Turning out in a trash paddock... what could I feed?

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We have a fab trash paddock at the yard that we can turn out in while we muck out etc etc. It is the old surface from the arena (sand and fibre) so obviously there is no grass in there
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I have been throwing some haylage on the floor for Han when she goes in, but I was wondering about scattering some Readigrass on the floor and whether this would be ok?

Hopefully, my yearling might be coming back home for the winter, and he too will be turned out in here for an hour or so every day, so I am also thinking about him!
 
I wouldn't put anything in there myslef - other than perhaps a little haylage.

As for the yearling (wow - he sounds so grown up) - will you have no turnout for him?? If that's the case, then I wouldn't bring him home.
 
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I would probably just stick to the haylage.
Is that all the turnout your yearling would get?

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In winter, yes. He would also have some ground work done and would be rising two at this stage. At the moment he is turned out 24/7 and has been at stud all winter. However, I can't afford to do this again next year.

In the summer he would be out in the field with my two mares, but if it is like it was this year there is no way I could turn him out in the fields through the winter, they are like bogs at the moment
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I wouldn't put anything in there myslef - other than perhaps a little haylage.

As for the yearling (wow - he sounds so grown up) - will you have no turnout for him?? If that's the case, then I wouldn't bring him home.

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No, I wouldn't really have any grass turnout... he would just be able to go in this trash paddock. If it is dry and the ground is ok, then he could go out in the field, but it is the same field for winter as summer and it is completely drenched at the moment so would be pretty worried turning him out in that!

I can't afford to do what I did last year next winter I am afriad, otherwise I would do! Plus, the stud would not take him anyway at that age. He spent a lot of time in this winter because the fields were so bad and was just turned out on the lane with the other colts whenever possible.
 
Is there not another yard near to you that offers all year turnout? Maybe grass livery only to keep the costs down?

Are you not allowed to turn out in bad weather? Why would you be worried?
 
I live in the same area as Rebecca and believe me livery yards with all year turnout on grass are impossible to find. I know - I've looked! The problem we have round here is that land is at a premium for farming (dairy/beef/sheep) and is on the sort of soil that is basically bog October through to April. The ground hasn't even started to dry out yet this spring - on our yard we probably won't get onto the fields until next month. It's not ideal but that's what you get from living in one of the wettest, boggiest counties in England.
 
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Is there not another yard near to you that offers all year turnout? Maybe grass livery only to keep the costs down?

Are you not allowed to turn out in bad weather? Why would you be worried?

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No yard in the area has all year turnout other than the one I moved from where he would have bene out with 13 fully shod geldings
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And to be honest, I had more reasons than that for leaving!

The reason he won't get much grass turnout is because it is the same field winter and summer so we try to look after it as best as we can! I would be worried about turning him out in it as it is now because it is no wet and deep and I have already experienced leg 'issues' enough to last me forever!!!
 
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I live in the same area as Rebecca and believe me livery yards with all year turnout on grass are impossible to find. I know - I've looked! The problem we have round here is that land is at a premium for farming (dairy/beef/sheep) and is on the sort of soil that is basically bog October through to April. The ground hasn't even started to dry out yet this spring - on our yard we probably won't get onto the fields until next month. It's not ideal but that's what you get from living in one of the wettest, boggiest counties in England.

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Tell me about it
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The fun and games of living in Lancashire!!!
 
Tell me about it - we are on clay so the water just sits on the top! I have the same field all year round and it's been hock-deep in mud all winter and still is...... but (and i'm sorry I don't want to offend you) horses need to be out as much as possible for both mental and physical reasons.

I know it's tough finding a yard but especially for a youngster I'd really urge you to try your hardest to find somewhere he can go out everyday....
 
I'd much rather mine were out all day every day but aside from moving away from the area (and after this winter/spring I'm seriously thinking about it) there really isn't another solution.

I was convinced I could find a livery yard with all year turnout but even the ones who say they do turn out all year don't in reality. The yard I moved to recently has two all weather turnout paddocks so mine get out for a couple of hours a day - it's a compromise but better than nothing.
 
