No turnout horse very unhappy

F

Flosii

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 October 2013
Messages
79
Visit site
I know there are probally plenty of you in the same situation but I am struggling and unsure what to do next.

Due to the wether we have been told by YO that we are not allowed to turn out apart from one hour (if the horse really needs it), ok I understand this and completely agree with the decision made.

So I have had my boy in for three weeks now and have been riding him everyday to make sure he gets out of his box. However last night he was absolutly horrid to the point that I could not get on, now normally he is very placid and chilled gets on with his work. Now I think this is due to being in his box 24/7 apart from the hour I ride every week night I ride twice on a sat, small hack through village in the morning and lesson in afternoon, and try to take him out somewhere different for the last few weeks on a sunday.

Now my pony is 4 and loves to play in his field and every morning has a good old kick and jump around. I asked if I could turn him out for an hour this sat and was told that there is now no turn out at all!! (I did advise he was climbing the walls). I am also unable to let him loose in the outdoor school.

Can anyone give me any ideas because I am getting very stressed and upset that being in is turning the poor lad sour.
 
Why can he not be loose in the school?
I know its really hard at the moment, my pony has not been turned out since before christmas, we onnly have the one field, so not one for winter, one for summer, so whatever state we get it in turning out stays with us throughout the year!
 
Well a) due to the rain the school is a bog (but the only place to ride at night) and b) not allowed to turnout or lunge or loose school in school.

Yeah we have one paddock and my paddock is probally the best of the bunch because appart from gateway rest of it is fine, but that I feel is partly down to the way in which we have managed it throughout the year. (I share the paddock) But still blanket ban on whole yard
 
Oh god... i can only sympathise with you Flosii,..it must be bloody hard work at the best of times, but especially with a youngster.

I can't suggest anything else, other than what you're already doing to be honest.

Other than looking out for another yard that does offer AYT,whatever the weather, i don't think there's alot more you can do for your horse...

Sorry you're in this situation (as are many others on here at the moment).
 
Thanks McCauley..... te yard is AYT but due to so much rain this year we have had a ban!

It is not so much we cant turn out I am just petrified that I am going to ruin my lovely boy before we have even started! And to be told I was not even allowed my hour this morning just tipped me ove the edge!
 
Surely they can relax the rule about turnout in the school whilst grass turnout is shut? I think it is unreasonable not to let you in those circumstances. They don't actually need long out there - just a chance to have a good roll and a bit of a buck and a leap without the rider on board - even 15 minutes out in the school is better than nothing. Why not speak to YO again and ask if that is possible now that grass turnout is so restricted.
 
I, too, sympathise as I also have one who needs to be "doing" to remain good to handle and I found myself in the same situation when I had not had him long (due to snow and then floods in my case). When he is not able to work or go out, he gets stressy and bites at every opportunity.
We were not allowed to turn out or use the school and in the end I resorted to taking him for walks in hand a couple of times a day. I used a lunge line and wore a hat and gloves and he was horrid the first time but soon got into the swing of it and enjoyed the change of scenery. It kept both of us sane for a month. When it was dark, I walked him around the car park for half an hour or so.
I subsequently moved yards to one where they rarely have to stay in and then only by concensus and, touch wood, biting is now a thing of the past, although he can still pull some great "angry" faces.
 
Cut out all hard food .
Feed hay only and soak it if necessary .
Don't get stressed its silly and does not help never stress over what you can't change .
Things to try
A stable mirror
A turnip to chew on
A radio
You can give different low energy fibre sources things like oat straw chop , low calorie alfalfa / straw bloks or Timothy hay bloks ( can get them online from halleys ) I am using these ATM as we have resticted turnout .
Look at this as a exercise in teaching the horse to accept this life style many horses at some point in their lives must accept box rest look at this as a exercise in making that easier if it should ever happen.
Having horses with no turnout but exercised is hard work for the owner but it's mid Feb it won't be for long.
Exercising twice a day and leading out in hand regularily ( even its just round the yard ) will help.
 
bugs me when yards say all year turn out then close the fields-yes I know weather is extreme but mine are still out on yard i use, fields look a mess but will come back with rolling and harrowing when the time is right and then everyone will complain there is too much grass.

Personally I would move yards, being stabled 23 hrs per day is no different to a dog being crated for the same time, put shavings in a large crate and leave a dog in there for 23 hrs per day when the weather is bad and you will (rightly) be done for cruelty.

I like mine to live out and at the moment am having to meet in the middle with my mare only going out for 6-8hrs per day as there is so much field juggling going on I never know if she will have company or not, she is happy to turn out on her own if there is grass but if no company after about 6 hrs she starts to fence walk-this is a result of spending a year on a yard with restricted turn out as a youngster.

my mare is ridden or lunged every day due to not living out

advice above is good in the short term and should help him mentally as mauch time out of the stable as you can, grazing, walking out anything
 
Like Goldenstar I have cut out all hard feed and am feeding hay blocks etc..

