What are your views on keeping horses stabled 24/7?

Kitsune - I think your argument is like cutting off your nose despite your face. Yes, our horses may not be wild, but we have a duty of care to them and they should be able to behave like horses and ponies should, in order to make them as happy and healthy as possible. It's a bit like arguing "Well, animals in Zoo's aren't real wild animals, so instead of putting them in an appropriate environment I'm gonna put this group of lions in a bungalow"
 
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Kitsune - I think your argument is like cutting off your nose despite your face. Yes, our horses may not be wild, but we have a duty of care to them and they should be able to behave like horses and ponies should, in order to make them as happy and healthy as possible. It's a bit like arguing "Well, animals in Zoo's aren't real wild animals, so instead of putting them in an appropriate environment I'm gonna put this group of lions in a bungalow"

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Here Here!!
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I agree, if you notice in my post I did say "Its not for me" but what I can't understand is people saying its Ok if its for health reasons but not ok if its for management reasons. The horse has no idea what reasons it is cooped up for - so how does it differentiate, what you are doing is excusing the cruelty - for the greater good, in which case who draws the line here? What's the greater good for a horse that might run round and break a leg? Or the horse who might jump the fence and barb wire himself? The horse who may kick and bite others...?

Sometimes, it is down to a humans better judgement, again its not for me, but i trust not many people keep their horses in out of cruelty. Maybe Im naive!
 
I think its unnatural (not that riding them is natural, but you know what I mean) and unfair. They aren't meant to be cooped up, 1/2 time fair enough, but getting time out with their buddies, in open space to just be a horse is so important imho.
 
I think for 99% of horses it is not suitable, however, I have come across a couple of horses over the years who are far happier in for the entire day and night, than out. I think they might be the horsey equivelent of agorophobic, and really fretted outside, but in their stable they were totally happy, calm, would lie down a lot, much hay, and just plain liked it better. We did ensure they had exercise, which they were fine with, they just didn't like being out in a field unridden. For most horses tho, I think at least a few hours turnout a day is necessary.
 
Personally I would not even consider it. I also think it would be even worse for a horse that is used to be turned out, than one which has never known anything else.
 
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