She passed the vet...now what turnout?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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I get my new filly tomorrow. She was such a star at the vetting. For the flexion tests she had to trot up the road next to the stallion yard. She had one stallion throwing himself against the door at the sight of her, and another galloping around behind the hedge next to the road. She was good as gold. Her paces are amazing. Such elevation. She's only just 15 hh but moves like a 17 hh top dressage horse. Can't wait to get her here but I am undecided now what to do re turnout. I was going to put her out 24/7 with my gelding and yearling (who was born here), but I also want her in a stable so I can bond with her more. So 24/7 out, or 7 hours turnout in the field and in at night (will get more turnout when the days get longer again) or 6 hours in the sand with the mares and in at night, what do you think? My thinking is to turn her out in the day in the field and in at night, but maybe as she's only two, she'd be better out 24/7. She is currently out 24/7 but is very good in the stable too. I am terrified of her getting injured during the night and not finding her until morning, after all my bad luck.
 
I'd have her in at night as long as she gets decent time outside during the day. It will do her good to be on the yard and see other horses coming and going, plus being handled and in a routine.

How exciting, I hope that you can post photos soon!
 
how old is she? if you bring her in will she have friends? I'd get her used to coming in if you can! as I need to start with my 3 yr old now, wish i'd been able to do it younger as my mare hates coming in, so that wont help him feel settled either!!
 
First week out in day in at night. Get to know her a little and then turn out for the winter if your land will take it and the fencing is suitable for youngstock.
 
kerrieberry2 said:
how old is she? if you bring her in will she have friends? I'd get her used to coming in if you can! as I need to start with my 3 yr old now, wish i'd been able to do it younger as my mare hates coming in, so that wont help him feel settled either!!
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I am a believer in not always giving them friends 24/7. Teach them to be independent young, it will pay you back in spades later on.
 
AdorableAlice said:
First week out in day in at night. Get to know her a little and then turn out for the winter if your land will take it and the fencing is suitable for youngstock.
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That is a good idea. It will be less worrying for me if she comes in at least for a while. The field is 5 acre post and rail but does have a small paddock inside it which is electric fencing, so I would want her to learn where it is before being out in the dark. There is another field which I don't use in the winter which is all post and rail, but it's out of sight or the house.
 
She sounds amazing, would love to see some photos! Congrats on the passed vetting as well, always a relief!

I think you should do whatever you feel is right, as long as she is getting some turnout (and most horses I know are only getting about 7/8 hours a day at the moment) then she should be fine and it sounds like you will be more relaxed if she is in at night too. However if you think she will be upset away from your other two horses at night then I would leave her out, I think it will be a case of seeing how she settles in and playing it by ear.

To be honest you will be able to bond with her more effectively if she's happy and relaxed, so if she's unhappy being in overnight then stabling her will be counter-productive as she'll be desperate to get into the field and see the other horses! And you can do plenty of bonding exercises in the field as well, providing she gets along with the others she will be most relaxed there and you will be able to do some useful training e.g. coming to call and catching.
 
I would be turning this round! 7 hours in during day, out a night! Gives you chance to spend time with her, she can learn to be stabled happily, but gets a nice amount of turnout for a youngster!
 
AdorableAlice said:
First week out in day in at night. Get to know her a little and then turn out for the winter if your land will take it and the fencing is suitable for youngstock.
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Keep her in until she is settled and you are comfortable leaving her out, there is no need to start with the same routine that you will go onto longer term.
She sounds lovely, a real tonic just what you need to look forward to.
 
Oh, very exciting!

I would maybe turn out in the day and bring in at night and then see how she goes. If the weather turns horrid then you could maybe stick with this for the next few weeks. I don't see the benefit of keeping her in in the day when it's the nicer weather/daylight and then turning her out in the dark (especially not in a new place).

I got mine aged 15 mths and he has lived out 24/7 although was previously stabled a bit and loves a stable! He's 4 now and is still out 24/7 (we only have 2 stables that are occupied at night by 2 of our others). He's not in work at the mo so has no rug and does very, very well. I think if she's not very used to being stabled it could be an idea to get her settled in with this being part of her routine and security.
 
As GS says if it is going to be dark when you get her home, definitely stable overnight for the first night, or if she's never been stabled before put her in a tiny paddock. Afterwards I'd have her out 24/7. Youngsters do far better being out than in for all those night time hours.
 
Excellent advice as always. I think what I am going to do is keep her in the first night and maybe one or two more and then when I feel relaxed that she is getting on with the geldings (my 11 year old and the yearling), and knows her way around the field, I will bite the bullet and leave her out over night and bring her in every day for a feed and fuss etc. She is small for what she should be. The stud measured her at 15 hh but I think she looks more like 14.3. Both parents are 16 hh and I need her to make at least 15.2 hh. But she's not ever had any hard feed, so on the vet's advice I'm going to put her on a good stud mix as I don't need to be careful about her growing too fast. The boys are only fed hard feed once a day, but I think I will feed her twice.
 
She's arriving around mid day but the weather is forecast to be very windy and rainy so I will take her into her stable and maybe just turn her out for a couple of hours in the arena in the afternoon, which is next to the field with her prospective companions. Then turn her out in the morning with them in the field. She is really good in the stable but she will always have another horse in at any time on either side next to her at night and for some of the time in the day. But apparently she's not that bothered and comes in alone and settles quite easily. She had been brought in last night and overnight before the vetting with no horses next to her over night. She seemed very calm and settled.
 
I too would bring her in for a couple of hours during the day then out all night. She'll see plenty with a couple of hours inside, and get used to her stable. 16hrs + is a LONG time for her to be in if she's just out during the day.
 
So pleased for you, all sounds very exciting.

Do whatever you are comfortable with and can sleep at night! Good idea to consider weather in your decision, youngsters do tend to gallop around in high wind, so in first few nights whilst she settles is probably a good idea. Looking forward to seeing pictures!
 
Honey08 said:
I'd have her in at night as long as she gets decent time outside during the day. It will do her good to be on the yard and see other horses coming and going, plus being handled and in a routine.

How exciting, I hope that you can post photos soon!
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I agree
 
Congratulations :) wishing you the best of luck and fun with her. Will be looking forwards to pictures. I prefer out 24/7 but youngsters have to get used to bring stabled so I agree with what you are going to do in for a few days/first week them out. Especially if she will be in twice a day for a small feed :)
 
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