How much turnout?

[Mendin Fences]

How much turnout does your horse get per day? My BO does not seem to value giving horses a lot of turnout time for the horses at her barn. In addition there is only one 2acre pasture and a small outdoor riding arena available to use for t/o for the 35+ horses on the property. My friend and I arranged to do self t/o so that our horses can be outside 6-8hrs/day weather permitting and people complain from time to time that our horses "don't like being outside and want to come in." They are always given hay/water so they have something to do even after all the grass has been eaten up. We disagree and think it is healthy for them to be out instead of standing in their stalls all day. (My horse gets stocked up and my friend's gets a cough from being indoors.) Horses are meant to be outside. Our horses would receive 1 or less hours of t/o per day if we did not take matters into our own hands. How do you feel about the t/o your horses receive?

[LOVE*MY*NAGS]

Wow........35 horses and 2 acres????!!!!! Thats insane! How can they all possibly get outside for any length of time? Thats way too many horses for that size turnout. I can't imagine 35 boarders feeling its okay for their horse to be inside most of the time. I would be looking elsewhere!

[amastrike]

Most of them aren't boarders, they're lesson horses.

[LOVE*MY*NAGS]

Oh, I see. Anyway.....its still crazy!! I think its healthiest for the horse to be outside! Mine go out in the morning and unless the bugs are driving them nuts or its bad weather, they are out till 3:00 pm. Its just not healthy to be locked in a box all day.

[Mendin Fences]

10 of the 39 (I just counted them up) horses are boarders and most of the boarders are not as proactive about their horse's care as we are.

[LOVE*MY*NAGS]

Thats too bad. Your horses are lucky you care enough to kick them out!! Mine will stand by the gate at times, but when they realize I'm not bringing them in, they find something to do. Kinda like kids!!

[Never Let Me Go]

Yowsers!!! 35 horses with only one turnout pasture of 2 acres? Doesn't matter what they do, horses still need turnout... it's so unhealthy for them to be cooped up in a stall for 23 hours per day.... I would not be boarding there either.

[amastrike]

There are other turnouts, just the 2 acre one is the biggest. Most of the barn horses are turned out for an hour or two. Boarders are turned out for about the same unless their owners want them out more. My horse will stand at the gate if he sees you coming, but he'll go occupy himself if he realizes he's not coming in.

[Altitude Rider]

My 3 boys go out on about 4 acres of grass for 12 hours with free choice stalls, which they use for naps. At night they each have a large run with free choice stalls and a tiny bit of grass to nibble (lots of hay of course).

They have been very happy this way and at night I separate the young TB from the old boys so they get a break. During the day the TB keeps the old boys moving which is good exercise for them.

My new property is only 5 acres but will have the same set-up. Wouldn't buy or rent property without turnout/grass or we would all go crazy. IN fact I will be living in a double wide so my horses can have a new fancy barn and the pasture.

Yea, who wears the pants in my family?? THE Boys!

[FlashGordon]

I don't know where you are boarding in Buffalo, but it is a trend around here.

Why a lot of boarding stables won't turn out for more than a few hours, I am not sure. It isn't like we have a shortage of land or grass.

The other thing up here is that even if a place WILL offer long turnouts in good weather, often times the horses will get NO turnout in bad weather, and will just be cross-tied to have their stalls done, etc.

Honestly, when I've had horses that had specific turnout needs, I've sought out private barns that are more willing to accommodate and offer 12-24 hours of turnout.

[Rhyadawn]

outside 24/7, only in for feeding (less than an hour) and in inclimate weather, and a little rain doesn't count.

I feel its better for them, they have access to shelter outside both in a run-in shed and the bush.

[Lauren!]

I like my horses to be out at least "all day"... breakfast to dinner time, or vice versa, depending on the season and circumstances. I will keep them out 24/7 if it works for the particular horse, barn, and routine... I think that's best for them, but it doesn't suit every situation, horse, and owner. I can deal with 6+ hrs of turnout if that's really all they can get, and the individual horse is OK with that arrangement, but I'm generally in with the "more turnout is better" crowd.

My horses are out 24/7 when at home... one is currently out for training, and is out nearly 24/7, except for mealtime and yucky weather (at the BO's discretion) which I think is fabulous. Prior to going there he was boarded, and out about 10-12 hrs a day.

I've done the many many horses on very few acres thing, and the fact of the matter is the horses just don't get out much. I grew up riding at a place that had about 56 horses and 6-8 paddocks and turnout fields, the largest of which was probably about 2 acres. Most of the boarders went out individually in paddocks for an hour or two a day, a few went out in groups of 2 or 3 in the larger fields for an hour or two daily. The school horses rarely went out, but they were working 2-3 hours a day and seemed to deal pretty well. I don't really agree with that style of horse management (one of those school horses that never went out is now out 24/7 in my backyard) but it is done in some places and the horses do OK if that's what they're used to. In or around many urban areas this is simply the best you can do.

I've also known a lot of owners (in various disciplines, but mostly people with show horses, from low level ammies to BNT's) who DO NOT WANT their horses out with other horses, for more than an hour or two, or in a larger turnout field, regardless of what is available to them. I won't even get into how I feel about this :lol:

[myhorsefaith]

7am/8am-7pm/8pm.

With winter on the way this may change a little. We're working on winterizing a bit so they can get out in safe paddocks without trashing the fields, so depending on how far we get...will determine how much turnout there is this winter.

[county]

All our horses are outside 24/7 year round 90 above or -35 we have no health problems and I've just never read any reserch thats found its healthy for a normal healthy horse to be locked up inside or in small paddocks as opposed to large pastures.

[Simbalism]

My TB mare lives out 24/7. She is on about 4 acre grass pasture with one other horse. There is a nice run in shed if she wants to use it. I find that my mare is happier when out all the time, and is much more manageable to ride.

