No winter turnout how does everyone survive??

[paddi22]

The last time I looked my horses were neither reading nor writing War and Peace. I don't think you can compare what a horse will happily tolerate with what a human will.

i don't think they DO happily tolerate it tho. I think they are stoic animals who just cope with whatever situation they are in. It's not healthy for them physically, mentally or socially in any way. They have limited stimulation, limited movement and no chance to play/interact. Same as a dog in a crate. There is very little difference.

When mine are up at the house in the small winter trash paddock outside the stables, they mooch around, canter, buck, kick puddles, root through hedges, pick different hay spots, choose shelter or sun when they like, groom and play with eachother. It's not an ideal environment compared to an ideal 30acre field, but they have interaction, stimulation, different environments, choice of feeding places, watering places. they get to make decisions and choices, look different directions, interact. In a 12ft by 12ft stable, they look out one gap at the same view, stand at one spot or the same food all day, and look at the four same walls. It's not a suitable environment for 23 hours for an intelligent animal

 

[sav123]

Just out of interest, have any of those whinging about lack of/restricted turnout, horrendously muddy fields, etc, etc, stopped to consider how different the winters are now compared to even a few years ago? That the last few winters have been so much wetter and milder, not cold and dry?

I'm in the south east and have been on the same yard for several years. When I first moved to the yard, it was possible to poo-pick the fields pretty much all year round. For the last few years, once the rain starts, it's impossible to get a barrow round the field. I'm in wellies for the whole winter, previously it was possible to go back to short boots because the ground would dry up after autumn.

The horses here go out every day and it is accepted that the fields will be trashed, but they do seem to recover quite well. We are fortunate that the fields are sloped, so the majority of the field isn't too bad, but the gate areas are rather grim. They are out from about 8am for as long as they want to be - generally until around 3-3-30. During one of the very wet winters a few years ago, they were coming in by 12.30 - their choice. Personally, I'd rather my horse was standing in a stable eating hay having been out for a few hours, than standing around in mud and miserable, just so I could say she's out all day. We don't feed hay in the fields - it would be quite a mission to get it out there and too much gets wasted by being trashed in the mud. Some of us would be prepared to pay extra to cover the cost of giving hay in the fields but others won't so it's not viable.

I think the YOs/YMs are now in a no-win situation. Turn out all year and liveries moan about trashed fields. Restrict turnout in winter and liveries moan about their horses not getting out.

Land is now at a premium. As someone pointed out earlier, a lot of green belt land is now being considered for development. Have to say, having worked on yards and seen how much work goes in for how little reward, I wouldn't blame any yard owners for cashing in!

 

[Tyssandi]

Just out of interest, have any of those whinging about lack of/restricted turnout, horrendously muddy fields, etc, etc, stopped to consider how different the winters are now compared to even a few years ago? That the last few winters have been so much wetter and milder, not cold and dry?

I'm in the south east and have been on the same yard for several years. When I first moved to the yard, it was possible to poo-pick the fields pretty much all year round. For the last few years, once the rain starts, it's impossible to get a barrow round the field. I'm in wellies for the whole winter, previously it was possible to go back to short boots because the ground would dry up after autumn.

The horses here go out every day and it is accepted that the fields will be trashed, but they do seem to recover quite well. We are fortunate that the fields are sloped, so the majority of the field isn't too bad, but the gate areas are rather grim. They are out from about 8am for as long as they want to be - generally until around 3-3-30. During one of the very wet winters a few years ago, they were coming in by 12.30 - their choice. Personally, I'd rather my horse was standing in a stable eating hay having been out for a few hours, than standing around in mud and miserable, just so I could say she's out all day. We don't feed hay in the fields - it would be quite a mission to get it out there and too much gets wasted by being trashed in the mud. Some of us would be prepared to pay extra to cover the cost of giving hay in the fields but others won't so it's not viable.

I think the YOs/YMs are now in a no-win situation. Turn out all year and liveries moan about trashed fields. Restrict turnout in winter and liveries moan about their horses not getting out.

