Turning my horse away.. predicament

[Hormonal Filly]

Thought all this was sorted.. 3 others being turned away with my mare in a big field for winter. Great.

Throw a spanner into the works. My mare has been out in the field on her own for the last week. The owner of 2 of the mares has now said they'll only be going out for a few hours a day, and the third horse is in at night.

There are horses in the surrounding fields, but not sure this will work for winter if my mare is turned out 24/7 with horses coming and going? She is happy now, but that is because she has a lot of grass. Does seem to stress a bit at times because she is on her own.

I can find somewhere which does retirement livery for 6 months but will loose my stable at my current yard, as I don't want to pay for my current space if I'm not there, and there is a risk I won't be able to get a stable next Spring.

Thoughts please?

 

[Spotherisk]

Any chance of another horse needing 24/7 grass livery this winter, to add them to the field?

 

[m1stify]

Could you foster a rescue companion for 6 months?

 

[paddi22]

a charity would be delighted to foster a horse over winter. you could pick up a small low maintenance field companion for as long as you needed

 

[Exasperated]

Thought all this was sorted.. 3 others being turned away with my mare in a big field for winter. Great.

Throw a spanner into the works. My mare has been out in the field on her own for the last week. The owner of 2 of the mares has now said they'll only be going out for a few hours a day, and the third horse is in at night.

There are horses in the surrounding fields, but not sure this will work for winter if my mare is turned out 24/7 with horses coming and going? She is happy now, but that is because she has a lot of grass. Does seem to stress a bit at times because she is on her own.

I can find somewhere which does retirement livery for 6 months but will loose my stable at my current yard, as I don't want to pay for my current space if I'm not there, and there is a risk I won't be able to get a stable next Spring.

Thoughts please?

How stressful, just what you don’t need to be fretting about, beginning of winter! Whether you have any local animal sanctuaries who’d welcome several month’s of free care for a little pony?
However, if she’s adult and always has plenty of grass / hay as soon as others leave, try a few weeks on her own overnight. Other horses in vicinity, and there’s a good chance she’ll settle and eat. Just give her a chance.
Occasionally we’ve had to keep horses on their own for periods of time, not my preferred choice and those singletons have had livestock about, but every one of them has accepted this - and it used to be common when horses actually worked.
Good luck!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Any chance of another horse needing 24/7 grass livery this winter, to add them to the field?

Could you foster a rescue companion for 6 months?

It’s a livery yard, although the option of 24/7 turnout all year in big fields, but you pay for a stable as well in case the hunt come through. I’d need to pay another £210 a month if I got another, and there aren’t any free stables.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Any chance of another horse needing 24/7 grass livery this winter, to add them to the field?

No, doesn’t seem like there is that option now.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'd move.

I've had quite a few last minute changes whilst needing to turn my horse away the last few months and it's so stressful I'd move for the sanity & find another yard in the Spring if needed.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I'd move.

I've had quite a few last minute changes whilst needing to turn my horse away the last few months and it's so stressful I'd move for the sanity & find another yard in the Spring if needed.

Thanks MM. It has been so stressful! I'm going to view the retirement yard this weekend, at least then I shouldn't have to stress at all over the winter. Problem is yards in my area are extremely hard to find, I drive 30 minutes each way to my current yard because there is all year turnout. Due to the ground, most yards in the area have no winter turnout and restricted summer turnout. Really difficult.

I guess its something I can stress about next year, but will see if the YO will take a reduced payment to hold my stable.

 

[Exasperated]

Thanks MM. It has been so stressful! I'm going to view the retirement yard this weekend, at least then I shouldn't have to stress at all over the winter. Problem is yards in my area are extremely hard to find, I drive 30 minutes each way to my current yard because there is all year turnout. Due to the ground, most yards in the area have no winter turnout and restricted summer turnout. Really difficult.

I guess its something I can stress about next year, but will see if the YO will take a reduced payment to hold my stable.