[amdfarm]

24/7, 365 regardless of the weather. It's what they're used to and they enjoy it and get accustomed to the seasonal changes and so forth. They're only round bales and get grain/pellets a.m. and p.m. I have owned one my horses for 16 years and he's only been in a stall once in that time period. He had a fairly deep laceration that needed to be kept clean and it wasn't in an area that could be wrapped. He got to be hand walked and turned out for a little while each day a couple times of day, plus hosed when needed. He handled it A LOT better than I ever imagined and was even a tidy stall horse.

Mine aren't worked regularly either so the 24/7 thing works to keep them moving and in some type of shape... lol...

[rainechyldes]

24/7

[2bee]

What's turnout? Horses belong outside unless theres a medical problem.

[Sannois]

This spring I moved him to a great facility that has unbelievable pastures.
I mean real goregous grass.
I Started out trying to have him on stall board, out all day in at night,
BO could not catch him. he refused to come in after a week or so.
Hes doing great, he is not competing anymore and he is also more sound than when I was last competing him
Best thing in the world! :yes:

[thatmoody]

I would love to have mine out 24/7 but unfortunately I no longer own my own land, and want to stay with my trainer so I'm compromising. I wish that they got to go out more in inclement weather, because I've always had outside horses, and I'm not thinking that a bit of rain will melt them, no matter HOW witchy they're being that particular day. When I'm not there to turn them out, though, they don't go out in the rain.

I would also love more pasture (they have about an acre for the two of them) with actual grass, but there are too many horses at our barn for this to happen. So when I'm there during the daytime I always graze them in the riding field. They act better with more turnout - the old man doesn't really care, although he needs it for his arthur-itis, but the young guy NEEDS to work out his issues somewhere other than under saddle!

[Chief2]

Outside as long as possible for us equals 12-24 hours, depending on health and conditions.

We have gotten several horses into the barn from places like the OP described. It's a popular way of running the railroad up here. Personally, I think it ought to be outlawed. If the horses have been in these set-ups for a few years or more, they come into the barn with stall issues and vices. Some need to be turned out 24/7 to stop the stall weaving, wood chewing or constant stall walking. Others kick and bang the stall incessantly. Another came in with severe allergies to dust and hay. Sometimes months or years of 24/7 turnout allows them to unwind the kinks out of their brains to allow stalling for injuries, etc. Other times, they are too claustrophobic to go there, and have to be doctored and rested in a small covered paddock.

Turn a deaf ear to your barnmates, and turn out your horses.

[ArabX3]

I have 3 horses. They go out weather permitting. They do not go out in the rain or snow. They stay in if it is over 85 degrees or under 25 degrees. They are blanketed all year long. They are healthy and happy. None of them have any vices of any kind or coughs. They also get worked 6 days a week. When they are in and their stalls get cleaned they are turned out into the indoor to play. Where I board most of the horses are out 24/7, they do each have a stall if needed. My 3 boys and 2 other horses are show horses so they are taken care of differently. This barn is also heated in the winter with a great ventilation system to keep the air moving and changed. BO understands and accomodates. Show horses aren't treated the same as the pleasure horses. They also go under lights starting in Feb since show season starts in April to shed out their winter coats. I think turnout should be based on what the horse is use to and what they are being used for. Horses that stay in can be just as healthy and happy as the 24/7 horses.

[chai]

I have four horses and two mini donkeys and they go out as much as possible. I vary it depending on the weather and bugs, but my horses go out every day for as long as I can leave them out comfortably. Sometimes it's just for a few hours, sometimes for as long as 12. I wish I could leave them out with run in sheds 24/7 but we live on a busy road and I'm afraid kids would get into the field or someone would let them out. Last year someone tried to use bolt cutters to break open a gate down the street where there are cows, so we can't take any chances.
We recently brought one horse home that had been in a show barn for almost two years. They took wonderful care of her, but turnout was limited and she was often stiff after a heavy workout. We have seen a huge improvement in her disposition and way of going since she came home to a huge stall and all day turnout.

[Sanity Rules]

outside 24/7, only in for feeding (less than an hour) and in inclimate weather, and a little rain doesn't count.

I feel its better for them, they have access to shelter outside both in a run-in shed and the bush.

Yup.

[texang73]

I voted for 2-5 hours, as my young guy is in a boarding situation (he gets about 4 hours). I would prefer out 24/7 like my retired guy, but that's not possible!

[deltawave]

Show horses aren't treated the same as the pleasure horses.Indeed. My show horses live out 24/7. :lol: Except at shows. They're used to stalls enough (they have stalls, just are never confined to them) from boarding in the past that stalls at a show are no biggie.

I think it's good for a show horse to be able to handle being stalled, but there's no reason a show horse has to be kept any differently from any other. Other than human convenience. :)

[Personal Champ]

Most of the year, the horses are out 24/7, coming in 2x a day to eat. They have ample shelter, both from sheds and trees.

Exceptions are when it's above 80 and humid, they're in during the day, and during winter, they're in at night.

I manage a boarding barn, and the times in are to suit the boarders, not me. My horses were out 24/7 while I had them at home, with access to sheds.

[county]

Totally agree about show horses living outside I've had lots of show horses they don't get fed or housed any differantly then any of the other horses.

[*eventer*]

Rhyadawn outside 24/7, only in for feeding (less than an hour) and in inclimate weather, and a little rain doesn't count.

I feel its better for them, they have access to shelter outside both in a run-in shed and the bush.

Same here :)

[mhtokay]

Mine are out most of the time. If they come in, it's to save the pastures from being beat up, not so much because I think they'll melt. It just depends on time of year and what the pasture status is. When it's summer, i'll bring in several that I might be showing, or that seem to suffer more in the heat during the day and they go back out at night. I don't have enough sheds for them all to share comfortable all the time (especially now that they're mostly girls and they are the drama queens!). I do have paddocks around my run in sheds so they are penned off pastures usually March when it's the muddiest and I'm waiting for the grass to grow.

