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Post by gordo on Dec 28, 2008 21:29:53 GMT 1
On way to Weston today, I passed some fields split into approx 1/3 acre plots with around 3 horses on each. These paddocks where complete mud, not a blade of grass to be seen in either. The horses were well rugged although couple of miserable looking naked ponies there too! There was a gorgeous stable block attached to the fields too. Unfortunately, there was nothing for the horses to eat, not a scrap of hay between them in this freezing weather My point being, would the horses have been better of in a stable munching on a lovely haynet or happier staying outside but in thick mud with nowt to eat until bedtime? I am an avid 24/7 out but, seeing the poor grazing they had to contend with, would have preferred a warm stable!! Waddya think!
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Post by bramblesmum on Dec 28, 2008 21:35:40 GMT 1
thats the quandry I am currently in, though not quite so muddy. I think it's tricky mine out in the field eat the hay in an hour or two so maybe the ones you saw had had but had run out?
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Post by gordo on Dec 28, 2008 21:41:20 GMT 1
Yeah possibly though only midday!! I only have G and a pony and am chucking out 2 bales a day to ensure they don't run out, gonna cripple me money wise!! Wondering about the whole muscle pulling thing in sticky mud too.
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Post by misty on Dec 28, 2008 21:42:25 GMT 1
Mine are turned out in a small school so no grass during the day. We put out haylage or hay during the day but like to see it all eaten before anything more is put out. We may think a stable is best but a horse is a horse. In the most awful of weather you will see horses standing in the middle of a field when shelter is available.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 28, 2008 21:46:53 GMT 1
One of my chief arguments against horses not being accustomed to living in stables because of the stupid belief that they are better off kept out no matter what. All horses should have some turn out in the day and can live out at night with suitable shelter and grazing , but in these circumstances , only for exercise, I hope to God these poor horses are not out 24/7 Gordo.
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Post by gordo on Dec 28, 2008 22:05:14 GMT 1
Don't think so SS3, very posh rugs and stables although that means nowt! Lets hope not, made me sad driving past.
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Azrael
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Post by Azrael on Dec 28, 2008 22:14:19 GMT 1
Our fields next to the yard are only small and quickly get in that state if the horses are turned out in them over winter so we usually use the school instead which while having no grazing available is at least solid ground and not minging mud. When we do let them out in the field they're usually happy enough for a while but keen to come in once the novelty wears off. If its really minging and wet they often get to the edge of the mud and give us that 'you must be joking' look. I'm pretty sure all the horses at the yard think those that think 24/7 turnout is the ideal should stay outside 24/7 themselves and leave the ponies in their nice warm stables with some hay
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Post by rhillahorse on Dec 28, 2008 22:24:59 GMT 1
I'm pretty sure all the horses at the yard think those that think 24/7 turnout is the ideal should stay outside 24/7 themselves and leave the ponies in their nice warm stables with some hay I don't really think that's a fair comparison, although I appreciate that it might be slightly tongue in cheek! Horses are far better adapted to living outside than humans. IMO humanizing horses by assuming they'd prefer to be tucked up in a cosy warm stable, with layers of rugs is a major problem. I do feel for those horses you saw though gordo - lack of shelter, mud and zero food doesn't sound like much fun for them. For the record, I have no problem with horses being stabled if that's what suits them.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 28, 2008 22:37:45 GMT 1
I should point out that I am totally against rugging for the sake of it------------especially youngsters. None of my lot are rugged at home ( all TB or near TB) and only Boo is rugged because she lives in Nth Yorkshire at the moment and is out 24/7 without a field shelter ----------EEK! If she were here, she would not be rugged.
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Post by donnalex on Dec 28, 2008 22:49:28 GMT 1
With those facilities I would only turn out for about two hours per day while I mucked out and did my jobs. Obviously it is easier to restrict turnout if the horses can be ridden, I would probably let them out all afternoon if they were too young to ride but they would have to have plenty of fodder put out for them, otherwise they are only getting into bother if they have nothing to do.
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potto
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Post by potto on Dec 28, 2008 23:15:26 GMT 1
mmm a tricky one.... and this year one i have had to deal with myself a little.... However i think on balance i think movement is very important for a horse and is much underated... I am always concerned about how much we limit our horses movement in the sake of looking after them either by stabling them or by limiting there grazing, protecting them from injury, mud, etc... This is fine if they are getting regular daily exercise but when you think about the ' wild horse averaging about 20 miles per day foraging' and keeping good hoof, muscle and mental health and finding mixed forage and minerals for their nutrition... i am inclined to stick my horse out in the mud.... unless their is a reason not too.....
Ok, ok, you need to be aware of mudfever and prevent/ protect avoid if possible... think clever but if i keep my horse in a small confined area and then just exercised him a few days a week i would be asking for trouble managing him..... Where as insuring he has a companion or stimulation of some kind to keep him busy, has exercise, a varied diet that he can forage a bit... and run, roll, really stretch every day cover a variety of surfaces... As it is i try and ride 5 days a week as well if possible on top and my horse isn't even fit.... I would actually be more concerned about my horse getting an injury because of his limited mobility and muscle wastage due to lack of movement than his getting an injury in a muddy field....
I have nothing against stables.. and know some horses love them.. but i hate seeing horses left in them day after day with very little movement and a manchosen diet.
I use rugs, but take them off regularly when the sun comes out and the weather warms up....and also to let them run and roll...... (dependant on breed)
I reckon everything has it's place and each horse is an individual we all have to do our best at any given time with what we know til we know any better X
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Post by gordo on Dec 28, 2008 23:20:36 GMT 1
There is also the issue of having too many horses on the ground you have. G and Robbie are on just under 4 acres and I wish we had more but the ones I saw numbered at least 7 on less ground. I would imagine the owners are trying their best but the mud was think and one pony stood in the middle of the field with its head near the ground looking very sad.
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Azrael
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Post by Azrael on Dec 28, 2008 23:20:38 GMT 1
I was only talking about the horses at my yard, they are especially pathatic about being out in winter ;D Wussy bunch like nothing better than being indoors demanding room service They do like to go out and play for a while if the weather is nice and I'm sure most of them would cope if they had to stay out 24/7, apart from Mia who is convinced she'll dissolve if it rains on her , but they make it very clear they like being indoors.
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Post by donnalex on Dec 28, 2008 23:33:54 GMT 1
Three ponies on 1/3 acre of gloop is restricted movement anyway. Better out of the mud as much as possible. Also you have to think of the summer, too many people trash their fields in winter so their horses have a miserable summer too.
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Post by chestersmum on Dec 28, 2008 23:38:50 GMT 1
Personally, I choose to turn my horse out in a wet, muddy field for the majority of the day - he goes out about 6am and I bring him in about 3-4pm. Although he is out in two rugs - and has a neck cover attached especially if I think it's going to be cold or wet. Admittedly by the time I arrived he is pretty close to the gate and is always willing to come in! However, he gets stressed very easily stabled and if I was to be totally honest ... I'm not sure I'd be so quick to chuck him out in all weathers all day every day in a wet, muddy field if it wasn't for the fact he stresses so much in the stable (to the extent where he just lathers up, spends all day shaking whilst spinning on a canter piourette and has attempted to jump the door ) They do get hay, but between three of them it's not possible to put enough out in the field to last all day and still have enough to eat at night! I do feel a bit guility in manky weather - but not as guilty as I'd feel if I left him in.
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