Viewing horses in winter with no turnout

[nagblagger]

I agree with others that you are 'overthinking' because of your sad loss.
Let's back up a bit, one stage at a time, first you have to go and see the pony, ride it and like it, (the owners could be telling you anything about other people wanting to try it) at the viewing you will get vibes about how honest the owners are.
2nd it has to pass a vetting before you even think of the dynamics of bringing it home.
I know its an exiting time, i can't wait for photos, but you have to have a cool level head to 'discuss' with your heart whether this pony is suitable for you.
Is anyone going with you?

(i can say all this to someone else, but my heart rules my head most of the time so i do understand your excitement)

 

[criso]

I though appreciate more may come for sale later on with better weather

They might but then prices might go up. It's an expensive time of year atm, come spring more people looking to buy wanting to ride in the summer and sellers in less of a hurry to sell with lower livery costs.

 

[tda]

I agree with others that you are 'overthinking' because of your sad loss.
Let's back up a bit, one stage at a time, first you have to go and see the pony, ride it and like it, (the owners could be telling you anything about other people wanting to try it) at the viewing you will get vibes about how honest the owners are.
2nd it has to pass a vetting before you even think of the dynamics of bringing it home.
I know its an exiting time, i can't wait for photos, but you have to have a cool level head to 'discuss' with your heart whether this pony is suitable for you.
Is anyone going with you?

(i can say all this to someone else, but my heart rules my head most of the time so i do understand your excitement)

Great reply

 

[Patterdale]

You are more likely to bring on other issues by micromanaging horses like this. There’s a reason that people who don’t seem to care and largely leave their horses to it, tend to have fewer issues. It’s not a coincidence.

 

[chaps89]

There are far bigger risks to worry about when owning horses than a very short period of time and minimal incurred cost to change over a routine. Seriously.

This. I wouldn’t miss out on the right horse over something like this. Ultimately it’s unlikely you’ll buy one being kept in the same routine as you would (or you’ll be making your search harder if nothing else!) and in the grand scheme of the years you’ll hopefully have said pony, a few weeks at the start is nothing really. Plus it’s exciting/scary enough settling a new horse in without trying to over complicate it

 

[Fieldlife]

it is interesting, I bought my horse after 12 weeks of no turnout. He was a little spicy when I tried him, but sensible. Had a few hot moments when I first got him to new home. He was on night turnout for a few years. Now lives out (on 1/2 acre at night, field by day). He now very laid back, despite being very fit. I am wondering about oats!!!

 

[Anna Clara]

I had a new forest pony on loan that hadn't been out in years. I had brushing boots on over bandages the first time I went to turn him out and was terrified. He was a typical pony, he put his head straight down to eat and didn't resurface for hours! I don't think he got further than 5m from the gate!

 

[teapot]

Yes I will definitely ask my vet for advice.

No they don't normally have them kept in their stables for two weeks on arrival.

Quarantine doesn't have to be two weeks stuck in a box - does the yard have a smaller individual paddock the horse could arrive and go straight out into? Or turnout onto a surface if you're really concerned.

 

[Kaylum]

Does your yard not quarantine new horses? Usually that takes care of the first two weeks.

Ask your vet about likelihood of colic from hay to grass. I’m sure you will trust their advice.

I would be very worried for my own horses if there is no quarantine in place at a yard. But very few seem to think it's necessary. Our quarantine area is cleaned thoroughly after every horses time has finished.

 

[SO1]

Yes we have the sick paddock which does not have any other paddocks next to it.

We also have a barn which has two stables which are not normally used but the problem but the problem with the barn is they cannot see any other horses from there.

We did have an isolation paddock which Homey jumped out of. We don't have that anymore though a lot of horses got upset as it was so far away from the others. The sick paddock does not have horses with touching distance but anything air bourne could be an issue it is next to the school.

Quarantine doesn't have to be two weeks stuck in a box - does the yard have a smaller individual paddock the horse could arrive and go straight out into? Or turnout onto a surface if you're really concerned.

 

[blitznbobs]

I’d just Chuck it in the field… it may have a bit of a hooley round but it will soon get over itself… never known this kind of micromanagement and never had an issue with colic due to winter grass either