I remember when i was a kid not even thinking about horses being outside critters and one barn I boarded at didn't even have a pasture! now that I know better, I'm horrified.

I'm also lucky to have my own place now. I have a couple friends with boarding stables and it's a drama trying to please people, save their pastures, but kick them out as much as possible, herd dynamics and so and so kicking so and so. It's also very time consuming taking horses out and bringing them back in.... oh and there are their clothes! fly masks or grazing muzzles or turnout blankets or not... and of course some are better behaved than others.

[ArabX3]

I guess it depends on what type of show horses you have. Works for some I guess.

[Milocalwinnings]

My guy is out 24/7 with access to a run-in shed or stall, depending on the pasture. Currently he is in the front pasture which has a 3 stall shedrow barn and he (and the others) can go in and out as they please.

He does the best with 24/7 turnout because he really doesn't like being locked in a stall. He does have a tendancy of getting cold in the wet and/or windy weather (ie: he'll be standing there shivering from head to hoof) so he needs a good waterproofed blanket. As long as he has that, he's good to go!

If personally feel that horses should have as much turnout time as possible.

When I'm older and have enough money to afford my own little farm, my plan is to have a stall for each horse but only bring them in for feeding and in bad weather.

[PinkPonies]

Mine is out 24/7. It took a good 2 months for him to adapt - he hated it at first. After spending 13 years in a stall with only light turnout, he had no idea how to be part of the herd, how to sleep, etc. But now, he's like a new horse. His whole brain is just so much calmer. Too bad I didn't do this before I retired him. I guess it's a lesson for the next horse though...

[Tilly]

My horses live in 20' by 23' outdoor pens, with a 12' by 12' cover. They get about an hour of t/o per day, sometimes two hours. They go out alone, in large turnouts, some of them with grass. The pony will beat up other horses in turnout, and the retiree gets incredibly attached and will practically kill herself trying to get back to the horse she was out with. It's better for both of them to go out alone, and they both seem happy.
They get out of their pens everyday, even if it's just a walk to the cross-ties and back, and they both get worked about 5-6 days a week.

ETA: I would love it if they could be out all day and in at night. We are hopefully going to get transferred up to Seattle, WA in two years. We're hoping to buy a property and keep the horses at home.

[Nlevie]

I feel very fortunate to be able to keep our horses out 24/7. I know not everyone has that luxury. Most of them are in a nice, 15 acre pasture, then we have the girls in a 2 acre pen and the fatties in another 2 acre pen. The girls get to go into another paddock with grass when it's growing, just for a few hours a day. But they all have run-in sheds and some trees for shade, although they rarely seem to use those. The main thing is that they all have room to run and play and hang with their buddies at least part of the day.

[HappyHoppingHaffy]

24/7. He has a run in stall and also goes out in a large grass paddock during the day.
I had to choose between having and indoor with limited t/o for him or where he is now. I figure I can always trailer over to the indoor. It is after all, all about him! :lol:

[chestnutmarebeware]

I had my horses on 24/7 turnout. The QH mare flourished, but I couldn't keep the TBs from losing condition (weight), despite the fact that came into stalls to eat twice a day.

So I moved to a new barn where they're out 12 hours at night in the summer, and 12 hours during the day in winter. They have both meals in their stalls, plus hay in the pasture when there's no grass.

However, the BO is a little overprotective, and keeps them in if it's even slightly raining or snowing. I would prefer to send them out anyway, because one mare has arthritis and needs to move around, and another mare stocks up in her legs when she's in too long. But overall, they're much happier with this situation.

[Eventer13]

Indeed. My show horses live out 24/7. :lol: Except at shows. They're used to stalls enough (they have stalls, just are never confined to them) from boarding in the past that stalls at a show are no biggie.

I think it's good for a show horse to be able to handle being stalled, but there's no reason a show horse has to be kept any differently from any other. Other than human convenience. :)

Ditto.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

I've boarded at many places over the years, and I've come to the conclusion that adequate turnout is the first priority on my list when looking at facilities. It makes such a big difference in their temperament that it affects everything I do with them.

[asterix]

Arab, why do you blanket your horses year round?? Don't they get hot?

Another 24/7 here -- very much including the competition horses. My big horse has been rehabbing a ligament tear and is currently on 1/2 day turnout -- we are both counting the days until he gets to up that to full day or back to the big field. He is MUCH happier out with his herd -- horse heaven, I know this is hard to find in many parts of the country, 70 acres of great grass, spring-fed stream, woods, run-in, herd of 20+.

I was not surprised that my horses are healthier and more mentally relaxed living out full time (I used to be at a more typical day or night t/o place), but I have been really humbled to see how important their social interactions are. They have complex groups, subgroups, defenders, buddies, etc. I think that being in some kind of a group, or at least with a companion, is an important part of their mental health.

[dbadaro]

wow! i would be looking for a new barn! o.O my horse gets an average of 10-12 hours a day of turnout. i couldn't imagine what he would be like without it! :eek:

[shakeytails]

Mine range from none (show horses during show season) to less than an hour (the stallion that hates to be out) to 24/7/365 (almost all of the rest). And all of them are healthy and happy. I don't have colics, stall vices or bad behavior in any of them. The only ones that "climb the walls" when cooped up for more than a day or two due to bad weather are the yearlings. My only cribber came with that vice, she lives outside and still cribs.

Properly managed, I really don't think turnout is that critical for most horses. There are plenty of barns where turnout is not an option and the horses do just fine.

