winter turnout - is there really any point?

[Batgirl]

Mine is luckily very easy going, was out 24/7 in the summer but has a tiny bit of mud fever and prone to cellulitis/swelling so gets turned out a couple of times a week at the mo, and he is barefoot so when it freezes he gets footsore so he is in his big foaling box (thank you foaly for moving out ).

He is quite happy but I have a very helpful yard owner who makes sure he gets contact, put on the walker regularly and can go out in the school if no one is using it.

 

[honetpot]

I have a small paddock at home which is a mud bath from ponies playing tag. It will resemble a mud wrestling pit till the end of March. They have a haynet put up for them on concrete, which they pick over between bouts of tag.
I think most of the horses would far prefer to be muddy and occupied than stood in a stable in solitary.

 

[milesjess]

I count my lucky stars every day when I read these sort of posts...

When I first got my horse he was on an hours turnout a day. Needless to say he went bonkers so we moved to another yard were he had approx 9am to 4pm but he was still much to lively! So we moved again and he now lives out 24/7 and we have access to a stable for the horrendous weather when nessecary. He's never looked back

I'm lucky that my yard owner has more land then liveries so when one field gets worn down we can move them into another. He also likes to see the horses out in their natural environment so it's win win all round. The fields are doing well with plenty of grass and they aren't too boggy.

I know a yard nearby that advertises 'all year turnout'... Yet their liveries can't turn out from late Nov to Feb-ish They get a leg stretch in a sand paddock and that's it!

Having been there and experienced it I'd never ever compromise for turnout now.

 

[TigerTail]

I have a 40 acre field, my horse hovvers on the 1/4 of an acre by the gate. He is only out during the day and HATES it.

Is he out on his own?