No winter turnout??

[_MizElz_]

Well, I'm going against the grain I know, but for my horse, no winter turnout would not be a problem, as she refuses to be out! I know many people will probably start telling me that I'm cruel, evil, abusing my horse, neglecting her basic needs etc, but I have owned her eleven years and have simply come to accept that she knows her own mind! Throughout the summer, she is out pretty much 24/7 unless competing; however, she gets to about October/November (weather dependent) and starts pacing, galloping around and screeching even when she has just been turned out. For the last couple of years, I have tried to persevere with her - walking away, ignoring her, asking YO to only bring her in if he thinks she is endangering herself - but she just ends up getting very stressed and cutting herself through throwing herself around. And when brought in, she relaxes totally - she loves being in her stable, and never seems to get too fresh or at all frustrated. So for me, I would not be put off a yard that had no winter turnout. Indeed, when we used to have our own yard, we only had a couple of acres and had to be very, very careful with it; this often meant a period of several weeks of no turnout during very wet weather (we were on heavy clay, prone to flooding). We coped perfectly well; yes, it's annoying, but at the end of the day you have to make the best of what you've got, and as long as the horses are able to have their legs stretched everyday and measures are taken to minimise boredom (radio on, stable toys, licks, etc) then I don't see a problem.
Lots of people jump on the 'It's not natural for a horse to be cooped up 24/7' bandwagon; however, it's not natural for a horse to be ridden, nor to have a metal bit in its mouth or metal shoes on its feet...so I don't really see the substance in that argument...

 

[GingerCat]

Ouch!
Thats a bit harsh! You don't know the circumstances, you don't know if it was "strangers", maybe the poster visits frequently etc? I also doubt you have seen every retirement livery in the country!
.

So it's OK my other's to make generalised comments but not me?

A lot of the comments on this thread have been 'harsh', but obviously it's OK for some to make them but not others.

No I haven't seen every retirement home in this country, have you?


But I have seen a fair few, when my horse was injured and had to be retired 3 years ago. That's why I made the decison to keep him with me where I knew he would be cared for properly. I felt I owe him that much.

Lots of people jump on the 'It's not natural for a horse to be cooped up 24/7' bandwagon; however, it's not natural for a horse to be ridden, nor to have a metal bit in its mouth or metal shoes on its feet...so I don't really see the substance in that argument...

Exactly!

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

Well, I'm going against the grain I know, but for my horse, no winter turnout would not be a problem, as she refuses to be out! I know many people will probably start telling me that I'm cruel, evil, abusing my horse, neglecting her basic needs etc, but I have owned her eleven years and have simply come to accept that she knows her own mind! Throughout the summer, she is out pretty much 24/7 unless competing; however, she gets to about October/November (weather dependent) and starts pacing, galloping around and screeching even when she has just been turned out. For the last couple of years, I have tried to persevere with her - walking away, ignoring her, asking YO to only bring her in if he thinks she is endangering herself - but she just ends up getting very stressed and cutting herself through throwing herself around. And when brought in, she relaxes totally - she loves being in her stable, and never seems to get too fresh or at all frustrated. So for me, I would not be put off a yard that had no winter turnout. Indeed, when we used to have our own yard, we only had a couple of acres and had to be very, very careful with it; this often meant a period of several weeks of no turnout during very wet weather (we were on heavy clay, prone to flooding). We coped perfectly well; yes, it's annoying, but at the end of the day you have to make the best of what you've got, and as long as the horses are able to have their legs stretched everyday and measures are taken to minimise boredom (radio on, stable toys, licks, etc) then I don't see a problem.
Lots of people jump on the 'It's not natural for a horse to be cooped up 24/7' bandwagon; however, it's not natural for a horse to be ridden, nor to have a metal bit in its mouth or metal shoes on its feet...so I don't really see the substance in that argument...

finally someone who has the same issues I do!!!