I have done that for him this summer... he is out 24/7 at a place an hour away from me, but they do not offer this facility in the winter. They have to be stabled and I cannot afford to pay full livery prices and I certainly don't have the time do it myself on top of doing my own two and working every day.

I know turnout is essential which is why I have organised for him to be turned out for a few hours in this trash paddock where I am now... at the end of the day, if I turned mine out they would not eat anyway, they would just fly around! There is no grass on the fields, and I cannot turn one of my mares out on a field like that because she develops colic. I would rather have her in a stable with adlib haylage and an hour in this paddock every day.

Troy would get the whole time I am there mucking out morning and night... so it would work out at around 3-4 hours a day.

it's not tough finding somewhere with the turnout all year around (plus safe facilities for a young horse), it is completely impossible here, there is just nowhere that offers it. It is where I live unfortunately and we have no plans to move in the foreseeable future.
 
I don't want to tell you how to look after your horses (you're doing a great job - i've seen your posts and I know you love them very much), but in my experience, most leg problems and injuries are sustained through incorrect training and the type of surface horses are worked on.... yes some horses do injure themselves in the field, but a bit of mud and water isn't going to make any difference.

It's fundamental to the development in youngsters that they get turnout - it strengthens their muscles and bones and allows them to be horses which is so important - would you shut a child in a room all day and just let it out to play for a hour each day? Personally I think that's asking for trouble - they're probably more than likely to go hooning around after being cooped up than if they get to go out everyday.

I'm on a yard with eventers, showjumpers and dressage horses (my boy does showing and dressage) - they all go out everyday without fail and I can honestly say out of the whole yard, there has not been one ligament or tendon problem from any of them in the 2 years I have been there..... the worst that's happened is one of the eventers tried to jump the tie-up log on the yard and bruised his back a bit.

All horses are different and some will just injure themselves no matter what you do, but I really beleive if you turn them out everyday, they are stronger, healthier and happier and less likely to get injuries and illnesses.

We have the same field winter and summer - it's not ideal as the grass isn't that great and it's a mud bath at the moment, but i'd rather feed him all summer than keep him in all winter.

I really hope you find a solution that suits you both (and sorry for the essay - i'll shut-up now)
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Thanks... that is what Troy would be in. It is about 30x30 I would say, and he can go out, have a roll and a buck and I will tie a haylage net up for him and even put a bucket of Readigrass in if necessary.
 
Sorry just read your other post - ignore me - i'm not trying to lecture you and I know you're doing the best you can for them.

i echo what others have said and would be wary of sand colic - best bet is probably to tie a haynet to the fence (if it's safe to do so) so they don't inadvertantly pick up sand x
 
I understand what you are saying, but we all have to make compromises unfortunately. I simply cannot afford to keep Troy where he is now for the winter, no matter if I did him or he was on full livery, it is not a possibilty. I have looked long and hard for a yard that has the facilities for him, but it just does not exist unless I travel over 30 minutes and pay a lot more money.

Initially, I was planning on moving to a fantastic competition yard which would have been perfect for all three of mine, but unfortunately, that is also not possible right now due to other costs I have to pay out and also the treatment that has resulted in a huge vet bill for Grace!

He will be getting out for a few hours a day... he is not being left in a stable 24/7 and he will also have some long lining work started towards the March time (he will be 2 in March) and before that lots of ground work to keep him occupied. He is in no way going to be left in a stable and expected to come out and behave. He spent quite a lot of time in a stable last winter at stud with minimal turnout, and yet he never once became a problem. He has excellent ground work which was established at a young age with the help of Richard Maxwell, and I plan on following these methods with him when he comes home.

I am also on a livery yard, therefore I have to show consideration to the other livery yard users and also the owners. I do not think it is acceptable just to turn mine out every day when others are being considerate, and I don't think the Yo would be too happy if it was turned into a mud bath.
 
