What's your opinion on individual turnout?

Other than if there is a very good reason for it such as recovering from illness or very aggressive horse, I am against it. Fella would certainly never be happy with it. He loves nothing more than a good cuddle with another horse, and even laying down with them if the mood takes him. But i come from a traditional mixed large herd school of thought. Fella has been kicked before - still out with others, and as for the number of times his rug has been ripped from rough play, well individual turnout would have saved me a fourtune, but he just wouldn't be happy.
 
joeanne said:
I have yet to see a horse on individual turnout relaxed enough to lay down.
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I do almost every single day! I have three horses, one of which is an extremely good doer, whilst the other two need a bit more in the way of food! So I have found it works well to have the good doer in her own individual paddock and the other two out together where they can have more grazing and as much hay as they want. Both paddocks have plenty of natural shelter in the way of adjoining woodland and thick holly hedges, and the paddocks are next to each other with a long stretch of mutual boundary so the 'lone' horse doesn't feel isolated and she is indeed relaxed enough to lie down in her paddock, almost on a daily basis.

Also, when we bought my daughter's horse in the summer, we had him on individual turnout to start with, in a similar set-up, and again he was often to be found having a nap in the field!
 
If you are on a competition yard with expensive horses then i would want to have individual turnout.

We turn out in groups of 2/3 at our yard but even then accidents still happen - there have been quite a few kicks recently actually. My mare is now in a sectioned off part of her field on her own though as she is in foal and likes to be on her own when she is getting near as she gets really grumpy.

My rising 3yr old however is in a herd and will hopefully stay with that herd and live out for as long as possible.
 
Brilliant opinions!! Thanks everyone!
Now the reason I am moving my horse is because we are currently on livery at a riding school.
I am not allowed to ride with the riding school hacks, I am not allowed to have a freelance instructor visit me, the riding school instructors will not teach me, there are only 2 other liveries (1 the YO's daughter and the other the riding school ride leader) so I have no-one to ride with at all unless 1 of said other liveries needs me to acompany them for some reason.
The field is lined with broken barbed wire fencing, the grazing isn't great. My horse is turned out with his 2 stable neighbours, 2 retired grass liveries and about 15 riding school ponies (the field is approx 20 acres)! I have to lead down the road to get to the field so bringing in in winter can be dangerous if I don't get there before it's dark.
My horse is 5, we need people to ride with, we need lessons and we need support which is non-existant at current yard i.e. my horse spooked and cantered up a grass verge and I was told by both liveries that my horse is a bolter and the YO said that I should seel him immediately....he's done this ONCE in a year and he's a baby for goodness sake!!!!
So is individual TO a small compromise to make to give us a better chance to progress??? Like I said in OP, I'm not a massive fan of individual TO and that's the only thing that's playing on my mind!
 
I much prefer it. My horse is more relaxed and better behaved when he's turned out in his own paddock than he was with his companion. He was on individual turnout at our last yard and was very settled. When I moved him last year I tried putting him in with a friend's horse but they just hassled each other all the time and both ended up being wound up. Since he's been on his own he's been much happier. It also saves any arguement over poo picking, worrying about kicks etc.

He can often be found lying down as can the other horses on individual turnout. I would choose it over having him out in a herd any time.
 
Sandylou your yard at present sounds so supportive :D :p


At my yard, there is only the 2 of us there, YO's horse which is a fatty and my rising 5 year old who is a middle doer I suppose you could say .

Every now and again they get turned out together but majority of the time she is out on her own but with YO's mare just over the fence, My mare is happy enough to be out on her own, whereas YO's mare can be a silly ninny and call on my mare . Put it this way, as soon as YO's horse sees my jeep drive up the yard shes nickering away and waiting for Missy to come out, whereas missy just ignores her and just wants the grass, very inconsiderate youngster I have you know :p .

I think it just really depends on the horse and the yard .

For what its worth I would rather she had company in the field with her, but its not possible all the time . For now the mare is happy :)

Col x
 
I had my previous horse on individual turnout, he had a lot of issues with different things but his turnout wasn't one of them! He was always lying down, often flat out and spent most of his time away from the other horses - he's a pretty grumpy sort of horse really!

