Questions for the professional dressage riders

M

micramadam

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 June 2010
Messages
1,054
Location
Rockanje, South Holland
Visit site
Do you keep your sport horses stabled 24/7?
If so - why?
Does it make a difference to their performance?
If they get turnout, for how long and is this alone or with 1 or more other horses?
Does this also affect their performance?

The reason I'm asking is that I have been told that a talented horse will never be a top sport horse if he/she spends a lot of time turned out. Developing a grass belly and developing all the wrong muscles and wrong mental attitude and not being able to control their diet was quoted.
I want to find out if this is true so all opinions and experience accepted.
 
micramadam said:
Do you keep your sport horses stabled 24/7?
If so - why? No, 6 hour turn out during the winter (we have very harsh winters) summer and Florida season in at night, out all day.
Does it make a difference to their performance? Rossi would go crazy without an outlet, if I didn't give him turnout he'd need an hours lunging session before I could school him.
If they get turnout, for how long and is this alone or with 1 or more other horses? As I said above, turned out usually with one other horse, usually our mini because they get into less trouble :p
Does this also affect their performance? If I kept him in, he'd go crazy, I find it hard enough in the winter when he gets 1hour+ on the walker and about 6 outside. He needs mental stimulation.

The reason I'm asking is that I have been told that a talented horse will never be a top sport horse if he/she spends a lot of time turned out. Developing a grass belly and developing all the wrong muscles and wrong mental attitude and not being able to control their diet was quoted.
I want to find out if this is true so all opinions and experience accepted.
Click to expand...
Proper grass/diet/exercise turnout will not give a grass belly, and as long as the horse maintains a proper schooling regimen they will not develop the 'wrong' muscles. As for mental attitude, bull*, keeping a horse inside, bored and lonely is what will create a bad attitude :mad:

Most top riders I know give their horses at least partial turnout, the above are pretty much myths
 
I used to work for an Olympic dressage rider, her top Grand Prix horse was turned out every day, for at least a couple of hours sometimes longer. He was out with 1 other elderly horse.

He had never been turned out before, and that year she had her best season ever on him as he was so chilled out.
She also had a very talented youngster that used to live out at night and come in during the day, he was doing advanced mediums as a 7 yr old and regularly winning with over 70%. He was out with 1 other elderly horse (same horse!)
 
Spot was kept in 24/7 at his old yard and it just made him grumpy and fizzy when ridden.
Much better for their mentality if they are out just being a horse.
Also Carl Hester has his horses turned out as he thinks its good for them too :D
 
Well on the Continent a lot of people would agree with the anti-turnout comments in the opening post. I know lots of professional riders who do not turn out for a number of reasons (those listed above, fear of injuries etc)

(And.. historically, Germany and Holland have been a little more successful than GB in dressage ;) )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top