Michen
Well-Known Member
the fields are exactly the same here. We have just about no snow on them and it is very windy. 7 of them are out playing, charging around and being normal horses. They came in at lunchtime for a drink and then off they went again. No reason for them to stay in, they are not going to damage the fields, they are too frozen for that. Can't ride as the roads are too icey.
The only one I have in, with the run of 4 stables where she can roll, is a 34 yo cushings. She has to stay in in case her feet get cold.
Sorry but "no reason to stay in". I do see a reason to stay in. I have a horse with a rehabbed ligament injury and spavin in his hocks. Personally I do not think him being repeatedly turned out on frozen poached rutted ground is going to do either of those things much good. I struggle keeping my ankles upright on it walking over it by the gate and whilst the rest of the field is absolutely fine, the gate is where they like to muck around.
I'd prefer to turn out, given walking twice a day is a PITA, but I'd rather keep my horse sound for the sake of a few days in a stable.
Don't assume that just because there's no reason to not turn YOUR horse out, that others don't need to approach things differently. It's great you are happy for your horses to charge around on that sort of ground playing- I however am not.