Paddock Box

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Crowleyl100

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My horse has been in a paddock box for a few months now but over the last couple of weeks he has managed to bend the pole fence between his and the next paddock. I am concerned that the fence will fall soon. Any ideas why he may has started to do this?
 
Not during the winter as the winter paddock is a thick mud one and he ended up lame last year due to this. During the summer months he goes out for a couple of hours per day. He was a school horse up until 18 months ago being kept in a standard box with several lessons per day but the riding school closed down. He is now 18 years old and gets ridden for approx an hour per day.
 
= One very bored old (ish) horse.

Can you not increase the size of his 'box'? Give him something else to do, play with toys?, take him for hand walks to graze?
 
Apologies if i am doing you a disservice, but you don't sound like you are terribly experienced/aware that horses need to have space to roam. I am aware, before anyone jumps on me, that turnout during the winter is becoming more and more of a rarity in this country - but I do think its important that new owners are aware that this is not ideal. Sure - it can't be helped when the yard insist on keeping horses in 24/7, but in an ideal world, horses should have several hours in the field every day as a bare minimum. Your boy sounds bored, and if he's cooped up in a small space 23/7, I'm not really surprised. I hope he cheers up once the weather improves and he gets a bit of downtime in the field.
Personally, i'd move him to a yard with some turnout, but I am a bit of a turnout nazi - mine are out 24/7 in all weathers, and complain bitterly when I make them come in!
 
OMG! I cannot believe any horse owners would allow their horses to be kept in these conditions.....and to only have a couple of hours in the summer?!!!!!!

I am sorry if I offend you OP but either you are 'pulling our leg's', or have no idea about keeping horses.

I would suggest changing yards where your horse can 'be a horse'.....asap
 
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It does sound to be a very restricted space for a horse, especially as he is getting older and needs to move around to keep supple.

Working horses in the past who lived in towns, often were never turned out, but they worked all day. Horses have systems that are ment to graze and browse covering areas of ground as they do. I realise it is not possible for everyone to have the ideal, but if turn out is not possible in fields establishments should offer alternative outside surface turnout areas so animals have a some space opportunity to move naturally around.

Sorry for your problem OP but your horse does sound to need a bit more to occupy him.
 
Auslander said:
Apologies if i am doing you a disservice, but you don't sound like you are terribly experienced/aware that horses need to have space to roam. I am aware, before anyone jumps on me, that turnout during the winter is becoming more and more of a rarity in this country - but I do think its important that new owners are aware that this is not ideal. Sure - it can't be helped when the yard insist on keeping horses in 24/7, but in an ideal world, horses should have several hours in the field every day as a bare minimum. Your boy sounds bored, and if he's cooped up in a small space 23/7, I'm not really surprised. I hope he cheers up once the weather improves and he gets a bit of downtime in the field.
Personally, i'd move him to a yard with some turnout, but I am a bit of a turnout nazi - mine are out 24/7 in all weathers, and complain bitterly when I make them come in!
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Can not agree more with this..
Sorry OP, but it sounds like your horse needs out... and I would been looking for a new livery with aleast 'some' turnout a day.. It is not a natural living condition for a horse to be cooped up 24/7.
 
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