Very difficult, but if you’re already on a yard which offers the facilities you want, and which are so scarce locally, seems a shame to risk this when it also sounds like your mare may be getting used to her situation.
She’s already been out a week on her own? And no serious concerns?
And she’s not actually going to be on her own by sounds of it: one companion all day, another two for several daylight hours, and more horses always in the vicinity.
On many yards other liveries are always taking animals in and out the field, altho usually by day.
Plus, she’d have to re adjust again to any new premises and fresh fieldmates, if moved, which is also unsettling.
Obviously, if she’s tearing along the fence line, screaming, and doing a wall of death, that’s another story entirely!
Hope it works out!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

She’s already been out a week on her own? And no serious concerns?
And she’s not actually going to be on her own by sounds of it: one companion all day, another two for several daylight hours, and more horses always in the vicinity.

She’s been out for a week on her own, apparently paces the fence sometimes on a evening when others come in the last few days 2 horses have been going in and out with her during the day, but only for a few hours which is unsettling for her.

I mean maybe she will get use to it, I just feel it isn’t fair having a horse out 24/7 in a huge field on its own at night in winter. I suspect in a couple of months most will be coming in even more once the grass has gone, and my mare won’t be happy then!

 

[tda]

Very disappointing for you, just when you thought you'd sorted it out.
Probably retirement place would be preferable, and worry about having a yard place next year when you see how your current horse is doing then

 

[I'm Dun]

Honestly, I think I would PTS now. You've really tried but if you need to keep your stable I cant see how you would do it.

 

[Highmileagecob]

What was the routine before she went on 24/7 turnout? Could that routine not continue ? I agree she probably isn't going to be happy in the worst of weather on her own.

 

[Spotherisk]

@Hormonal Filly I can’t remember where you are, would you travel her a distance for retirement livery? There’s one near me on Dartmoor which seems excellent and although I haven’t used it I have met the owners and follow the farm on fb.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

What was the routine before she went on 24/7 turnout? Could that routine not continue ? I agree she probably isn't going to be happy in the worst of weather on her own.

In during the day, out at night. It can continue, but I have to pay someone to do mornings and go up every night to muck out/hay/turnout which just isn’t enjoyable when she’s not in any work. Plus. Am currently house renovating meaning I’m living with parents, 35 mins each way to the yard.

@Hormonal Filly I can’t remember where you are, would you travel her a distance for retirement livery? There’s one near me on Dartmoor which seems excellent and although I haven’t used it I have met the owners and follow the farm on fb.

Dartmoor is about 3 hours from me, there is a great retirement yard very local and I know the lady that runs it. Worth a view but if no luck, will look elsewhere

 

[splashgirl45]

I would stay where you are and see how she goes, if she is unhappy bring her in at night with the others. Could you buddy up with one of the others to turn out or bring in so you only do one end of the day

 

[TPO]

If you want to turn away I don't think that set up is suitable. Being out in a group and daily having to cope with the others coming in, or possibly not going out at all, then alone all night wouldn't be low stress management for most horses. I'm guessing that pacing and repetitive turning won't be good for her either.

I'd definitely look for a settled herd environment if looking to turn away.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I would be looking at somewhere else that has a settled herd that live out and dont come in/out.
If she becomes stressed her ulcers may return, and the pacing may aggrivate her legs.
Its rubbish that the other liveries have changed plans so last minute

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would stay where you are and see how she goes, if she is unhappy bring her in at night with the others. Could you buddy up with one of the others to turn out or bring in so you only do one end of the day

There isn’t anyone to buddy up with. There is a paid for service by another livery. It feels a lot of work for me with no enjoyment. I’ve just lost all enthusiasm for having a horse. Even If she’s in at night, she’s still potentially on her own all day in the worst of winter. Not really ideal.

I would be looking at somewhere else that has a settled herd that live out and dont come in/out.
If she becomes stressed her ulcers may return, and the pacing may aggrivate her legs.
Its rubbish that the other liveries have changed plans so last minute

It is rubbish. Think I’m going to move and just hope a stable comes up next year. If I don’t feel ready to bring her back into work in summer, she can always have another 6 months there as well. No pressure.

 

[meesha]

Not sure where in country u r OP but my friend used Newbrook Farm Equestrian near Dursley. I would happily send mine there. They do retirement livery but you can also turn up and ride horse out from field. Think prices start from £160 per month