Turn out woes😔

[windand rain]

Another solution would be to have all stables with a 40mx40m all weather pen attatched friends could be stable next to each other and have slip rails so they could be together and no doors would mean more planning permission It would be much better than a muddy patch and a round bale. Actually I think those that just dump a round bale in the field are probably adding to the obesity problem as the horses stand there eating cake (Hay) without having to move at all same as hay nets in one place We don't feed much hay but the biits we do are scattered around about an acre of land in piles. Hard work on a windy day as every pile needs to be in a weighted hay pillow to stop it blowing away cant tie it to the fencing as it is all electrified and it does make them jump a bit when the fencing is on on a wet day

 

[Hallo2012]

this has been my first winter on clay for 20 years.

jesus its hard work and i can see why people give up and weep mid Jan! normally mine would be out 6.30am-3.30pm all winter but since Nov they have been on 7.30am-1.30pm in order to ensure enough grazing to last to spring.

i think we have just about done it.... the winter fields are just tailing off as new shoots come up on the summer paddocks and as mine are both fat natives that suits me!

the 11yo gets worked nearly every day and the 4yo has been out his stable every evening even if only for 5 min ground work and then ridden 3 times a week and of course they have been out every day, just for half the time.

they seem happy, and its kept the mud to a manageable level and thus my stress also so a manageable level but it would have been hard to do this if OH didnt work from home!

however i cannot imagine having to keep them in full time, and neither would i want to.

OP i think i would just stick it out till easter rather than move twice.

 

[Darlabean]

Nothing’s perfect but at least in the little paddocks they can breathe ... stables are notorious for respiratory issues. Loafing areas are the way to go ....

 

[Leo Walker]

They move a lot more in a small paddock than they ever do in a stable.

 

[JFTDWS]

Greentrees and South Hall farm both kept their horses in for that long

Which are two examples in an area which has dozens of yards with better turnout. Yours were at Buckwynns, and there are a good number of yards in that area with daily turnout all winter...

 

[JFTDWS]

Only if the stabled horses are not being properly exercised. The horses out in the little mini paddocks are not getting enough exercise unless they are also being worked daily.

The trouble is that many horses are not worked properly - whether in stables 24/7, or in postage stamps 24/7. I would, personally, take the postage stamp over the stable (except if it's a bog in winter), but only by a whisker. Bad management is bad management - whether in stable or field.

If a horse can't be worked, or won't be worked properly, it needs to be in a proper, big, natural field, as much as possible. If it can be, and is, worked, more time in stables, or in smaller fields becomes more acceptable - depending on how much time the owner is able and willing to put into it.

 

[Auslander]

I purchased my first field as it is a must for my horses to go out at least once a week.

You bought a field? So you don't have to turn your horses out with others, and you can feed hay if you wish, so they aren't scrapping over resources?
If that's the case, it's just bloody lazy not to turn the poor sods out daily

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Another solution would be to have all stables with a 40mx40m all weather pen attatched friends could be stable next to each other and have slip rails so they could be together

there's a couple of livery yards up here that given each stable has a mini all- weather turnout attached and I think one has slip rails so they can go in with their friends. still would rather they have space but its better than being stabled all the time.

and yes, I lug different piles of hay around when I need to, hard work but preferable to them standing at the trough all the time.

 

[GTRJazz]

You bought a field? So you don't have to turn your horses out with others, and you can feed hay if you wish, so they aren't scrapping over resources?
If that's the case, it's just bloody lazy not to turn the poor sods out daily

That would be the easy option the fields would just turn to mud and the horses soon want to be in , I muck out three every night and ride because in the winter when it is hard the bond forms. I never lunge before getting on either if you can control a horse that has been in for days then come spring it will not use all of that energy against you .

 

[JFTDWS]

Jesus christ, what utter nonsense. I only wish you were a troll...

