Turning away - do they need to be out 24/7?

A

Ahrena

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 June 2007
Messages
1,880
Visit site
Okay well basically, I have a welsh D who I love dearly, but at the moment we aren't getting anywhere, I'm tired & stressed so she gets stressed and at the moment I'm not enjoying riding her at all because I have to work much harder than I should in order to get her to co-operate.

There's nothing physically wrong with her and she's only 6, and I think I should just turn her away until spring, also I get SAD, plus I have a really strong gut feeling about turning her away..

So basically I'm gonna do that, but the thing is, she still has to come in at nights, A. because the YO won't let people stay out 24/7 in winter and B. my other horse needs her as a companion as its just them 2 in a field, and she's too wimpy to stay out full time - we tried the first year I had her but she was really miserable.

So will the whole point of turning her away, like jsut lettting her chill and recharge before we start again from scratch still work if she comes in each night? Would it still be okay to give her a groom and a cuddle or should I just do the bare basics?

Thanks
 
It'll be alright, of course it will! Just let her chill, take her shoes off and rough her off even if she does come in at night, she won't take any harm and it sounds like both of you could benefit from a break for now. You can reduce her feed and just give her lots of fibre, whether that be hay or haylage although I would still make sure she has something like Lo Cal Balancer for her vitamins and minerals.

Good luck, enjoy your break!
 
Oh god I hadn't even thought about shoes -laughs- She only has front ones at the moment anyway so don't think takeing them off will be a problem.

I was thinking of taking her off her slow release energy nuts but leaving her on calm & conditioner and her chaff, and of course hay but then she might not need the conditioner if she's just living it up in the field? xD

Thanks hehe, I havn't done this before so new territory.
 
She will be fine coming in at night! But if it gives you both a breather it is better than getting all stressed and het up with each other. I have been there too with my Welsh D too...he took a long time to mature mentally once I had stopped stressing and trying to force things and accepted him and found other ways of achieving the same...things fell into place eventually! They are wonderful creatures but a bit of a challenge as I am sure you will agree! Enjoy your hols!
 
Turning away doesn't mean ignoring them, so bringing in at night is absolutely no problem. Just let your horse chill out by doing very little - as little as possible -whilst still keeping a bond by leading and feeding etc. Enjoy your break, it will do you both the world of good
grin.gif
 
Thanks everyone, I just wanted to check
laugh.gif


I love her to peices, especially on th eground but riding at the moment keeps ending up with me thinking "Why do I bother leave the warm cosy house to trail around in wind, mud and rain just to have a battle?"

I do love a challenge but am thinking/hoping we're both a bit mentally exhausted..So yeah, shall speak to my farrier about her shoes since he's coming next week I think, and will let her grow a nice furry coat instead of clipping again haha.
 
I would give her exactly the same care, only difference is she is'nt being ridden. I would not remove the front shoes as its only a few months from spring and she may get foot sore, back shoes you may get away with.

Feed reduction, for less energy, however monitor her weight, use a tape and check her weight each week so you quickly change things if necessary.

You could always do a little ground work, lunging and leading to keep that bond with her. I think it is better to keep the horse well handled during the time not being ridden, it just means less work for when you do start to ride again.
 
Ah, 6 years old for a D is still babyhood, well teens anyway. I know plenty of people who have D's that haven't come into themselves, mentally, or physically until they were about 8.

Give yourselves both a break, it's an excellent idea, and get one of those SAD lamps for yourself.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ah, 6 years old for a D is still babyhood, well teens anyway. I know plenty of people who have D's that haven't come into themselves, mentally, or physically until they were about 8.

Give yourselves both a break, it's an excellent idea, and get one of those SAD lamps for yourself.

[/ QUOTE ]

echo that - my loan horse is a cob X and is only six and still acts very young! lol

removing the shoes is personal choice really, and your horse only has fronts. i would remove them but thats my opinion.

being in at night wont do any harm, and do lots of grooming with her. lots of bonding activities without making her think too much, but give her little things to do to keep her brain active!

Lucy x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top