Those with horses living out 24/7

[loverly]

Do you manage?

I'm coming to the conclusion that keeping 2 horses (one thoroughbred and one warmblood x thoroughbred), one which will probably never be ridden again due to PSD and KS in the near future and the other that is a youngster do not need to be kept on DIY livery, paying for all the "luxury" facilities which I cannot use anymore.

I'm lucky enough to have land about 10-15mins away from where I live but sa I have always een on yards which have always stables, sand-school, hard standing etc.. So, can it be done?

 

[Ibblebibble]

lol yes, and i find it less work than on livery!!! ok so my horses are muddier than one kept in 24\7 over winter but so what, i brush off the important bits to ride and have been doing so for the last 5 years with no ill effects
I kept my 20 yr old TB out 24/7 and she was fine, i keep a 16yrold 17hh TBx out now and she does fine too

 

[TheMule]

Can it be done?!
It's easy peasy You will find it much easier with a decent acerage though, my two have 9 acres through the winter- excessive to many, maybe, but it means they dont need any top ups with hay or hard feed and poo picking is pointless

 

[vallin]

Yup, horse lives out 24/7/365 quite happily! I made exactly the same decision a couple of years ago, horse has numerous things wrong, I'm at uni, were not doing much, so why pay for facilities I don't need?

The one thing I would say is I would never like to not have a box available in case of emergencies. Luckily, although my horse is on grass livery, the YO keeps one box empty at all times for just such an occasion. And believe me, it's very useful to have it when you need it!

 

[Cocorules]

Yes I went from livery stable half day to 24.7 turnout with good shelters and it is better for me and in my view better for my horses who seem happier too. Much better hacking now makes up for lack of school. I can school in the field frequently enough anyway. I would not go back!

 

[mulledwhine]

My old TB was out 24/7 and sometimes I felt awful, he lived this way to 35 yrs old, but he would not stable.

New pony is in at night, and tbh it is a pain, especially this time of year when day light is minimal, and he is at home, so I have no extra help.

Thumbs up to living out, as long as they are well fed and warm, and happy to do so, then it get my vote every time

 

[cob&onion]

I have 3, one of which a TB who all live out 24/7, you sound in a similar position to me, i also have land down the road and a TB with problems (currently turned away) - no of them are in work at the moment so its easy peasy just make sure you have 2 decent turn outs for those who get rugged - one for when the other gets wet to change into.
They have plenty of hay, hard feed and grass (at the moment) and are as happy as larry.

 

[cob&onion]

My old TB was out 24/7 and sometimes I felt awful, he lived this way to 35 yrs old, but he would not stable.

Just to add, my TB won't stable neither - happy living out roughing it up with the cobs

 

[loverly]

Thank-you. This is definitely helping make a decision...

It's roughly 7 acres in one field and then 1-2 acres in another across the lane. I'm just paranoid about security and the fact there will be no electricity in winter!!

Do you let your horses have full range of the field or split it all up into smaller paddocks for winter/summer?

I will definitely be looking into getting a field shelter, with gates just incase of emergencies. But as, (I think), you need planning permission for hardstanding, is there anything I can put down just so they can have time off the mud for the farrier etc..?

 

[ladyt25]

We have 3 out 24/7 now and two who come in at night (they are clipped out). We have 12 acres split in to two fields so one is closed off at the moment - it's actually normally all open in the winter but we have one horse on box rest/restricted paddock rest so we need to keep the others in his view to avoid him stressing!

We have a 28 TB out (he too does not 'do' being shut in a stable!), my 25 yo welsh x pony and my 2 yo. The oldies are rugged for the cold/wet weather but the youngster is not. He was last year when it was ridiculously cold. As long as you have decent shelter, can rug them if needs be (ie if it's really awful and they do not hold weight that well) then they will be fine.

When we first had our field we didn't have any electric either and used to rely on torchlight or car lights when feeding etc. When we built the stables we ran the lights of a car battery (not very bright lighting!!!) and then a generator but they kept getting nicked. We got electricity about 3 or so uears ago now - we've had the field well over 20 years! Still, we coped before it, we've just got used to the 'luxury' of it now!

 

[dressagelove]

Yep, im another, cos my TB is a terrible stress head when stabled. He is a different horse when out all the time. They are a lot muddier, but much happier! ITs where they are designed to be!

 

[Cocorules]

I split my land as easier to rest. Depending on your ground you may not need hard standing sand can be fine. My current shelters have either a chalk or sand base with rubber mats. A shelter for me is an essential for the horses unless you have great natural shelter the farrier appreciates it too!