Land is now at a premium. As someone pointed out earlier, a lot of green belt land is now being considered for development. Have to say, having worked on yards and seen how much work goes in for how little reward, I wouldn't blame any yard owners for cashing in!

I would not cash in. If we did not open the doors to every person outside England the problem would not be as big as it is.

 

[Achinghips]

I would not cash in. If we did not open the doors to every person outside England the problem would not be as big as it is.

I would, in fact, I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Gingerwitch]

I used to think that my horses were happy in there "winter" routine - being kept off the grass when wet, icy or snowy - yes they appeared happy - it was hard work for me - keeping excercised in the afternoon - i was too far to go twice a day - I just hoped for a dry day and winter to end. I moved these horses two weeks ago - they have been out every day - howling wind and rain, fresh fall snow, and wet ground - I simply cannot tell you how different the demeanour of these horses is. They are so much more alive but relaxed at the same time - if that makes sense - they would have huge smiles on their faces if they could. Yes they are only going out from 8am until 3pm - but to them it must be heaven.

Looking back I cannot believe i did 3 winters on restricted turnout - it did not sit well with me, and i tried to find somewhere else in the area - to be honest the yard i was at was one of the better ones for turn out - others shut fields from Oct to March.

My question is - this was a BHS Approved livery yard - why ?? - to me it is not acceptable for the BHS to approve these yards - it gives a false impression - and the next generation of horse keeper is now saying "well its a BHS approved yard so it must be ok"

 

[meleeka]

I do think a lot of problems are created by not giving hay in the field. These horses that want to come in are probably hungry. Why is hay not provided? Is it another case of ruining the precious grass? Or because they might fight?

 

[jumping.jack_flash]

And my last comment on this thread. . . .

I wonder IF it's only the livery yards that restrict the winter turn out?

As . . .

I do not see DIY yards trying to in force such a rule . . .

Hence . .

Different opinions, as two different sets of owners? ( although, im now on a livery yard, but if they stopped turn out, id move to a turn out yard . .even if having to go back to DIY and my 4.30am starts!).

 

[Goldenstar]

I do think a lot of problems are created by not giving hay in the field. These horses that want to come in are probably hungry. Why is hay not provided? Is it another case of ruining the precious grass? Or because they might fight?

I not a fan of giving hay in the field firstly it's dangerous and that's a problem if you have horses that belong to more than one person and secondly ideally horses need to be moving when they having their turnout not standing eating hay .

 

[meleeka]

I not a fan of giving hay in the field firstly it's dangerous and that's a problem if you have horses that belong to more than one person and secondly ideally horses need to be moving when they having their turnout not standing eating hay .

Why is it dangerous?

 

[chocolategirl]

I not a fan of giving hay in the field firstly it's dangerous and that's a problem if you have horses that belong to more than one person and secondly ideally horses need to be moving when they having their turnout not standing eating hay .

We feed hay in the paddocks every winter once the grass has gone and in over 20 years not had any issues. If it's done right it can work very well and ensures horses are happier staying out if they have something to eat. I would much rather see horses out in a muddy paddock, with hay to munch on, than 'imprisoned' in their cells for 23 hours a day. This is just how I do things and I know it's not everyone's way.

 

[ycbm]

i don't think they DO happily tolerate it tho. I think they are stoic animals who just cope with whatever situation they are in. It's not healthy for them physically, mentally or socially in any way. They have limited stimulation, limited movement and no chance to play/interact. Same as a dog in a crate. There is very little difference.

I don't believe that you can compare horses with humans or dogs. When a dog is taken for a walk off lead it runs twenty times as far as the owner walks, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards. If you took a horse for a walk off a lead it would stop at the first decent piece of green stuff and stay there. The comparison with a dog in a crate doesn't work for me any more than the comparison with a human.

Your alternative option if you are not prepared to see horses stabled full time is that those horses would not be alive, since there is no room for them all elsewhere. I think if you gave those horses the option, they would choose to be alive with proper exercise rather than not.

 

[milliepops]

And my last comment on this thread. . . .

