blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
As the title states... I know 365/24/7 is the ideal and some will only accept this but realistic how little return out would you accept before you and your ponio walk from a yard?
What is the minimum amount of turnout you would accept on a yard?
- Thread starter blitznbobs
- Start date
TPO
Well-Known Member
24/7 summer and 8hrs during winter
Having said that I did livery at a yard where they were in at night year round and that was fine. They went out 8-9am every day (by YO) and were brought in by owners from 4pm-8pm depending on the owners.
The YO would make a call on really horrendous days to leave in and would hay them.
On awful days I dont have mine out for 8hrs but the option of a daily leg stretch even in awful weather has to be there.
During the summer my allergic to everything that bites horse comes in during the day.
So basically the option of a minimum of 8hrs turnout in winter and ideally 24/7 during the other seasons.
A yard offering half day turnout out for example wouldn't be suitable to me.
No or highly restricted winter turnout also a big no
Having said that I did livery at a yard where they were in at night year round and that was fine. They went out 8-9am every day (by YO) and were brought in by owners from 4pm-8pm depending on the owners.
The YO would make a call on really horrendous days to leave in and would hay them.
On awful days I dont have mine out for 8hrs but the option of a daily leg stretch even in awful weather has to be there.
During the summer my allergic to everything that bites horse comes in during the day.
So basically the option of a minimum of 8hrs turnout in winter and ideally 24/7 during the other seasons.
A yard offering half day turnout out for example wouldn't be suitable to me.
No or highly restricted winter turnout also a big no
asmp
Well-Known Member
We have to stable at night in the winter but apart from that we can leave them out. I’m on DIY so any other restrictions on hours in the field wouldn’t work IMO
ihatework
Well-Known Member
For working/competing horses
Out overnight in summer (stabled in day)
At least 8 hours spring/autumn
At least 2 hours during winter unless extreme weather dictates otherwise. But if it is restricted to only a couple of hours I want a walker on site.
Non working horses - 24/7
Out overnight in summer (stabled in day)
At least 8 hours spring/autumn
At least 2 hours during winter unless extreme weather dictates otherwise. But if it is restricted to only a couple of hours I want a walker on site.
Non working horses - 24/7
Michen
Well-Known Member
exactly this.
I don’t think there’s many horses I’d particularly even want out 24/7 on grass
Carrottom
Well-Known Member
For me this would depend on the horse and what I was doing with it. So if I'm riding every morning and the horse can be turned out for 3 or 4 hours in the afternoon that would be fine in the short term. I'm lucky that I can turn out 24/7 at home when the horse needs a holiday.
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
Out 24/7 all year round, I used to compete (admittedly low level) quite happily and show quite successfully without use of any stable or arena. A small corner of a reasonably flat field was all we needed for the finer details and hours of daily hacking over varying terrain for fitness level.
I do remember on just one occasion having to keep my thrice bathed and pampered traditional show cob and his big fluffy white weathers carefully confined to a friend's stable overnight when summer thunderstorms turning my fields into a quagmire in just a few short hours. but that is the only time I can remember it being any sort of issue living out 24/7.
I do remember on just one occasion having to keep my thrice bathed and pampered traditional show cob and his big fluffy white weathers carefully confined to a friend's stable overnight when summer thunderstorms turning my fields into a quagmire in just a few short hours. but that is the only time I can remember it being any sort of issue living out 24/7.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
I’d be happy with about 4 hours in winter, realistically that’s about what mine get at home if I ride. If I don’t they stay out longer but I could handle that. It would have to be daily though
Bellaboo18
Well-Known Member
Our current yard is a true 24/7/365 if you want. I actually bring my two in at night now and turn out every day, the routine works for them and me. Previous horse stayed out 24/7 in summer, in at night over winter (her choice).
What would I accept? Turnout every day 8 hours ish? Maybe the odd day in if biblical as long as I could hand walk or exercise them.
My rule is they leave there stables every day without fail. Last winter I couldn't turnout in the snow (snow stilts) but they were hand walked three times a day.