[dani0303]

My guy goes out from about 5pm-7am in the summer (it's too HOT during the day and there's not adequate shade) and from 7am-5pm in the winter. It works well for him :)

[Mendin Fences]

I am so jealous of you 65% whose horses can be out 12-24hrs a day! I'll take any donations towards my "buy a new house with a barn and lots of acres" fund... jk:winkgrin:

I could probably reduce/eliminate my calming supplement if she could stay out longer. At least in the off-mare season :lol: (She has female issues)

And now to top things off, my horse got herself into trouble because another boarder/stable employee purchased a yearling filly and put her out with my very mareish mare. She was going after the filly, chasing her down with her ears pinned flat. Fortunately neither were hurt, but my mare's friend/stall neighbor got beat up. I think my mare was defending her. So now that makes it more complicated because we really only have the one pasture and a small riding ring for t/o. The other boarder lives on the property so she pretty much just does whatever she wants. There aren't enough stalls for her 2 horses so one is living in the indoor ring/cross ties/pasture/other horses stalls when they're out. It's not fun having to plan around where her odd horse out is going to be. Especially now that the weather is getting ickier.

Sorry for the rant... I'm substitute teaching today and there's a lot of down time. It's a good time to COTH :)

[okggo]

I used to always stall board where it varied from in at night or in during the day depending on winter/summer.

I started field boarding due to costs and would NEVER go back, the change in my horse was insurmountable.

I have all of mine outside 24/7, they have huge run-ins for protection as well as lots of tree areas. On the occassion I need them "in" for a couple hours (i.e. vet coming out for shots) they are always itching to be freed. They decide whether to stand out in bad weather or not, I figure they are better judges of their comfort then I am. If it is really bad they tend to come in, if it is just raining a bit or drizzly they are out in the pasture grazing.

[asterix]

I know lots of people who keep their horses in all or nearly all the time, who are certain that the horses are "fine." Probably they are "fine." But if they tried having their horses out, they'd discover that their baseline was completely off.

One of mine went from living the life of a typical competition dressage horse to full time field board. When I got him, his previous owner was afraid to take him out of the indoor because he'd get wound up. 2 years later, I taught my husband how to ride -- walk, trot, and canter -- on him in our xc field. He was very relaxed indeed!!

I am sure there are healthy horses who seem content in stalls. But I'd bet good money they'd be happier with turnout.

[deltawave]

Interesting how people who've always kept their horses in "because they're show horses" think it's totally fine. It obviously CAN be, but it ain't natural and it ain't optimal. Mostly it is human convenience or lack of space. I can sympathize with the latter, but not the former.

A lack of vices is not a surrogate for happy and healthy. :)

[Moudy]

The horses here at my barn get out 6 days a week as long as the weather is not horrid and/or dangerous for turnout. The boarders horses are in paddocks with 2-4/paddock and my 6 go out together and the stallion has his own over looking everyone.

There are show horses, my stallion, trail horses, companion horses and foals here. They go out in the rain, wind, snow, sleet, sun, heat, cold...for as long as they want, I keep an eye on them all day. They usually want in after about 10 hours out...when it is super frigid out they want in after a few and in the summer when it is too hot in the day I get them out in the evening but never over night out. The problem is, the horses here are spoiled rotten and they know they get good stuff inside! LOL! :)

I always had luck treating horses like horses but also having them know sometimes they need to stay in for various reasons.

I am so glad I have my own place now...

[TBrescue]

I used to think my horse loooved his stall. Given the choice, he would spend all his time inside :yes::yes::yes:

He used to stand at the gate and wait to come in at our old barn, he hated being out 12-16 hours/day. He wouldn't let any of the other horses go into the barn before him. He stood at that gate and waited for someone to bring him back inside.

We just moved to a new barn where he has a walk out stall and a pasture. He still looves his stall, will stay inside when the weather is bad (like the 3 days of rain we just had here) but he likes having the choice. On rainy days he keeps sticking his head out to see if it's stopped yet so he can go back outside. He may become an outdoor horse yet!:lol::lol:

[Ritazza]

Yikes!

Well, at the backyard-ish barn I was just at, it was a few of us eventers and a whole bunch of quarter horse people. The quarter horse people were ruled over by one (abusive!) trainer who instructed them all to never turn out their horses because "it's bad for them." And they all listened. :eek: And then they all freaked out when I told them I kick my $30,000 show horse out for as much time as possible.... AND she's barefoot! Horrors!

As for me, my horse would go out in the SINGLE pasture (yes, only one for the entire barn! And it was self care, so it was a fend-for-yourself free-for-all!) for as much time as I possible could get her out for. As soon as the BO noticed my horse was going out for more than 2 hours, know what she did? Kicked me out of her barn, told me I was "hogging the pasture."

My last two horses? Outside 24 hours a day (the first) and 16 hours a day (the second). This mare? Can't seem to handle it - paces the fence if she feels it's too hot/buggy/not enough to do. Too bad for her, I say!

[camohn]

Our horses would receive 1 or less hours of t/o per day if we did not take matters into our own hands. How do you feel about the t/o your horses receive?

Would never happen.......huge risk of colic. The way a horses intestine works is that walking helps keep the gut moving. Even with eating plenty of hay/fiber to keep them busy...not walking = good chance of colic. Plus there are the issues you mentioned with leg circualtion and breathing problems from being indoors too much.
Ours are out 24/7 except for storms and when it gets below the 30's at night in the winter they come in at night as I can't be bothered to blanket and unblanket 13 horses. Only 1 Appy mare that never grows a decent winter coat gets blanketed. 12 of the 13 are happy that way and one (same Appy mare) wants in/stands at the gate half the day hoping someone will let her in. They have trees and run in sheds. The only time anyone other than the Appy mare is in the run in shed is when it gets hot and buggy or the rain is heavy.

