Field kept youngters vs stabled does it make a difference on development?

[La Gringa]

Just another curiosity question here.

Do you think that babies that spend the first 2-3 years in a field with other babies develop differently physically and mentally than those kept in stables or small paddocks?

Just wondering.

[MagicRoseFarm]

the daily handling of in and out is important, separating from friends and rejoining helps develop individualism necessary for any competition horse.

I personally feel it is much more physically healthy to be outside developing muscle and bone as nature intended, even if that means a sacrifice in young handling.

[Lesley Feakins]

Never kept my youngsters in a stall they have all grown up outside in small herds of simular age. They are all handled each day and come into the farm for feeding and they go right back out. I personally thing that is the best way to raise them. It certainly helps to raise them free of vices and it certainly helps their physical developement and if you can put your hands on them daily even if its just leading them in and out to the barn for feeding... you can teach them alot in that short period of time.

[camohn]

yes
Aside from bone and muscle development: horses proper gut function is assisted by moving around (so this is really true of all horses..young and old). More stall time = higher risk of colic, ulcers and GI related problems.
To a point you have to take into account the weather in your area. If you live in baking hot Texas in August then of course it would be less stressful on a foal's system to be in under shade when it is blistering hot.......but weather extremes aside.........more movement is better overall. I have honestly seen showhorses that only ever grew up in a barn and perfectly neat/flat little paddocks have no idea how to deal with uneven footing out on a trailride/paperchase etc. We have had a lot of horses here that grew up in a barn with no water (I mean creeks/streams) have no idea how to drink out of a stream or cross one. I didn't realize this until we had one nearly dehydrate here. Horse came here, was turned out in nice weather in a paddock with a stream. The horse got sluggish, weather turned bad and we brought them all in for the night. He drank bucket after bucket of water and perked up. The lightbulb then went off that the fool horse would not drink out of a stream. It took some time to do so after that. After that we also always put a water bucket out in the paddock with a stream when we get a new horse. Most of the time it is some time before they will drink with the others out of a stream. Or CROSS the stream. We have had severeal that would not cross the stream with the herd either for a while. Things you think would come naturally don't if they are raised without them...and this includes social skills.

[La Gringa]

My baby has been out most of her life. She's just 2 now and has been handled, brought in and out etc.. She's now out 24/7 with a shed with a group her age.

In August, I am most likely moving to CA, where turnout will be much more limited. I will have her in a paddock and will begin working with her more.

I am wondering if she's 2 going on 3, when I move, will it make a huge difference at this age? Should I look for a barn that has turnout for youngsters or by then will it be more ok for her to be stabled?

[JB]

It's not really a matter of opinion - it's been proven through a few studies that growing horses kept out all/most of the time have better bone density than those raised in stalls.

[MagicRoseFarm]

while i STILL like them out as much as possible until 5 or 6 and feel it is most beneficial if they have ample turnout all their life....

I think you will be past the most critical age ( at 2 1/2 ) for your filly IF you can supplement with consistent regular light work

[oharabear]

Not anything scientific, but last year I got a 2-year-old in for training by a really NICE stallion, but sadly the horse was born and raised on a farm that has a less-than-stellar reputation. The owner reported that the horse was raised in a stall from the time it was born with only arena turnout and occasionally a small paddock.

That colt was INSANE. He was so awful that the only people in the barn (of 30+ boarders) who could handle him (per management) was myself and the other professional trainer. He would rear, strike, bite, kick, spook, etc.

We were finally able to convince his young novice owner to sell him and buy a horse that was less.... Dragon-like. ;)

Nice horse as far as talent and confo, but completely nuts. I'm absolutely convinced it was because he wasn't allowed out to play with other horses while growing up, and he did not know how to act like one.

[La Gringa]

I may look for a farm with turnout based on this. She's been raised in VA up until now, with proper turnout and socialization. I want that to continue.

Thank you for the input.

[SilverSpringFarm]

Nice horse as far as talent and confo, but completely nuts. I'm absolutely convinced it was because he wasn't allowed out to play with other horses while growing up, and he did not know how to act like one.

I have seen this exact same situation many times. Very very sad... Colts and stallions get the worst of it usually.

[SilverSpringFarm]

I also have to add, maybe I'm just extremely lucky but throughout my 17+ years of horse ownership I have never had to deal with lameness issues, colic, hoof issues, or behavioral vices of any kind.

