Stabled during winter opinions please

[Magic mummy]

Hi all
I have a bit if an issue I have two cobs and I'm now deciding whether to keep them stabled during the rainy season. Already my paddock is becoming a mud pit I have split in in half and rotating them but I am concerned the whole paddock is going to be mud and therefore reduce the amount of grass in spring and summer. What I was thinking is keeping them in during this awful weather to save the grass for them when they are going to need it most. I give them lots of hay and take them out on hacks walking and lunging so exercise isn't that much of a problem ( they are pretty lazy too ha). I know this isn't ideal as I know in an ideal world they should be turned out each day to do horsey things! I was thinking having the nice grass in spring summer would be better for them rather than having hay all year round . Any opinions please don't be too harsh on me haha.
Thanks x

 

[AmyMay]

If you don't have enough land to support turnout during the winter, then I guess you have no option.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

If its a livery yard, then I'd move to somewhere with better turnout.

If its your own land, then it depends on how well the ground drains and comes back in the spring. I do think turnout time is really important unless a horse is in very hard and varied work so gets plenty of time outside the stable and mental stimulation.

Could you provide hard standing or a track for them to move around and get some fresh air ?

 

[L&M]

If you have the time to excercise daily, and they are happy in their stables, could you just turn out for a few hours each day?

We have reasonable grazing, but find come January the grass has lost all its attraction and they would rather be in their stables chomping on haylage. My routine then is that they get turnout from around 8am - 1pm, then bring and excercised.

This way they get some turnout and 'being a horse' time, but always have a full belly and kept fit. This in turn helps my fields as are in better nick for Spring.

Good luck as winter is such a balancing act!