[ArabX3]

ASTERIX - no they don't get hot being blanketed all the time. I have many different blankets. Fly sheets, spring sheets, fall sheets, liners, etc.

They don't go out when it is snowing or real cold because they have no hair. They live in a heated barn and are body clipped or one fortunately never gets a winter coat. When they go out they have layered blankets on.

They don't go out in the rain or heat because they just stand at the gate waiting to come in, on horse will run threw the fence when it rains. They are in their stalls, dry, fans on munching hay.

Mud - that just pulls off their shoes. I don't need a farrier to come out to put one back on or spend hours looking for it. They aren't cheap. And my farrier is busy. They only wear half rounds, no pads, clips etc.

They do go out for about 12 hours when the days are nice. Winter, summer, spring or fall. On those days though they don't have much energy to be worked in the evening when I come out. When they stay in they are full or energy and work much better.

This is the ony life they know. They aren't missing out on anything. They are healthy, happy and have no issues at all. But again I am out there every day so they NEVER stand in their stalls for a whole day.

Many people don't like their horses to have a lot of energy, or they can only get out a couple times a week. Then yes turnout is great.

My horses coats are beautiful and shiny. No war marks of any kind. I don't fill them full of supplements for shiny healthy coats. They are like that because they are blanketed year around. Curried, brushed and groomed 7 days a week. They don't need rain, snow or mud on them to be happy. They do get to be horses. Everybody just has differenct opinions on what that exactly is. There is one horse in the barn that never goes out. Yep never. He has no vices, but that to me is unexceptable. A beautiful sunny day and he is inside looking out his window. I do feel sorry for him.

[LuvMyTB]

ASTERIX - no they don't get hot being blanketed all the time. I have many different blankets. Fly sheets, spring sheets, fall sheets, liners, etc.

They don't go out when it is snowing or real cold because they have no hair. They live in a heated barn and are body clipped or one fortunately never gets a winter coat. When they go out they have layered blankets on.

They don't go out in the rain or heat because they just stand at the gate waiting to come in, on horse will run threw the fence when it rains. They are in their stalls, dry, fans on munching hay.

Mud - that just pulls off their shoes. I don't need a farrier to come out to put one back on or spend hours looking for it. They aren't cheap. And my farrier is busy. They only wear half rounds, no pads, clips etc.

They do go out for about 12 hours when the days are nice. Winter, summer, spring or fall. On those days though they don't have much energy to be worked in the evening when I come out. When they stay in they are full or energy and work much better.

This is the ony life they know. They aren't missing out on anything. They are healthy, happy and have no issues at all. But again I am out there every day so they NEVER stand in their stalls for a whole day.

Many people don't like their horses to have a lot of energy, or they can only get out a couple times a week. Then yes turnout is great.

My horses coats are beautiful and shiny. No war marks of any kind. I don't fill them full of supplements for shiny healthy coats. They are like that because they are blanketed year around. Curried, brushed and groomed 7 days a week. They don't need rain, snow or mud on them to be happy. They do get to be horses. Everybody just has differenct opinions on what that exactly is. There is one horse in the barn that never goes out. Yep never. He has no vices, but that to me is unexceptable. A beautiful sunny day and he is inside looking out his window. I do feel sorry for him.

Those are just a couple of weird statements. Turnout=lack of energy? You can't be serious! Do you think they spend all day galloping non-stop? Most horses spend the majority of their turnout time eating. They're not usually out there expending massive amounts of energy.

And, I have to add--my mare goes out in mud all the time. In 3 years she's never lost a shoe in it.

[WW_Queen]

I have heard of many barns, primarily dressage, hunter/jumper and QH breeders that limit their horses to ZERO turnout, only walks on the hotwalker, hand-walking, or in some cases "turnout" in a space the size of 2 broodmare-sized stalls, supervised where the groom has to literally sit there and watch the horse for the entire 30 minutes it goes out.

Sure, you see some that are neurotic messes, but because the horses are worked 2x a day they are generally quite relaxed. Shiny, pretty and no "weirdness" of any kind. I don't think anyone would say it was natural but these horses are better treated than a large percentage of human children, I'd say. :)

Right now my horse is on outdoor board because he was getting neurotic at his last barn. They had turnout from 8am - 3pm (and more on some days) but it was only individual and sometimes in very small paddocks. He started weaving (not typical for him) and dropped about 150 lbs.

Since he's been on pasture board, which I selected due to lack of proper turnout at most farms in my particular area (or the ones that DID have amazing fields only turned out for 1/2 day), the change has been incredible. He's about 3 shades darker (okay, thanks paprika), the "everyday" muscle he lost is back, and he's gained almost all the weight back. IN A MONTH!!!!!!! Like 30 days!!

To be honest, he's acting like a bratty 3 year old due to lack of handling (my fault) but I know this means he's feeling good and is happy, which makes me happy. *grin* Do I hate going out into the rain in the pitch black to drag him inside? Yup. But he's a happy little sh*t and even getting soaked to hear him galloping up to the fence through the muck, acting like a goof, and then ready to go back out again.....*sigh* How can I complain!?

[ArabX3]

Actually yes if they are turned out they are more tired after a day in the sun then standing in their stalls. I know many people that want their horses out at all times, otherwise they are full of energy and to much for them to handle. On days they are in they work better and they are more focused. Yes they chase each other around the field, stand and graze and just enjoy the sun. But on those evenings it is hard to get them to have energy to be worked.

As for the mud and shoes, the mud around here suck the shoe off the hoof. It is that deep. No thanks. I am not searching for the shoe, paying for a new one or deal with the hoof that at times comes apart when the show gets sucked off. I have one horse with horrible feet, yes he is on a supplement, but he stills does.

[asterix]

I'm sorry, this notion that people turn their horses out because they want them to be low energy is cracking me up.
My big horse is a preliminary event horse. My young horse is an energizer bunny. They are both extremely well-behaved, but, trust me, they have lots of energy.

