Yard with no winter turnout- should i run for the hills?

[UKa]

As I consider not turnout to be completely detrimental to the horses' health and wellbeing I would not consider it at all. My horse has issues with her back and since we moved to a yard with more turnout she has improved dramatically, back person assured me that the longer they spend with their heads down like they would when turned out the spine gets optimal stretch and it hence is the best... let alone the social aspect of it. I even hate restricted turnout in the winter but we can cope until april when they go back out 24/7. but no turnout at all? No way, too many horses with behavioural and physical problems in my view... (Sorry to sound harsh)... x

 

[spotty_pony]

My yard has limited turnout in winter so there are quite a lot of days when they don't get to go out when it's very wet but they do provide some turnout when the weather and ground allows so it is better than none at all. When they don't go out int the field, they get turned out in the outdoor school or go on the horse walker. My horses manage fine with limited turnout but I would never go to a yard with no winter turnout at all as I think any turnout is better than none.

 

[Kenzo]

Is rather have a ten minute drive than no turn out during those months, if there's a choice then I can't understand why anyone would want keep a horse in 24/7 on a day to day basis unless it really was for the safety of the horse.

 

[BlueCakes]

My horse has been in for approx a month and a half already my yard doesn't turn out in the winter. All of the horses on the yard are fine, and get turned out to play in the school though most are ridden or played with daily anyway. They are all fine staying in, and we have many different types and personalities from grade A sjers to happy hackers. I guess it would maybe depend on how often your horse is worked to keep his interest and stop him from getting bored?

 

[emmab13]

I don't turn out a lot in the winter, all ours hunt at least 3 days a fortnight, are worked 6 days out of seven, and on the seventh go for a pick of grass and a stroll up the drive.

I still NEED to turn out. Have a hot little 5 year old who has got a bit too fit and pleased with himself despite hunting 3 days out of 10, and has recently spent 2 nights al-fresco with some haylage and lots of rugs. He is a nicer person today.

Sometimes when they are very fit and working hard they can overcook themselves and need an afternoon eating grass to cheer them up, or they just look a bit sad and need to kick their heels up.

Don't know how your average one-person horse would manage with nothing at all, when ours are worked so hard and STILL can't do without turnout!

 

[Murphs_Mum]

Haven't read all the replies but I had a section d several years ago that
I kept on full livery at a yard with no turnout nov to march. I would never do it again, purchased horse (off same yard) in May. He was super and had a fab time right through till nov. The weekend after they came in it was like a switch had been flicked, he was tense, spooky as hell, spinning, bucking you name it. He was also fed haylage as we're they all. That winter destroyed our relationship - he was ridden daily, turned out in the school daily but still could not cope. Sadly I parted with him the next year I just never felt the same about him, not his fault totally the situation I put him in.

 

[rhino]

I guess it would maybe depend on how often your horse is worked to keep his interest and stop him from getting bored?

I would have thought it's less about keeping your horse 'interested' in his work, and more about letting him be a horse, socialise and let off steam/chill out as necessary.

 

[TicTac]

Never in a million years would I consider keeping my horses at a yard that has no winter turnout. It is ok for limited periods if you compete or hunt etc but not acceptable otherwise.

 

[padderpaws]

where are these wonderful yards with turnout all winter long?? friendly, knowledgeable people who can help not sneer and hinder?? can i come??

 

[Moobucket]

I'm confused about this idea of letting your horses stand out in a sand paddock for a few hours a day. I'm just having a sand paddock put in and they say to maintain the ride of the surface you shouldn't leave horses in there unattended and make sure you take off any manure immediately.

It sounds to me like Yard Owners being greedy. Poor quality turn out and consequently poor quality sand paddock.

Horses need to be out roaming about and having a nibble even in the winter.

 

[TeamChaser]

Well I can only speak for mine but they don't have much turn out in winter and I don't see any behaviour problems, grumpiness etc. Neither display any stable vices at all. When I moved them to the yard I was told no winter turn out which concerned me but the benefits outweigh this. It certainly wounldn't put me off a yard as for me there are more important things

We just don't have the grazing so if they go in the field, there's nothing for them to eat at this time of year. I have a TB and ISH both of which would drop weight quickly. On the rare occasion they are turned out, within an hour they're stood by the gate. They have ad lib haylage in comfortable surroundings and are worked every day. When not worked, they are turned out together in the outdoor school to play. They have routine and that is the key for me. The TB was at a yard with turnout all winter but no routine and the result - many injuries over the winter months and a horse I couldn't take anywhere! This was a stressed out horse

I am frequently told I'm "lucky" to have 2 such smashing horses that are so well mannered and relaxed (I can canter my 2 across the common riding and leading!) but to me this is down to management and the routine my 2 have clearly suits them

I should point out that come end March they are out in a massive field 24/7 and stayed out this year until Oct as it was so mild.