I wonder IF it's only the livery yards that restrict the winter turn out?

As . . .

I do not see DIY yards trying to in force such a rule . . .

Hence . .

Different opinions, as two different sets of owners? ( although, im now on a livery yard, but if they stopped turn out, id move to a turn out yard . .even if having to go back to DIY and my 4.30am starts!).

Bit confused by this, DIY yards are livery yards? I've only ever been on DIY yards and have had either restricted or no turnout as well as year round t/o over the years.

I don't believe that you can compare horses with humans or dogs. When a dog is taken for a walk off lead it runs twenty times as far as the owner walks, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards. If you took a horse for a walk off a lead it would stop at the first decent piece of green stuff and stay there. The comparison with a dog in a crate doesn't work for me any more than the comparison with a human.

Your alternative option if you are not prepared to see horses stabled full time is that those horses would not be alive, since there is no room for them all elsewhere. I think if you gave those horses the option, they would choose to be alive with proper exercise rather than not.

While obviously preferring to have daily turnout as an option, I agree with this ^^
The instinct of a horse as a herbivore prey animal is not driving it to expend energy needlessly, they would naturally preserve precious energy and basically stand about eating, wherever they were. Yes, it's better for their bodies if they can amble about at the same time, but I rarely see mine scooting around the paddock unless frightened by something, or as a contagious effect from another one kicking off at catching in time.

(this is related to the assertion that cold horses will move about to warm up, which I find a bit odd since (a) I never see it - mine hunch down against the weather and (b) why would a cold body waste calories moving?)

For mine,what gives them the contented ear-flopping expression is feeling safe, having something to eat and a mate that they can see and touch if they wish to. They can do that inside or outside, and I can step in to make sure their bodies are exercised.

 

[meleeka]

Bit confused by this, DIY yards are livery yards? I've only ever been on DIY yards and have had either restricted or no turnout as well as year round t/o over the years.



While obviously preferring to have daily turnout as an option, I agree with this ^^
The instinct of a horse as a herbivore prey animal is not driving it to expend energy needlessly, they would naturally preserve precious energy and basically stand about eating, wherever they were. Yes, it's better for their bodies if they can amble about at the same time, but I rarely see mine scooting around the paddock unless frightened by something, or as a contagious effect from another one kicking off at catching in time.

(this is related to the assertion that cold horses will move about to warm up, which I find a bit odd since (a) I never see it - mine hunch down against the weather and (b) why would a cold body waste calories moving?)

For mine,what gives them the contented ear-flopping expression is feeling safe, having something to eat and a mate that they can see and touch if they wish to. They can do that inside or outside, and I can step in to make sure their bodies are exercised.

The difference with being turned out is that they can choose if they want to have a mooch or not. Mine might have a little trot round or have a good roll or whatever, but they get to choose, especially when they want to perform manoeuvres that really wouldn't be tolerated either in hand or underbssddle. I think even my greedy cob would eventually get bored if all he had to do for 23 hours was eat hay from a haynet.

 

[ester]

And my last comment on this thread. . . .

I wonder IF it's only the livery yards that restrict the winter turn out?

As . . .

I do not see DIY yards trying to in force such a rule . . .

Hence . .

Different opinions, as two different sets of owners? ( although, im now on a livery yard, but if they stopped turn out, id move to a turn out yard . .even if having to go back to DIY and my 4.30am starts!).

You make no sense, several of us have commented about DIY livery yards with restricted/no turnout so where are you not seeing DIY yards trying to enforce such a rule?

 

[Mabelthefoal]

We are on a diy yard. We have a 'winter' field which is trashed each year. We are on boggy land so it gets revolting very quickly so to save our twos legs they are kept in Friday night, sat, sun, Mon ( turned out for the day if it is sunny or the mud has dried up) and then back out tues morning until Friday night. They get in hand exercise and lots of attention on the in days. It might sound odd but due to the shift patterns we work it means tues eve, weds day, Thursday day and Friday morning they are out and then in over the weekend. They seem to like the routine and we avoid mud fever becoming a massive issue or boredom from being in causing problems. I don't really like keeping them in as I'm all for horses being out as much as possible but this works for us. Having said all that we are lucky we have the choice to decide whether we turnout or not. Lots don't have that option. If I had to keep in with very little turn out I would exercise ridden in the morning and in hand In the eve if I could. Lots of interesting things in the stable and lots of attention but again, life isn't always that simple.

