Winter turn out

[paddy555]

My most reluctant to go out, and the first at the gate every day, is Meg. She lived feral on a Welsh mountain until last year.
I have to drag her out in bad weather and she’ll put the anchors on at several points en route

good for Meg, she hasn't let me down on the point I was making

 

[Barklands]

this. We are the same. Having sat up with ours one night this week due to the adverse weather it was interesting to watch. One horse put his head over the adjoining door into the next stable. He and his friend then went to sleep with their heads almost touching. They stayed together for hours.
I put 2 horses in like that when we come back from riding and give them half an hour to groom over the door. There is so much that could be improved with stable design and careful matching of friends.
There must be terrible isolation in the traditional row of standard out door stables and equal isolation and frustration from the American barn set up with their endless bars., So much is possible.

it's not a case of how many hours is the horse out but of the quality and enrichment whether it is in a stable, a pen, a track or anywhere else.,

Meanwhile two of mine like to try and bite each other over their stables

 

[scats]

good for Meg, she hasn't let me down on the point I was making

Honestly, she’d happily stand in that box and munch hay all day. On the odd day they’ve stayed in this winter due to the weather, the other two have occasionally looked over the doors to see whats going on and why they are staying in, but Meg just stands back at her haynet with the biggest twinkle in her eyes. I can leave the door open while I do jobs and she doesn’t even go near it.
I was worried how she might find being stabled overnight in winter, but I needn’t have

 

[maya2008]

In the world before the last couple of years, when water tables were not so high and rain wasn’t endless…mine lived out 24/7. Last year their winter field turned into a mud pit and everywhere else was under water. This year we have stabled them. They’re quite appreciative of not having to be out in the wet! 4 hours plus exercise is enough when it’s bad weather, 7am-4pm if nice. They let me know when they want in.

 

[cheekywelshie]

I think that if people are able to give horses 6-8 hours turn out daily in the depths of winter, and don’t own/rent land, they are doing pretty well. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find livery yards that have much, if any, winter turnout.

Of course we all want as much turnout as possible for our horses, and I’d never advocate horses standing in all winter with no turnout at all (and I wouldn’t own horses if that was my only option) but unless you are in the privileged position to have your own land, you’re at the mercy of yard rules.

I’ve been going up several times a day this week riding handgrazing taking for walks juggling meetings at work to do it, it is very tiring

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I’ve been going up several times a day this week riding handgrazing taking for walks juggling meetings at work to do it, it is very tiring

It's just the pits isn't it. I'm getting mine out in the mornings but on really horrible days have been getting them out of the stables as often as possible.

 

[spotty_pony2]

this. We are the same. Having sat up with ours one night this week due to the adverse weather it was interesting to watch. One horse put his head over the adjoining door into the next stable. He and his friend then went to sleep with their heads almost touching. They stayed together for hours.
I put 2 horses in like that when we come back from riding and give them half an hour to groom over the door. There is so much that could be improved with stable design and careful matching of friends.
There must be terrible isolation in the traditional row of standard out door stables and equal isolation and frustration from the American barn set up with their endless bars., So much is possible.

it's not a case of how many hours is the horse out but of the quality and enrichment whether it is in a stable, a pen, a track or anywhere else.,

not always the case. all of mine seem to enjoy having some time to themselves. they have two windows they can look out of. My mare for instance wouldn’t not relax if others could touch her over the door, she much prefers a solid wall.