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Post by kas on Dec 28, 2005 17:51:30 GMT 1
... so why did the horses at the posh big livery yard near me only get to go out for less than 4 hours? I drove past after 10 this morning and the first ones were just going out. Came back about 2.15 this afternoon and the fields were empty. It's not a matter of saving the fields, they are huge, loads of space per horse, lovely well drained pasture. I'm sure many of these horses have owners that work during the week, won't they have fun rides on Saturday??
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Post by Casper on Dec 28, 2005 18:44:08 GMT 1
Don't get me going on this one KAS. Just up the road from us there is a place where if there is a grey cloud in the sky they don't turn out, if it rains they rush up and get the horses in. Horses can't go out if it's snowing. They won't get them in after dark etc etc. There also seemed to be competitions as to how many rugs they could get on one horse. The record was someone who put five - yes FIVE - rugs on her horse one night. And surprise surprise about 7pm he was sweating and was going to have to then stand through the night when the sweat turned cold... The fields had natural shelter so it wasn't like they were standing exposed to all weathers if heaven forbid they did go out in the rain and snow. And I know some horses need more rugging than others, but five rugs for heavens sake! Three was the norm for a couple of the people on the yard almost from September through to March.
How do I know. Unfortunately I made the mistake of taking Bobby to that yard when I first had him. It was a real eye opener for me, as it was just so biased towards convenience for the owners rather than the horses.
They used to think I was cruel as Bobby would get turned out in the wind, rain, snow etc. He was rugged up for heavens sake and needed to get out. Thankfully someone else came to the yard who would also turn out regardless, otherwise it would have been difficult as he couldn't have stayed out all on his own for too long understandably.
We thankfully moved him to a friends' place, so now there are my friends eight horses and ponies and Bobby. It is fantastic! I can get him in at 9pm at night in winter if I so wished. There are no issues with the dark, weather or anything.
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Post by jennyb on Dec 28, 2005 18:57:57 GMT 1
Well, some people will think I am cruel coz I chucked my lad out from 8am til 1.30pm today in five inches of snow! Knew it was worth it when he got down and rolled twice, then went off gleefully round the field, digging in the snow and sniffing everything! He had had enough by 1.30 though, normally comes in at 3.30 at this time of year. I'm glad I can turn out every day, so many yards impose restricted t/o in the winter.
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Post by KoLaTo on Dec 28, 2005 19:30:09 GMT 1
Crikey, mine would have hairy bloomin fits if they didn't get out, they absolutely loved hairing around all day today in the snow! Out at 6am and not back in until at least 6pm and they would quite happily stay out at the moment as well as they have the privilege of the 10 acre all to themselves which they think has superb sledging facilties, all they needed was a metal dinner tray and they would have been well away!! They will sulk mightily when we have bring them back into the manky 4 acre!
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Post by kas on Dec 28, 2005 19:33:26 GMT 1
Mine are cruelly neglected, being as they are out 24 hours. Only a choice of 2 shelters and unlimited hay to brighten up their sad existence ;D
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Post by easyrider on Dec 28, 2005 19:58:30 GMT 1
Same here KAS. Mine looked so unhappy ( not) when I left them tonight, with huge haynets filled in their field shelters, rugged up ( except the natives) and all those acres of snow covered ground to gallop around in when we have left their sight.
Mine wouldn't and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I really do feel for those that are on yards when they have no say for their pals.
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Post by sulasmum on Dec 28, 2005 20:38:15 GMT 1
Ours go out no matter what the weather even if only for a couple of hours, as they like it. They went out this monring after breakfast at about 8 ish and were fetched in at 3pm.
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Post by jennyb on Dec 29, 2005 7:57:39 GMT 1
Just looked out and the snow is still there, plus fog today. Horsey will get chucked out still though, he would be extremely cross if his routine was disrupted! I know three horses on the yard will be kept in though :-( Owners don't like the snow balling up in their feet, they were on about them breaking their legs yesterday. I had to bite my tongue not to say "I think the ice will break long before their legs if it came to it!"
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Post by marywelsh on Dec 29, 2005 9:23:35 GMT 1
yep my horses are out come rain or shine, i hate them being stabled, i know alot of people didn,t turn out yesterday because they could see a snow cloud, what!!! but even my old pony was galloping about yesterday she loved it, mind you she is a little deaf and going blind so i had to make a quick dash to save her from running straight into otter,s rear (a big no no) but when my daughter took her in last night all i could see was my daughter hanging on for dear life with bibi going like the clappers
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Post by Val (Toons&co) on Dec 29, 2005 10:26:36 GMT 1
My horses are the only ones to go out during the day at my yard. It's too cold. They also don't go out when it's raining or windy and when they do it's on rotation (couple of hours each). They all think I'm mad and cruel too even tho they do get hay in their paddock and have mw turnouts but that means we don't fight for use of the paddocks which is good .
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Post by Val (Toons&co) on Dec 29, 2005 10:28:48 GMT 1
LOL I'm not making sense! But I'm sure you didn't get confused!
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gillmcg
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Post by gillmcg on Dec 29, 2005 13:23:08 GMT 1
My TB and his Welsh mate are out 24/7 with ad lib hay in the field shelter. They hardly touch the hay during the day preferring to muzzle around for a bit of frozen grass but tuck in after dark. There's another TB and a Connemara on the yard who are out 8:30 to 3pm and rugged to the hilt overnight. I know which I'd prefer if I were a horse - more than 17 hours a day in a box wouldn't be my idea of fun. I don't understand the owners doing this by choice.
There's a small yard opposite ours with about 8 horses on 3 marshy acres who are only out a couple of hours a day (although over Christmas I didn't see them out at all) as the paddocks are trashed. When they moved in I couldn't believe they had that many horses on such a small, unsuitable site.
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Post by jen1 on Dec 29, 2005 22:41:31 GMT 1
lol,kas i say that all the time about mine,my friend who kepp horse trussed up in rugs and stables was on the phone last night begging me to rug my lot up,so i hummed and ok'd sweetly,felt like ringing her back this morning to say the rspca had arrested me for neglect, they only have 2 huge shelters and 30 acrce of hedge rowed feilds and a choice of hay and haylage
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Post by samcspottyhorses on Dec 29, 2005 23:16:07 GMT 1
Mine is out 24/7 as we have no stables anyway! I have just put a light rug on him at night as he has lost most of his summer podge and I don't want to see his ribs yet, not with 3 months of winter left (according to the forecasters). He put his ears back and snorted at me. The locals were moaning at the field owner how cruel we are for keeping horses out 'in this weather'.
Waiting for them to mention it to me so I can launch into half hour lecture on why horses are designed for outdoor living. All the reasons I have read on here and some of my own need airing again! Must write down the local RSPCA animal shelter number for them too.
Nice one jen1, you are soooo cool!
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natalia
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Post by natalia on Dec 29, 2005 23:34:15 GMT 1
The problem is that horses who only have limited turnout often go haring round the fields. esp when in groups. And at this time of the year the ground is frozen, add ruts and frozen mud to this and you have a lethal combination and a sure recipie for a broken leg. I turn my horse out every day, even if its just for an hour, but he is on his own, if he was in a group that came in at night and did lots of playing, he would have to stay in. My horse is fully clipped ot and yes, at night in his stable (with adlib hay) he wears 3 rugs. but he is a cold horse and loses condition quickly. Just because you have a tough type of horse that can stay out 24/7 is no need to make those of us who have to bring in feel bad! I tired keeping my boy out this year, well rugged, and he barged out every night at about 4pm and galloped in to the yard. Put it this way, even a couple of hours of turnout is better than nothing!
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