The only time I ever had a horse colic was when I boarded for a short while at a barn that had zero turnout. (A TB racing barn.) Even though I worked my mare every other day I am certain the colic had to do with her constant confinement. That was the only time in the 7 years I owned her that she ever exhibited a health problem of any kind.

My horses are outside 24/7 (with shelter) year-round. As long as they have some protection from the wind and rain they are totally fine outside even when the weather hits the single digits.

[Daydream Believer]

My babies live out 24/7 and I do feed them out also. I handle them for worming, hoof trimming, etc...but mostly they just stay out there and hang out. Most are easy to catch and easy to handle. Occasionally...maybe one week a year, I'll pull them in and stall them for a few days just to get used to the barn and going in and out or in case they need to come in for foul weather or something. I've never had any problems with that as long as they are with friends.

There certainly can be problems with babies raised too wild also. I've had my share of wild ranch raised babies now and I'll take ones that have been handled since birth and had consistent sensible handling any day over the wild ones. Most of those wild ones will come around with time but it takes longer and when you are hired to train a horse, that has to figure into the time you need also. Getting a three year old in that has never had it's feet trimmed and is barely halter broken is a bit more of a challenge than one that has been trimmed, handled, led, etc... since it was a foal.

[pintopiaffe]

Mine are a little suspicious the first time they get to a 'real' barn or indoor or such... I have 24/7 turnout, run-ins, and two convertible coverall-style barns... so it's understandable... but none have ever had any issues adjusting.

Anecdotally... Pulled Lugh out of the pasture as a long yearling, bathed & braided him for the first time, off to a HUGE boarding farm for Inspections... went in a 'real' stall the first time, spent the night... never missed a beat (or a meal) even laid down to sleep...

One of DB's weanlings came out of the pasture, hopped on a trailer, travelled 12 (?) Hrs, went into the Big E barns, went into the Colliseum and strutted her stuff... was fabulous--she LED THE WAY of the older horses into the colliseum... :cool:

One year I delivered a weanling to his new (wonderful) home... they were still finishing up the metal roof (above his new stall) with power tools etc., when we walked him into the barn... again, no fuss, no muss... he was awesome about it.

I think herd interaction (those old mares teach manners far better than I ever can!) and consistent, fair handling build confidence in a youngster. My opinion is family group full turnout builds sound minds and bodies.

I will say that my kids grow much more slowly than comparable stable kept foals in my area... at 1 & 2 and 3 they are shrimps. By 6 & 7 they are completely comprable. I am sure it is the climate, and have wondered if it might also be related to daylength (my shortest winter day is < 8 hrs daylight! ) BUT--slow growth is only a bad thing if you want to show on the line...

[Indy-lou]

Horses need to move. It is their nature. Certainly the extremes of being stabled without adequate turn out and being turned out without consistent handling are to the detriment of the young horse. I have seen both ends of the spectrum. My horses are all turned out for the majority of the time, but I take care to make sure that the babies know all about being in the barn, and barn things, and can handle being in a stall by themselves overnight from time to time. This helps them in the road ahead, when they may have to trailer ride alone or move to a new location where pasture is a premium. I would not want a baby to be raised in confinement, I can't imagine they could remain sound or sane. I have also seen breeders who leave their young horses out for their first three years and claim that horses left to their "basic instincts" i.e. leave them basically feral, makes them
better saddle horses. I don't believe that, I think that is a justification people try to make for not regularly handling their young stock, and that it is due to lack of time and resources that they make this claim. So, I am saying;leave your babies out with other youngstock for the majority of the time, but also give them the benefit of learning about barns, stalls and everyday things in the human world to give them the best chance to adapt positively to the life you expect them to have.

[YankeeLawyer]

I have also seen breeders who leave their young horses out for their first three years and claim that horses left to their "basic instincts" i.e. leave them basically feral, makes them better saddle horses. I don't believe that, I think that is a justification people try to make for not regularly handling their young stock, and that it is due to lack of time and resources that they make this claim.

That is a real pet peeve of mine. And ask vets or farriers what they think of that approach when they have to deal with a 2 y.o. "baby" that has barely been handled. I also love when people who raise their horses this way claim they have *never* had any health, hoof, or whatever issues with their horses. Frankly, how would they know unless the horse dropped dead in the field? There are some things that take a close eye to spot, and at my barn, these things can and do get spotted and addressed immediately.

[SilverSpringFarm]

I have also seen breeders who leave their young horses out for their first three years and claim that horses left to their "basic instincts" i.e. leave them basically feral, makes them better saddle horses. I don't believe that, I think that is a justification people try to make for not regularly handling their young stock, and that it is due to lack of time and resources that they make this claim.

