No turn out

[Marigold43]

So I am fast learning that lots of yards don't do winter turn out, or very little!!! I have the choice of just one yard that I can get to and there seems to be no turn out during the winter months!!!! The arena is like a bog because of this hideous weather too!!! I have been taking her my girl out walk and stretch her legs but the lanes around the yard are so slippery and muddy, I worry that she or/and I will go over!!! Anyway, I am wondering what else I can do to help alleviate some of her boredom??? To be fair, other than being very fresh when she does get out, she doesn't seem too unhappy being kept in. She is only moody towards one other mare in the yard and is no in bad humour towards me for not getting her out as much as I should. The yard is a big American style barn so plenty of light and fresh air. I am just worried about her and being a new owner, don't want to get things wrong......any advice greatly appreciated 😃

 

[texel]

You could try keeping your horse entertained with stable toys, you can make some yourself and experiment with such as;

1. apples in the water bucket
2. tree branches to chew on such as willow, silver birch, holly and hawthorn.
3. cut some holes in a small football and stuff with hay and carrot pieces
4. scatter carrots in the bed
5. some horses like to play with a small football
6. set up a couple of small holed haynets which will help to slow down the time to eat the hay
7. You could try some squeeky toys or a tennis ball on a rope made for dogs and hang one up so she can play with that.
8. Swedes, you can hang them up
9. A mirror ? you can buy a self adhesive mirror on a roll which you can stick up on a wall.

you can have fun and be inventive

 

[Marigold43]

Thank you all so much for taking time out to post advice. I am currently managing to get my girl out once a day for about 30-40 mins in the arena. I free lunge her mainly and then ride a bit too. Because she is in so much, she is really full of beans and I am not confident enough to just ride her when she is like this!!! The free lunging works for her and I, although she is often reluctant to actually get any exercise!!! She would rather stand around and take in the view!!! I have a turnip on a rope in her stable but she's not keen on that. I will definitely try the apple bobbing trick!!! She doesn't eat carrots as doesn't like them which is a shame as hiding some for her would be good too. Hopefully the weather will pick up and by the time next winter comes around, I will be better prepared!!!

 

[Radar Lugs]

I did the apples in a water bucket thing when one of mine was on box rest.

The first day he struggled then gave up. The next day he looked at the apples then gave me a rather puzzled look, then went back to the bucket and drank all the water in one go. It was one of those big trub tub buckets so a lot of water.

Needless to say he looked very happy with himself when he was crunching those apples!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I have been a serial mover when promised winter turnout fails to happen. It's really not fun for horse or owner. If you can't find anywhere with better facilities, try when possible to walk out a couple of times a day to keep your horse moving. They do have a habit of standing at the gate in a ménage, don't they ?

If you haven't already, reduce bucket feeds, put hay in different piles around the stable to encourage movement, the apple bobbing is great, along with the snackit balls with a few high fibre nuts inside. Mine enjoy swedes and those hay blocs.