turnout confusion?

[lennysmith]

Thinking of going to a beautiful new yard I visited at the weekend. All my dreams come true and YO was ooo excitied about the foalie when I told her! They used to breed int heuir younger days and thought she was going to burst when I asked about bringing a foal!

However, the turnout is little paddocks seperated with electric fencing, with 2 or 3 horse in each. When I take Josie and Denver they will obviously be in one together. However when weaning they will be separated. Will Josie be ok in a paddock to herself? And denver for that matter (I'm guessing not for him?)? They are all along side one another just with electric fencing inbetween. Does anyone else keep their horse like this? Or should she really have a friend in with her?

Sorry to sound ignorant but round here we have huge field and all the mares go out together and all the geldings. None of this seperation, (which I think is loads better, much less chance of all the fights we get at current yard).

There are only 5 other horses at this yard belonging to 2 other people, so they are naturally split ionot their 2 groups, dont really want to presume I can use them to be Josie and Denver's friends?

Thanks for any advice xxxx

 

[Murphs_Mum]

I Know a lot of yards where horses are kept in individual or one or two horse electric tape paddock ( make sure fence is actually live though!) and they are fine. Seriously not a good idea to wean using electric tape though. We wean ours gradually into seperate stables (still see each other) and eventually into a field with a playmate - always post and rail.

 

[lennysmith]

Oh really? Ok. Didnt know that about electric and weaning thanks. Knew about the stable, thats how I thought about doing it. they sepnd very liltte time together now anyway. I've been riding her for a good few weeks now, so that started the whole process off. He's quite happy for her to do her thing, and she loves her time off without him!! lol

Thay are always in opposite ends of the filed when I go to find them too! Think she makes a quick get away when he's not looking!

 

[H's mum]

Personally I prefer this with competition horses - they are in company but they are out alone- best of both worlds - however for a youngster - I wouldn't like this arrangement - Denver IMHO would be best being in the company of other youngsters where he can develop - run and play - or at least be socialising with other horses...
Kate x

 

[Evadiva1514]

Mine are all turned out into seperate paddocks divided by electric fencing to prevent injury etc. My 2 yearlings are in a paddock together and are fine with it as they are still in a 'herd' environment but they cannot get bullied or injured by the older ones.

As for little denver after weaning he will probably need a field companion as a weanling in a paddock on their own isn't a sensible idea. We bought another weanling for our original foal as we knew that she probably wouldn't have settled with one of our older horses and that she needed to socialise and play with someone of her own age.

Its difficult when you are at livery but it might be an idea to try to find another weanling for him in the near future or send him to a nearby stud to winter there perhaps??

Good luck and i hope you work something out before weaning time!!

 

[Caritas]

My horse has always been kept on his own in an electric taped paddock. They can touch each other over the fence but it stops any accidents, im sure they will be fine. Good luck!!

 

[lennysmith]

Thanks everyone! I have spoken to my friend with a little 3 year old. he spends most of time grooming D over the fence now. I know she is unhappy where we are and asked if I had found anything recently, so I might strongly suggest if she comes with me?? He's a nice quiet little man with a playful but never nasty nature. The type of friend I'm sure Josie would approve of for her boy hehe!

 

[Evadiva1514]

That would be the perfect solution josie jo!! At least denver would have a play mate then and would have the rest of the yard nearby for company but without the risk of injury!!