One of our most accomplished eventers, Kim Severson, an Olympic and World Cup veteran, keeps her horses out 24/7. If you think they don't have energy, I will buy you a ticket to come watch Rolex next year. You can tell me if those horses look "worn out" from turnout.

Obviously you have priorities that are very different from mine; in eventing, no one cares if your horse has a scrape here or there from a pasture mate (although mine do not typically get banged up -- worst I ever had was a rub on a fetlock from lying down in bedded stall while on stall rest!), and I cannot imagine not letting my horses have buddies, and just be horses. I understand that in your competition world (I am assuming) it is a negative to have a horse that does not look like it lives in bubble wrap.

That's your choice. But they are not meant to live like that. I am sure you take great care of them, but, um, yeah, they'd be happier rolling in the mud.

[ArabX3]

My horse do have buddies - I have 3 horses they go out together. And yes in my show world there are no marks on your horse. Bubble wrap or not they are what they are and they are happy.

It is like saying show dogs should run with other dogs - ah no unfortunately they live a life in a kennel, on wire, so their coat does not break and stays nice. Now I don't agree with it, but I don't show dogs.

Like I said before everyone has their own opinions.

[Mendin Fences]

asterix, you are so right about horses loving mud! There are some at my barn who seek out the big mud/rain puddles and just get in there and coat themselves nose to tail! Lol, they never seem happier then right after a mud bath!

[myhorsefaith]

Like this?? :D :lol:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/myhorsefaith/Pasture%20Girls/P1120473.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/myhorsefaith/Pasture%20Girls/P1120444.jpg

ready....aim....fire!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/myhorsefaith/Pasture%20Girls/P1120462.jpg

[Gray Horse H/J]

I know lots of people who keep their horses in all or nearly all the time, who are certain that the horses are "fine." Probably they are "fine." But if they tried having their horses out, they'd discover that their baseline was completely off.

One of mine went from living the life of a typical competition dressage horse to full time field board. When I got him, his previous owner was afraid to take him out of the indoor because he'd get wound up. 2 years later, I taught my husband how to ride -- walk, trot, and canter -- on him in our xc field. He was very relaxed indeed!!

I am sure there are healthy horses who seem content in stalls. But I'd bet good money they'd be happier with turnout.

This is very true, IMO. I boarded for many many years at the barn I grew up at. Due to subdivisions cropping up on three sides, the barn's turnout space was practically nill. Horses went out alone in dirt paddocks for about 1-2 hours a day. Was my horse doing fine? Sure. He was used to it, it's all he'd known. The barn he came from before I bought him had limited turnout, too.

A year and a half ago I moved to a barn with acres upon acres of turnout. My horse went out from about 7 am to 3 pm every day with a couple other horses. Suddenly I realized that while he was fine before, he was GREAT now! More relaxed, an easier keeper weight-wise, happier, just better, period.

I moved again a week ago, and the turnout is better still. He has a 10 acre wooded field for himself and 3 other horses. There's a run-in shed if he wants to use while he's out. He's out from about 8 am to 5 pm or so. The BO puts horses out pretty much no matter what, unless there's a horrendous thunderstorm or the field is a sheet of ice or something. My old barn kept horses in if it rained. It was so the pastures wouldn't be torn up, and I get that. This barn only has about 8 horses in it total, and lots of turnout space, so that's not really a concern. And I could care less if he's out in the rain - he won't melt. ;) :)

He's a million times the different horse now, and I feel like a terrible person for not finding this for him sooner. But live and learn.

I think horses can do fine with minimal turnout. Many do, mine did. I just think they do better with more turnout.

[Dazednconfused]

I always think it odd when this comes up here - people have it so engrained that 24-7 turnout is completely necessary. I think for some horses that is probably true, and in some situations. But there are many parts of the country where this type of thinking is absolutely impractical. When I kept horses in Arizona, there would have been absolutely no point in leaving a horse out for 8 hours, 12 hours or more, and it certainly wouldn't have been any healthier or better for the horse, at 110 degrees + humidity! All they do is stand in the shade and swat flies (no grass!), which they much prefer to do in their stall under their fan. Some horses prefer to be outside all the time, but there are lots that prefer to stay inside too, given a choice. I've known plenty of horses who liked their stalls. And most can learn to adapt. Horses are agreeable critters - if you're sensible about it, many horses will adapt fine to limited turnout. Really, in many parts of the country, it's the only possible way to keep horses. If you have one of those horses who cannot handle that limited turnout, well, then you find them another situation. But it doesn't mean every horse wants or needs to be out so much.

[okggo]

Dazed, I'm a 24/7 advocate, but I do agree with you 110%. There are definitely times when they are miserable outside, stomping/swatting, all huddled together trying to keep the horse flies off one another. And they are much happier in a stall with a cool fan blowing on them and hay to munch on fly free!

I've try to encorporate that into my 24/7 environment. My goal is to let them chose when they want to be in and when they want to be out. I feel kind of lucky since we are building our farm based on what we want. We have two pastures, the 4 acre pasture has the bottom of a large bank barn, and the other has a large run-in shed built off of our pole barn. We built feed pens in both areas (fortunately they were big enough to allow this) and have a large open area where they can come and go as they please. We also have plenty of trees in the pastures. I've noticed most of the time they are out grazing, but if it is really raining hard or miserably hot and humid, they prefer to be in the barns. So I opt for 24/7 but I agree 100% they need a stall or area where they can go to get out of the elements and get a break from the bugs!

