Turned out for the first time yesterday

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Taboo1968

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I actually braved it and turned his lordship out for the first time yesterday..... A lot of you know that he was rather pricey and came with the instructions that he only goes out for a few hours a day when the ground is right..... and I've been dying to turn him out for the past few weeks with all this lovely weather but had been told by trainer not to, as we had the C&T dressage champs coming up and it wouldbe just my luck he would injure himself..... So now those are out the way and it was glorious sunshiine yesterday, I took him into his paddock and held onto him on the lead rein and then dubiously unclipped him and took a few steps back, he hadn't realised he was loose at this point!
Then I took a few more steps back and you could see the wheels in his brain turning, thinking "hang on I was on a short lead rope and now she is standing right over there" and with that the head shot up and it launched!!! He really enjoyed himself, bucking prancing, rearing, and having a good gallop!!! with owner frantically waving arms at him to slow down!!!
However he did settle and had a few more silly moments, producing the most fab passage down the fence line!!!
Am just so pleased that he was able to actually go out!!! Did take some piccies on my phone, just need to get them from phone to computer now!
 
I would feel very mean if my G`s never went out like this and they would be quite insane too.they have a need to groom each other,roll,doze pick sprigs out the hedgerow and just do horsey things.
 
I appreciate that, and all my other horses are out.... however this one came with a very hefty price tag, is not used to going out for more than a few hours a day in the good weather and has never been turned out with others for fear injury..... As he was abroad before, he is so used to being stabled that its a way of life for him.... as for the mutual grooming, he does it to me when I give him a brush or a scratch..... It has been very hard for me to come to terms with the fact that he is not like the others and cannot just be thrown out in a field 24/7 and I have been dying to let him out..... I have felt very mean not being able to put him out, but that is the price you pay when you buy a good competition horse compared to a run of the mill horse..... I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I'd left him out all the time...... I'd be too worried.....!!!

BTW: Has your daughter given birth yet?
 
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but that is the price you pay when you buy a good competition horse compared to a run of the mill horse

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Sorry that is just complete nonsense. It is no more likely to damage itself in the field than competing with you. I know plenty of horses with very hefty price tags - some get turned out, some do not. But to use the 'it may damage itself' line is just daft.

Where do you think it was until it was broken in?
 
He enjoys himself on the lunge rein too in the arena..... and I am just falling into line with the instructions on how he is used to being managed..... At the end of the day we all care for our horses differently..... and that is what he is used too..... If any changes are to be made, they will be done gradually such as length of time out, grounds conditions etc etc......
But at the moment he is chilled and relaxed in his usual routine.....which I see no reason to change straight away....
I am just pleased that I have been finally able to turn him out so he can be a horse and do horsey things, considering before he was imported he didn't even know what turnout was!
 
Oh absolutely agree with you on all of those points. Not wanting to start a debate on rights or wrongs of restricted or no turn out as it's been done to death, and at the end of the day we all do what is best for our horses - whether they cost £700 or £700,000.

People just shouldn't use the may damage itself reason for not turning out - because it's an excuse, not a reason.

Would love to see some piccy's of the lovely lad.
 
Ah but I'm not using the "it may damage itself" reason for not turning out, I actually said he was never turned out with others for fear of injury, that was before I got him! Although I must admit that he does have a paddock on his own with horses on three sides, so he can talk and touch them.....

Have taken pics on my phone! Just need to email them to account and then upload etc.... Didn't get any of the "I'm free, look at me" pictures as I was too busy waving arms around like a demented idiot trying to stop him from galloping towards the hedge (just in case he decided to jump it!) But have a few nice ones of him meeting his new friends over the fence and a few of him grazing..... (just been off to hunt for mobile phone box to see if there are any leads to connect to computer - Cant find box!!!) So will have to take some more with dig camera instead!!! (In process of moving, so box could be anywhere hidden in a bigger box!)
 
I agree with AmyMay.
The price tag just does not come into it.......... When you buy an expensive horse you have to do so knowing that it is a risk and of course all reasonable precautions are taken to lessen the risk, but they shouldn't be at the expense of the horse. However this goes for all horses - it is nothing to do with the amount they cost or are worth - do you think when people's horses get ill or have an accident, all they are thinking is how much the horse is worth?? I don't! Similarly, would the owners of the run of the mill horses not care if their horse got injured as it is not worth much anyway??

I always turn out individually and never in deep mud, but mine usually still get at least an hour a day in winter (all booted and suited up!!).
If one stands in for a few days, it is acp'd to go out - to turn out with no sedation when it has stood in for weeks/months is actually more risky than for it to have been out for an hour everyday.
If your horse is imported then yes, from three onwards it is unlikely that he will have had no turn out - but at most studs in Europe, the horses live out until they are 3. And OMG, that includes nights!!!! He obviously survived!!!

I have just put a dressage pony on loan and the young girl who has loaned her wanted to do some jumping and xc with her - she is 10 and has only ever done dressage. I told her that if the horse likes it then I have no problem with this. A friend of mine then said I was mad because of the risks involved with jumping and the pony being worth a lot as a dressage pony. I thought that saying this was mad - horses do not know how much they are worth and it is only fair to still treat them as horses. My horse loves jumping now and I would not stop her doing this based on how much she is worth, for health reasons or such yes, but not money.

