Thoughts on Keeping Horses in?

Leviathan said:
Will not stable the horses unless on box rest or owner requests it for a valid reason

Ours go out at 7 and in at 3pm every week day regardless of the weather
weekends 9am -3pm
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Is that the case even when the ground is poached and frozen solid, or are you fortunate enough to have lots of well drained fresh ground.
 
As goldenstar has said. Personally turning out in a sand school with field buddy or two counts as turn out to me. The social side and time to stretch legs while not working is nice.
This in addition to some proper exercise is not being kept in 24/7 to me... Which I do not like unless medical reasoning.

I read op as that fields were fine, just road not, in which case I'd leave out.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Is that the case even when the ground is poached and frozen solid, or are you fortunate enough to have lots of well drained fresh ground.
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I have stopped topping my sacfrice paddock later in the summer so it's really standing hay when they go on it not pretty but it makes a very safe surface for them if the gateway gets nasty I spread the wet shavings onto it ( ie I skip the droppings and use the rest of the mucking out rubbish to spread .
I also have two ways into the field one we use only in emergency so it's not poached I have learnt over the years how to get it to work .
 
My pony endured 24/7 stabled for 2 days with laminitis before completely losing the plot. Never ever again and would never go to a yard where it was insisted upon.

Mine are in overnight currently due to so much mud, mudfever and it actually being cheaper to feed them whilst in, than having to throw more hay out in the fields because it's cold, windy, wet or not enough grass.

When we had -7 a few weeks ago, mine stayed out with another livery's 4. Gave them a bale of hay and they were fine. However because the field's are so bumpy and poached now, a deep freeze will make it a death trap and we are determined to keep the yard as ice free as possible so they can keep coming in overnight. However as long as they are kept occupied with enough grass/hay and there's no field loonies running round, I'd would rather them be stuck turned out than in any day.
 
Ours are in on a Tuesday and Thursday. I don't think the horses have even noticed! I think it's fine every now and again - wont do them any harm
 
Clodagh said:
If it gets too slippery for mine to go in and out then they stay out, I would rather stuck out than in. With rugs and ad lib forage they are as happy as they are in and it saves the hysterical galloping around thing when they have been stuck in for days.
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I think quite a few people would although not always possible on a livery yard where the decision isn't yours
 
I have no problems with keeping mine in during icey periods or well beyond. I have one horse which is very grass sensitive so is in most of the year anyway. On the yard they are always being handled, go on the walker or in the round pen and are ridden daily so actually move more then when they get turned out (they just lawnmow), and they are never fresh or fussed about anything. Horses for courses, and this is a routine they have been used to since aged 2-3.
 
Clodagh said:
It isn't that poached and frozen solid doesn't worry me. I am on clay.
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I am on clay too, but the paddocks I have trashed have very deep poach damage and that frozen solid I would not use. I think you just have to judge the type of horse being turned out on frozen ground and decide if the risk is worth taking.
 
I think that turnout is really important, but sometimes it just isn't possible.
My two stayed in for about 3 weeks with an hours in hand grazing a day because they wouldn't stay in the fencing and the stuff I had ordered hadn't arrived - I hated it but it was better than them getting out.

Now I have the fencing, I work 9-5 (first 9-5 job for me!) and don't want to catch them in when its dark because they can be very silly and I'm all by myself, atm I go and get them in during my lunch break so they go out 7.30am to 12.30pm which is suiting them fine, they were very fed up yesterday when it snowed and were very happy to see me! They get a walk in hand in the eve before bed, adlib hay and a play together with me. My field is fine as its not been grazed much, but I can see it not doing very well in the wet weather. Its a lot of work for me, I'm there 3 times a day and don't get home til about 8pm, but I would rather that than get ploughed over in the dark with no one around to help!

I really hate yards that have virtually no turnout all year round - i can understand when fields are trashed but I see no reason in the spring/summer when they are fine. Some yards have too many horses on too little turnout... Think the idea of more money has more to do with that it most cases...
 
AdorableAlice said:
I am on clay too, but the paddocks I have trashed have very deep poach damage and that frozen solid I would not use. I think you just have to judge the type of horse being turned out on frozen ground and decide if the risk is worth taking.
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Totally agree with this. My clay, poached fields frozen are a death trap but we all know how our own horses react. 2yr old won't go out if the field is frozen due to the poaching but the old lad would be sensible. The other 3 no chance !
 
Horses will adapt as long as they are well cared for no matter what the regime. Mine (all mature horses in daily work) don't mind going out for a wander around if I insist, but are really just as happy to stay in, and positively prefer it when the weather is foul. I am now turning out mostly in the arena, day and night. The fields deserve as much care as the horses if you are to have decent grazing for the spring and summer.
 