I rent my field so do have turnout but the ground is bad and grass is vanishing and the ponies are on very limited turnout

Try walking your pony in hand, I have had a couple of sessions walking the pony on a private lane by the light of my car headlights just to keep life a little more interesting
 
twiggy2 said:
bugs me when yards say all year turn out then close the fields-yes I know weather is extreme but mine are still out on yard i use, fields look a mess but will come back with rolling and harrowing when the time is right and then everyone will complain there is too much grass.

Personally I would move yards, being stabled 23 hrs per day is no different to a dog being crated for the same time, put shavings in a large crate and leave a dog in there for 23 hrs per day when the weather is bad and you will (rightly) be done for cruelty.

I like mine to live out and at the moment am having to meet in the middle with my mare only going out for 6-8hrs per day as there is so much field juggling going on I never know if she will have company or not, she is happy to turn out on her own if there is grass but if no company after about 6 hrs she starts to fence walk-this is a result of spending a year on a yard with restricted turn out as a youngster.

my mare is ridden or lunged every day due to not living out

advice above is good in the short term and should help him mentally as mauch time out of the stable as you can, grazing, walking out anything
Click to expand...

I do agree.
I have a couple of older horses who will happily stand in their stables all day but others who would go off their heads. I would have to find an area for them to stretch their legs in for an hour a day if turnout was impossible.
Definitely push to get turnout in the school till the fields are open again.
 
I can totally sympathise but ours have had 0 turnout for around 5-6 weeks! I'm even moving my mare 150 miles (among other reasons) just to get some turnout!!
 
Agree with cutting out hard feed, just give him some chaff for now, can you not lunge in the school? If you can I would lunge before riding every time if you have too, failing that move him somewhere else although many of the livery yards I know have limited or no turnout at the moment round here.

I know how hard it is I have both of mine in as one cant go out and the other doesnt want to on his own, I rode him yesterday with him doing very little the day before, and he exploded on the drive as a van came past, he was a nightmare on my hack so when I got back I lunged him for 40 minutes, rode today and he was much better, our school is like a lake too but I still have to use it all our hacking is water logged can only walk most of it, at the moment its just a case of doing what you can.
 
So sorry for your situation. Mine would be explosive if in 24/7. I am lucky that YO is not horsey and my field is relatively ok.......well it will recover put it that way! Are there others at the yard in the same situation as you? Could you club together and ask YO to have a 'trash paddock' (even if only the size of a school) that can be trashed for the winter and that you would contribute to the cost of harrowing/seeding/rolling whatever in the spring? With no end to the weather in sight you could be stuck with no TO for a while. Only other suggestion (if you have transport) is to try to find some turnout that you can box to......even if only once a week. I know that sounds impossible but my fields used to hack to a random field once a week, many years ago when they were on a yard with no turnout. It belonged to a house with no horses who were happy for the grass to be 'cut' for them. Good luck x
 
i feel for you- my boy is in and has been for past week not due to restricted turn out but mud fever. luckily he loves bein in and actually stays calmer in as doesn't stress- i am trying to lunge everyday or get friend to ride as currently got very fat ankle!

we were allowed turn out in school until wed when my horse flipped over and landed on my ankle due to a hole that a horse had dug while loose so we can lunge in there and ride.
i would be asking if you could lunge at the least if not turned out.
some brilliant suggestions about stable boredom breakers.
also if your worried about ruining him while wild i would probably just give riding a break for a while!
 
Last edited:
I feel your pain - and stress! I took mine for a ride yesterday, the first for about 3 days and he is confined to the stable with small yard to walk around in, and he was a nightmare! Stop nuts in playball, I thought.
What can you put in a playball that won't send him stupid?

The only "turnout" I have is a mud track, so apart from fresh air all mine have to eat is hay whether in or out. The track to get there is also very stoney and neither has shoes, so mine goes "ow, ow" and he knows there is no grass when he gets there so keeps stopping "don't want to go there - I want to eat GRASS."

Can you lunge so if he wants to buck and kick at least you won't be on top!
 
What exactly is the YO's objection at this point in time to an hours turnout? Is it water logged fields or dangerous weather?
 
Out of interest, twiggy2 and siennamum, what soil are you on?

Ours ha e basically been in since mid December, we're on heavy clay and a steep hill so too high a risk of serious injury. They're getting turned out in the school for a couple of hours in the morning and ridden every night. Luckily mine is the stoic sort and is still his normal, lovely self.
 
I wonder if the YO would be liable if people started having accidents due to ridiculously fresh horses? I'd kick off more about not being allowed to let the horses explode a bit in the school if no where else, from a safety POV. Otherwise I would leave, I can't be doing with yard rules that result in unnecessarily stressed and or dangerous horses.
 
You're managing pretty well OP, in getting your horse out and exercised. In addition to the advise given already, if the weather is not too bad, could you incorporate your hacking or schooling to teach him new things that make him think and give him something to mull over.
Don't underestimate the benefits of intensive grooming or a massage with one of those cheapy hand held massagers to relax him. Carrot stretch exercises or basic physio stretches can help to relive tension particularly in an energetic stable bound young horse. Chuck a couple of slices of apple in his water backet or a few pony nuts in any empty paper feed sack.
Think positive as your stress transfers itself to him, it is only for a short while (fingers crossed) and with your input, you can turn this into a positive in teaching him how to cope with future box rest or turnout restrictions.