My current horse though would absolutely hate it, I've moved yards since and they're out in a mare group, and a gelding group - which works brilliantly! She'd become really stressed if she was on her own, there's no way I'd consider it with her as standard turnout

I think for some horses it works well, for others it causes far too much stress
 
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I would never go to a yard that only offered individual turnout. I would also never go to a yard that only turned out in large herds....

Where I am there are 4/5 horses in a field. They are introduced properly (new horse is out in paddock next to herd by itself until all squealing/interest is over) and the horses are happy. Also lucky that the yard I am at has a low turnover of horses.

the only time I've ever had my horse out alone (apart from when horse was new) was when my old boy was ill with chronic diarrohea.... I had him out in small paddock by himself so I could monitor him properly. My yard will also accomodate horses out by themselves if they are coming off injury, so have best of both worlds! :)
 
Although I like the fact that both of mine are secure and confident enough to be left alone whilst the other is ridden, I would not be happy for them to be out alone constantly, even if they were to have a horse the other side of the fence. It is not possible for them to groom properly, swat the flies from eachothers faces and so on with a fence in the way.
 
My liveries each have their own paddocks, and at the moment most of them have two horses/ponies each. It works well, because of many of the reasons already raised. Own area to poo pick, 2 together means they can groom, be sociable and relax together (isn't that what being in the field is about?). I like them to be turned out in even numbers so you don't get ganging up issues. Some have fatties, some have thinnies, so the paddocks are rotated to suit their individual needs. Thinnies go on the lush grass first, then the fatties go on after when not so much to eat. I also have a scratch paddock that has very little on it, so anyone wanting turnout but no grass as such can use it.

But, my own breeding stock (mares/foals and youngstock) share as they all know each other, know who to keep out of the way of (the boss mare) and are all unshod.

I have a gelding that I ride and he generally goes out on his own as he can be a terrible fatty in summer, and any youngsters that he could go out with need more grass than he does, but he does get the occasional play pal to stop him getting bored, and he does love hoolying with a big youngster.

Horses for courses?
 
I think it depends on the Horse and the layout of the fields, My share Horse does not like to be alone and would go mental on Ind. TO. I can see the advantages of it though.
 
We have individual turnout at our yard. I dont think any of our liveries would want to share but they can do if they like and rest one field. We also have summer and winter paddocks. We do have a rule that we never leave one out on its own and we have a rota system for getting horses in if their owners are at work etc. All our paddocks are next to one another so nothing gets lonely. My old pony was kicked quite badly years ago and it does scare the life out of me incase it happens again although i can see why people like their horses turned out together.
 
interesting post. My late mare hated being in her stable on her own - she would box walk til you put her out. However left in the field on her own didnt bother her, she could see other horses - so didnt seem to mind. Would sometimes wander over to the gate and stand waiting on a pal if people were riding but not stressed at all.

My gelding (rising 5yo ) however loves to play and he is out with a rising 4yo and a 8yo mare. He is actually the boss of the field and makes sure not too much carry on goes on! He also talks to the horses in another herd over the fence and when i bring him in the mare pines for him! He is absoultely sine in on his own but at previous yard i put him out by himself in a paddock and he just didnt settle? However no other horses out and it was not his usual field.

Horses for courses i guess - if they can see each other and groom it wouldnt put me off however shelter and big enough paddocks so they didnt end up ruined would effect my decision.

Back to OP anything sounds better than where you are though!
 
I was quite surprised when I moved to a new area to find that all the yards were individual turnout, or turnout for each owners horses if they had more than one. My three were together in a small taped off paddock along a line of other sectioned off paddocks. They coped ok, but had very little shelter from the elements. Summer was a nightmare. Standing in baking sun or standing in a stuffy stable. Turnout in winter was dependant on there being no rain or snow as the tiny paddocks would get poached quickly, so they spent weeks stabled 24/7.
Finally found herd turnout with the option of being out 24/7 if desired. The difference in my horses is amazing. They have space to run and play, lots of different forage and natural shelter and open barns which they only use in the summer. The good doers have more to occupy themselves with and move around more while the stressy one is so chilled, she's a pleasure to handle and ride. They look better for having good grazing and keep fitter, while the youngster benefits from learning how to behave in a social heirachy. This transfers itself to handling and riding.
Although, during the YO's 25 years on the yard,there has never been a serious injury from another horse, I realise the risk is there, but for me, its a well managed herd and the risk is infinitely preferrable to the alternative of 'holding' paddocks.
 
