turnout is a chance to move, socialise, roll, etc- basic welfare needs of a horse. But i'll get off my soapbox now or i wont shut up.

I would suggest the slow approach is better. Graze in hand to start with several times and lead the horse around the field (long rope, hat and gloves!). Then just an hour off the lead rope and build up gradually over several weeks. Try to stick to the same field for security and have the company (even if next door/in sight) of others rather than complete isolation. Turn out after he has been ridden to minimise the chance of him chasing about. Poorer grass would be better (with hay if needed) if you have it but whatever grass you have consider a pre and pro biotic to help the gut with the diet change.

good luck!
 
Agree start off gradually. Grazing in hand for the first few days and turning out for half an hour and building it up. We get a few new racehorses at my yard every now and then, we like to turn them out so we do so gradually. The poorer the quality of grass the better to begin with.

One mare had got up to 2 hours grazing time in the day, one Sunday we left her out for just over 3 hours as we were busy and forgot, and she did colic. Luckily with some muscle relaxants she was fine, but after that we kept a very close eye on how long she had been out. This was about 2-3 months ago and she is now turned out all day and brought in at night, in a few more weeks she will be turned out 24/7
 
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The friend I'm buying with has also mentioned about taking him out with a lunge line etc, but I'm not sure Id' want to take that route....I'd be concerned about him panicking/spooking or getting over exuberant and ending up towing a lunge line on a bridle while he hoons around the field.

My initial plan was to lunge, ride and turn him out when he was pretty tired, fully booted with a quiet fieldmate. Will see how he gets on initially, he's not just off the track or anything and is used to lots of hay, so will see how he gets on. He's in pretty good condition (weight wise) just needs a ton of muscle.

Am tempted to post piccies but as I haven't actually bought him yet, I don't want to tempt fate!
 
The friend I'm buying with has also mentioned about taking him out with a lunge line etc, but I'm not sure Id' want to take that rout
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Very wise, and totally uncessary.

Keep it close or turn it loose.
 
I'd turn him out just for 1 hour per day for a week and then build up, he may just take to it like a duck to water, if grazing poor, still feed,but cut down a little, go by your own instincts.:):):)
 
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