 

[ljohnsonsj]

Bit confused by this, DIY yards are livery yards? I've only ever been on DIY yards and have had either restricted or no turnout as well as year round t/o over the years.



While obviously preferring to have daily turnout as an option, I agree with this ^^
The instinct of a horse as a herbivore prey animal is not driving it to expend energy needlessly, they would naturally preserve precious energy and basically stand about eating, wherever they were. Yes, it's better for their bodies if they can amble about at the same time, but I rarely see mine scooting around the paddock unless frightened by something, or as a contagious effect from another one kicking off at catching in time.

(this is related to the assertion that cold horses will move about to warm up, which I find a bit odd since (a) I never see it - mine hunch down against the weather and (b) why would a cold body waste calories moving?)

For mine,what gives them the contented ear-flopping expression is feeling safe, having something to eat and a mate that they can see and touch if they wish to. They can do that inside or outside, and I can step in to make sure their bodies are exercised.

Here here. If I put my horses out atm, they will run around cause all sorts of havoc and want to come in within 10mins. I know this as they get to go out on weekends ATM and are ready for in after a roll and a hour eating grass. On the flip side why would I turn my horse out in the wet sloppy mud when I know it will increase chance of injury significantly? I'd rather let them have 10 mins on the lunge before I ride to rid of excess energy where I can attempt to control the situation.. I don't know if that makes me a good or bad owner but it's how I'd rather keep it.

 

[Damnation]

I not a fan of giving hay in the field firstly it's dangerous and that's a problem if you have horses that belong to more than one person and secondly ideally horses need to be moving when they having their turnout not standing eating hay .

We have a round feeder, the cost is split per horse so if there are 5 horses out, the cost of the hay is split 5 ways even if one person owns 3 of those horses. Not one horse this winter has come in with bite of kick marks. They seem to get on very well.

YO Pays for the hay over the month, tells us how many bales were used and how many horses were out. One livery did try and get out of it saying her horse doesn't eat hay but that was given short shrift.

The thing is, winter turnout is a contentious issue. I personally would never keep a horse in for my own hatred of mud, but that is me. If you can ensure your horse is happy then go for it. There is no point arguing the case as people know how they like to keep their horses and as long as they have enough stimulation, exercise, forage and a clean area then there are much worse fates for a horse.

Personally, my own horse hates being in. She has been the same with me for 6 years and the same with her previous home of nearly 3. For both of our sanity she goes out at about 8am, she is never stood at the gate desperate to come in despite being on muddy clay.

When YO brings the others in at about 4pm, mine and her bestie never come near the gate with the others and don't come in until nearly 7pm. They only come up to the gate at about 6ish when they hear my car. In my eyes that means that for me and my horse it is working, she is happy and I am happy.

I have looked after horses who were more than happy to be in. I used to ride a cob who in summer time got 1 day off a week in the big field with the others but then the rest of the time he was in a starvation paddock with hay and a friend overnight and stabled all day. He just didn't care as he had food infront of him.

There are so many variables right down to your horses personality, the yard you are on, the condition of the ground etc.

 

[Tyssandi]

I not a fan of giving hay in the field firstly it's dangerous and that's a problem if you have horses that belong to more than one person and secondly ideally horses need to be moving when they having their turnout not standing eating hay .

^ this also the hay makes a mess, and you get big deep soggy mess round the hay so horses have to stand in deep mud, some bullying round the hay and the list goes on. We will not hay in the fields for theses reasons unless in the round pen for injury.

