Which option is for you???

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i appreciate that niether are ideal but you have to make the best of what you are given and these really are the best options i can find! A serious lack of yards round me!
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I agree having the facilities is ideal really as i can work on him more but he is very miserable standing in 24/7 and because i work full time i dont have hours to entertain him.
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He has toys all over his stable which he loves, can get through a lickit in an hour!!
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and also ad-lib haylage. I just am getting so down about the no turnout factor as i really want him out as much as possible and am starting to think he would be better being sold to someone else that either has more time to be with him most of the day or a blade of grass!
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Would have to say absolutely option 1, and think you have answered this yourself with the no turnout getting you down. There is loads you can do out on a hack in the way of schooling, and you will probably end up with a far more enthusiastic forward going horse by not overschooling. - But by being turned out loads, hopefully not a *bouncybouncy*
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enthusiasm!!!!
 
NEITHER!!!
I don't turn out much (1 hour per day in winter / 5 hours per day in summer) although I could put out 24/7 if I wanted. But even though I choose not to turn out loads - I would not go to none, ever.
But there is no way I would be without 20 x 60 floodlit indoor and outdoor either.
 
option 1...I currently have option 2ish - no turn out if it's raining (as far as I know horses are waterproof, but there we are....) I am working flat out at the mo and horses not in work so being shut up is an enormous problem for us....I am able to let them into the school while I muck out twice a day, but it's not good for them or me.....I am desperately miserable....

We are urgently house hunting as our house purchase fell thru so this livery yard was always meant to be a short term thing, but it's really tough at the mo...

Previously have always had turnout - my horses are allowed to be horses and do what horses do - then when I ask them to humour me and do some work, they are happy to do so.

The fixation with arenas is a new thing, IMO!!!
 
I would be desperately searching for something in the middle! I used to be at a place with no school, and it was an absolute nightmare, my pony was turned out at least 8 hours a day to run and play with others, but we couldn't ride at all during the week and come the weekend it was like having a death wish! And my pony was 15!

At the moment we have limited turnout in terms of space, so we have to alternate between having one in the field and the other in the school, our school is absolutely tiny, but it is a million times better than having no school at all and working on quite a tight cicle has done wonders for my 4yr olds balance!
 
Definately Option 1 - the most important thing for horses imo is turnout - they are not designed to be couped up in stables.

I recently went to a lecture by Dr Hilary Claydon - a study was done on the development of youngsters turned out Vs those with limited turnout and guess what? Those with limited turn-out developed conformational problems and muscle problems later on - i'm sure it will be on the web somewhere if you google it
 
Don't think there's any debate. Wouldn't entertain keeping a youngster in all winter.
Option 1. worst outome is that you have a horse who progresses a little more slowly. He does have the winter to grow up a bit and will love it when you are able to ride him. The nights are getting lighter now and you'll soon be able to ride in the evenings, I school on grass anyway when I can, it's where we do morst of our tests when we're eventing after all.
Option2. Worst case scenario, horse develops nice tricks for you, like bucking, due to being sour and too fresh. Does horses wind & limbs no good at all being stuck in and you get soundness issues.
 
If I had to I'd choose option 2 but get someone else to ride or lunge in the mornings (or do it myself if I had the time) and ride again inthe evenings, combined with long hacks over the weekend.

Also keep looking around as something is bound to turn up!
 
I would go for the first option, as it is the most natural way to keep a horse. Boxing places, is'nt that bad and horses need a bit of time off in the winter anyway. Lots of professional riders give there horses a few weeks/months off and just keep them ticking over.
 
Number 2 if I was committed to riding daily and working the horse hard, with the provision that it could go out for holiday a la event horses every other month.

Number one if I was a fluffer who claimed I wanted to bring the horse on to compete but actually didnt want to put in the hour a day it takes.

We have got no turn out, the horses are out as babies till they are 4 then come in, all are absoulutely fine, worked seven days a week, then have holidays and also 1hr turn out a day (not really in the winter though as it is to gross)

Just depends on yourlevel of commitment. Bruce is fine on it as are the other horses on the yard.

I dont see how you can bring a horse on to compete if you dont have at least basic facilities.
 
Neither TBH.

I am in a situation similar to yours in that I work a nd do neddy in the dark.....

I moved yards at the end of the sumer to ensure I had a school and even though I hate schooling there are times when it is a godsend to be able to do something in the dark.

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If I had to choose then I'd go with option one and keep my eyes and eyes open for an all year turnout and good facilities yard. I guess it depends on the horse but I know Jazz would go bonkers if she was in 24/7 and mentally wouldn't cope with competing etc , especially if she spotted a blade of grass!
Good luck
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Good point Pasha
I said something along those lines yesterday. If..nay, when
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..I win the lottery , Jazz can live out but I'll build a HUGE stable , min. 60'x 60' , for the really nasty nights, TBH she is one that will happily use a field shelter too
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