What would I accept? Turnout every day 8 hours ish? Maybe the odd day in if biblical as long as I could hand walk or exercise them.
My rule is they leave there stables every day without fail. Last winter I couldn't turnout in the snow (snow stilts) but they were hand walked three times a day.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Min 4 hours a day in winter, although I prefer longer, especially on non ridden days.
Summer, 8 hours would be fine, but would prefer longer to be available.
Summer, 8 hours would be fine, but would prefer longer to be available.
teddypops
Well-Known Member
When I kept my ponies at livery, I looked for yards with no restrictions. I like to decide when and for how long my ponies are in/ out. I always kept them out 24/7 spring, summer and autumn. When the weather was bad in winter they came in over night but out every day whatever the weather.
AmyMay
Situation normal
As TPO.
maya2008
Well-Known Member
I am allergic to hay and most bedding - 24/7 with sufficient land is my only option. I like access to a stable for emergencies though!
In the past I have stabled (my now husband had to handle all hay and mucking out). Ponies were happy with daytime turnout. They had interconnecting stables though with a half height wall, so could chat and groom over it.
In the past I have stabled (my now husband had to handle all hay and mucking out). Ponies were happy with daytime turnout. They had interconnecting stables though with a half height wall, so could chat and groom over it.
HappyHollyDays
Slave to a house cat, 4 yard cats and 2 ponies
I have no restrictions at all but my two tend to be out more in winter than they are in summer because of laminitis and EMS. I wouldn’t be able to manage them if I was on a livery yard with turnout rules so the farm suits me and them perfectly. Today they went out for 4 hours and galloped up to the gate to come in this evening.
fredflop
Well-Known Member
Totally depends on the horse and the setup.
mine was a hell of a lot better in for a week over winter, with plenty of hay and time on the Walker, than being stuck in a mud pit field for 8 hours without much to eat.
mine was a hell of a lot better in for a week over winter, with plenty of hay and time on the Walker, than being stuck in a mud pit field for 8 hours without much to eat.
J_sarahd
Well-Known Member
My old yard they were out at about 8.30/9ish and in again at 2-3pm year round, with them being in completely if the weather isn’t great. It works for some but not my boy as he’d just inhale the grass as soon as he was out. Not so much of an issue in the winter but a problem in the summer.
Flowerofthefen
Well-Known Member
I like to have a field that I can do as I please. I like to have them out as much as possible spring/summer. In over night in autumn. My ridden horse won't go out in winter so an area to hand graze is essential.
Jango
Well-Known Member
At least a couple of hours for winter, at least 6hrs autumn and spring and 10hrs a day in summer. We do get more than this, but I think this would be the minimum for a horse in work.
SpeedyPony
Well-Known Member
For the old lad, it has to be 24/7/365, which is a big part of why we're not on a yard.
For my part, assuming a horse that would stable, I'd not be happy without at least 8hrs in the winter, I haven't the time to offer enough work to offset more restricted turnout. I'd also much prefer 24/7 in the summer, but might stretch to overnight turnout/all day turnout if that was all I could find.
Realistically though, I think despite the inconveniences of not having access to stabling and facilities, I'm still much happier in my mind about having the horses out 24/7 and wouldn't want to be on a yard with turnout restrictions, particularly after hearing the horror stories on here about 8hrs being promised every day and horses then being left in for weeks at a time because of "unforseen weather".
For my part, assuming a horse that would stable, I'd not be happy without at least 8hrs in the winter, I haven't the time to offer enough work to offset more restricted turnout. I'd also much prefer 24/7 in the summer, but might stretch to overnight turnout/all day turnout if that was all I could find.
Realistically though, I think despite the inconveniences of not having access to stabling and facilities, I'm still much happier in my mind about having the horses out 24/7 and wouldn't want to be on a yard with turnout restrictions, particularly after hearing the horror stories on here about 8hrs being promised every day and horses then being left in for weeks at a time because of "unforseen weather".
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
I've found I can make this work at livery, I'm in an area with little to choose from in terms of yards.
