Opinions: 24/7 turnout or not?

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Arizahn

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So a while back I came a heartbeat away from moving yards but then discovered that where I wanted to go had no winter turnout at all. So I decided not to move. Thankfully I hadn't handed in my notice at current yard.

Now, I do love the current yard. I was just looking for somewhere closer to home as it's an hour's drive to get there...

I have found a yard that is twenty minutes away and that offers a choice of full, DIY, or grass livery. I'm waiting to hear back from the manager there regarding further details but it got me wondering. Should I put Hippo out on grass livery, at least over summer? At the moment she gets 8 hours turnout, and then she's in her box or being ridden. I think being able to stay out 24/7 might suit her better. It's what her old owner did with her, so she is used to it.

The yard I'm looking at also provides hay and/or haylage in the winter months and the fields have automatic drinkers. Obviously would need to view the yard and fields first. Liveries have access to indoor and outdoor schools, and also several acres of private land for hacking:D

So, is 24/7 turnout better than what she's currently on? Opinions please, and experiences too!
 
My horse has 24/7 turnout from Easterish through until autumn, then he's out during the day and in at night. He is definately as his happiest when he is living out. It's also a lot easier for me, no mucking out and no rushing around as he is not bothered if I am late when he's living out.
 
juliette said:
My horse has 24/7 turnout from Easterish through until autumn, then he's out during the day and in at night. He is definately as his happiest when he is living out. It's also a lot easier for me, no mucking out and no rushing around as he is not bothered if I am late when he's living out.
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The same :) i have just turned ny 3 out for the summer (ruged at night) they like to be out but if the weather takes a turn for the worst they will be back in
 
Mine are out 24/7 all year round. They seem happy with it and I am too. Most horses seem to settle into 24/7 turnout in my experience.
 
If it's 20 mins over an hour with 24/7 t/o I would go for it. You'll be winning back over an hour a day to spend with your horse! Mine are out at night and in during the day. So much happier milling around and this weather is great!
 
I would like this option:D
At the moment I am only allowed to give her 8 hours, as the YO doesn't like there to be horses out in the fields overnight.

Ideally, I'd like to rent a box and grazing - have to ask the manager if that is an option...
 
Thanks everyone! Wish me luck...hoping no one else has sniped me with the spaces available!

JFTD - Where is your cool signature gone? I kind of miss it...
 
I may have deleted it in a strop after people called both me and my pony fat on the strength of the tiny photos in it :rolleyes:

I might make a new one with some of his epic jumping efforts in though if I decide I'm not going to storm out of the forum in a total strop :p
 
I would always opt for 24/7 grazing if I had the choice. The yard I am on now offers it in summer, however the fields are just dried mud at the moment, so it isn't an option currently - however I have found a yard which offers 24/7 turnout for about 10 months of the year, so I am thinking of moving there - it's a bit further away, but there's no overcrowding of the fields and fabulous hacking.....
 
JFTD said:
I may have deleted it in a strop after people called both me and my pony fat on the strength of the tiny photos in it :rolleyes:

I might make a new one with some of his epic jumping efforts in though if I decide I'm not going to storm out of the forum in a total strop :p
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Pictures are demanded!
 
I presume Hippo is a highland? If so the only problem I could see with living out is that it is quite difficult if you need to control her weight.

My new forest lives out all year and is very happy but it is very difficult to keep his weight under control as he gets fat so easily. He does live in a good doer group but still we all struggle a bit to keep them at a healthy weight, even in the snow!
 
SO1 - She's an Arab who loves mud, hence the nickname, lol! Also has hippo like ears...

JFTD - Looking forward to pictures:D
 
JFTD said:
I may have deleted it in a strop after people called both me and my pony fat on the strength of the tiny photos in it :rolleyes:
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Bad week eh? :p :D

And you should know better :p - whats the advice here?

= Ignore the trolls & self obsessed :) They are just jealous :)

OOPs, sorry for hi-jack OP, I'd go for the 24/7 if you can, just be prepared to either have a dieting paddock or have a grazing muzzle if you have a good do'er :)
 
well if hippo is an arab then you might have the opposite problem to me. We had an arab living out in the same herd as my pony and in the end she had to come in as she was getting too skinny.
 
Thankfully she holds her weight well. I would give her a hay net whilst grooming her each day as well. And a small feed of chaff with her balancer in it. Thanks for reminding me though, I'd have to keep an eye on her:)
Hijack away Fuzzy, Tigger rocks!
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Bad week eh? :p :D
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Hmm, well this week, I've had a character assassination on here, some serious work crap and finished Sunday off with a concussion and a screwed up finger... Other than that though, it was quite awesome, my pony has learnt to jump like a proper legend so none of it matters :D

You're right - I should know better!
 
JFTD said:
Hmm, well this week, I've had a character assassination on here, some serious work crap and finished Sunday off with a concussion and a screwed up finger... Other than that though, it was quite awesome, my pony has learnt to jump like a proper legend so none of it matters :D

You're right - I should know better!
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Bu88er them, pony & you are the ones who matter - so nice one in having a Stroller in the stable :)
Also had a bad past 10 days... actually a bad complete month TBH, but am still battling to finish the month on a positive :)
 
My two have 24/7 turnout, they have just done their first winter out and it went really well for them and for me. I rent a yard and grazing, so I do have the option of bringing in if the weather is totally crap. They have spent just three nights in, in the last year!
Would Hippo have company if she was out all the time?
 
Yes she would. And if need be I could afford to buy her a companion...no...no more horses, not even tiny wee ones!
But yes, she would have company. They turn out in groups - big fields, with combination of mature mixed hedging, post and rail fencing, and electric fencing. Even small copses in places as windbreaks. The fields in that area also drain well in winter: not heavy clay, etc.

A part of me wants to buy a tiny wee companion for her now...
 
Thanks fuzzy, appreciate it! He's no stroller but he's not bad for an (allegedly) obese highland ;) I hope things pick up with you - if I recall recent threads of yours correctly you've had it way worse than me x (or I've invented memories to replace the ones I lost yesterday :p)

Arizahn, new sig, just for you! Hope you feel better too :)

eta, I may have to change it, it's a bit messy :o oh well :/
 
Mines are out 24/7 from about now till Dec, then they come in from about 6 or 7 till 7am. Oldie just doesn't do cold & never has, not keen on her stable but will go in when she decides its cold. Daughters pony is like a cling on, so she too comes in. Ideally I'd just leave them out with a lovely field shelter tho.
 
Arizahn said:
Should I put Hippo out on grass livery, at least over summer? At the moment she gets 8 hours turnout, and then she's in her box or being ridden. I think being able to stay out 24/7 might suit her better. It's what her old owner did with her, so she is used to it.
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Well...you know her best...:-)

I've got DIY but with 24/7 turnout as I want... Grass livery isn't an option but to be honest, I like having a stable to bring them in when it's very hot during the day, for checkovers, vet visits, waiting for the farrier and so on... I'd stick with the DIY and 24/7 turnout personally instead of straight grass livery...:)

JFTD said:
Hmm, well this week, I've had a character assassination on here, some serious work crap and finished Sunday off with a concussion and a screwed up finger...
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Dang...I only had a few hours (ok, maybe days) off to get an assignment done... Hope you're feeling better now...
 
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