Not turning out

Its all very well people saying look for somewhere with better turnout, but where? If the fields are wet where I am now, they are gonna be wet in another yard a few miles down the road surely! I am not so lucky to have winter and summer turnout, the field we have is the field we have. if I turnout when its this wet, all I will have in the middle of winter is a muddy splodge. So its better now to keep in and try and save the field a bit, so i will have something all year.
 
benson21 said:
Its all very well people saying look for somewhere with better turnout, but where? If the fields are wet where I am now, they are gonna be wet in another yard a few miles down the road surely! I am not so lucky to have winter and summer turnout, the field we have is the field we have. if I turnout when its this wet, all I will have in the middle of winter is a muddy splodge. So its better now to keep in and try and save the field a bit, so i will have something all year.
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All the fields will be wet but if you move somewhere with more acres /less horses then the fields won't be full of mud. My field is desperate for the drains to be dug but so far with 4 horse out 24/7 there is just a small bit of mud round one gate.
 
benson21 said:
Its all very well people saying look for somewhere with better turnout, but where? If the fields are wet where I am now, they are gonna be wet in another yard a few miles down the road surely! I am not so lucky to have winter and summer turnout, the field we have is the field we have. if I turnout when its this wet, all I will have in the middle of winter is a muddy splodge. So its better now to keep in and try and save the field a bit, so i will have something all year.
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While it depends on area and personal circumstances, but, for me, good turnout is something I won't compromise on. The yards currently near my house are depressing, mud filled micro paddocks. This is a wet part of the country at the best of times. I drive further so they can live on 20 acre fields with trees, streams and good draining soil. The etxra cost in fuel and time is off set by the savings in hay, bedding and time spent on yard chores.

My horses are compliant and good natured, so if they have to be on restricted or no turnout, they cope with good grace. However, my part of the deal is that I do my best to avoid abusing their generosity and try whenever practicable, to give them the best environment I can.
 
My boy was at a yard before where I could leave out 24 hours all year, which was good as he was only young. He is now at a yard where after Christmas they move into winter TO until Easter and they can only go out during the day IF the road isnt icy. The field he is in now is quite boggy in places and wet but I would rather he was out. There is a dry patch to put some haylage out. I dont like putting it on the floor but there is no where decent to tie a net and he would rather be out with haylage on the floor than stuck in day and after day. He may look grumpy when he comes in but if i keep him in he is even grumpier!!!
 
Horses are very adaptable, they get used to whatever routine we impose on them. I have a stallion who will go out for a few hours, then stands at the gate and weaves until he gets brought in to his stable, where he will happily stand for a WEEK with no turnout (and no weaving, either). So, I will do what makes my horses happiest; that does not include forcing them to stand out in muck and wet just because it is "good" for them.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. I am feeling slightly less guilty and its seems many people are having the same issues this winter. Moving yards is not really an option due to family/work commitments and unlikely to solve the problem.

Fingers crossed it stays dry so fields can drain enough for a bit of turnout. Best of luck everyone, think it will be a long winter.
 
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