To turn out or not?

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Georgie has had a touch of mud fever which is now clearing up nicely. I have been keeping him in whilst he healed. My dilemma is what to do next.
Our fields are completely waterlogged, we are talking knee deep in parts and the long term forecast does not bode well for some dryer weather. He has been quite chilled and happy in. I have both and indoor and outdoor school at my disposal so he has been worked 6 days a week with a day off when he I turn him out in the indoor school for a leg stretch. He seems to be quite happy with this arrangment and there has been no change in his temperament at all. Infact, if anything, he appears to be happier in stuffing his face with adlib hayledge!
So do I keep him in for the forseeable future untilthe weather breaks and the field dries up a bit. Or do I risk the mud fever returning and chuck him out?
I've never had this kind of dilemma before and always advocated as much turn out as is physically possible so I'm having a little bit of a guilty argument with myself.
 
Definitely keep him in. He sounds happy as larry... to me if they're getting worked and/or turned out for a leg stretch in a school then unless they're a fruit loop they can cope perfectly well not going out in the field. My two are going out in the field once a week at most at the moment - it's far too muddy and they just stand by the gate wanting to come back in. Standing in deep mud is bad for their skin and their hooves IMO... so don't feel guilty for keeping him in. He'd let you know if he wasn't happy.
 
Mine have been kept in much more this year than any other year I can remember, and the fields are wetter. as long as you can get a leg stretch or some exercise in, I wouldn't feel too bad about it. I have gone from having mine out 24/7 all year round so I am also having some guilty feelings!
 
Keep him in! If he's happy, all our hunters are in now and will be until the better weather dries up the fields. It sounds like he's getting enough work, and as you say you can turn him in the school for a play
 
I have the same dilema, while the weather is so poor and Lottie is quite content staying in and going out to play in the school I am leaving her in. if however she started playing up to ride or appeared unhappy or bored I would turn her out in the fields. She has coped with this now for 3 weeks.
 
I'd keep him in but also turn him out for a leg strech each day
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I would keep him in, or maybe just turn him out for a few hours a couple of times a week.

TBH ours have been a lot happier staying in lately and even when we do turn them out, 2 hours later they are waiting by the gate again.
 
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I would keep him in, or maybe just turn him out for a few hours a couple of times a week.

TBH ours have been a lot happier staying in lately and even when we do turn them out, 2 hours later they are waiting by the gate again.

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I did turn him out for 3 hours 2 afternoons last week but he was soon waiting by the gate to come in again and his leg got a bit warm again so I knocked it on the head.
 
I'm having the same dilemma. I've always advocated out as much as possible, but my fields are practically underwater and the horses will soon need arm bands to get to them! They are out today, but I know they'll be waiting to come in by the time I get there later. Even with hay feeders they don't want to stay out.
 
I have changed my four round to been in 24/7 and they are really happy they all get worked every night or turned out in the school for a leg stretch and they are really really happy. Field is terrible, need wadders to get through the gate way. The last time my lot went out in the field they wanted to come in an hour after they had gone out, so may as well stay in with large haynets and be nice warm and dry..... Hopefully only for a few months and then it will change again.

Don't feel quilty, if he was really bothered he would have let you know......
 
I suppose I am quite enjoying having him in too - spending lots of extra time with him, not battling with the mud and always having a clean horse does have its advantages and its when I start thinking like that the guilt sets in and I start questioning whether I am doing it for his benefit or mine!
 
Baron is the same at the moment, im keeping him in. I put him in the walker for 30 mins each morning or if its empty I will put him in the menage for a little play. He gets ridden after work for about 30-60 mins then back in the walker for another 30 mins. He seems happy with this, if I do turn him out he just stands by the gate looking all sorry for himself.
 
Keep him in the weather is foul and if he is being worked 6 dyas a week then he will be happy ours are doing just that and they get 30mins twice a week in the sand paddock to buck about and let off steam but they are then happy to come into a nice warm dry stable
 
I would say that he is enjoying it too, all that love. I must say I have found it alot easier, my gang are getting alot more work, even my ex-racer is chilled and happy, she's pop a few pounds on too, which I am pleased about. Honest don't feel guilty, he will be enjoying it as much as you.........
 
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