Turnout-your opinions please...?

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Rocky715

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PLEASE HELP!!

Would you:

A) move to yard with PERFECT facilities, 5 mins from home, lovely lovely yard people - but must bring ponies in all year

B) search for a yard with 24/7 turnout in summer

Thanks :) xxx
 
For me at least it wouldn't have perfect facilities if horses had to be brought in all year. My horses live out 24/7 and that's the way I and they like it- I used to keep my gelding at a yard that only had summer turnout and he wasn't happy. I guess it depends on whether you think your horse will be happy with the new arrangement- I personally prefer them to be able to have 24/7 turnout.
 
Id always been on 24/7 turnout, well 24/7 in summer but I moved to a yard that had decent grazing but not enough for 24/7 so they came in every night. I then moved to another yard with perfect facilities but came in every night, they are allowed out every day whatever the weather and I dont mind it at all. You get used to it, I think it would feel wierd now to leave him out at night and as hes a pain in the field I have piece of mind that he is safe and uninjured when I tuck him up in bed each night. If you can cope with it, then why not.
 
B every time.

I have a yard down the road from me (literally a couple minutes walk) that has brilliant facilities but horses have to come in all year round....but I opted for the yard a bit further away with no facilities (also cheaper) but day turnout in the winter (24/7 if wanted) and 24/7 turnout in the summer :)
I love no mucking out in the summer!!!
 
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what are the turnout hours? If say available 6am to 8pm summer, and 9am to 5pm winter type thing, I would have less problem with this. Not perfect but for every other box ticked, fine. Assuming its decent turnout.
If its only giong to be a few hours at a time, nope. Keep looking
 
SusieT said:
additionally, depends on type of horse. if young/medically requiring turnout/not ridden I'd keep looking
Click to expand...

He's 13... will be ridden approx 5 times a week (schooled in week and hacked at weekend until the lighter nights come)... he doesn't mind coming in during Winter, but have never tried bringing him in during Summer.... so I guess if I try it - I will soon know if he isn't happy, and will know to look elsewhere? x
 
Understand how tempting the yard sounds but for me,24 hour turnout everytime.I have turned down lovely yards because of the lack of turnout and grazing.Its my horses home, not mine.

Its very cold and wet now, but don't forget how hot and stifling summer nights can be. Mine spend the heat of the day sheltering from the hot sun and enjoy the relief from it at night, any small, welcome breeze will be out in the pasture, not in a stable.
 
Do you know what the hours will be?

As others have said if it is e.g. all-day turnout 365 but in overnight all year round that is probably better than e.g. 24/7 out in summer and 24/7 in in winter.

More is nearly always better though, for health of horse's body and mind (and rider and bank-balance!).
 
If the turnout what suits your horse then it isn't perfect.

I was going to move to a yard as you say with perfect facilities, but The conditions of turnout were that they went out all day every day, rain wind sun or snow.
I can’t have that for my horse, and for me it isn’t worth the risk I would rather have him inside in bad conditions, because he doesn’t enjoy it.
So for me turnout is important as well as the facilities. As long as there is somewhere I will be able to exercise him then it’s all good. x
 
Depends....I was on a yard where there was 24/7 turnout in summer which was great, but winter turnout was very resticted/limited....so not good at all.

I would rather have turnout all year round, even if it means not 24/7 in summer.

I have my own place now.....the grazing won't support 24/7 in summer but theye are out until late and then back out again very early- and in winter they are still out for a good 12 hours.
 