 

[cob&onion]

We have approx 4 acres (thereabouts) with 3 horses, they are taken to winter grazing - another 5 acres (i rent this) from December till about March/april time. In the winter it is opened fully and in the summer my field is split up and restricted for the fat cob

 

[mulledwhine]

As for shelters on hard standing... I have never had hard standing, just start with a thick bed of straw, and the rest will take care of it's self xx

 

[mulledwhine]

Ps. Ment to say you will be surprised at how little they use the shelter

 

[TJ&Ozzie]

My 2 are living out this winter for the first time ever. Pony has been with me 16 years and always been stabled at night through the winter and horse is an ex p2p and always stabled at night. Both have super thick rugs and have taken to it like ducks to water - its me that sits in the front room at night worrying about them! However if I go out to check them, they are fine! Having stables built in the spring so only a temporary measure for 1 winter but they are fine with it anyway

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Mine are out 24/7 on just over an acre. 2 ponies, both VERY good doers. I manage fine, in fact it is a piece of cake compared to having them stabled. I check them once a day, top up water (from nearby stream), they have a handful of Hi-Fi. Job done.

Neither wear shoes, one is clipped (by previous owner) and consequently rugged, other is furry, fat and naked . I just scrape the mud off the saddle/bridle area with a cattle comb before riding - pony looks a state but is very happy! I did have a schooling area fenced off but needed the grazing so now I just school in the middle of the field when dry enough or hack out.

I love it actually, although I miss having other people about and am always badgering friends to come up and ride with me.

 

[Girlychu]

I have 4 who all live out. The yearling (appy) and two year (coloured cob) live out - no rugs, hay in ring feeder with very little grass. Both big fat guffies.

25 year old welsh x mare - lives out with rain sheet on (thick winter coat underneath), limited hay and small feed with suppliments - she has spavin and isn't ridden.


8 year old coloured cob x tb fully clipped lives out in m/w rug, limited grass, hay/straw in hay nets which are weighed. No hard feed. In light work. he is on a diet cos he gets fat on fresh air.

I think its a healthier, natural way for my horses to live I would add they all have natural shelter - trees, wall etc no field shelter.

 

[coss]

Thank-you. This is definitely helping make a decision...

It's roughly 7 acres in one field and then 1-2 acres in another across the lane. I'm just paranoid about security and the fact there will be no electricity in winter!!

Do you let your horses have full range of the field or split it all up into smaller paddocks for winter/summer?

I will definitely be looking into getting a field shelter, with gates just incase of emergencies. But as, (I think), you need planning permission for hardstanding, is there anything I can put down just so they can have time off the mud for the farrier etc..?

You can get paving slabs i think as they are temporary (as long as not concreted down )

This time last year I had two arabs living out - plenty of rugs in a 15acre field (which was more than big enough! 5 acres was adequate but i had to change fields and didn't bother to partition it) With 3ft of snow they had hay in the field and were bucket fed 2/3 times a day (only because my mare was 33 at the time - she sadly died in april this year).

I've since moved house and current arab (16year old) is living out with haylage (because that's what i can get hold of) and i've yet to get a field shelter but there are trees. Well rugged and he's quite happy. He never liked coming in anyway.

 

[PennyJ]

In winter, the bigger the area they have the better, it cuts down on mud and trashing of the ground. I split the grazing up in summer, mine are good doers and certainly don't need much grass to get fat on. I'm in my first winter of having my adult ones living out 24/7 and so far it's gone really well.

I have to say I'm not getting on too well with the shoeing in the gateway though, it was much nicer for all of us when the farrier came up to the yard.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I like to have a stable for emergencies but my guys spend most of their time (when not injured ) out in the paddocks. easier than mucking out minger horses lol

 

[lottie940]

I've got two on DIY livery and although I like the idea of having them all nicely tucked in at night in a stable I know neither of them would be happy with that. They love living out, I rug my anglo arab but the youngster lives out without a rug. I leave their stable door open (they share despite having a stable each!) and they also have a field shelter in the second field so they have the freedom to bring themselves in if the weather is that bad. They are not stupid and will usually spend the night stood under cover if the weather is horrid.

I honestly think having them living out is easier and cheaper, I don't have to spend ages every day mucking a stable out, I push my barrow around the fields and collect my poo, feed them and put hay out and that's me done.

Go on do it

 

[TigerTail]

Of course you manage! In fact you become very proficient at managing and the scouts of the equine community - able to manage whatever crisis without histrionics!