I shovel shit off my field daily, and ride all 3 of mine virtually every day. It's got bugger all to do with "bond" and everything to do with doing what you sign up for when you decide to own horses. It's not special, it's not "bond", it's just doing what needs to be done. And as for "controlling it when it's been in for days, so it won't use its energy against you come spring", I can't even begin to deal with that level of stupid...

 

[Auslander]

That would be the easy option the fields would just turn to mud and the horses soon want to be in , I muck out three every night and ride because in the winter when it is hard the bond forms. I never lunge before getting on either if you can control a horse that has been in for days then come spring it will not use all of that energy against you .

That's a ridiculous statement. It's not about being able to "control" a horse without lunging it first. It's about giving your horse a nice life, where it can enjoy freedom to mooch around, socialise with other horses, and graze/eat hay. I muck out 5 every day, all of whom are turned out from 8am to 4pm - and have 5 that live out 24/7. It's not the easy option at all. It'd be far easier to keep the stabled ones in. I don't though, because they are far happier with plenty of field time.
They don't use their energy against me/their riders, because they aren't jumping out of their skin with frustration about being cooped up.
I have loads of mud. The horses don't care, as long as they have plenty to eat, and come spring, I get my fields sorted out.

 

[Darlabean]

Could this be a learning moment for GTRJAZZ for the sake of the horses or is this too far gone and sadly left to n impending law of natural consequence lesson?

 

[Nativelover]

Could this be a learning moment for GTRJAZZ for the sake of the horses or is this too far gone and sadly left to n impending law of natural consequence lesson?

Perhaps the learning moment could include the 5 freedoms we are obliged to provide for our animals!!???

 

[ester]

bond? WTF, that's almost daft as saying there are issues when forage is restricted! What genuinely bizarre thinking.

I also don't know anyone who lunges before they ride and have no idea what not doing so has to do with anything.

 

[windand rain]

It is a clear welfare issue to keep horses in 24/7 for months on end without a very hard work ethic in fact I would go so far as to say that if you work you simply do not have the time for 1 never mind 3 horses as each one would need a minimum of 2/3 hours work per day being ridden or other work which in winter is virtually impossible. That time does not include tacking up, mucking out and general horse care. If you are a full time horse carer I guess it may be true that you could fit it in but not if you have a full time job as well. The fact that you muck out in the evening suggests that you do.
It is harder work to keep a field kept pony than a stabled one if you do it properly you have to provide clean areas so have acres of land to walk over to poo pick daily, Fences have to be walked twice a day, each pony has to be caught and thoroughly checked over extra forage may need to be provided around the field each one has to have some social interaction as they love to be with humans. That is before you ride. It is much lazier and simpler just to muck out, grab your horse ride it for a few minutes and then put it back. but what do I know I have only been a horse owner for 50 years and have truly done it all ways possible as have had horses that needed to be on box rest which was the easiest way I will admit always knew where they were and could control what they ate etc as long as no one interfered

 

[Kaycee]

When I first bought my yard, I found that the horses needed to come off the land at lunchtimes in the winter, in order to protect the ground. But....this didn't sit well with me because horses should not be stood in stables for hours on end and turnout is about far more than just exercise. So I built all weather turn out pens and arenas, so all the horses go out for 12 hours a day every single day in the winter. So I feel for the OP, and if I couldn't offer daily turnout then I wouldn't have liveries.

 

[conniegirl]

I am just about to change yards too due to the winter turnout arrangements constantly changing and not being what it was when I signed the contract.
It used to be between september and june they were in at night and out 24/7 june to september.
Winter turnout (September to june) was 9am to 3pm every day, then it went to 9am to 1pm everyday, then it went to 9am to 12pm on weekends/ 9am to 1pm week day and now it seems to 9am to 1pm weekdays and 9.30am to 11.30am on weekends and if you cant make it up for 11.30am then they have to stay in as there is no bring in service at the weekends.

