Turnout versus Stabling

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mickey

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Just a quick question - If there is no veterinary justification for it, do you think it is wrong to keep a horse stabled all day and night apart from exercise?
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How many hrs turnout/day do you believe is the bare minimum you like to see?
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I think it depends entirely on the horse, my old mare was much happier in than out, and only went out for 2 hours a day, any more than that and she would panic. Jerry on the other hand is much happier out than in, so is out all night and only comes in to be ridden, and have a little doze in the afternoon. Spook doesn't seem to care either way, as long as he is fed. So think you have to be flexible. I would like them out as much as possible, but sometimes this just isn't practical.
 
Sorry, what a question! Horses are made to roam around, not to be stuck in 12 x 12 ft stables ...!!! I personally find it cruel to not turn out at all and believe in as much turnout as poss. I put up with the middle way, part stabled part field for practical and weather reasons (having a fine built TB makes me realise that even horses are sensitive to weather conditions) but would never consider a yard with no turnout at all.
 

Personally mine only go out for 2/3 hours a day because i dont have much turnout at the mo. They dont seem to mind this although i woud like to see them out for longer if i could, e.g all day because its more 'natural' for them to spend time out grazing

Some horses never go out apart from exercise and seem happy enough. But i think others need some time to be a 'horse' even if its just an hour a day just to keep them mentally happy. like madhector said depends entirely on the horses personality.

x
 
I'm not saying it's my view that no t/out is acceptable!! I am just posing the question. There are yards where horses do not get turned out......
 
Ditto MadHector. My WB mare hates being in with a passion, she doesn't have any vices when in or does anything but i just know she hates being in when she tries to get out
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but my cob couldn't care less.

I think a minimum of 3 hours is needed with exercise on top of that. But I would much prefer to see them out for at least 8 - 12 hours. Most of mine are out 24/7 at the mo.
 
Well my boy is in most of the time... as are all the horses on the yard and its pretty common place over here.

He's perfectly happy imo and came over from the UK where he was used to being out.

Hes in the horse walker once a day and ridden once a day. Aside from that he either goes out in a small paddock for an hour, is turned loose in one of the indoor schools or goes for a walk.

Hes perfectly happy, doesnt get hyper and looks better than he has since ive had him.

Just a different opinion
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Its the norm over here to keep them in... not turn them out.
 
I also agree with madhector - it depends on the horse. I would never go to a yard with no turnout, I consider it an essential part of a horse's life. Same as I would avoid yards with limited hacking as I also think it is so beneficial to the horse. However we have a horse at our yard who was born in Germany where they had no turnout whatsoever. He's 23/24 now and although he's turned out for about 20 minutes a day in a small pen he cannot go out any longer as he just freaks out. He's just not used to it, and being so old and stuck in his ways is unlikely ever to get used to it without seriously injuring himself. Another horse at the yard just doesn't like being turned out very much, she's always walking the fence line and waiting to come in. Whereas my horse doesn't really care much, although when on box rest she did get a bit stressed, she didn't mind in the winter when she was in for a few full days due to bad weather, and now she's out she's just the same as she was then.
The most turnout we get is 12 hours in the summer overnight, and in winter it averages about five hours. Ours seem to be fairly happy on that as long as we keep to routine and keep them worked in the winter when time out is limited. I's hate to see them out for less than five hours a day really.
 
When I lived in Brazil it was the same, the horses went out one a week on their day off, otherwise they were ridden daily, and you very rarely saw a stressed horse, infact didnt see any stable vices there at all. They all got plently of exersise, as when they were riden they were really worked. Not how I personally would do things, but have to hand it to them the horses looked fantastic, and were very calm and settled
 
Personally I like her out 24/7 from April - October ish and out for at least 6 hours for the rest of the time. The bigger the stable the better.

TBH though I spent a season working at a P2P yard where the horses were stabled 24/7 apart from horsewalker/exercising/work riding/racing. during the fittening/racing period until let down/rough off when they all go out 24/7 for about 3 months.

On the whole they showed no stable vices, I guess it's down to the individual horses really. I think it probably works better in a 'professional' type yard as there is /was a strict routine in place and something was always going on really. Be it feeding( 4-5 times daily)ad lib hay from post exercise to morning stables/mucking out/exercising etc/grooming/skipping out they always knew what was going to happen when
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i guess in these countries where horses are kept in 24/7 the horses dont know any different as theyve grown up being in.

