Retired mare

Tiffany

Tiffany

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 October 2007
Messages
6,922
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
My friend has got a retired mare and is debating her options come the winter when there's very little turnout. I'm going to be in a similar situation so it got me thinking. My girl is currently on full livery on a fantastic yard with great YO, liveries, facilities and care. For a horse that can use the lunge pen, walker, floodlit school and be hacked out I don't suppose it's a major issue but my girl is retired.
We are both very happy at the yard but she can't stay in 24/7 during winter and isn't keen on being out in bad weather in a muddy field. What other options are there:
- Look for new yard with winter turnout
- Winter out somewhere (not sure she's like that but she likes a routine so may get used to new routine)
- Try renting a place with field and shelter so she can have option of being in or out

Any other ideas anyone, please don't suggest PTS because that's not something I will consider while she is so well in herself

Thanks
 
When I was in your position I chose to move yards. Luckily there was one 1 mile down the road, bit more expensive but both my horses are out all day in winter unless the fields are too boggy (think they were in for a total of 14 days last winter. My old yard had no winter turnout apart from a mud paddock and I would not subject them to that but they coped ok without turnout but when my mare had to be retired I had to think differently. Now if they come in at all through summer they throw tantrums and every day in winter the expect to be turned out- spoilt brats!!
 
Perhaps other options to consider: if they would allow you to turn out overnight in the school or lunge pen? Also retired from riding... would she enjoy being led off another horse or going for a long line walk/ schooling session. Just to give her some stimulus and keep the joints moving.
 
I would try for the field with shelter option. My retired mare is definitely better off able to keep moving especially as she has arthritis. The fields she is in do not get too muddy and she seems really happy out.
 
Have you only got the one horse stabled there? If so then i would move stables but if not then rent out a field and buy a field shelter so she can hide from the winter wind and rain!
 
Thanks for replies all. Bakewell being turned out overnight in school/lunge pen is not an option and being led out from another horse isn't an option for her.
 
my mare is 29 and has been retired for almost 2 yrs now! she has arthritis in both front knees, and hate going into her stable at night, so I've managed to get access to a larger open fronted barn, next to my field, have taken the fence down and filled in an area of the ditch so they can get in! last winter I had round bales of hay delivered into the barn and they all spent 90% of their time in the barn, which was good because the field didn't get too trashed despite all of the rain we had! they came in 2 nights over the winter but I couldn't bring myself to do it anymore as she was sooooo pi ss ed off about it!
 
My boy who was stabled for 6 months of the year when I got him now lives out very happily. It isn't just a muddy field, it has a field shelter, hay racks with ad lib hay, big hedges all round and is on a slope so no waterlogging. He is much happier and when stabled needed 3 rugs on as was always cold but living out has only worn a no neck MW all winter. He is moving better and much less stressy. So, if you can find the right place I would recommend that.
 
I am trying to find a place but not easy round here. She's always been on full livery because I don't have set hours and also work away so being realistic I don't think complete DIY is an option for me. I would want to check her twice a day and that wouldn't be possible. Got a yard to look at about 15 minutes away that offers different types of livery and have winter turnout so fingers crossed it's suitable and with reasonably well drained land
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top