Mines on individual turnout, she grooms horse over the fence, but she is very dominate & will kick anything that comes near here if shes not int he mood..which is why shes on her own. When she wants attention she goes & get it, as everything loves her, shes just temperamental.

She lies down and sleeps in her field. She is happy!.
 
I am lucky enough to keep mine at home and they all get on really well I tried to split them last year when we had a new youngster arrive just so it wasnt so daunting for the newbie but they all stood together either side of the electric fencing wanting to be together. They have a pecking order so it works fine.
 
Sandylou - given what you are putting up with at the mo - moving looks like a no-brainer to me.

Lots of horses are fine out individually - it means yours wont come in kicked for starters! if he struggles have a word with them as there may be a quiet one he can go with, but honestly I doubt you will have any problems at all. I would never go to a yard which refused to allow individual turnout as mine has to go out alone because he will just chase the others and be a pain.
 
The yard I was at until recently, was individual turnout, but being as I had two or three at a time it didn;t matter as I would bung them all in together and thereby resting the other paddocks aswell.

Some of the other liveries used to team up and share also, so this might be an option for you.

- ets - the paddocks were at least an acre each.
 
I think its un-natural, a horse should be able to socialise with other horses, grooming each other, youngsters learning hierarchy rules etc. I personally wouldn't do it, but then I guess its better they get turnout at all unlike some places it seems.
 
I wouldn't consider anything other than individual turnout. I have more than my fair share of my horses being kicked or bullied in group turnout, rugs ripped or people not doing their share of poo picking, feeding hay etc etc.

My horses have been on individual turnout for years. They are social and well adjusted and can groom and sniff each other over the fence and neither of them have displayed any tendencies that would lead me to believe that they are not content. I know it's not natural as such but the way most of us keep horses thease day's is not excatly natural, ie stabled and squashed into small paddocks. I do put them in the manege every now and again for a romp around together which they really enjoy.

Group turnout is not for me or my horses.
 
There is a time and a place for it.

I have group and individual turnout here, if someone pays me for individual TO then that is their prerogative.

If something is getting bullied then I juggle until the bullies/victims are happy, if that doesn't happen then I can, will, and do, use individual TO.

I have the attitude that people pay me to care for their horses and that includes not putting them in with something that wll damage them whilst they are my responsibility. I make that fact quite clear when anyone comes to view. I hate bullying and won't stand for it. I am all for having groups but I won't stand by for days and watch a horse be bullied, they are on my doorstep - very hard to turn a blind eye to it.

Some horses are just happier/feel safer alone.

Isolation as a reason is a given. I have one mare here from some rescue centre in the States that kindly bought shipping fever (aka strangles) with her, she was, and is still, isolated and will stay that way as we suspect she is a carrier as her tests still haven't come back clear. I am not risking every other horse on the yard just because it would suit her better to be with a group...it would, but it isn't going to happen, she just has to lump it.

My mini is often alone if there isn't a youngster available. The big horses hate him, he has plenty of contact, just with a fence between them.

My stallion is often alone also, safest all round at times, unless I have some youngsters that he will be happy with (see signature), but come Spring when he starts feeling fruity he'll be separated unless he has a mare to pasture breed. He's used to being alone, he can see every other horse on the yard, he isn't unhappy.

Pros and cons to it, as with everything. I take each day as it comes and treat every horse as an individual, no hard and fast rules.
 
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We get a paddock each on our yard mines 4 acres and i have 3 on it. I would personally like my horse atleast with one other for social reasons, but to be honest the worst thing having large herds out is trying to get your horse in when there about 10 others galloping around you also injury to them and your selves. If the horses look happy and canspeak over the fence line i think it would be ok... atleast if you poo pick you not picking anybodys poop up lol x
 
Sandylou said:
I'm moving my horse next weekend for many reasons but the only thing that concerns me is that the new yard only has individual turnout. All the horses can see each other but they are in sectioned padocks. All the horses there seem perfectly happy but it's just not natural is it?!
What's your opinion and/or experience of this?
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In most circumstances I would rather have this tbh.