I also know yards where horses will only go in the field once a week on their day off!

Its unbelieveable what horses put up with considering they are flight animals who are supposed to roam/graze 24/7!!
 
I have stables and a field available for mine...and they live out 24/7 in all weathers...snow...hail...rain...sun...
One's a veteran TB mare.
I'd bring them in if they wanted, but they are happier out, so I go with the flow. Before you all report me to the equine charities, I have to point out I have an extensive rug collection and spend a small fortune in forages for them (they don't get much hard feed).
And when vets come out, they always say how well they look...
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My lot are out all the time. They aren't stabled at all. My old mare has always hatted being in a stable and gets very stressed won't eat and looses condition and the other 2 are nore than happy being out. She is 26 and still loves being out, its also better for her arthritis if she can keep moving. But I do understand that different set ups suit different horses and you have to do what is best for the horse and treat each one as an individual and do what is best for that animal. My horse are horses for 23 hours of the day and only riding horses for the other hour on the days that they are ridden.
 
My opinion is that: My own horse benefits from increased turnout in the summer (usually 18 hrs/24hrs). It keeps him free mobility wise and allows him plenty of freedom. In the winter he is out just 6 hrs/day. But TBH he wants to come in after that, esp if the grass is poor and the weather is rubbish. If he is ever in for a whole day because of the weather I insist he goes out for a run around the school for 1/2hr, or I will exercise him.

I believe that it is right to treat horses as individuals: different horses are happier with different amounts of turnout. However, I do believe that unless there is a veterinary issue, keeping a horse stabled 24/7 except for the odd 1/2hr of ridden work is truly horrible. I was at a yard where there was a stallion that they kept in permanently (because they were worried about what would happen should he escape from the field - not that he had ever shown those inclincations in the past I might add.) I felt very sad for him being stood in that stable with just 3-4 1/2 hr sessions of schooling a week. He also became very nervous/jumpy in his box, almost phobic of activity. Presumably because he was so de-sensitised??
 
i would only go to a yard where there was all year turnout even if it was only day turnout.

Our yard has 24/7 turnout in the summer and day turnout until dusk in the winter.

All of our horses have loved turnout. Honey at the moment is out at night and comes in most days for a snooze and some hay. She has got in such a routine at the moment that she heads straight to her stable when I bring her in and looks at me if I put her out during the day!!
 
Personally I like mine out 24/7 wherever possible. At the moment he's in from about 10am til 7pm each day to manage his weight, and in winter he will be in during the night. Once the grass dies back a bit he will be out 24/7 though, so august, sept time.

I know a few yards who have no turn out in winter because they say they don't have enough grazing...IMHO they just have too many horses!!
 
my pony has always been 24/7 turnout unless up early for a show/event

dont honestly think i could keep a horse in all day/night, would feel awful...

in day/out night or vice versa is the max i would do...
 
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Just a quick question - If there is no veterinary justification for it, do you think it is wrong to keep a horse stabled all day and night apart from exercise?

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Yup....
 
Yes, I think it is wrong to keep a horse stabled for no reason. I think every horse deserves permanent turn out or at the very LEAST out all day (or night). They aren't designed to be stabled. It baffles me that people think its normal to stable a horse just for the hell of it, or just because everyone else does or they think their horse prefers it. It would be like putting your dog in a cage all the time! They'd go nuts. Its just that IMO horses cant show their emotions as obviously as something like a dog.

I would never ever stable mine all the time (like all winter which I know a lot of yards demand). All mine live out 24/7 and Ive had plenty of different types. One of my current ones is a Luso x TB from Portugal who was certainly not used to cold Scotland however he lives out all year, winter and all with rugs, good feed and shelter. He's very happy! Obviously it takes horses a while to settle but I think pretty much ANY horse would be happier out if given the chance to get used to it (I believe most people drag them back inside if they see them being stressed in the first few weeks - but any horse can get stressed with a new routine!).

The only times I stable one of mine is for a physical problem (ie. they're lame etc.) OR I must admit I do bring them in overnight occassionally if we have a show early the next day but then thats probably 2 nights in a month max.
 
Nop, not quite true.

I took my boy from the UK to Denmark with me at the end of April. He went from being out 8 hours a day to being in the routine i mentioned in my last post.