Many of the top riders' top horses have turn out and I have no reasons to doubt that your horse had a hefty price tag, but I doubt it is as hefty as say some of Carl's horses who go out.

If you want to keep it in then fine, everyone looks after their horses differently, but to do it because of his value is stupid - surely he is insured and so the only loss you suffer is emotional which is the same for all horses irrespective of value??

Also, be warned about the ill effects of keeping them in for long spells and then putting them out over and over.
 
How did you do at the champs? I have to admit, his lordship is one stunning horse, but he looks happy and relaxed so you should keep him the way he's been used to being kept. I kept ponio in for most of the winter, because he was happier like that. I had my own turnout, but if the animal is more relaxed and safer being in, then surely that's the main thing?
People forget that things change, fasions change etc. Years ago my grandfather wouldnt have dreamt of turning his shires out in "shock, horror"..... a field! They were worked daily, they had a holiday once a year in the top orchard, but only when the ground was right so that they didnt trash the grass. He never had a problem in his 30 years of breeding and working them. Alot of horses did, and still do, have limited turnout.
Some horses have been bred to live a stabled life, it's not as if 'his Lordship' is in 24/7 and doesnt see other horses or get out and do normal horse things.

I bet you're breathing a sigh of relief now
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just been off to hunt for mobile phone box to see if there are any leads to connect to computer - Cant find box!!!)

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Do you need a cable. I just email from my phone to my puter - and then transfer them to my freewebs site. My phone didn't come with a cable - do any of them
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If one stands in for a few days, it is acp'd to go out - to turn out with no sedation when it has stood in for weeks/months is actually more risky than for it to have been out for an hour everyday.

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Sorry Jem1, don't agree with that either. We have just had a terribly expensive race horse delivered to our place for a little R&R. We were told to ACP it before it got turned out. We didn't - it's just too damn dangerous, plus it would only p*ss about after the sedation has worn off. Turned it out and I don't think it's picked it's head out of the green stuff for the past seven days.............
 
Katy, my horse has limited turnout - about an hour a day in the winter and half a day in the summer and I will keep her in on bad weather days in the winter....... but not because of value, or fear of injury - as AmyMay says that is an excuse and the implications it has about "cheap" horses annoys me and I don't even have one!!!

Also, my grandfathers shires lived a similar life to the ones you describe - but they were working outdoors most of the time - it is not the same as modern day competition horses who are worked hard for an hour a day and that is it. The remaining shires however are now seeing out their days in a field with a shelter - they deserve it!!!
 
Interesting points (I'll stick my replies in bold inbetween)

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of course all reasonable precautions are taken to lessen the risk, but they shouldn't be at the expense of the horse.

I have waited until the ground is right, as like you would not turn him out in mud
- do you think when people's horses get ill or have an accident, all they are thinking is how much the horse is worth?? I don't! Similarly, would the owners of the run of the mill horses not care if their horse got injured as it is not worth much anyway??

I lost one of my mare's last Thursday morning and was absolutely devastated and she was an ex racer picked up for next to nothing - however, effect was still the same as it would have been with any of the others

I always turn out individually and never in deep mud,

SNAP


If one stands in for a few days, it is acp'd to go out - to turn out with no sedation when it has stood in for weeks/months is actually more risky than for it to have been out for an hour everyday.

He has been grazed in hand in the paddock for the last week to get used to the surroundings so saw no point in sedating, as I would rather have him alert and know what he is doing so he could get himself out of trouble, rather than have a wobbly horse on my hands

Many of the top riders' top horses have turn out and I have no reasons to doubt that your horse had a hefty price tag, but I doubt it is as hefty as say some of Carl's horses who go out.

Years ago, he was one of Carls horses!

Also, be warned about the ill effects of keeping them in for long spells and then putting them out over and over.

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Hence why he has been introduced gradually to the grazing in hand for the previous week and is building up his time in the paddock so he is not overloaded straight away.
 
yes I am Katy.... it was so nice to see him have a hoon around even if I was thinking Oh God!!! We did well at C&T! came home with a load of goodies and a nice rossie for getting joint third.....

You should have seen him saying hello to Mickey over the fence, wish I'd got the camera ready for that.... think Mickey is in love now!
 
I do have to chuckle about attitudes regarding turn out. Horses take what they are given. We had pretty much zero turn out in Spain (occasionally let them into the arena for a stretch) absolutely NO grazing and our horses were seldom out with another - NONE of them were bothered about this, it is how it had always been, and they were no lesser horses because of it.

Just because it appears to be "the done thing" does not make it right for everyone. We seldom turn out in the winter simply because our ground is useless, and we have to protect our grazing.

When I worked for an International SJer the horses were not turned out - only for their week holiday whenever that fell. Were THEY lesser horses - nope!

Hope your boy has fun having his play hours Ovidius
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Years ago, he was one of Carls horses!

[/ QUOTE ]But he let him go......