Now if I was doing grass livery I would feed hay 3 times a day so 1 or 2 sections each horse and spread them over the field so the horses have to walk between the sections and there would be less bullying and less mess as they would hoover up the sections better than overloading the amount of hay so much waste. Also get good quality so the horses want to finish it and not leave any

 

[cobgoblin]

I'm finding it a bit disturbing that people are now becoming used to...and even justifying the stabling of horses all winter. How long before everyone defends horses being just stabled all the time with no turnout at all?

A sign of the future? Or just poor thought processes that will lead to the worst becoming reality?

 

[paddi22]

I don't believe that you can compare horses with humans or dogs. When a dog is taken for a walk off lead it runs twenty times as far as the owner walks, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards. If you took a horse for a walk off a lead it would stop at the first decent piece of green stuff and stay there. The comparison with a dog in a crate doesn't work for me any more than the comparison with a human.

Your alternative option if you are not prepared to see horses stabled full time is that those horses would not be alive, since there is no room for them all elsewhere. I think if you gave those horses the option, they would choose to be alive with proper exercise rather than not.

i completely agree with you about proper exercise. 99% of livery horses are doing very light work. I would have no issue with horses being stabled if they were properly worked, but most people don't. A half hour schooling session or hack, is not sufficient work.

I kind of disagree about the dogs off the lead point, but i do see your point. But when i let the horses into the field, they definitely have a hooley and a gallop round, they don't potter off and graze immediately. And they spend a lot of time play fighting, grooming etc, not just grazing. And even if they are grazing, they are moving round, making decisions about what to eat and avoid. Not just standing stationery eating hay. A sentient intelligent animal should not be jailed for 23 hours a day because humans cannot provide a suitable enriching environment. If it was a choice between that and not having a horse then i'd just not have a horse.

the winters are muddier and warmer now. We have all been on moaning about the same winter issues for years now and it IS time yards found solutions. We stuck in a cheap and cheerful all-weather that cost very little, its not perfect, but they can chase, roll, play etc. They have a choice to go in and out of the stables (which have big beds, hay, toys etc) and they all choose to be outside about 80% of the time, even in rain, wind etc. So I know they don't want to be locked inside.

 

[Mabelthefoal]

I hope not cob goblin. I think most people would prefer to have horses out 24-7 if they could. There's nothing I like more than watching mine play in the field ( my foal does a lot of imaginary grand nationals with our poor other horse being forced to join in �&#56832. Our routine seems to work for them but if it didn't we wouldn't keep them in. In spring/ summer up to about December they stay out 24-7 only coming in for work and feed or if they need time out of flies/ sun. Sometimes I do have to turn away and cover my eyes when they're playing though! Mabel particularly likes skidding stops in deep mud and playing bambi on ice.. Arghh!

 

[Goldenstar]

I'm finding it a bit disturbing that people are now becoming used to...and even justifying the stabling of horses all winter. How long before everyone defends horses being just stabled all the time with no turnout at all?

A sign of the future? Or just poor thought processes that will lead to the worst becoming reality?

Only one person on a whole long thread has said they keep their horse in for what I considered a spurious reason .
For me there another huge issue that's just been touched on and that's work .
It's clear that some people think that turning out all day in what wil often be small paddocks is all a horse needs that's just not true to be in optimal health horses need work they are designed to exercise a lot and even with paddocks available every day they are not going to be doing enough for their health to be optimal .
That's why we see so many fat lame horse about .
Turnout in the sort of size fields the majority of places provide give horse fresh air and play but the exercise has to provided by the human .

 

[SEL]

Only one person on a whole long thread has said they keep their horse in for what I considered a spurious reason .
For me there another huge issue that's just been touched on and that's work .
It's clear that some people think that turning out all day in what wil often be small paddocks is all a horse needs that's just not true to be in optimal health horses need work they are designed to exercise a lot and even with paddocks available every day they are not going to be doing enough for their health to be optimal .
That's why we see so many fat lame horse about .
Turnout in the sort of size fields the majority of places provide give horse fresh air and play but the exercise has to provided by the human .

And this is the exact reason I visit many livery yards with apparently much better facilities than the one I'm on - and leave disappointed.