I was initially really concerned about the changes in his routine but decided to trust the people who ran the yard to look after him (who also found my concerns quite amusing since the UK are one of the fewer countries that do turn out so much). A few months on he's happy and in fabulous condition. None of our horses have any stabled vices, they're all perfectly happy and healthy.

As for them being unable to show emotions... dont think thats true tbh... i think horses have several ways of showing they're unhappy with life and im naturally an extremely anxious owner (as anyone who followed my posts regarding moving him will testify), but im happy that he's settled and enjoying life; albeit his routine has changed a lot
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I think its cruel to keep them in 24/7 without a medical reason.
Mine are out 24/7 in summer except the night before a show. and 2 (purebred connemara and a purebred arab, connemara is out without a rug and still gets enormously fat) are out 24/7 in winter with the other 2 out during the day and in at night (24 yearold show pony and 26 yearold SHP as they realy do feel the cold).

Tierra, some horses just will not show that they are uncomfortable. I had one that wouldnt show it at all, he put up with doing an hour schooling in a saddle that was hurting him quite badly and a bit that rubbed him raw. I didnt notice the bit untill i got off him and saw the blood and the saddle untill i checked his back he didnt change one single bit from before and showed no outwards signs of being in pain. I also have one that lived in all his life and would happily stand in his box all day no stable vices at all, When i first got him i shoved him out in the field and let him get on with it result was after the first 3 weeks his character started coming out and he became a much happier and more relaxed pony who expressed himself more easily. he still comes in and stables just as well as he did but he gets excited about going out now and playing with his friends.

Anouther thing id never do without a damn good reason is turn horses out on thier own. Horses are a herd animal and should have friends. we had quite a problem with the above pony who had never been socialised. But he is a happier pony now that he has his friends to groom and guard him whilst he sleeps.
 
And i think its very ignorant to believe that anyone who doesnt things "your way" is wrong or cruel to their horses
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There are a number of countries in the world where horses stay in. There are many top competitiors in the UK who's horses do not go out. Just because they do it differently, doesn't mean its wrong.

Ive had horses for many years. Ive had my current horse for quite a long time. Ive had him both out and in and nope, sorry, but I think hes perfectly happy and yes, I do believe im in a position to choose.

Unless you have been on some of the yards that do this and where it works well for them, then i dont think you can criticise
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I agree. I think we persuade ourselves that they are happy when they're in permanently so we feel better. Just because they stable for long periods of time abroad, or for different disciplines doesn't make it right, I understand they have to for logistical reasons, but couldn't keep a horse like it myself.
Mine love to come in when it's hot and the flies are bothering them, they do like being in for a few hours for a kip, and like their stables on cold wet nights, the rest of the time they are out.
One of mine elects to pop over a couple of fences and spend the night with a field of bullocks next door, he much prefers their company (little sh*t!!). He's happy as larry and keeps himself schooled and excercised.
 
it depends what type of horse you have.

Archie goes out for the whole day once (sometimes twice) during the week, then out for half days on the weekend (both days). If we're competing on the weekends he gets turned out when we get home if its not late, if not he gets turned out the following day.

hes really lazy to ride off the field, and hes actually happier in his stable as hes got his 'friend' (stable mirror) to keep him company. Hes always waiting by the gate when i go to catch him in.

Bloss gets turned out around 4times a week - she couldnt care where she is aslong as shes got food. Im actually keeping her in more at the moment as turnout seems to be upsetting her - shes in foal and her hormones are all over the place.

Neither of them are ever kept in without some form of exercise in the evening, even if its just hand grazing.

Oh, and Archie is a fit competition horse, and Bloss still gets ridden daily to keep her fit. She was competing BD up until April this year when she went into foal.
 
Tierra im not saying that they have to be out 24/7 but i do believe that it is cruel not to turn them out at all, i think they should get at least 3 to 4 hours a day absolute minimum.
A horse cannot be a horse and interact with other horses if they are stuck in a stable 23 hours a day.
Ive been to places where most people keep them in and ive seen automatum horses, horses who have never been allowed to express themselves properly, horses who cant socialise well and horses that just arent interested. Ive also been to places where for logistical reasons the horses are in for winter, however thier owners have made a point of dispite conditions the horses went out as often as possible (dispite the 20ft of snow) even if it was only for an hour or 2.