 

[jellycat]

Lots of people jump on the 'It's not natural for a horse to be cooped up 24/7' bandwagon; however, it's not natural for a horse to be ridden, nor to have a metal bit in its mouth or metal shoes on its feet...so I don't really see the substance in that argument...[/QUOTE]


I'm not jumping on any bandwagons, just talking from experience. I had a nightmare with my horse in the winter. She became angry and depressed being in 24/7. She is a VERY sensitive rescue TB with a history of abuse. I cannot keep her in unless the ground is hard with ice and she has no company in the field (I make sure she is rugged up and toastie). I appreciate what you are saying... being in is best for your horse. Just like being out is best for mine. I did do my research about why my mare reacted so badly to being in all the time. There is plenty of scientific evidence which shows they need the nutrients from the grass, the vitamin D from the sun on their backs and socialisation.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

I'm not jumping on any bandwagons, just talking from experience. I had a nightmare with my horse in the winter. She became angry and depressed being in 24/7. She is a VERY sensitive rescue TB with a history of abuse. I cannot keep her in unless the ground is hard with ice and she has no company in the field (I make sure she is rugged up and toastie). I appreciate what you are saying... being in is best for your horse. Just like being out is best for mine. I did do my research about why my mare reacted so badly to being in all the time. There is plenty of scientific evidence which shows they need the nutrients from the grass, the vitamin D from the sun on their backs and socialisation.

Thats what I agree with, you have to do what is right for your horse, horses for courses as they say

 

[maxapple]

I used to have my horse at a livery yard where the grazing was awful in the winter. He was turned out at 7am and would mooch around for a bit, then just stand at the gate for hours looking miserable until he was brought in again. I would often go up early and bring him in and he would be much happier in his stable with a nice hay net out of the cold.

He also ended up with a broken leg after being kicked in the field in November - probably because there were too many horses out there figting over lack of grass.

I am now at a yard with fab grazing where in the winter he will stay out for a good 10 hours and be happy.

So I suppose it depends on the situation you are in. I would just want my horse to be happy and to have food, so if we didn't have grazing I'd have to think carefully about the merits of putting him out.

 

[_MizElz_]

I'm not jumping on any bandwagons, just talking from experience. I had a nightmare with my horse in the winter. She became angry and depressed being in 24/7. She is a VERY sensitive rescue TB with a history of abuse. I cannot keep her in unless the ground is hard with ice and she has no company in the field (I make sure she is rugged up and toastie). I appreciate what you are saying... being in is best for your horse. Just like being out is best for mine. I did do my research about why my mare reacted so badly to being in all the time. There is plenty of scientific evidence which shows they need the nutrients from the grass, the vitamin D from the sun on their backs and socialisation.

Jellycat - the point you're making is one I agree with 100% - my bandwagon comment was not aimed at you, more at people who are so blinkered that they adopt the 'my way or the highway' outlook. Every horse IS different, and I think that the mark of a good owner is possessing the patience, ability etc to assess the needs of YOUR horse and adjust their provision accordingly. which you clearly do, as do I! It just so happens that our horses are the opposite of each other....but I would suggest that neither of us are acting wrongly

 

[jellycat]

Jellycat - the point you're making is one I agree with 100% - my bandwagon comment was not aimed at you, more at people who are so blinkered that they adopt the 'my way or the highway' outlook. Every horse IS different, and I think that the mark of a good owner is possessing the patience, ability etc to assess the needs of YOUR horse and adjust their provision accordingly. which you clearly do, as do I! It just so happens that our horses are the opposite of each other....but I would suggest that neither of us are acting wrongly

We can agree there then I am all about getting to know your own horse and what he/she needs. There is never a one-size-fits-all and I would certainly disapprove of someone far more who turned their horse out when it was unsuitable or caused distress just for the sake of turning them out. For example, my girl HATES being turned out alone and suffers from severe separation anxiety due to her past. So, if my choice was to keep her in or turn her out alone I would certainly keep her stabled until a field mate was available. Thank you for your response.

 

[cbmcts]

So it's OK my other's to make generalised comments but not me?

A lot of the comments on this thread have been 'harsh', but obviously it's OK for some to make them but not others.

No I haven't seen every retirement home in this country, have you?


But I have seen a fair few, when my horse was injured and had to be retired 3 years ago. That's why I made the decison to keep him with me where I knew he would be cared for properly. I felt I owe him that much.