 

[Fantasy_World]

I would have thought it's less about keeping your horse 'interested' in his work, and more about letting him be a horse, socialise and let off steam/chill out as necessary.

Rhino well put and I quite agree!
A horse should be allowed to be just that.
Have a graze, have a wander about, have a run around in a field and roll.
I cannot abide horses being kept in unless it is for their safety or medical/injury reasons.
Horses are social animals.
Horses being stabled next door or opposite to another is no substitute for being part of the 'herd' in a field.
Horses are not humans and their needs are very much different from ours.
To be honest it makes me wince at some of the cruelty that we impose on these noble and very social animals. Like keeping them stabled in case gawd forbid they have a run in a field and knock a leg.
I would never, ever consider a yard whereby my horses were not allowed out during the winter months and I am not partial to being told they have to be in part of the day in summer either, although only one place was like that!

 

[natalia]

I have a very laid back horse but he is struggling this year with no turnout. It's not so much that he's even fresh just much sharper and spooky to ride and is more stressed in his box, esp at feed times ect. I give him as many things to occupy him as possible, licks, toys, double hay nets etc. but he's always better if he's had an afternoon out, which sadly, at the moment is rare.

 

[Piglet]

Personally I would opt for the further away yard with winter turnout, after all what is an extra 10 mins drive for the well being of your horse?

 

[Polotash]

Horses are designed to eat grass for 16 + hours a day, picking about, moving, socialising and keeping their heads down. Fact. I absolutely would not go to a yard with no turnout... no way in a million years.

 

[fizzer]

Limited turnout time yes, there is no way I would have mine on a yard with no winter turnout.

I always like to choose if my horses stay in or out, the very good upside of being on your own yard and not having to be told what to do with my own horses.

 

[Mithras]

I can't honestly see what a yard offers if it offers no turnout. You would be as well buying a horse with a large garden, building a stable and putting some sand down, and keeping them at home!

I tried it last year and never again. My already quite hot horse turned into a nightmare to handle, became spooky and bolshy to ride (had a bad fall), started biting and went quite agrophobic. Once I recovered (!), moved him and after 6 weeks at grass, he was almost back to where we were before. The difference was astonishing. I would say he quite likes his stable but even so he almost pulls me to the field if I'm late in turning him out and has a mini tantrum if I ride him and its still light, and he thinks he is not going back out! Today all the horses were out in the wind and driving rain, perfectly happy.

I cannot understand why some showjumpers and dreessage competitors do not turn out. Its better for your horses movement, musculature, ligaments, recovery, attitude, etc.. Having a clean horse is little compensation for all that - and clipped horses never get that dirty anyway as the mud comes off pretty easily. My showjumper's performance is way better with regular turnout - minimum all daylight hours in winter.

 

[Holly Hocks]

I would never go to any yard without winter turnout and that's why I am moving my horses as soon as something comes up - even if it's further away. We do have winter turnout (limited on rubbish days) but as there have been too many horses on the field it is now trashed (8 horses on two acres!!!) there is no grass and farmer won't let us put haylage/hay out. So mine have been going out for about an hour a day but as far as I'm concerned it's not enough, but they won't stay out as there is no food and they are standing hock deep in mud. So no, I would never go to a yard with no winter turnout and until I was on this yard I've never been on one where my horses haven't been out all day! Roll on summer!!

 

[honetpot]

I have looked after horses doing both. Hunters in all the time, but they were workrd 1-2 hours aday and 4 hours on a Saturday. Huge haynets, last feeds at 10pm and breakfast at 7.30 and lots of yard company in the day time. Never any vices seemed happy but who on DIY can do that.
Mine are out 24/7, would rather have them out in slop and mud than cooped up. The only time I have had to stable for 23hours a day they both ended up with breathing problems. When their out no coughs or snots.

 

[starryeyed]

If you have the option of turnout and it's only 10 minutes further away, I'd go for that one in a heartbeat.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Personally i would do the extra 10mins for the turnout. Our yard has limited turnout in winter, we get out when the fields are hard. The past few years it was a couple of times a week but this year has been rubbish, the fields are too wet all the time. We have large individual hard standing where we can hang nets. They are out there daytime and in at night, i take mine for a roll in the school and a walk in hand for grass too. It is a good system normally as mine would be up to her bum in mud fever if she were out in the field. even when they are out, she goes for a yee ha, a roll, a nibble and then stands at the gate watching for me and staring at me til i bring her in. she likes her hard stand and her stable. This year it has been pants so far but hopefully it will dry up and get colder so they can get out for a bit. I wouldn't have gone somewhere where they were in the stable 24hrs a day.