Well personally I think you're doing the right thing. Yes youngsters benefit from being out but if you can't, you can't. We've got two yearlings and three 2yr olds at our yard (none are mine) and they stay in at least every other day this time of year. Sometimes you don't get a choice. Doesn't seem to have done them any harm. The 2yr olds look fit and healthy. As long as they get enough hay and attention then I think it's better than them standing in mud up to their knees.
With regards to the surface - could you tie a haynet to the fence? I'd be a little worried about sand colic.
 
If you are going to feed the haylage from the floor I'd proably put a binbag down first and weight it with something. When they get near the end of the pile I find they can pick up quite a bit of sand!
 
On the other end of the equation is that I firmly believe that youngsters need to learn to be stabled and handled with everyday things they will have to cope with as adults, so your compromise of stabling with some play turnout over the winter sounds a good one to me.

Also standing in ankle/knee deep mud is not "natural" for horses!

Our YO has two youngsters who are out 24/7 with a shelter and happy as larry......but! - they are a nightmare when they come in to a stable, even for a short period of time!!!

I know which youngster I would prefer!

As with everything its a balance between what we want to do for our horses and what is practical.
 
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I would probably just stick to the haylage.
Is that all the turnout your yearling would get?

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In winter, yes. He would also have some ground work done and would be rising two at this stage. At the moment he is turned out 24/7 and has been at stud all winter. However, I can't afford to do this again next year.

In the summer he would be out in the field with my two mares, but if it is like it was this year there is no way I could turn him out in the fields through the winter, they are like bogs at the moment
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Personally I wouldn't bring him home if that is all the turnout he will get. Horses of that age need to be horses. I have just had to move my rising 4 year old to a new field as our grazing was so restricted. Best thing I could have done although she coped being in every other day she is now a different horse and so much more aware of herself and definatly more chilled out. Surely you would be able to find somwhere that you can turn him out 24/7 in the winter. Just ask around thats what I did and I found somewhere very cheap. Not sure that being stabled 24/7 will di his mental health much good.
Please don't think I'm having a go just trying to give some friendly advice
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OMG Becky I am so sorry I just replied and hadn't bothered reading the other replies. Just ignore what I said. I know it is a nightmare finding 24/7 turnout. I looked and looked for Alee and had this image in my mind of lovely post and rail fences with oodles of lush grass with other 2/3 year old warmbloods to keep her company. What I ended up with was a nice 30 acre field with pretty rubbish fencing grass that will be good once the weather changes and shetlands and welsh A's for company!!! Not the best but better that any other option. Good luck with Troy I'm sure he will cope fine, seems like you have done nothing but think about this already.
 
I had the same issues as you and had to keep my youngster in the majority of the winter with turnout in a sand paddock as often as possible. She is now 6 and cross fingers it does not appear to have done her any harm. It did mean that she got lots of interaction with me which I think made her much easier to break. She was turned out all summer with a group of similar age youngsters so she did learn to be a horse too. I did try and winter her loose in a barn with other youngsters, but she wasn't happy and kept jumping out. Is that a possibility for Troy? Our yard do it successfully, small groups in barns, but I know that very few places have the space to do it!

Muppet is the middle horse in my sig!
 
Thanks everyone for your replies...

Marnie, I have looked and just cannot find anywhere close enough for me to do him but cheap enough to cover the need to have him checked when I am competing etc. We just don't have that sort of land in this area of the country, and not many facilities other than studs offer the barn idea. That is how he spent his first winter, with three other colts (until he got ridiculously randy and had to be put in the asbo stable
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). They do not offer it at 2 years though as he is 15.1hh now so it would not really be a possibility.
 
hi rebecca,
i know we are a little further from you but why dont you come and have a look around our yard.
the fields the winter grazers have been out on is still green - and its been grazed all winter! we have amazingly well draining land and plenty of space. this winter we have had 10 ponies/horses max on about 20 acres (2 fields with the gates open) - none are shod.
we are not expensive, winter 07/08 worked out at £15 field rent, £10.50 per week for daily checking and feeding (hard feed provided by owners) and £9 per week hayledge. other cost ontop were worming/farrier and it was decided between the owners to throw a sack of carrots out daily - so an extra £1.60 a week. so £36.10 a week for full grass livery.
 
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