Turning out alone at night?

[tye_bo]

No-one on my yard is in any rush to put them out at night. I would ideally have had my mare out for a couple of weeks now but as no-one else is I haven't put her out. As May is getting on I'm now thinking if I want her out maybe I should put her out anyway but she'd be on her own?

I have already been putting her in a field with less grass in in the day time (for weight reasons) which is a bit away from the others BUT she can see them over the hedge. At night she'd be completely on her own. I was going to put her in her 'summer field' at night which has nice grass so maybe that would keep her occupied??

What do you think? Do I risk her health if she panics about being out alone or do you think she'd just learn to deal with it?

 

[Cliqmo]

Why not try turning herself out early evening (7pm?) as it doesn't get dark til 8.30 and she will have plenty of time to get to know the field boundaries and get her night vision

 

[Natassia]

I personally wouldn't turn a horse out at night alone. Its a long night for her, and if something frightens her she would need the others with her for reassurance as well as general company. Horses are herd animals, and in my opinion, should never be kept alone.

 

[tye_bo]

Thanks for your posts. It would be about 5ish when I'd put her in the summer field if I was going to do it. I'd just love her to be out but don't want to do something that will cause her distress or injury.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

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I personally wouldn't turn a horse out at night alone. Its a long night for her, and if something frightens her she would need the others with her for reassurance as well as general company. Horses are herd animals, and in my opinion, should never be kept alone.

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I agree.
Can you not discuss this with other liveries and find one who is considering leaving their horse out? Might just give someome an extra 'push'

 

[pottamus]

Well my horse is out at night every night 24/7 and has not come to any harm!!! Why not put her out for a few hours and monitor her from a distance and build up the time. I am sure she will adapt and cope especially if she has grass to eat. I think people molly coddle horses too much, they are very adaptable creatures and not nearly so clingy and insecure as we make out them to be.

 

[tye_bo]

Believe me Pearlsasinger I have tried!!!!! No-one is bothered about turning out now.

Ummm not really practical to do it for a few hours then bring her in - I'm already up there at least twice a day moving her fields etc, I couldn't go up at 11pm to bring her in if you see what I mean.

Umm.....still not sure what to do. I just want her out, it's summer for heavens sake!!

 

[Halfpass]

I wouldn't do it ever again.
My mare was used to being out on her own both day and night with company from the geldings in the field next door and I had never had a problem.
Last December as usual she was left out overnight on her own with company in the field next door.
I came up the next morning to find horrific wounds on both back legs - she had severed tendons and ligaments beyond repair and had to be PTS.
To this day I do not know how she did it.
I will never ever turn a horse out on its own overnight again!!!

 

[Erehwemos]

My girl was out on her own for two whole years - with no company even in sight/smell

She was fine, it took her a couple of days to get used to it but eventually she settled, and as the field was right next to our house I was able to keep an eye on her!

Having said that, now she is back out in company I dont know that having her out alone is a choice I would readily make again - I cannot deny that she is probably happier and in a more natural environment now. But at the time, needs must! And your set up doesnt sound like it will be permanent, so I'm sure your girl will be fine