Winter - keep going or turn away again?

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Peggs

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So before I start I will wholeheartedly admit to being slightly neurotic over this horse's development... I have a 17hh (and still growing!), 4 year old warmblood. Being so big and a warmblood, I have never pushed him too hard work wise as I would rather a horse that stays sound through out his life than one that's been pushed too soon and too early with nasty consequences later on down the line. But at 4 I really ought to get him regularly working gently, ie. really basic school work and short hacks out as the longer I leave it the bigger and stronger he'll get, making harder it will be for me (Im 5ft5 so although it's not quite the mountain and pea look he still towers over me!)

This winter I have 2 options - Turn away for yet another winter in a lovely big field with a field shelter. There is nowhere to school/lunge/long rein as its on a slope and we are on clay. The ground stays wet and slippery so it would be too dangerous. There was also an additional problem last winter as I found he slightly transcended into some feral behaviours, due to really the lack of regular work and handling. Alternatively I can winter him at the farm where turnout is a hardcore area so he wouldn't benefit for keeping fit galloping up and down the hill but there is an arena (currently under construction!!! :o) so I can continue with light work and at the same time keep him relatively domesticated! The issue I have with option 2 is the lack of proper turnout as I've always made sure he's spent as little time in a stable as possible whilst a youngster, and although he'll have the arena to charge around in kick up his heels and the turnout area to mooch its not the same as being out in a field.

Im just wondering what other people would be inclined to do in my position?
 
I have the same problem, although my 4 year old is not a top quality competition horse in the making. He is big and growing though.

I am leaning towards the turn away. Many years ago a wonderful vet said to me 'the less they do before they are five the more they will do after they are fifteen. Never forgot his words and for big gangly horses this has to be right.
 
I think although he may be able to kick up his heels in the arena that may not be enough to keep a big young horse sane, then you may need to do more work with him to keep a lid on the behaviour, it does depend a bit on his temperament but for many being basically restricted all winter may prove too much. I think I would keep him going as long as possible wherever he is at the moment then turn away for the worst of the winter bringing him in after as short a break as possible so he does not end up out for too long but equally is not confined the whole winter.
 
Neither sound ideal really, especially the second keep in Work option. Is there nowhere local that has daily turnout at least? Or I'd turn away but try and tick him over as best you can.
 
Oscar said:
Neither sound ideal really, especially the second keep in Work option. Is there nowhere local that has daily turnout at least? Or I'd turn away but try and tick him over as best you can.
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Agree with this. Neither option is great...especially if he has the tendency to go a bit feral if left alone.

So if you were certain you want him turned out 24/7 over winter, I'd be looking for turnout with better options for work (i.e. a menage, or at least some quiet lanes for hacking, long reining etc). Or if you want to have him in work over winter look for a yard that offers winter turnout.

After trying my best to keep my baby warmblood turned out 24/7 I realised he doesnt keep condition well enough over winter, he has incredibly sensitive skin so doesnt do well out 24/7 anyway, plus his manners are much better with some daily handling. So I found a yard that has good turnout all year round, but a nice stable and menage for when the time comes to do some work. He is currently out at night so gets about 16 hours turnout a day, then spends a few hours in the stable during the day. Over winter this will change to being out during the day and in at night - but he still gets that grazing time out in the field and gets to have a good run about.

I am totally with you on wanting to keep young horses out in the field as much as possible, and if the horse enjoys being out and doesnt lose condition or suffer in any way for it then definitely the best option. But I wouldnt say its the best option if you have to compromise the ability to do any work with the horse, and neither is compromising turnout completely just to do a bit of work with a 4 year old - surely this is going to keep on being a problem in the future (even at 5 would you really want to move to a yard without any proper turnout?)

I'd be looking for a long term solution where you have a yard with good turnout all year round, and ideally some sort of facilities for work (menage or decent hacking etc) and then of course stable/shelter for him. Yards like this do exist, and you dont always have to pay a fortune for it - but equally if you are spending money on a quality young horse with the view to bringing it on yourself then financially hopefully you've factored in things like proper livery/turnout/facilities as these are important parts of the young horse's development.

Not saying you need a fancy full livery yard with indoor and outdoor schools, there are some riders and horses doing good things out in the competition world with just a field and some basic hacking - but you do at least need a good field, and somewhere where work is an option whether that is hacking, hiring a menage nearby etc. Long term its not feasible for a horse who you want to compete or at least enjoy a fair level of work from, to be kept either in a field where work is not possible or a yard where turnout is not possible.
 
Thanks for all the replies!

It for me is making the best out of a bad situation. I live on a farm and have fields to turn out in and stables but they're spread out from one another. I tried livery last winter but being at uni I can't really afford to go for that option when I have a place to keep him for free. I already work part time and don't want to pick up any more hours to pay for livery seeing as I'm starting third year, working on a dissertation that might (fingers crossed) get published and on top of that keep one horse in work and also make time for this youngster. He winters out very well so it's not a problem for him to stay out.

My plan was after a period of mulling it over is to keep working him for as long as possible in the field he is in at the moment and get to a point where we can happily hack out. If we haven't got to that point before the weather turns bring him to the farm for as short a period as possible to get him to that point and then return him to the field so I can continue with hacking/long reining him out from there, its all quiet tracks around me so I'm lucky in that respect. It's not ideal but the best happy medium I really think of.
 
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