Turnout dilemma!

stubblet

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24 November 2011
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So, moved to new yard...all good until we got a frost and horses not allowed out- so they've been in for nearly 2 weeks :-(

There are 2 menages, but not allowed to turnout in either (even though i hav been for a few minutes on the sly)...

So my 6yo tb has been in for nearly 2weeks and is going stir crazy. I got on her sat and she was just leaping about snorting so riding not really an option

I went to YO tonight to ask if there is anywhere i can use for t/o, and she said i can put her in a smallish field for half hour while i muck out (whoopeee!). Prob is there is snow out there and i know she will go a bit mad at first as she's been cooped up

Bit of a catch 22, t/o and risk her being an idiot but helping her stay sane...or keep in and have a frustrated potentially dangerous horse (got kicked in the hand y.day during a leaping about episode)

What would anyone do if in same situation?

Ps i am moving yards in a few weeks with unrestricted t/o thank god
 
Personally i would boot up, stick her rug on and put her out. Its a softer landing if she messes around and falls over!!!:)
My friends been a bit funny about hers going out. Mine had a great time today bucking and farting, while hers was in, quite sad really.
 
Not allowed to lunge while there is snow in the menage, plus lunging just winds her up even more so dangerous for both of us. I'm interested in hearing if people would turn out or not given the situation i've described.
 
Sorry just re-read and didnt mean to sound rude! Thx for suggestions, lunging just gets her more aggitated though. Dont really want to resort to sedation but yep could wirk if only for first t/o session
 
See im of the thinking, its not going to get warmer for a while yet. Ice is more hazardous than snow for a horse going mad, the longer you leave it the worse its going to get!! be brave and treat her like a horse not a china doll!!!;)
 
How about walking out in hand. I have done this with my TB, put his bridle on, gathered the dogs up and off we went for an hour or so. This weather only lasts 2 weeks at the most and I really dont think it is the end of the world if a horses routine has to be upset for such a short period. They are not made of cut crystal glass.
 
Zoelouise...thats exactly what i was thinking!! The longer she's in the worse she'll be when she does go out. She had a bad injury last year tho so just trying to do the best for her. Gut telling me to turn out 2mo and i know thats wat she is desperate to do!
 
Let her have the turnout.

Even a short period will help her sanity and help satisfy the inherent need to move.

She may have a mad few minutes, and yes, there is a risk, but the damage from no turnout maybe just as risky but due to its insidious nature, not immediately noticeable.

Stick over reach and brushing boots on if you're worried until you see how she is.
 
Just driven back from an evening out an hour or tow ago, and it was barely freezing. Our snow has really shrunk and melted today, was above freezing for most of the afternoon, and quite soft to walk on when I went out at 6, so I'd say a lot safer than when it's really frozen and rutted underneath, personally I'd go for turnout in the afternoon when it's had a chance to warm up if it's going to warm up.
 
If your field is flatish, turn out. Our fields are all on slopes, so have been resorting to walking out in hand, my lad decided to have a roll then take off at speed, kicking his heels, on the only flat bit of our drive, he did 2 snorting circuits before he would listen to the "steady, stand commands", but it was nice to see him run safely.
My 2 do go out in the field but tend to be sensible on the slopes
 
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