[LJ1972]

When I used to board, I always looked for a place with a lot of turnout. Now that we have our own place, we have a 3-sided barn, with temporary stalls where we can lock them in if necessary, but most all the time they use it like a run-in. We have 2 horses and a pony, on about 4-1/2 acres. In summer there is a fan running inside the barn all day. From observing the horses, their preference is to be outside all evening, through the night, and early morning. They will come inside during the heat of the day and stand near the fan. In winter, they are out just about all the time, except for cold rain.
TBRescue, I had to laugh, we have a TB also. We call him the "weather horse". The horses can be way out in the back field. If it starts to rain, the TB will come galloping to the barn. The other 2 will stay out, or eventually come around to see what happened to him. My conclusion is that TB's must melt in the rain!

[Jay-N-Jete']

All the horses are out 24/7 with several shelters available.
All do great and all are in beautiful weight and coats.

From the old broodmare to the 5mth foal...everyone PREFERS to be out.
Even in the rain or with a pile of snow on their butts!

The only time I stall a horse, is when I board my riding horse for the winter (tooo cold and wet here to get much riding done outdoors-sigh)
Boarded horse - out all daylight hours in the wintertime (7-4ish)
I actually have more trouble keeping weight on the horse boarded than at home.

[Dalemma]

My horses have 24/7 turnout in generous gravel paddocks with stalls attached and they go out on pasture during the day from May till Sept.

Dalemma

[Boomer]

I do a combination now that I've got them at home:

They are out 24/7 from mid-March - late September and have access to the barn aisle for shelter.

From October to mid-March they are in by around 5pm and out by 5am. My ground gets very wet / stays very wet and the soil is more like peanut buttery gumbo - it's nearly impossible to keep my gelding's shoes on if he's out all the time in it. They have barn aisle access during the day too. My gelding also gets blanketed (yeah, I know this is not the "correct" theory to keep the coat short, but it works for me).

As far as boarding barns I've been at:

On the East coast: all horses got turn-out during the day in the cool months, out at night in the summer.

On the West coast (Los Angeles): they were in stalls 24/7 unless the owner put them in the "sun pens" (small sandy lots) for a couple hours.

[Rancher]

Mine are never 'in'. There is no in. They have run in shelters that they never use, and that's it. They stay outside whether it's +40C or -40C. It does get as cold as -55C here. They don't wear blankets, never have. They have 24/7 access to hay and water and friends to stand around with to keep warm.

I have only kept a horse in a box stall once. It was a pony I took to a barefoot clinic that was an overnight deal. The clinic host had no where for her to stay besides a box stall. She was too short to see over the door...so she was basically just kept inside a dark wooden box that she couldn't even see out of. She didn't freak or anything...but I am sure she was wondering what on earth was going on. I had to spend a night in a hotel about 20 min away. I was just sick worrying about her all night! lol! I was sure she would get hurt inside the stall (trying to scramble out, kicking a hoof through a wall, getting cast). I think if she had of been loose in a pasture I wouldn't have worried at all. I couldn't get there fast enough in the morning to let her out. She looked so confused and upset that it just broke my heart. LOL! So no I think its ME that doesn't do good with stalls. She seemed fine..but I was a wreck.

It's weird...but I don't think I could sleep at night knowing all my horses were in stalls. If I ever HAD to do it it would take a lot of getting used to.

[Pennywell Bay]

Out 24/7 on round bales unless special needs/issues. In for feeding and back out. I drag them in for inclimate weather and boy, do I pay the price!!

All have run outs and water tanks.

[SAcres]

My horses are at home. I would love to keep them out 24/7 but unfortunately my current setup wouldn't allow it. I only have one field with a shelter and it would get torn up fast if the horses were out on it 24/7.
My horses are currently out between 11-12 hours a day. That is the bare minimum they are out. When the weather was nicer they were out 14 hours. This summer (the first full summer they'll be home) they'll be out 16-18 hours.
Horses are meant to be outside. Most do best that way. I used to board at a place where the horses were out 8-9 hours. The grass wasn't the best, hay was minimal, lots of grain and beet pulp was fed, barn smelled like urine. The horses were unhappy there.

[LauraKY]

Mine are at home with one boarder (retired horse). They are out as long as there is daylight in the winter and it's not really icy or a blizzard. In the spring/summer/fall, they are on night turnout, usually from 5pm to 9am unless it is unusually hot and dry, then they go out a bit later. I do keep them in for cloud to ground lightning storms and very high winds. But that's it. The retired horse is new, and I understand he really likes to be out all the time when it's nice, so, if that's what he wants, that's what he'll get. Better for the older guys anyway. We have another that really only wants to be in for a nap when it's nice out or raining, but if it's snowing he begs to come in.

One of our horses was out on lease for 6 months with very limited turnout. He came back a total fruitcake and, for a while, panicked if he thought he was going to be kept in. We just went through an icy stretch and I had to keep them in for 5 days. I can't imagine an hour of turnout a day.

Our OTTB who was on the track for 8 years wants in after 16 hours or so. If you don't let him in he chews on the fence (and tries to do it where I'll see him). Doesn't matter if it's lush green grass out there, he wants in.

[joiedevie99]

This thread is over 2 years old! Hopefully the OP has worked her situation out by now.

[RedMare01]

What is up with all these threads that are two years old being resurrected? It's messing with my brain.... :lol:

Caitlin

[Bit O Groby]

I make every effort to keep all the horses and ponies in my care outside as much as possible. Not only do I believe that it's the very best thing for them physically and mentally -- they enjoy their "social time". I keep a close eye on what goes on in the 3 different 'herds'. I have to "admit" that when it's raining and cold / or extremely hot, I feel better if they are in their stalls -- but in my barn the stalls a 14 x 14 and the horses can see each other.

[Beethoven]

Well I voted 12+ because thats the best answer for my horses. One lives out 24/7 and the other goes out all night which is usually from 3:30 to 7:30 am.