Hopefully, the weather will improve before too long and normal life for all of us will resume. And it won't be a moment too soon !
 
So lunge him i the school and let him have a good buck on the lunge. Ridiculous you cant turn out in the school. Yards really should sacrifice one field for winter, it is not healthy on horses, liveries are paying for services and they do understand, but fields do recover and if it is one field it will be fine by next winter if left over summer or allow liveries to turn out in a school. Yes i know the old story liveries arent making money and field maintenance is so expensive but if you cant provide a service dont be in the business. I pass fields everyday on the way t mine who cant be turned out in field, and there are horses out in fields that have been sacrificed, being fed hay which will seed anyway, i feel for you OP.
 
twiggy2 said:
bugs me when yards say all year turn out then close the fields-yes I know weather is extreme but mine are still out on yard i use, fields look a mess but will come back with rolling and harrowing when the time is right and then everyone will complain there is too much grass.

Personally I would move yards, being stabled 23 hrs per day is no different to a dog being crated for the same time, put shavings in a large crate and leave a dog in there for 23 hrs per day when the weather is bad and you will (rightly) be done for cruelty.

I like mine to live out and at the moment am having to meet in the middle with my mare only going out for 6-8hrs per day as there is so much field juggling going on I never know if she will have company or not, she is happy to turn out on her own if there is grass but if no company after about 6 hrs she starts to fence walk-this is a result of spending a year on a yard with restricted turn out as a youngster.

my mare is ridden or lunged every day due to not living out

advice above is good in the short term and should help him mentally as mauch time out of the stable as you can, grazing, walking out anything
Click to expand...

Whilst I agree it is not great having fields shut, as you say the weather is extreme.

I really feel for yard owners when they have to close fields - yes they are providing a service you are paying for, but if they don't close fields in such dire weather, there may be no grazing come summer - parts of this country are just completely under water at the moment, and if you open up schools for turnout you run the risk of the school getting trashed too.

We have enough to turn them out and let them trash the field - but if the hillsides were our only turnout they wouldn't have been out since early Jan - I know we are lucky and I really feel for others who are stuck.

My friend boxed 25miles yesterday to pay for the hire of an indoor and turn hers into it for an hour - is there no chance of something like this just as a let up?
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
Out of interest, twiggy2 and siennamum, what soil are you on?

Ours ha e basically been in since mid December, we're on heavy clay and a steep hill so too high a risk of serious injury. They're getting turned out in the school for a couple of hours in the morning and ridden every night. Luckily mine is the stoic sort and is still his normal, lovely self.
Click to expand...

We're on clay. While the YO has allowed turnout for mornings, it is mostly too risky to let them out on it. It has to be seriously bad for me not to turnout but most days much of the fields are a sticky, slippery bog.
 
OP, I feel for you I really do. However, to all the people saying get tough with your YO or demand more - the fact is it's their yard and they make the rules. The weather is extreme and situations like this can't be helped sometimes. Our yard has had no field turnout since November however we're well set up for it with a sand turnout paddock they can have a leg stretch in, which also doubles as a lunge ring, a floodlit school and a horsewalker. I think at the moment it's just a case of gritting your teeth and getting through it, there have been some good suggestions above and regarding the riding - if you don't feel safe I would stop for a few weeks and just walk in hand. The alternative, if you know your horse and are feeling brave, would be to get on and immediately trot round and round the school in an attempt to run off some steam!
 
If i had a yard i would ask every livery to pay now a tenner to go towards the field maintenance needed for the sacrificed field, and so be it, and if liveries leave in the meantime, well i still have their tenner which cover the time their horse used the sacrificed field, i am sure all liveries would be willing to pay this.

The field mine were inlast year had a spring at the gate, the mud was 2ft deep, the other horses in the field used to pace the fence line and run around in a circle because it was turned out on its own and brought in on its own, owner wouldnt let others tirn it out when the rest went out, she left. My horses remained inthis field rest of winter and summer, in spring i bought a bag of seed and threw it where there was just mud, by the middle of summer we needed to let the cows in to graze down the grass there was so much, it really isnt that big a deal
 
Rather than risk ruining your youngster, personally I would move him- right out of the area if necessary- onto full grass livery somewhere and give him the rest of the winter as a holiday. Lets him chill out and saves you from worrying about it and potentially getting hurt. It's a very unique set of circumstances this year so unique solutions need to be thought of!
 
saddlesore said:
Rather than risk ruining your youngster, personally I would move him- right out of the area if necessary- onto full grass livery somewhere and give him the rest of the winter as a holiday. Lets him chill out and saves you from worrying about it and potentially getting hurt. It's a very unique set of circumstances this year so unique solutions need to be thought of!
Click to expand...

this is exactly what I am doing and mine's 7!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top