Thats a fab amount of acreage to have available! I have 3 on 8 acres and in spring I put a track around the outside to limit there grass intake but also encourage movement, better for barefoot feet, and better for waistlines. The middle gets cuts for hay which is stored stacked up behind my field shelter on pallets with a lorry tarp over it.

We are on a private lane so they get trimmed on the lane if its wet so the poor man can see what hes doing.

I wouldnt worry about hardstanding too much as long as they are getting out and about and their feet are in good health.

Security wise - make sure one of the hinges of your gates are turned upside down to stop them being lifted off, and chain and padlock the other end. Thick chain mind not rubbishy stuff, also make sure your padlocks are of the bolt variety to that there is too small a gap for someone to use bolt cutters on the actual padlock.

For electric fencing you'l want an energiser and a battery, I had mine pinched last year so they are now in a lockable anti vandal box which is electrified itself - no more thieving

I padlock my rugs on with little padlocks gotten from tog24. We have a lockable garden shed sort of thing thats corrugated and has feed and inexpensive bits in it. Saddle and bridle live in my car on a stand.

Cant think of anything else for now!

oooh PPS solar lights for the feed area/shed are awesome - just get them from garden centres!

 

[penny3]

Both my ponies live out 24/7, one with a rug the other without we have a shelter just because it's handy to tack up in and tie the haynets up, but they both seem happy enough to be out all the time, and its so much easier than having the hassle of stabling

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

My friend and I have 6 horses between us (I have 4, she has 2) and ours all live out 24/7.
My first two are a 7 month ISH filly -rugged with neck cover
3.5 year old ISH gelding - medium weight rug
and also in that field is my friends 21 month old cob gelding (skinny though due to poor start) he is also rugged in a MW

Then in the other field there is
7.5 year old Clydesdale gelding - lite weight rug (just to keep the rain and mud off really..!!!)
11 year old TB gelding(skinny as hell, rugged up well, stuffed with food..!!!)
And my friends 4.5 yeard old cob gelding, also rugged.

Ours are all happy as larry though with my TB losing weight I wish I had somewhere warmer for him at night. They are all fed ad lib hay and fed once a day, apart from the foal and two skinny horses, they get two feeds.
It can be a pain for riding when its ankle deep in mud etc, not much fun and there are times it would be lovely to have a proper school to work in but all of ours seem very happy and content. I have no objection to those that do keep their horses in but it just doesnt seem right for me, I like them to be loose.
Also I couldnt afford all of mine if they were on a livery yard..!!!! Its definately more cost effective..!!

 

[Lizzie0682]

We moved to having them out 24/7 about 3 years ago, it is great! The one thing I do struggle though is when you wake up at 2am and its tipping it down / windy / snowing - its the guilt! I bit the bullet this year and got a field shelter, it's bloody brilliant!!! No more guilt!!

 

[charleysummer]

First year mine has been out this long.. hunter clipped and toasty in a lightweight rug :O! shes 14hh and some warmblood x native conny type imported from holland.

that pony is made of strong stuff though the type that gets fat on air and never gets tired lol, so much easier. have a mini herd of 5 at the yard i am at and they can roam the whole land- which is huge with a little brook running through and strips of woodland so no poo picking!

 

[hannahmurphy]

My ISH is on his second winter out, he loves it. Never tries to come in, don't think he would want to either. I'd much rather horses live as nature intended where possible. Is much quicker than having them in, can feed in the field if being REALLY lazy. As long as there is hay to keep them occupied all is fine. I must add, not bothered one bit at being in foot of snow either (like last year).

 

[milesjess]

We moved to having them out 24/7 about 3 years ago, it is great! The one thing I do struggle though is when you wake up at 2am and its tipping it down / windy / snowing - its the guilt! I bit the bullet this year and got a field shelter, it's bloody brilliant!!! No more guilt!!

I'm having that feeling right now with the horrid weather and my boys out!! Oh well

I made the change about 5 months ago from just day time turnout to 24/7 and although there are guilt days mine prefers to be out so long as he's got company and rugged.

 

[Ibblebibble]

in summer i have roughly 5 acres which is split into paddocks so that i can rotate grazing and control weight of the fatty. in the winter i'm very lucky that the farmer lets me use a 5 acre field which they are allowed to trash, i don't split that so that i don't get numerous poached gateways only the one I have no electric either and manage just fine all year,i have a generator in case of emergencies but never had to use it for such, does boil the kettle for cups of tea though
My big girl was on limited turnout livery before i had her, she was always injuring herself and was a grumpy moobag i got her and turned her out 24/7 and only had one vet visit (other than routine) in 5 years!!! her old sharer came to visit and ride her and couldn't believe how chilled out she was