I don't really understand where your coming from then?
You seem to agree with turnout and turn your others out, but not him, but now seem to be saying it is not over his value?
The value part is the only thing i disagreed with you on, but you don't seem to be saying that anymore??
I just don't like people saying they are in because of their value because the horses do not know how much they are worth.
I have unlimited turn out and so I decide to limit it myself - not because of value though!

Once he's had the summer out and so is more used to it, will you kep up with the turnout?

And just to add, they are not wobbly etc when acp'd - they still run around etc as they are literally just given enough to take the edge off a little.
 
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If one stands in for a few days, it is acp'd to go out - to turn out with no sedation when it has stood in for weeks/months is actually more risky than for it to have been out for an hour everyday.

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Sorry Jem1, don't agree with that either. We have just had a terribly expensive race horse delivered to our place for a little R&R. We were told to ACP it before it got turned out. We didn't - it's just too damn dangerous, plus it would only p*ss about after the sedation has worn off. Turned it out and I don't think it's picked it's head out of the green stuff for the past seven days.............

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I have to agree there... it sounds very dangerous to ACP an animal then turn it out, IMO more of a recipie for an accident than turning out normally.

At the end of the day, alot of horses only get turned out over summer. Hunt horses... live in 6 or 7 months of the year, get exercised daily, hunted twice a week, fed high cereal diets... okay it gets to have a good blowout, but in a way it's just the same as a competition horse being stabled over the winter.
All horses are different, and a horse will not miss what it's never had. So for exapmle, Ovidius's horse isnt going to stand in it's stable and think "gawd, I wish I could go on a hack and have a race today", if it's never known it, it isnt going to suddenly want it. Okay, daily turnout is good for their state of mind, as is hacking, but I have read alot of posts on here from people who don't hack their horses out, and don't box them anywhere. As OP said, her horse has access to other horses over the fence, and no-one here knows what her routine is, her yard setup etc, so I feel it's strong to comment on something just from a few lines.
I partly agree on the "price' thing. BUT Carl doesnt own all his horses, and at the end of the day, it's up to HIM and the owners. F%&* if I owned that horse, I'd be padding it in reams of cotton wool.......

I do think people are getting on their moral high ground here, without knowing all the facts. I myself, don't know all the facts, but surely as the owner of the horse, a dedicated horsewoman, OP will put her horse first? And if stabling him and giving him in hand grazing prior to a competition which meant alot to the OP was what kept her horse sane and happy, then so be it....
 
I agree with Weezy on this. My chap had no turnout (so to speak) other than a small patch of fence off sand(weezy will tell you). He was ok!

I have also worked for an Olympic rider who only turned her horses out a handful of times A YEAR! Because they were deemed too valuable.

Saying all this. I prefer my horses to live out and they do this very well.
 
He is less likely to damage himself if he has a regular routine which includes being turned out. It is like going into a sweet shop everyday the 1st few times are great but it soon looses it's novelty. Turn out has been proved so many times to benefit horses even if it is just for an hour a day.

I hope he enjoyed the sun on his back & gets the chance again.
 
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And just to add, they are not wobbly etc when acp'd - they still run around etc as they are literally just given enough to take the edge off a little.

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No, they may not be wobbly, but they are not in full control of their faculties.

Several things to agree with and disagree with here.........

Lets not all fight.
 
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I agree with Weezy on this. My chap had no turnout (so to speak) other than a small patch of fence off sand(weezy will tell you). He was ok!

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He was a beach pony
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Ovidius said where she got him from - THEY didn't turn him out as THEY thought he was too expensive.

She (he? sorry!!) has decided that he can go out, but because he is totally unused to turnout, she has grazed him in hand for a week, waited for good ground, and turned him out for a small time, and will gradually get him used to it so he can stay out longer.

Seems perfectly sensible to me! You would not buy a horse worth a lot of money that never got turned out - and stick it straight out 24/7 in mud, rain, and with grass it wasn't used to, you would be asking for trouble!
 
I agree with all of that - I would do the same and as I have said - I do not have mine out vast amounts.
I take issue with the good competition horse vs run of the mill horse comment and all the references to the hefty price tag.
 
For what it's worth, the worst injury my mare has had in the past year that we've had her was sustained in the stable! I can also think of 2 other horses who injured themselves in their stables on our yard in the past year.

Field injuries that I can think of in the same time period would be the same number, 3, and similar severity.

BTW I know someone who worked for C.H. who left because the way the horses were kept bothered her, in the way some people have expressed on here.
 
So if you went out and spent £1000 on a horse to hack about, and a further £50,000 on a horse to compete, are you telling me you wouldn't be more nervous about turning the £50,000 one out?

I know turning out may not be any more dangerous than riding or stabling a horse in reality, but if you DID spend a lot on a horse for you to compete at top level, you have go to be thinking "Oh my god, what if..... " about anything happening that would stop you competing at the level the horse was purchased for and losing entries.

And as for Carl selling the horse on - could have been he didn't get on with it, might have decided it was too small, might have sold it to disolve a partnership with a co-owner, might have deliberately bought it and brought it on to make a profit instead of keeping it. Could be any reason why he passed it on, not because it wasn't good enough...
 
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