I do have the benefit of 24/7 TO at home if needed e.g. rest/rehab.
ownedbyaconnie
Well-Known Member
At least 10 hours a day all year round (what I have now). I don’t like the idea of horse being in a stable for much longer than they are out.
But that’s for the specific horse I have now, she thrives the longer she is out. She’s more relaxed etc. Basically whatever turnout is needed for a happy horse is what I want.
But that’s for the specific horse I have now, she thrives the longer she is out. She’s more relaxed etc. Basically whatever turnout is needed for a happy horse is what I want.
Tihamandturkey
Well-Known Member
I think minimum 4 hours in winter - am lucky as we get approx 8 at my yard - summer is 24 hours - I'd actually prefer a few hours in during the day but I'm not going to rock the boat as not many yards do 365 turnout these days ?
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
To be totally honest? I would accept none if it was the only way I could own a horse.
And do my damndest to make it a life worth living for the horse.
.
And do my damndest to make it a life worth living for the horse.
.
Ceifer
Well-Known Member
I think it should be tailored to the horses needs. My current mare lives out 24/7 and loves it. She’s only been in overnight 5 nights since I’ve owned her due to snow.
But the mare I had before her absolutely hated going out as soon as the weather turned colder (so most of the bloomin year). She was dangerous to deal with if you did turn her out. The yard staff refused to turn her out or bring her in. She was a lamb in the stable. I sold her because I hated how we had to manage her. The yard didn’t have a Walker so I was paying for full livery and having to go up twice a day to ride her. She wouldn’t hand graze either.
Sold her to semi pro who had a yard that suited better and she loved it.
But the mare I had before her absolutely hated going out as soon as the weather turned colder (so most of the bloomin year). She was dangerous to deal with if you did turn her out. The yard staff refused to turn her out or bring her in. She was a lamb in the stable. I sold her because I hated how we had to manage her. The yard didn’t have a Walker so I was paying for full livery and having to go up twice a day to ride her. She wouldn’t hand graze either.
Sold her to semi pro who had a yard that suited better and she loved it.
tristar
Well-Known Member
out at 8am in 7 pm
indoors during a storm
indoors when very hot midday ish
indoors if flies are really bad for a few hours
some have yard door open boxes at night so can be out all the time
the best thing ever is to look out of window and see them walking about in a field of short grass working for a living and moving about non stop for hours
could not keep them in fulltime would drive me nuts and them
indoors during a storm
indoors when very hot midday ish
indoors if flies are really bad for a few hours
some have yard door open boxes at night so can be out all the time
the best thing ever is to look out of window and see them walking about in a field of short grass working for a living and moving about non stop for hours
could not keep them in fulltime would drive me nuts and them
Sossigpoker
Well-Known Member
My cob would be a hippo if 24/7 turn out on grass was even possible where I am!
At the moment due to little grass he's getting a few hours a day and he's doing well on that. He comes in, has a sleep and eats some hay, most days gets exercised and then it's bed time.
He wouldn't want to be out in bad weather and didn't really settle last year when tried to leave him out over night so currently this suits him. Once the grass gets going he will get a bit longer out but I need to balance that with his girth size too.
I've had horses who wouldn't have coped with little turn out though- every horse is different and what might suit one might not suit another
At the moment due to little grass he's getting a few hours a day and he's doing well on that. He comes in, has a sleep and eats some hay, most days gets exercised and then it's bed time.
He wouldn't want to be out in bad weather and didn't really settle last year when tried to leave him out over night so currently this suits him. Once the grass gets going he will get a bit longer out but I need to balance that with his girth size too.