 

[Stacey6897]

I had a 90 min round trip to the yard as all the yards closer had limited turn out and my boy gets difficult to handle if he doesn't get out enough

I've now got my own field where he's out 24/7, if I had to choose between no stable or no field, the field would win

 

[acw295]

if I had to choose between no stable or no field, the field would win

Agree with that!

I was at a yard for 1 year that closed the fields for a few days at a time when wet, that upset me and my horse terribly, we both hated it!

Moved to a yard that is more basic but never restricts turnout at all - you can leave out 24/7 if you wish although there is little grass in worst of winter so most of the yard comes in overnight, but this is our choice entirely and the babies stay out all year.

I would never entertain a yard that kept them in for months at a time, I think it is barbaric. Some horses cope, but then animals cope with a lot of things being done to them that isn't ethical, doesn't make it ok.

I'd go for the other yard 100%

I know its hard to find a yard that ticks all the boxes, but I insist that my horses "boxes" are ticked first, mine second. For me this means having a rubbish school, few facilities and a muddy yard, but Molly is happy with her living arrangements and that is what matters

If someone would open up a livery yard around here with competition facilities but 24/7 365 herd turnout I'd pay £100 a week DIY. Fat chance though

 

[quirky]

In response to moobucket.

Ours have 3 dedicated sand turnouts.

They are only allowed in indoor if loose schooled, not for hours unattended. They are only allowed in outdoor for riding, no lunging or loose schooling.

 

[DougalJ]

Personally all year turnout would be the top of my list, even over a school.

 

[amandaco2]

id go for the one 10mins away. you would take an extra 10mins mucking out more anyawy.
also a turnout paddock sounds fine but chancse are everyone wants to use it at the same time..... ive been there!
mine defo need time to relax graze interact- be a horse. im lukcy as ive got my own place and 2 acres per horse so they go out by 6.30am and come in between 6-9pm......

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I'd go the extra 10 minutes too.

I've had to give up wonderful facilities in order to give mine guaranteed winter turnout. It was a long and hard search to find it, in an area where horses are crammed into individual paddocks to maximise numbers on yards.

Although they seemed to cope with no turnout, the difference in them mentally and physically has been enormous since being out 24/7.

Its not a question of what my horses can do for me, more, what can I do for them to make their lives as good as possible. In return, they repay me a thousand fold.

The downside is having to trail across the fields to bring them in and brush the mud off, instead of finding clean horses waiting in a stable, but heck, who cares ? Its a small price to pay.

 

[milesjess]

I'm sure many people have said the same but...

I wouldn't sacrifice turnout. It's the horses only chance to socialise and 'freedom' to live how they naturally would and unwind. It's like me locking you in your bedroom all those months with the odd leg stretch.

She could cope but then again it could lead to vices, most definitely boredom and bad behaviour when being ridden/handled. It'll cost you more in bedding/hay/feed. It's also not great for her state of mind IMO.

When I first got my horse in winter he was on a yard with an hour turnout a day and I can honestly say he was a nightmare. Too much energy, too strong to handle and spooky and I fell off god knows how many times. In the end I moved him and he now lives out and he's like a changed horse because he has his freedom to do as he pleases and be a horse

She's your horse so it's our choice no matter what anyone else says however the advice you receive on this forum is second to none and a lot of people want what's best for you and you mare

I learnt my lesson and it didn't work for me or my boy. I'll never ever compromise on turnout again.

Take the time to view other yards in your area and I'm sure there'll be another that will suit you both better.

 

[bumblelion]

Turn out is an absolute must for me. I wouldn't even consider a yard that shut horses in for nearly half the year. The thought just makes me shudder.
It's got to be the 2nd yard....what's an extra 10 minute drive for your horses well being?

^^^^this!^^^^^

 

[Bustalot]

I personally wouldn't move to a yard with out winter turnout.

My horse is very docile and when on box rest was a perfect gent at all times. But i still wouldn't.

Its not fair for them to be stuck in the stable all the time with limited movement. They are big animals and to be kept in (at best) a 12x12 stable 24/7 is not fair.

Also for my sake i wouldn't do it. Have to be mucking out twice a day. Cost double the amount in hay and bedding. You could have a second horse for similar amount of money and work!