If you actually read the whole of my post that you referred to, I said that while no winter TO was unacceptable for me and mine I didn't make any harsh comments about anyone who didn't feel the same as I do.

I answered your question about whether anyone had decided not to have a horse because there wasn't regular winter turn out available.

I certainly didn't suggest that you PTS your horse because he isn't kept as I would keep him. That would be both rude and ignorant. Nor was it generalised comment - it was directly to me so excuse me if I call you on it.

While you are entitled to your opinions, as is everybody here you cannot (or should not?) complain about being judged while you do that extremely rudely IMO.

 

[JFTDWS]

So it's OK my other's to make generalised comments but not me?

A lot of the comments on this thread have been 'harsh', but obviously it's OK for some to make them but not others.

Actually, it's you who is claiming that the rest of us who do believe winter turnout is essential, are all privileged hypocrites who only value turnout because we have it. That is grossly unfair - I've sacrificed a lot of facilities e.g. school, people around to check ponies / do services etc, and have to devote a lot more time maintaining privately rented paddocks than I would at livery, solely because I wasn't satisfied with the turnout available on those yards. And I'm pleased I do - I'm not complaining, it's more than worth it. I have a friend who lives in central London, whose horse simply isn't happy without good turnout, all year. She sacrifices an enormous amount of time travelling, and compromises on facilities and access to competitions for her horse. I'm not saying you should do this - that's none of my business - I'm simply saying that some of us choose to.

It's quite offensive for you to suggest that all horse owners share your priorities and that the rest of us are simply more fortunate in our location.

 

[Toffee44]

Whoa gingercat where did you come from???

Anyways thanks for ALL the replies. Whilst I have been looking for yards I was shocked that your average DIYer type livery didnt always have turnout. I just thought it was a higher up competition thing not to have turnout.

Was just being nosey at opinions on the matter. And if anyone thought the same as me.

I truely believe that some horses cannot cope without turnout. Toffee is retired, "chucked out in a field" gets a cuddle every day rarely bought in and groomed :O, but if I was to stable her even now she would go bonkers!!! Samba (has had full turnout for a year with me) has been on livery for two weeks, coming in at night (out 6-6) and shes at the gate waiting for me to bring her in. We had a issue when it was raining (apparantly she will melt or something if she stepped out of that stable door!!) I reminded her that she was part welsh and threw her out but I couldnt leave her in all winter. Of course there are gonna be days she doesnt go out, thats livery life for you but thats all. As for Jake the clyde cross you could probably make him live in a horse box and he wouldnt care lol.

There was a yard near me in Canterbury that had a good solution. They had about 5/6 horses in a barn with a deep straw bed and they didnt get turnout out over the winter due to low grazing but they were happy healthy horses who had a social life.

 

[Enfys]

However, if it is just TURNOUT people are demanding, then livery yards would need to invest in the building of all weather turnouts which again, for some, would not be financially feasible.

This ^

Turnout is turnout, that is, room to move about and do whatever they want, they don't need a huge area, it is irrelevant whether there is grass to eat or not. My stallion lives out in a paddock, which according to Planimeter is .63 of an acre, on paper that isn't a lot of space, in reality it is perfectly adequate, it isn't expected to sustain him, he has hay 24/7 every day of the year, if he wants it.

 

[Marydoll]

Oh this is a hot topic
I have 3 horses and have had my own leased stables and liveried on yards.
My priority is good grazing and all year turnout for my horses, if you dont provide it iwont be there , my choice i pay the bill.
And yes i would drive a 40 mile round trip to give my horse this, as i have in the past it is that important to me, or rather my horses, to be able to get out all year.
I have also found myself on a yard where the owner lied through his teeth to fill his place then said no turnout, you could turnout in the indoor arena, wonderful, i ride through the day, he suggested i ride among the horses, what a freaking idiot!! ..... I was out of there by the end of the week, again, my choice, along with the majority of his liveries.
I can think of nothing worse for a horse than being cooped up in a stable 24/7
And i wouldnt do that to any of mine..
I think with livery yards you get what you settle for and i wouldnt settle for no turnout