I've had horses who wouldn't have coped with little turn out though- every horse is different and what might suit one might not suit another
Winters100
Well-Known Member
I suppose what I could accept would depend upon what my alternatives were. Right now I have unrestricted, and would not easily agree to anything less than dawn to dusk. However I understand that in many areas this is really difficult to find, so I suppose in this case my absolute minimum would be 4 hours a day with access to indoor school, lunging pen and walker. For me no winter turnout would be a disaster, in this case I would have to move, send them to retirement livery or not keep horses. The timing of the available turnout, as well as my own available time, would also be relevant. For example if they were ridden in the morning, then turned out for 4 hours, then hacked, lunged or loose schooled in the late afternoon I would probably be OK with it. If I could only exercise them once a day, followed by 4 hours paddock and then 18 or 19 hours standing in the box I would not do it. Also I don't know how I would handle days off, because 20 hours in the box would not be good for mine. Those of you who live in areas where there is a lack of turnout have my sympathy, because it must be really hard work.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
I agree I can if I want to but I don't winter is too wet and I won't have them out in torrential rain and mud all night, I like mine to have a break off the grass in spring and summer and Autumn every day.
chaps89
Well-Known Member
My ideal is out at night, in during the day all year round.
I tend to ride and do jobs in the morning, so if they don't go out until gone 9 by the time I've ridden etc, if they then come in at lunch, that's a long time to stand in until the next day, or requires a longer second visit in the evening to allow for hand grazing/loose schooling/time on the walker etc, plus greater costs in bedding and hay if they're in longer. That's from a selfish perspective of course. But, from the horses perspective, I think most benefit from longer out too.
Clearly there are some horses who haven't read the rule book and don't like turnout/won't go out in the wet/etc etc so for them it's different, but generally, unless there's a good reason for them to be in, I like them out.
I tend to ride and do jobs in the morning, so if they don't go out until gone 9 by the time I've ridden etc, if they then come in at lunch, that's a long time to stand in until the next day, or requires a longer second visit in the evening to allow for hand grazing/loose schooling/time on the walker etc, plus greater costs in bedding and hay if they're in longer. That's from a selfish perspective of course. But, from the horses perspective, I think most benefit from longer out too.
Clearly there are some horses who haven't read the rule book and don't like turnout/won't go out in the wet/etc etc so for them it's different, but generally, unless there's a good reason for them to be in, I like them out.
Boulty
Well-Known Member
At least 8 hours daily in winter (with maybe the odd absolutely awful day of less if they're begging to come in / not wanting to go out) & either 24/7 or overnight in summer depending on the horse...
The Welsh Idiot disagreed with me on this. He demanded 14 hrs upwards daily (or rather nightly as this was easier to achieve & he couldn't tolerate 24/7 grass) year round or you'd know about it! When at a yard with extensive hardstanding & a large barn he did not count being shut in there as "turnout" & when the yard would shut the field in bad weather he made his views on this VERY clear. He DID class track systems as acceptable turnout but the barn & hardstanding were just a large stable in his head. The more space he had to move about in the happier he was. Even if it was hailstoning sideways outside is where he was happiest so long as there was food (mentally he honestly WAS happier stood in a mud pit at a hay bale in the pissing rain than indoors on dry ground unless he could have the door open & come & go as he pleased... Physically not so much perhaps)
Fuzzball has slightly more sense & if it's vile weather & everyone else is in for the morning then he doesn't see why he should get out of bed & dislikes even being turfed out to wander around the yard for a leg stretch. As long as the food keeps coming he's happy enough (although when he had a few days box rest with an abscess he was very happy to go back out again)
The Welsh Idiot disagreed with me on this. He demanded 14 hrs upwards daily (or rather nightly as this was easier to achieve & he couldn't tolerate 24/7 grass) year round or you'd know about it! When at a yard with extensive hardstanding & a large barn he did not count being shut in there as "turnout" & when the yard would shut the field in bad weather he made his views on this VERY clear. He DID class track systems as acceptable turnout but the barn & hardstanding were just a large stable in his head. The more space he had to move about in the happier he was. Even if it was hailstoning sideways outside is where he was happiest so long as there was food (mentally he honestly WAS happier stood in a mud pit at a hay bale in the pissing rain than indoors on dry ground unless he could have the door open & come & go as he pleased... Physically not so much perhaps)
Fuzzball has slightly more sense & if it's vile weather & everyone else is in for the morning then he doesn't see why he should get out of bed & dislikes even being turfed out to wander around the yard for a leg stretch. As long as the food keeps coming he's happy enough (although when he had a few days box rest with an abscess he was very happy to go back out again)