Where I keep mine, they can be out every day in winter but it's such deep mud and churned up and with sitting water now the ice is coming I would not risk putting mine out til the field has thawed of a day. Due to the state of the field which has been like that for weeks he has recurring mud fever scabs and the mud just sets it off again, he's been in for 3 days and out today for an hour - tonight we are due -5 I think so he won't go out until later tomorrow if they go out at all. With working and a rubbish school he gets loops and loops walked round the stable block if I can't ride. I've seen an old horse years ago go over on a solid frozen field which gave him a hairline fracture in his pelvis and I would not want to do that to mine. I envy people that can manage their own turnout and condition of those fields.
 
morrismob said:
Totally agree with this. My clay, poached fields frozen are a death trap but we all know how our own horses react. 2yr old won't go out if the field is frozen due to the poaching but the old lad would be sensible. The other 3 no chance !
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If it is impossible for me to walk across without bruising my feet or twisting an ankle how can it be safe for a horse. The vets will be busy with deep seated bruises and leg injuries over the next few weeks of the predicted 'big freeze'.

I need a lottery win, then I can build a super dooper school, have a walker and retire to play horses all day.
 
MochaDun said:
. I envy people that can manage their own turnout and condition of those fields.
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I do, but I still have to close fields and keep my horses in due to the weather conditions, it is no different to keeping a horse on livery when the weather is as bad as we have all experienced in 2012/13.
 
CharlieGal said:
Just wondering what you guys think on keeping horses in full/part time. I find it really hard in the icey conditions to get my horse out as our road gets too slippy to walk on. Any time its not too slippery shes out though! Whats your thoughts on this? What do you do in the winter/do any of you keep your horses in 24/7?
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I used to turn mine out in hours of daylight come hell or high water as long as the ground wasn't frozen solid. However, the fields are so bad at the moment that I'd rather Old Horse was miserable and warm and dry than miserable and cold and wet especially as he is starting with arthritis.

In fact he isn't at all bothered about staying in. He has his pipe and his slippers and seems quite happy. He does go on the walker on days when he isn't ridden, though, and has plenty of social time with other horses and people in his stable block.
 
Horrible!! They're horses they should b out. No amount of toys or half hour in the school can make up for turnout. I find it really sad when horses r kept out of their natural environment, no socialising with others, feeding how nature intended etc breaks my heart.
 
Jools1234 said:
long term everyone has a choice regarding turn out, its not always easy to accommodate it though, i would move yards or rent a field on a temporary basis in order to keep mine out. if my only option was to stable 24/7/52 then i would not have horses.
i do realise that some horses seem to like being in and i truly believe it its abnormal behaviour (like a dog that only wants to stay indoors) that needs addressing and it does take lots of effort sometimes
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"Abnormal behaviour" - why ever do you think that? Would you say it was abnormal behaviour if a child preferred to stay in in bad weather rather than going out to be miserable in the playground? It used to be like that when I was in primary school and I can assure you I'd rather be abnormal.

As long as Horse isn't distressed in the stable and is distressed in the field I have no problem deciding which is best for him. He has hay and water and feed as required, he isn't box-walking or demonstrating any other forms of stress behaviour, in fact he lies down for a nap a couple of times a day, and he shows a healthy interest in what the humans and other horses are doing. None of which anyone could consider abnormal behaviour. On the odd occasions he's been turned out this winter he's stood at the gate over his knees in liquid mud for hours just waiting to be brought in - now that is abnormal behaviour!
 
kty82 said:
Horrible!! They're horses they should b out. No amount of toys or half hour in the school can make up for turnout. I find it really sad when horses r kept out of their natural environment, no socialising with others, feeding how nature intended etc breaks my heart.
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so you would rather have horses out on poached icy fields and break their legs than be in??
we have no option on turnout whatsoever unless we want to take our horses for a swim!
we get winter turnout when its dry and out as much as we like the rest of the year.
majority of the yards around here have no turnout and if they do they only have a few liveries so they can keep the fields good and even then they have massive lakes in them at the moment.
 
My current horse went from spending the first 3 years of her life with 24/7 turn out then came to me and is now stabled over night with alternate day turn out as long as the lane to the field isn't too icey
 
... But was she bothered? Of course not! Her needs are still met through ad lib forage, fresh water and companionship so she's totally fine. On the days she's been in I will at the least walk her in hand or preferably ride or lunge.

Sure it would be great to have fantastic turn out that never got muddy, always had lush grass, never froze etc but let's be realistic here, that's just not going to happen!
 
Ellen Durow said:
"Abnormal behaviour" - why ever do you think that? Would you say it was abnormal behaviour if a child preferred to stay in in bad weather rather than going out to be miserable in the playground? It used to be like that when I was in primary school and I can assure you I'd rather be abnormal.