Siennamum, mine also kees themselves fit, blatting up and down the field at a flat out gallop and playing with the others and just grazing they move around alot, some times i do worry that they are going to fall and hurt themselves though as it all looks so explosive when they are playing. Keeps them loose and thier joints free as well (24 yearold pony has yet to show any stiffening up at all and the 26 yearold is only stiff in one hock when it gets very cold). Unfortunately my lot have taken to chasing sheep and keeping sheep out of the field is impossible! but ive yet to have one jump a fence (go through the fence yes but jump in no).
 
id love it if my horse wanted to stay out in the field.
solo hates going out unless its sunny and warm, hes a big wimp.
id turned him out 24/7 in may but he ended up coming in again 4 weeks later- he has friends out in the field and there is absolutely no reason for him not to like it, he just prefers being in.
he gets turned out from 8.30 (he doesnt likee it) til 4 every day in thae summer and is out 9 til 2 in the winter and if his routine is disrupted, he gets stressed and upset and gallops about.

by keeping him in mostly i have a healthy, happy stress free horse.

surely it is down to each individual horse? many horses like going out and staying out but not all of them!
 
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Sorry, what a question! Horses are made to roam around, not to be stuck in 12 x 12 ft stables ...!!! I personally find it cruel to not turn out at all and believe in as much turnout as poss. I put up with the middle way, part stabled part field for practical and weather reasons (having a fine built TB makes me realise that even horses are sensitive to weather conditions) but would never consider a yard with no turnout at all.

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Ditto!! I too find it cruel to stable 24/7 - I have refused to move onto a (otherwise lovely) yard that insisted on having 24/7 stabling for 6wks in spring to allow the grass to grow.

I have my boy out 24/7 as much as possible, at least 9 months of the year. I had no choice but to stable him overnight last winter due to the excessive amount of mud and due to having NO grass in the field (yard owner doesn't allow feeding hay in the field).

ETA: I find 8 hours to be the absolute minimum for any horse in my care. Any less would be unkind.
 
As an absolute bare minimum I would say a healthy horse should get out of its box for some form of exercise for at least two hours a day, whether that consists of ridden work, lungeing, loose-schooling, horsewalker, turnout in sandschool, walking in hand, turnout at grass etc. Even if a horse seems mentally happy being in a box 24 hours a day, I cannot believe it can be good for it to have so little exercise.

However, that minimum is often not enough for at lot of horses and I prefer mine to be out as much as possible.

I'm am lucky though and have the horses at home so I can vary their turnout to suit circumstances. When it is really hot and flyridden then they are in for most of the day and out at night, during spring and autumn they are usually out 24/7 and in the winter if the weather gets really disgusting they will come in at night.
 
I believe that the majority of horses are better living out 24/7 as long as the turnout is adequate and the weather reasonable.
I would never move to a yard that didn't have 365 day turnout on good quality large fields including shelter of some kind and pereferably mixed sex herds because this is what seems to suit my horses (although they do come in when it's very hot and theres loads of flies or when the weather is very bad).
I think the minimum amount of turnout needed to keep a horse sane and healthy would be two hours a day as long as the horse has things to keeping from becoming bored whilst in the stable and is ridden as well.
The majority of horses I've known that haven't liked being turned out were in tiny paddocks on their own with no shelter from the elements.
 
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And i think its very ignorant to believe that anyone who doesnt things "your way" is wrong or cruel to their horses
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Unless you have been on some of the yards that do this and where it works well for them, then i dont think you can criticise
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I strongly disagree. I dont think this is an opinion-type of argument. ALL the proof is there to say that horses ARE designed to live out. They are huge animals who do not suit 12 x 12 stables! Standing inside for hours takes away everything they need:
- They are meant to roam!
- They are meant to graze all day (not just have a haynet slapped up occasionally)
- They are animals which need companions therefore they need to be allowed to be out with other horses to groom each other, form bonds etc.
- They should be allowed to be a horse!

I think its very unfair to stable horses (especially permanently) - I think horses are very accepting and many of us take advantage of that. By choice, horses WOULD choose to be outside. Of course they would. Yes, yards who dont turn out may have horses which look happy but then they've probably known nothing else! Doesnt make it right. Its sad to think that some horses may never have felt grass under their hooves.....

Its nothing to do with "our way" being right. It IS right because there is loads of proof to back it up! I am yet to see any research suggesting it is better physically and mentally for a horse to be stabled for long periods.......
 
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