I made this decision and havent regretted a minute of it! Way I see it is its easier to muck out than constantly poo-pick fields (which still get done just not as much poo:D
If I fancy a lie in, I pay to have them turned out. Mine can stay out as long as during the day, it would be different if it was more restrictive as it would cost me a bomb to have them brought in all the time while im at work. I made my choice because my old yard (that was 300yrds from my house) was a hell hole and I couldnt bear it anymore, I am now on a super private yard with facilities a wonderful YO and my old stesshead has retired wonderfully and calmed down - no more smashed up stables...long story!
 
ours is a DIY 24/7 throughout the summer (march-oct/nov) if you choose to, as theres no grazing DIY
from oct/nov to end of march all liveries come in at night..we have a friendly yard and work a rota between us/sharers with no extra charge

some horses like to come in depending on the weather(in summer too hot and flies or winter out from the rain etc) and some would prefer to stay out all year,they soon get used to a routine and what ever fit around the owner as well

we dont need to poo pick only in the starvation paddock
 
I have the perfect yard, great facilities, lovely people, right on bridle ways but the horses come in all year round. You can turnout as early as you like in Winter but they come in by dark & in the summer they can stay out late just have to come in.. My horse doesn't like living out, I have tried, so it suits me..depemds on your horse.
 
Have to be 24/7 turnout all year for me, facilities are good but what about the 22 hours the horse has in the day when you aren't using the facilities.
 
I'd have no problems having mine in at night all year round - I often do this anyway as they get too fat out 24/7. They seem perfectly happy with it. They are glad to come in way from the flies and midges. Quite often mine come in during the day and go out at night in summer. As long as they know their routine they are happy. Somehow the mucking out is far easier in summer anyway!

I would avoid a yard that didn't allow turnout in winter, to me they need some form of free time every day.
 
It has been really really helpful all of your replies - it has given me a lot to think about so thank you. As it turns out, I have accepted the place and will be trying it.

IF for any reason the turnout is not what I hoped I will be looking for another yard - my horse comes first (hence the reason for moving yards in the first place, its for him not me) - but i suppose I have to try it first to see how often they get to go out?x
 
Mine go out over night in summer, and come in all day. In winter they are out all day and in at night.

Horses are happy provided they know whats going on and you don't keep chopping & changing!
 
Every horse is different and will each deal with different situations differently.

Until about 2 years ago our horses were at yards where there was 24 hour turnout in the summer months but had to come in at night during the winter. I didn't think anymore about it as that was the norm.

However 2 years ago my parents moved back to north of Scotland and my horse went with them whilst I finished my Masters. The yard was had stables and turnout and the plan was to bring her in at night during the winter as that is what we had always done. The stables were small and turned out all the other horses stayed out during the winter, so we left mine out. Ever since then she has decided she doesn't like going into a stable even for 5 minutes. From now on I will only look for a yard where there is the possibility of 24hour turnout all year but with stables present for those just in case moments.
 
Trouble is - there seems to be nowhere around here that has brilliant 24/7 turnout - if they do, its in a small paddock with limited grass and shelter. I am aware that this move of mine might not work - but i guess I can't know until I have tried it??? I'm not gonna lie - I am nervous! I will be the most amateur person there :/
 
Was just gonna reply but see youve decided already. My twopennyworth would be give it a go, it might suit you both. Personally Id be quite happy to keep Che in part of the day all year round and for his part as long as everything else is in, hes happy. Che loves routine, for instance today they had to stay in as our hedges were being trimmed, his routine was upset and he was really stressed in his box, tonight he is tucked up in bed as if nothing had changed. I have to do what the others do which is out 24/7 as soon as weather permits because he will not settle anywhere on his own but Im sure Rocky will soon settle to his new routine and be happy. You wont know until you try and from reading your posts we know you have his best interests uppermost so Im sure if hes not happy youll think again. Good luck :)
 
Id rather option A. My horse gets stressy when it gets dark and is too valuable to me to get left out all night.

That said, in the summer he doesn't come in until 8/9pm so I'd like this flexability.
 
Oh wow, I cant believe some yards still keep horses in permanently - sorry, but that's cruel. Simple. No horse should be kept in permanently (unless of course for vet reasons).

Grazing would absolutely be top of my list, and that would be 24/7 not just during the summer!
 
my horses like coming in at night regardless of the weather, they like their routine so if i could find a yard with everything going for it that was 5 mins from my home i would go for it.
as it is i'm on a yard similar to what you describe but it's a 40 minute drive. the good thing is that they are on assisted livery so i dont' have to worry about them one end of the day (normally mornings) and also if i need to upgrade then i can at extra charge per day.
 
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