As long as Horse isn't distressed in the stable and is distressed in the field I have no problem deciding which is best for him. He has hay and water and feed as required, he isn't box-walking or demonstrating any other forms of stress behaviour, in fact he lies down for a nap a couple of times a day, and he shows a healthy interest in what the humans and other horses are doing. None of which anyone could consider abnormal behaviour. On the odd occasions he's been turned out this winter he's stood at the gate over his knees in liquid mud for hours just waiting to be brought in - now that is abnormal behaviour!
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agreed


with my last horse i had it drummed into me "out 24/7 if possible if not daytime - keeping in at all even for a day is NOT acceptable"

then i lost her and had my other pony in winter.....omfg my views and attitude has changed!.....


mine is now in for most of winter/till it dries up she - plays in the school/lunged/walked etc - has ample hay, snack a ball, likkits - visits etc lots to do. She shows no sign of abnormal behaviour at all..........she likes her neighbours, has a little chat etc....but happy to stay in -

the fields are wet and when not wet - frozen - no-ones fault its just winter!! i personally wont be putting out yet as i cannot afford mentally or money wise to have a lame horse which as shes at a new yard etc/new horses on bad ground its just not worth it tbh... - ive just lost one horse im probably over reacting but im not risking her

if she was miserable in id have to swallow it and put her out but tbh shes happy.

so yes i agree with the quote - its not ideal having them in but its winter....its miserable - they ADAPT!!!
 
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Mine would hate to be in 24/7 or anything near it. That really bad Winter a few years back i managed to get them out for about 12hrs every single day - although i probably made miles & miles of muck paths to get them from stable to paddock safely. Not to mention the hours i spent clearing snow off fences & breaking ice on troughs. No doubt folk still thought i was lazy & shirking fulltime mucking out! LOL!

I don't agree with the opinion of "better bored than a broken leg" & i'm not the only one - i was leading out one of those days a vet (who has a really good reputation locally, but was not my own, & i had never met him before) actually stopped me & congratulated me on the effort i was making to get them out daily. He said in his opinion it's important to get them out every day & that he sees far more strains & soft tissue injuries on horses who go loopy when eventually turned out after a period inside, than he does any injuries in the field due to slippy conditions. One of my guys had frost nails fitted around November, another two of my horses had their shoes removed that year to help with grip & (apart from being exhausted) i had no problems at all, just relaxed happy horses.

For those who think their horses like being stabled, leave the doors open at night & see where they are in the morning. Horses don't choose to live in caves!
 
Of its too dangerous to get them out then in.

Don't risk moving them across ice a girl I know horse slipped on the ice on the yard and broke its back. It's not worth it for the horse and your own Safety.
 
Also when you have deep poached fields that freezing leaving large ruts, your asking for bust tendons. I guess those jumping up and down about they must be out maybe a injury is not as important me for one wants and needs my horse sound as a pound. If these means he staying in due to the big freeze so be it. He will have then will go out as soon as its safe to do so. Life is tough sometimes.
 
I should imagine that if i had stayed at the first yard i was at my horse would be in now as the fields are wrecked.. that yard had a school but really the worst hacking anywhere due to its proximity to a main trunk road.
I now have him on 15 acre turnout and take my lead from him. He s out 24/7 at the moment but i bring him in for a feed and fuss in the mornings, he just paces the stable desperate to get back to his mates. there s no school where i am but the hackings fantastic.
Every morning in this weather i go up expecting him to be stood with his head down looking miserable, and when i get there he is as bright as a button.As he gets older i think the really cold nights are starting to get to him..so i will probably try him in the stable..however i doubt he will settle now as his palls are all outside....For my horse its definately out 24/7.
Thats my horse though and im sure other people are doing whats best for their horses , it might be different from what i do with mine but it doesnt mean its wrong.
 
Ellen Durow said:
"Abnormal behaviour" - why ever do you think that? Would you say it was abnormal behaviour if a child preferred to stay in in bad weather rather than going out to be miserable in the playground? It used to be like that when I was in primary school and I can assure you I'd rather be abnormal.

As long as Horse isn't distressed in the stable and is distressed in the field I have no problem deciding which is best for him. He has hay and water and feed as required, he isn't box-walking or demonstrating any other forms of stress behaviour, in fact he lies down for a nap a couple of times a day, and he shows a healthy interest in what the humans and other horses are doing. None of which anyone could consider abnormal behaviour. On the odd occasions he's been turned out this winter he's stood at the gate over his knees in liquid mud for hours just waiting to be brought in - now that is abnormal behaviour!
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horses and children are not one and the same and cannot be compared. for an animal that ideally is designed to move for 18hrs per day it is (in my mind abnormal) to be happy to stand in a small square for 23hrs per day nature dictates that they should be moving. just because they do not appear stressed does not mean it is normal behaviour.

if any of us saw a wild pony that had not moved (out of a 14x14 area) all day or a horse in a field doing the same all day we would be concerned it was normal behaviour,
 
our yard and track to fields are very icy and slippery. ours have all been in since monday night. They all go on the walker every day. they are fine. i would love mine to go out for a few hrs but if you work full time and have to go out and about then you cant just go and pop the horse in so they have to stay in or out. we all work full time so we cant leave 6 horses to be brought in. also i wouldnt want anyone else bringing mine if if she then fell over. I dont mind if i am leading her and she falls. they have has, water, can see what is going on and go on the walker for a good stretch every day. radio too.
 
Mine have enough turnout, whatever the weather, to ensure they don't feel the need to gallop and be silly on mud, or hard rutted ground. They will celebrate when the going improves though!
They are in every day for a few hours unless it is wet and windy.They are only happy to be in for 24 hours if it is stormy.
 
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