New yard is out 24/7 between late March and early November and then In at night between early november and late march, they go out before 9am and come in just before dark (YO brings in if you are not there, included in the livery price). Yard has completely separate summer and winter grazing, so if your horse trashes the winter paddocks they pop hay out until the horses go on summer grazing and then sort out the mess.

 

[JulesRules]

When I first bought my yard, I found that the horses needed to come off the land at lunchtimes in the winter, in order to protect the ground. But....this didn't sit well with me because horses should not be stood in stables for hours on end and turnout is about far more than just exercise. So I built all weather turn out pens and arenas, so all the horses go out for 12 hours a day every single day in the winter. So I feel for the OP, and if I couldn't offer daily turnout then I wouldn't have liveries.

Ooh, where are you. I want to be on your yard even if it means moving to the other end of the country 😍😍

 

[Nasicus]

bond? WTF, that's almost daft as saying there are issues when forage is restricted! What genuinely bizarre thinking.

I think they auto-corrected Stockholm syndrome to bond

 

[nikkimariet]

Jesus christ, what utter nonsense. I only wish you were a troll...

I shovel shit off my field daily, and ride all 3 of mine virtually every day. It's got bugger all to do with "bond" and everything to do with doing what you sign up for when you decide to own horses. It's not special, it's not "bond", it's just doing what needs to be done. And as for "controlling it when it's been in for days, so it won't use its energy against you come spring", I can't even begin to deal with that level of stupid...

Creasing. But so true!!!

I keep reading of people complaining they're just a maid for their horses. Bedding mud rugs hay feed whinge whinge whinge... Don't have horses then!!!!!!!

I've got good land and clean horses but one requires all the feed in the world and one is a continental idiot.

Anyone owning horses is a glutton for punishment, we don't do this because it's easy. Take the rough with the smooth and do what you signed up for!

 

[ester]

Or afford full livery I guess but to many that is certainly just part of it

 

[flying_high]

Or afford full livery I guess but to many that is certainly just part of it

I’m not on full livery but I have been at times. It doesn’t really make owning horses much easier. There are still the same stresses, worries, niggles, issues etc.



You need to be there to get the right relationships with saddler / farrier / bodyworkers / horse etc. You still have the same worries re diet / field / feet/ saddle / soundness / muscle development / health etc.



And you have to manage the relationship with the yard staff and the way they look after your horse. And steer a path between right care for your horse in changing situations, and not falling out with anyone!



I’d agree with this “Anyone owning horses is a glutton for punishment, we don't do this because it's easy. Take the rough with the smooth and do what you signed up for!”

 

[ester]

Oh I wasn't suggesting fewer worries, just less winter shit shovelling and haying.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I certainly got a shock this year going back to DIY after being on a basic full livery for 2 years... But I've also gained unlimited daily turnout albeit in a less than ideal sized field but I'm making it work (technically I'm allowed to turn 24/7 but the field I have won't stand up to it even now I'm down to 1... I tried but have given up and she's back in overnight ☹) Last winter I was up at the yard 3 times a day when it was too wet for turnout... walking, walking, walking. Usually in the pissing rain.

 

[TPO]

I think most owners only try to do the best by their horses. I think most of us at one point have been in similar situations where what we pay for wasn't what we got.

For most just buying your own land isn't an option so you try to find what is best for the horse(s) and what you can tolerate. As an owner/potential customer you can ask all the right questions and speak to current liveries but it's sometimes not until you are there that you find out they don't do what they told you they did.