I manage the barn they live at. Most of our horses go out at night or live out 24/7. We currently only have 3 that stay in at night. If we had more turnout, they would all go out at night.:yes:

Its what I prefer and also what horses and their owners do especially in the hot summers in FL. :D

[Huntertwo]

Mine has and in and out stall into her own turnout. So basically out 24/7 if she wants to be.

[JollyBadger]

Depends on the time of year. . .currently we bring the boys in at night, though they have 12 acres to run on there is snow on the ground and not much for them to do out there. They seem to prefer their stalls at night.

The barn is sort of a run-in arrangement anyway, so that they can access the pasture directly from the stalls when the back door is open. During the day, and in warmer seasons when the weather is nicer, they can come and go as they please.

I used to board my little black gelding in a barn where he would only go out for about five hours at a time. He seems to be thoroughly enjoying the new arrangement.:yes:

[Eventer13]

I used to be a freak about all day turnout, but I'm totally against turning "show" horses out in large pastures for more than 2 hours/day. I will never let my current horse, or future horse be turned out in a field to run around in, to risky.

I find the running around acting stupid act is most common in horses with limited turnout, simply because they are so happy to be loose. Don't see it too much in the 24/7 crowd. If the horses are in safe pastures with compatible pasture-mates, there is no reason for them to be getting cut up or hurt. My show horses have always been on 12-24 hr turnout, and the only downside is sometimes it makes them too quiet and lazy when working (although they are less likely to put in a bucking fit and hurt themselves under saddle!) The time where they have been most prone to injuries and bad behavior on the ground is when they were on limited or no turnout due to injury/abscess.

Do you really think you are reducing the risk of injury by turning out for only 2 hrs? If you are truly worried about injury, it would be best to keep the horse up all the time, or turn them out for several hours a day so they don't act silly when they do get out. Privately if they get beat up (although I do wonder why the barn couldn't find a horse that was more compatible than what they had). JMO.

[amastrike]

This thread is over 2 years old! Hopefully the OP has worked her situation out by now.

She has :). Her horse is now at a lovely private barn with plenty of turnout.

[ake987]

Sorry to keep it going, but my horse lives in 30 acres with three other geldings. Are we spoiled, or what?

I can't even begin to wrap my brain around the idea of a horse only getting a few hours a day or no turnout at all. I agree with what Eventer13 said 100%, my horse plays with the other geldings, but the only time I have EVER seen him really act stupid (undersaddle or in T/O) is when he was on limited turnout at a previous barn. He was an absolute nutjob when I was trialing him because he was getting zero turnout. After three days I said ENOUGH, let the damn horse out! That night he was a different horse. I would go crazy locked in a 12x12 room all day, too!

It seems almost like how some people don't drive their classic Corevette unless conditions are perfect, or they wrap a new fancy smartphone up in so much protective casing it renders it almost useless.. but these are living, breathing creatures, not expensive showpieces without brains.

[Sillymoose]

My horses only get out in the pasture for about 2 hours each day. However, they live in pretty large paddocks with enough room to canter and buck around so at least they're not stuck in box stalls all day. I would love to have them out longer but it's just not possible at this barn. They seem pretty content though. My gelding starts chewing on the fence if he's left in for even a day but this routine appears to keep him from getting bored. I would definitely prefer 24/7 or at least half day turnout but I do what I can with what I have. As it is I make sure to provide plenty of hay to munch on while they're in and they spend the rest sunbathing or playing with each other over the fence. All in all I'm pretty happy with our situation and I think the horses are too.

[Chief2]

One horse is on 24/7 throughout the year; the other is out 13 hours a day throughout the winter, and out 24/7 spring, summer and fall.

[JoZ]

Out 24/7 for six months (May-Oct)

Nov-Apr gets dicy. Some are out 24/7, some are in. Those that are in get varying degrees of turnout depending on a variety of other factors. Right now, for example, we are using the arena (where winter turnout is done) for the outdoor horses because their paddock was flooded. So there's no place to turn out the stalled horses.

They survive! Maybe we have a calm and forgiving bunch. The only stall vice we have is a cribber who came that way. Our stalls are pipe panel which I think makes them more comfortable/less claustrophobic. When we are able to let them out, they may walk to the turnout with exuberance but they are never "nuts". I think turnout is great but nowhere near the huge OMG OMG issue it is made to be on COTH... ;)

[shawneeAcres]

i own and run a barn where I board and train hroses/riders. We have some hroses out 24/7, and the ones that are stalled are out daylight hours this time of year (about 7 or 8 hours) and during the summer are out all night long. I belive in turnout! There are VERY few instances where the horses don't go out, if HEAVY snow or ice, they may get a couple hours out in rotation in smaller area so they don't run and hurt themselves, but we don't get a LOT of that (altho 10 inches are predicted for tonight and tomorrow!) But probably they will go out if it's not icy

[Fharoah]

I have five horses on 7.5 acres. As long as not nursing injury they have 24/7 free stall and individual turnout access. I have long runs attached to the barn stalls. I do believe turnout is important, for overall health!

[Mendin Fences]

Wow I forgot about this thread, and almost forgot that I used to have to worry about this issue! I am happy to report that my mare is no longer at that facility. She currently goes out all day weather permitting during fall/winter/spring, and all night in the summer when the bugs are bad. She is so much more relaxed and happier than I've ever known her.

[stockhorselady]

Id think more boarding barns would offer lots of turn out- it means less messy stalls to clean.

[Reagan]

My guys are only in during the heat/bugs of summer or really bad weather. Other wise, they come in 2x a day to eat and that is it. They are all happy, fat, keep themselves in shape, have fewer lameness issues etc. They aren't meant to just stand! We have 6 horses on about 15 acres of hilly pasture, they get their exercise! We have multiple run-in's and they always have hay in the winter. I wouldn't have it any other way! They are so much happier out, IMO!