If I am keeping a horse, in daily ridden work, who's booked in to do regular competitions and who's out during the day and in at night. I would want that horse to have individual turnout. There is nothing more annoying than to have worked hard and qualified for something, and then somebody elses horse kicks yours in the field the day before your finals!!!

However I'd prefer a retired, or semi retired horse, or one who had 24 hour t/o to be in a field mixing if possible. My veteran had a special best friend, and towards the end of his life he was in a bit of pain, and I'm sure having his special companion with him, made life continue to be enjoyable for him.
 
My horse is in induvidual turnout with friends in the same field and a hedge to shelter under and he seems quite happy, he is also in his own little barn divided into 2 stables, 1 for my hay, feed etc and 1 for him, his friends are up in the barn a little bit further away, he doesn't seem to mind. When we had them out (well rugged up) in the snow I could feed him as much hay as he wanted and as he is a slow eater, I know he got his full quota and didn't have another horse nicking it, also he would leave his feed for later on in the night! He used to be turned out with a mare at my last place and he adored her, but since she was sold he has become much more relaxed and chilled out. I think that some horses are happy and others are not, also he is very bossy when it comes to feed and bringing him in so it is easier for my "landlord" to have him on his own, also I don't have to worry about him getting kicked or him kicking someone else. :)
 
Its the same at my yard, but I have 2 horses so they are together. Ive often wondered what id do as one of my boys is old (32) although super fine at the moment, god forbid the day 'THE DAY' comes as I dont want my 7yo out on his own - he's fine, but a bit of company is good for them in my book
 
I dont understand how some of you say that an advantage of individual turnout is that you can feed your own horses in their fields, if you feed yours dont the hirses in the adjacent paddocks fret and stress the fences?
 
teasle said:
I dont understand how some of you say that an advantage of individual turnout is that you can feed your own horses in their fields, if you feed yours dont the hirses in the adjacent paddocks fret and stress the fences?
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By their nature, horses are co operative and soon learn to seemingly accept this.
TBF, the advantages on individual TO are generally for the owner not the horse, with the few exceptions of horses unable to manage in a herd,-or where herd dynamics are mismanaged.
I guess those paying the bills have the choice.
 
joeanne said:
Personally I HATE individual turnout. Horses are herd creatures, not designed to live alone. Many spend hours grooming a favoured friend, and the herd tends to be more relaxed with many eyes always on the look out for "danger".
I have yet to see a horse on individual turnout relaxed enough to lay down.
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My mare is not the most sociable of beasts and has been known to terrorise others. Indeed, the one time another horse went to groom her, she promptly kicked it and chased it away.

I moved from a mixed field to individual turn out (it's very difficult to find mixed yards here). My mare settled down - before, she was very unsettled, charged about like a devil and became difficult to handle. Going onto individual turnout, she became so easy to do, (my non-horsey OH can do her), she relaxed enough to lie down in the mornings.

This is more individual owner paddocks however, as, I have one pony, therefore I have one paddock.
I bought a second pony (as I did feel guilty even though she was fine on her own) and so I had two paddocks that I could either have them both together and rotate the paddock they went into or have them each separate. They are in together now that my mare has accepted the youngster, but she is a horse I'll have to be careful of as she can be a bully, so this suits me far better. I can put out the amount of hay in winter that I wish to.

It purely depends on each horse. Some horses are fine on individual turnout and others may not be. Is it really that different to a stabled horse, other than having more room and being able to touch horses next door? I've known plenty of horses stabled 24/7 and only being able to see other horses. Individual turnout generally means they can at least touch over the fence.

Individual turnout can also give owners more control. I go up and feed my horses when I can (7am and 3pm), whereas yard feed theirs at (10am and 3pm). Other horses on the yard ignore me when I take feed up as they know it's not time for them and when the others on the yard are fed, mine ignore it as again, they know their own feed times.

Yes it's nice for horses to live as a herd but it's not always possible and as long as they aren't stressing/unhappy etc, then as long as what your doing works for you, that is the main thing!!
 
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