Like most people I could write a novel on livery yard goings on. It does really make me wonder why some people have horses when they don't appear to like them very much, feel the need to feed/hay them or provide clean water never mind get them fit before doing X or getting tack that fits. Or why some people have yards when they truly don't care about animal welfare

I'm incredibly lucky that my parents bought a new place with stables and land last year. However they didn't have a school and with a horse to back I decided to livery over winter closer to my house for use of facilities. I was very thorough, asked all the right questions etc and got there for none of it to happen! On my working from home days I'd pass the yard and see my horse wasn't out before 10.30-11am and I'd find out from other liveries that they were brought in at 1.30! This is after I was assured turnout was 8.30-9.30 and in at 4.30. They'd have adlib haylage in their paddocks and brought in to clean water and hay - none of which happened. The facilities also weren't provided; new school was getting paid the week I moved in but when I left 6wks later it still wasn't done and ultimately they've relaid the old surface leaving a less than suitable school surface again. There was also zero communication from YO about changes/deciding not to turn out etc. I'm lucky that I always had a fall back with my parents place but without that I'd have been stuck despite doing all that you can do before moving to a yard. YOs sometimes "fib" to get customers and the opinion of current liveries isn't always valid depending on their knowledge and experience...

So while OP might not have expressed herself in the best way initially I can empathise with her & the frustration of not being kept in the loop/goal posts moving.

Personally I'd move to the suitable yard with a space now. There is no guarantee of a space at the new yard and meanwhile you could miss out on a space at a more suitable yard.

I actually have no words for the poster who turns out once a week, mucks stabled horses out only once a day, doesn't lunge and had a bond. Is this a troll???

 

[ester]

Sadly not.
But I have the same reservations about relying on someone else's house purchase for a space, given how often they don't go smoothly.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I've had the experience over and over again of a yard I've moved to not delivering what was promised. Just basic stuff. I also have very little faith left and would say if livery prices went up generally that I suspect many yard owners would charge more and still over stock... liveries are also awful, no one looks after anything that isn't theirs or respects the land or the school surface etc etc. I'm desperate for my own place but it could well be just a dream. All I can do is the very best I can for my horses and be as respectful and considerate a livery as I can be. I try to raise issues with YO and other liveries politely and constructively and do what I can to help out.

I think in many areas of the country that all weather turnout pens and more expensive livery prices is the way it will go.

 

[ihatework]

Oh I wasn't suggesting fewer worries, just less winter shit shovelling and haying.

And there is so much to be said for it 😂

 

[JFTDWS]

Creasing. But so true!!!

I keep reading of people complaining they're just a maid for their horses. Bedding mud rugs hay feed whinge whinge whinge... Don't have horses then!!!!!!!

I've got good land and clean horses but one requires all the feed in the world and one is a continental idiot.

Anyone owning horses is a glutton for punishment, we don't do this because it's easy. Take the rough with the smooth and do what you signed up for!

Oh gods, I spend a lot of time saying that I'm not their bloody housekeeper (in my best Mrs Hudson impression), but it is very much in jest! I am their slave, because I chose them, they didn't choose to come and live with me, so it's my job* to make it work for them.

*Metaphorically. Nobody pays me for it. I have a proper job to pay their bills for them

 

[TPO]

Running away on a tangent but I do think that how easy it is to get a horse "these days" plays a part.

I'm 36 and my mum has always been horsey (leisure rider, no competing) so I've grown up knowing a wide age range of horse people. We were lucky to always keep our horses at the family farm or with friends so I didn't move to an actual livery yard until I was 22 and man that was a shock to the system! Absolutely nothing like the books I'd grown up reading ha ha

Horses were seen as something only well off people had and were a luxury. Nowadays some horses are cheaper than mobile phones and (some) people have a lot more disposable income. There no longer is the "apprenticeship" of being pony daft, slave labour to be near horses and learning from those that know more.

A lot of yards I've been on are full of kids/teenagers bought horses after a handful of lessons without anyone having a clue or adult learners/novices who've done the sums and it's cheaper to buy a horse and pay £30pw livery for "unlimited riding" ...ignorance is bliss... so while there are so many people willing to accept lower standards, limited turnout, bad surfaces, etc etc it makes it harder for those who want better for our animals. Why would disconcerting YOs spend and invest money & time when they're making the same income without doing so.

It is very sucky if you havent found a suitable yard with decent people and knocking on doors for fields and sheds to rent isn't as fruitful as it was even 10-15 years ago.