Turnout dilemma!

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LouiseG

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My horse is at a livery yard who offer only limited turnout (approx 4 hours per day all year round). I really wanted grass and box over the summer but there is no option for this unfortunately and the yard otherwise is perfect for us…

It is upsetting me as I dont want my horse stood in a stable 20 hours a day (minus riding of course), so as a compromise they have agreed that once they bring him in after the 4 hours at lunch time, I can then turn him back out if I wish and bring him back in at night, meaning every lunch time if I want him to have more turnout I am driving to the yard to turn him back out into a field on his own (but within sight of other horses). He doesn't get upset at all by being on his own thankfully.

My horse is a full of beans 5 year old and his excess energy is being released when I'm on his back which is not ideal (had a bad fall the other week due to a bronking incident), but worst of all I hate the thought of him being couped up in a stable and it is causing me a lot of stress and worry! The YO’s think that turning him out will make him more hyper, but I disagree completely and I actually am more concerned about his mental health from being in a stable so much.

So my question is, do you think that by him having a different routine to the other horses, and by him coming in for an hour at lunch and then me turning him straight back out, will that specifically cause him any unnecessary stress or confusion in the long run? Probably no less than being stood in a stable all day!!

Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thank you!
 
It will all depend on him settling in the field when he goes back out on his own. He might be better in with the others;)
 
Can't see it would make any difference to him.

Sounds like a barking set up though. Why don't they just allow him to say out with a curfew of 6.00pm - rather than fannying around with out, in, out and then in.

Couldn't be doing with it I'm afraid.
 
That is rubbish 4 hours a day is not enough! Is there no other yard you can use? I should think he would be better off being confused but turned out more but I don't really see why they can't just leave him out rather than you have to go through that palaver!
 
Agree with amy may if they are allowing him longer out why bother bringing in for an hour if its so other can go out could they not just move him into other field instead of into stable? Saves you driving back too
 
I think that over the summer restricted turnout is unfair on the horse and its owner, why can they not get out longer or even overnight its so much better for them and a huge saving for the yard. I have my liveries out 24/7 or just in at day now.

As for your horse I would try it, although why the YO cannot turn him back out for you to save you going to do it, I assume you are on full or part livery, the saving in bedding and hay should cover the extra cost in time it takes to just put him back out. You may find some of the other liveries wanting to join you in having a more relaxed horse spending time out.

My horses are always far more relaxed over the summer the more time out the better, have never had one that prefers the stable, winter is different some would much rather be in.
 
You can but try. I agree that he needs more than 4 hours turnout a day so if this routine will work for him I would go with it, Personally I would be looking for a yard with more turnout but if its perfect in every other way I can understand your dilemma. Very few of us ever find the 100% perfect yard.
 
I know, I'd rather he was a little confused but with more turnout! He's not in the least bit bothered about being turned back out on his own, he just saunters off and starts munching away, he isn't stressed and he can see other horses. He's such a laid back little dude and nothing really phases him!

To be honest it's more of a faff for me having to go up every day, it's not at all practical because tomorrow I cant manage at lunch so I'm having to persuade my family to help me out on lunch times I cant manage just to get him accustomed to this different routine, I dont want to be chopping and changing it already but I will do all I can to make sure he gets the extra turnout even if it drives me insane!

They feel that by bringing all the others in and leaving him out will upset him, but if that's not his routine, I'm sure he will get used to it! Complicated or what?!
 
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Where are you based? Is it a competition yard?

I couldn't have such restricted t/o in the summer :eek: tis the time to chill out.
 
Oh my goodness, 4 hours in the summer?! madness.
How strange that they think having more turn out will make him more hyper....???
If it got to the point where I was having falls from his excitedness because he's stood in for 20 hours, Im afraid Id be moving.
But no, if he's ok on his own, I dont think coming in for an hour then back out will make much difference. If it gets him out more and its the only way then Id do it :)
 
What difference does it make if he stays out until 6 and not go out, come in, go out, come in?? Seems a bit pointless and a waste of time/money. Can you not find a yard which offers 24 hour turnout or at least let's him stay out all day in summer? I suppose you could give it a go though, see how he reacts :)
 
I phoned a livery yard the other day to be told that even in summer they stayed in either through the day or night so no 24/7 turnout - reason they gave was that 24/7 turnout makes ridden horses wild !!!!! :eek:
 
Skyebald said:
I phoned a livery yard the other day to be told that even in summer they stayed in either through the day or night so no 24/7 turnout - reason they gave was that 24/7 turnout makes ridden horses wild !!!!! :eek:
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Blimey!! It's amazing what a lifetime of experience around horses teaches some people.:rolleyes::rolleyes::D
 
Skyebald said:
I phoned a livery yard the other day to be told that even in summer they stayed in either through the day or night so no 24/7 turnout - reason they gave was that 24/7 turnout makes ridden horses wild !!!!! :eek:
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Well that just shows that some YOs who profess to know what they are doing,, really haven't a clue!
 
It's madness!!!! I've heard a quick spin on the lunge before riding is better than turnout... they dont lose their shoes on a lunge either...!! :eek::confused:

I'd much rather get my happy horse from the field as he bucks and catleaps towards the gate excited to see me than get to his stable door and see a grumpy, agitated little face staring back at me!

They are horses, not kittens, and they should be allowed to live how nature intended them to, or as close to that as possible!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Well that just shows that some YOs who profess to know what they are doing,, really haven't a clue!
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The YO is actually heavily involved in local PC and I think well regarded, don't know her personally as I'm not originally local to the area .... more likely an excuse because of too many horses :rolleyes:
 
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