One of my horses is arthritic and pretty much retired. Being in 24:7 over winter would be the end of him and some yard's view of individual turnout is a field not much bigger than my tiny back garden. Even one of the retirement yards had horses in a large barn over winter - I just couldn't see him getting the movement his old joints need.

In order to have turnout for both mine I have to walk 1/4 mile in each direction through heavy mud. It is giving me thighs like a rugby player and I've lost 1/2 stone since Xmas! Other liveries could use the same field but choose not to get up at the crack of dawn to haul themselves & their horses up & down the track - so their horses get restricted turnout in the winter field near the yard. My 2 get 8 acres of well drained, slightly sloping field which they can mooch around happily. It gets the full force of any nasty weather, but they have a hedge and plenty of blubber.

 

[milliepops]

Turnout in the sort of size fields the majority of places provide give horse fresh air and play but the exercise has to provided by the human .

quite! Wouldn't it be nice if every yard could offer tens of acres of turnout for each horse.... Never mind £10 a day, we're probably closer to £50!

I'm finding it a bit disturbing that people are now becoming used to...and even justifying the stabling of horses all winter. How long before everyone defends horses being just stabled all the time with no turnout at all?

A sign of the future? Or just poor thought processes that will lead to the worst becoming reality?

Horses have been stabled for human convenience for decades. (centuries?). I don't think this is a new thing, when I was on a yard with zero turnout from October to March this was 20 years ago. The neighbouring yards within hacking distance were on the same regime.

FWIW I think it's going the other way. Time was, all the top competition horses were stabled all the time but now you have top riders saying that t/o is important for their horses etc.

The problem for the mere mortal livery is in the practicality of that, when the weather scuppers all your plans.

i completely agree with you about proper exercise. 99% of livery horses are doing very light work. I would have no issue with horses being stabled if they were properly worked, but most people don't. A half hour schooling session or hack, is not sufficient work.

I kind of disagree about the dogs off the lead point, but i do see your point. But when i let the horses into the field, they definitely have a hooley and a gallop round, they don't potter off and graze immediately. And they spend a lot of time play fighting, grooming etc, not just grazing. And even if they are grazing, they are moving round, making decisions about what to eat and avoid. Not just standing stationery eating hay. A sentient intelligent animal should not be jailed for 23 hours a day because humans cannot provide a suitable enriching environment. If it was a choice between that and not having a horse then i'd just not have a horse.

the winters are muddier and warmer now. We have all been on moaning about the same winter issues for years now and it IS time yards found solutions. We stuck in a cheap and cheerful all-weather that cost very little, its not perfect, but they can chase, roll, play etc. They have a choice to go in and out of the stables (which have big beds, hay, toys etc) and they all choose to be outside about 80% of the time, even in rain, wind etc. So I know they don't want to be locked inside.

I really think that "jailed" is an unhelpfully emotive word. If you said that people who kept their cats indoors 'jailed' them there'd probably be a few noses put out of joint on this forum. Would you say that cattle that are kept indoors during the winter are 'jailed'? Or that farmers are being pragmatic? (personally I wouldn't want to do either of those but getting emotional doesn't help to explore the issue rationally)

It's horses for courses isn't it? Mine don't play. They just don't. It seems to be down to the individual personality. One of mine gets into fisticuffs and the other keeps herself to herself. So I don't see them like children that need to go to the playground, I don't feel that they are missing out if they have to stay in, simply because I never witness that kind of human-like behaviour, and it's not because I am not watching.

We have an all weather area. The horses that go in it stand by the gate waiting to be brought back in again as there's nothing to graze.

Again, in an ideal world there'd be grazing (not just outside space, but actual grass in abundance) for everyone but the sad reality is that in feb the grass is long gone for many of us.
If you feel that yards should "find solutions", how do you propose to make that happen? I can't see how anything can change, given the limitations of land area available and money to spend? Everywhere I see this kind of problem, people are trying to find solutions but can't magic more space from the ether.

