Professional Yards - top tips

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Cdehaast

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I am conducting a piece of research on professional equine stablishments and would be very greatful for your views on either of the following.

1) What conditions (feed - hard and forage, turnout, exercise) bring out the best in the average competition horse?

2) What are your top cost-saving tips for large equestrian establishments? (rubber matting, bulk buying etc).

I am greatful for any opinions and all comments will remain anonymous in the write up.
 
1)- 3 feeds a day, nut based rather than a mix, with extra oil, chaff /afalfa
-ad-lib top quality haylage
-early start in the morning-6/7 am, Min. 5 hours turnout BEFORE being worked. T/O before work means the horse will be in a better frame of mind and looser/suppler.
-In Summer, overnight turnout in good weather.

-well fitting, comfty rugs and plenty of rugs for winter
-large stables with good ventilation, rubber mats and deep shavings/paper bedding
-stables arranged in a U-fomation- horses gain security and comfort by being able to see all the other horses nearby.

-exercise- plenty of walking up and down hills, with long slow trots up hills/ or on good groun say 3 x 1/12 hour hacks per week.
40 min schooling sessions with a good warm up and warm down on a loose rein for 10 mins either side.
Jumping sessions to be short and snappy.

Regular H wave therapy/physio/bowen.

Well that would be how I would run a comp yard!!

2) cant think of any other than rubber matting and bulk buying!
I think you can buy bedding in vast plastic sacks rather than individual bales which is cheaper, but hugely time consuming.
You can make your own paper bedding for free if you have a large supply of newspapers and a paper shredder, but again, this is time consuming.
Some people might want to buy parts of feed in seperately ( i.e oats/barley/peas/cornflakes) and have a chaff cutter.
 
So nothing would be ridden before 12.00pm then?? How would this work if you had lots to ride, IME most pro yards get all their riding done in the morning, then the pro's teach etc in the afternoons.
 
The OP was asking 'what routine would bring out the best in competition horses'
This post is not about the horses fitting in around the pro so that he can get his horses over and done with and get the teaching done, its about what is best for the horse in an ideal world.
 
I agree OB, makes more sense and you will have nice relaxed horses...in theory. I agree with this and then the pro can do some teaching in the morning...or whatever else they need to do! Plus gets horses out of the way to sort the yard and reduce the stress in a busy environment!
 
Interesting - I find riding horses after they have been turned out for more than an hour they are generally stuffy and lethargic.

The only type of horse I would or sometimes do that to is the very-sharp-verging-on-mental ones which are quite rare.

So definatley dont agree, as to me, that doesnt bring out the best in a comp horse as I like mine fresh to work with and the turnout is more for them to stretch their legs after work/instead of work and chill out.

I dont think the horse would really be bothered as long as it got its usual amount of turnout what time it was
 
Well to be honest, my top tip for a professional yard would be to treat all horses as individuals and not as 'averages' and tailor their feed/turnout/work etc to suit.

If I had to give some of my personal key preferences they would be haylage rather than hay
At least 4 hours a day turnout through winter, and out overnight/in during day through summer
No sole turnout unless absolutely necessary
 
Completely agree Ben and Jerrys, treating them as individuals is the main thing, and having the right ratio of people to horses to make sure the horses are looked after properly.

Regular turnout/living out and good quality Ad lib forage, whether that be hay or hayledge.

Low starch, high oil feeds fed as required to the horses needs.

Variety in the work, with good surfaces to work on.

re. cost saving, rubber matting, and being nice to local forage suppliers!!
 
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