turning out for the winter

J

Jsye

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 February 2014
Messages
109
Visit site
Hi all

I'm toying with the idea of turning my gelding away for the winter for some field rest/a break.
This year he has been diagnosed with bone spavin and has so far had cartrophen & tildren and to be honest I haven't really noticed a difference. I'm near my insurance limit & he keeps getting cuts in the field, unluckily where the vet would need to do his joint injections so he's not had them yet due to infection risk.

I've found a nice looking 'retirement' livery place - http://www.cheshireretirementlivery.co.uk/livery-care-plans - which seems great. A girl on my farm now keeps her horse there and vouches for it. It's about 45 miles from me I think so about an hour by car.

My horse is a 16.3 11 y/o thoroughbred gelding. He's not a poor doer and is in fact a bit chunky at the moment.

My current yard only does 3 days a week winter turnout, alternating between 2 field with one being very boggy once winter kicks in. He used to pull shoes all the time but had a bit of a barefoot break and since then has been ok however yesterday has pulled a front shoe off :(

Vet has told me being out as much as possible is best for him so not ideal on my current yard, especially as sometimes when the fields are quite wet YO will bring them all in for 2 weeks to let the fields rest.

I thought turning him out for winter just for some time off and chance to chill out would be a good idea but there's nowhere close to me. I really don't know what to do for the best - I don't want my horse to think i'm abandoning him (i know that's a bit sad) but I think he'd live out quite happily. He also has cushings so needs daily medication but I've spoken to the owner of ^ retirement livery place linked and she has said that giving him his tablet daily will be no problem.

What would you do if you were me? :(
 
If you are going to consider having his hocks fused with alcohol, I would get them done before the insurance runs out! my horse had his done in July and it cost £865, so whilst you're still insured, I would go for it!!
 
I only have about £200 left to claim on my policy! Can't believe how quickly it's run out he was only diagnosed in June/July!! Not really in a position to be paying out £900 for alcohol fusion so going to see how his current treatment progresses. I just don't want him to be stuck in his stable all winter only getting out 3 times a week and ridden for 30mins a day whilst it's pitch black ... rock and hard place!
 
It's a tough but I would send him away to live out, visit as often as you can for pony cuddles and re-assess in the Spring what you want to do going forwards.
 
100% I'd go for the retirement livery. Once out in a nice big field with a herd I doubt he'll give you a second thought let alone feel abandoned.
 
A third option perhaps? Is there anywhere closer to home where you could keep him out over the winter and still get to him regularly for gentle hacks? Gentle exercise can help the hocks to fuse. If not, I'd go for the retirement livery.
 
An update for anyone who is interested :-)

I decided to turn him out, found a lovely little place 30 minutes away from me and so far he loves it. He settled straight away when I dropped him off and has been good as gold.
It's so odd not seeing him every day but knowing he's not stuck in a stable waiting for me to come and feed him makes it worthwhile!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top