 

[cobgoblin]

Only one person on a whole long thread has said they keep their horse in for what I considered a spurious reason .
For me there another huge issue that's just been touched on and that's work .
It's clear that some people think that turning out all day in what wil often be small paddocks is all a horse needs that's just not true to be in optimal health horses need work they are designed to exercise a lot and even with paddocks available every day they are not going to be doing enough for their health to be optimal .
That's why we see so many fat lame horse about .
Turnout in the sort of size fields the majority of places provide give horse fresh air and play but the exercise has to provided by the human .

I agree that horses need proper exercise...especially if they are not turned out, although I would argue that both are necessary.

The problem is that a lot of people work in very busy jobs with long hours in order to be able to afford their horses. Not everywhere has a floodlit arena or an indoor school, or even a school that is usable in winter... long commutes mean people do not have the time to ride... or the daylight hours in the week.
I agree that the turnout paddocks provided in many places now are too small....however, this seems to have become generally accepted now...so this is what you get! If no turn out in winter months becomes accepted in the same way...then that is what will be offered. The market only offers the minimum, because that will be the easiest to provide.

 

[tristar]

i agree with paddy 222, horses are stoic animals, and of all animals the most abused and misunderstood.

i have seen horses put up with things i would have believed possible, and eventually i was forced to do something to literally save them.

anyone one is `close to horses `knows and feels` or senses their vibrations will know what a ridiculous thread this is.

horses are are kind, gentle. highly intelligent very specialized pieces of work who require constant and high standards of management, and one of their most fundamental needs is to move around freely.

they are not designer handbags that can be left on the shelf, they need a standard of management that involves never ending effort, we must conform to their needs not the other way round.

 

[Nativelover]

I'm finding it a bit disturbing that people are now becoming used to...and even justifying the stabling of horses all winter. How long before everyone defends horses being just stabled all the time with no turnout at all?

A sign of the future? Or just poor thought processes that will lead to the worst becoming reality?

I agree with this, where I live it's normal for yards to have no turnout from September to June, these yards are always full! I do wonder if it's now so common to find no turnout that it's accepted by owners and therefore it becomes less of a priority when looking at yards.

 

[Goldenstar]

I agree that horses need proper exercise...especially if they are not turned out, although I would argue that both are necessary.

The problem is that a lot of people work in very busy jobs with long hours in order to be able to afford their horses. Not everywhere has a floodlit arena or an indoor school, or even a school that is usable in winter... long commutes mean people do not have the time to ride... or the daylight hours in the week.
I agree that the turnout paddocks provided in many places now are too small....however, this seems to have become generally accepted now...so this is what you get! If no turn out in winter months becomes accepted in the same way...then that is what will be offered. The market only offers the minimum, because that will be the easiest to provide.

Both are necessary , it's a harsh thing to say but no one needs to own a horse if you can't exercise that horse to keep it healthy then you pay some one to do what's needed or you don't have one .

 

[Goldenstar]

I hope not cob goblin. I think most people would prefer to have horses out 24-7 if they could. There's nothing I like more than watching mine play in the field ( my foal does a lot of imaginary grand nationals with our poor other horse being forced to join in �&#65533. Our routine seems to work for them but if it didn't we wouldn't keep them in. In spring/ summer up to about December they stay out 24-7 only coming in for work and feed or if they need time out of flies/ sun. Sometimes I do have to turn away and cover my eyes when they're playing though! Mabel particularly likes skidding stops in deep mud and playing bambi on ice.. Arghh!

I have no interest in having a horse out 24/7 .
I have horses to use them and there's no point in me owning a horse that's out 24/7
Being stabled part of everyday is necessary for that .
It will be decades since I had a horse that was in a field for 24 hours .

 

[cobgoblin]

I have no interest in having a horse out 24/7 .
I have horses to use them and there's no point in me owning a horse that's out 24/7
Being stabled part of everyday is necessary for that .
It will be decades since I had a horse that was in a field for 24 hours .

I think Mabelthefoal did point out that the horses come in for feed/ prior to exercise...which is what most people with stables would understand as out 24/7.