I know of one breeder that use to do that. She died unexpectedly and I'll give you one guess as to where most of those feral youngsters ended up...

[NoDQhere]

I think there can be a "happy medium". Our youngsters are raised out. They are not handled every single day but when they are handled, they are handled correctly. They go to the barn periodically for schooling and to learn to be away from their friends. They are well fed, wormed and vaccinated, but they are not pampered and protected.

The worst monsters we have ever dealt with have been the stall raised, "handled until they didn't have a nerve left" babies. No thanks! Those types also had soundness problems.

As others have said, babies raised out have better development, research has proved this.

[Mythology]

I have lived and bred in CA at a large facility. The horses were stalled in a large stall (14 x 14) with a run (14 x 24) and were turned out in large paddocks for 2-3 hrs per day. Then we moved to KY where the horses were out all day, weather permitting, and were brought in at night when it got below 40 degrees, and daily for grain and supps.

The babies in CA were smaller and slower developing than the babies in KY. Given the choice, I would choose 24hr out than stalled with only a small paddock for an hour per day.

[YankeeLawyer]

I think there can be a "happy medium". Our youngsters are raised out. They are not handled every single day but when they are handled, they are handled correctly. They go to the barn periodically for schooling and to learn to be away from their friends. They are well fed, wormed and vaccinated, but they are not pampered and protected.

The worst monsters we have ever dealt with have been the stall raised, "handled until they didn't have a nerve left" babies. No thanks! Those types also had soundness problems.

As others have said, babies raised out have better development, research has proved this.

I don't know what you mean by "pampered and protected." If mine get a nick, or have a goopy eye or something, it is tended to immediately. My horses have individualized feeding programs that would not be possible if they were fed in a herd situation (and fwiw, my one horse that was raised essentially "feral" until 2, and who was bullied by the older horses in his herd, has permanently stunted growth). If that is pampered and protected, I can live with that. I think my program is accurately described as a happy medium, and I am frequently complimented on my horses' very good manners by others who have to deal with them on a routine or emergency basis.

[YankeeLawyer]

I have lived and bred in CA at a large facility. The horses were stalled in a large stall (14 x 14) with a run (14 x 24) and were turned out in large paddocks for 2-3 hrs per day. Then we moved to KY where the horses were out all day, weather permitting, and were brought in at night when it got below 40 degrees, and daily for grain and supps.

The babies in CA were smaller and slower developing than the babies in KY. Given the choice, I would choose 24hr out than stalled with only a small paddock for an hour per day.

Well no kidding. But I can virtually assure you that if you were to go from one extreme to another, and turn them out 24/7 and feed en masse, that those babies also would be slower to develop and smaller (perhaps permanently so) than the ones on the KY program.

[JB]

But I can virtually assure you that if you were to go from one extreme to another, and turn them out 24/7 and feed en masse, that those babies also would be slower to develop and smaller (perhaps permanently so) than the ones on the KY program.
I don't understand how you can say that :confused: What do you mean "feed en masse"? Just throw 50lb of grain out for 10 horses and let them fend for themselves? If so, then those who are higher in the pecking order will get more and probably develop well (unless the grain is crap, then they're the ones that get ocd ;)) and those lower in the order don't get enough and probably will be slower to develop. But that's not proper management. One CAN have horses out 24x7 and still properly manage them.

[YankeeLawyer]

I don't understand how you can say that :confused: What do you mean "feed en masse"? Just throw 50lb of grain out for 10 horses and let them fend for themselves? If so, then those who are higher in the pecking order will get more and probably develop well (unless the grain is crap, then they're the ones that get ocd ;)) and those lower in the order don't get enough and probably will be slower to develop. But that's not proper management. One CAN have horses out 24x7 and still properly manage them.

Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about and have seen essentially just that done in this area (not 50 lbs of grain, though, and they were fed in individual buckets but the dominant horses pushed the little guys out of the way). And even when fed individually, in my experience youngsters that live out 24/7 (in climates that have real winters) do tend to be smaller and less developed than their peers. Maybe their pasture is not as good as mine, or maybe their overall nutrition is not as good - really I don't know exactly why. Believe me, it would be a lot easier and cheaper for me to raise all of mine on 24/7 turnout, but I do not think that is ideal.

[Home Again Farm]

leave your babies out with other youngstock for the majority of the time, but also give them the benefit of learning about barns, stalls and everyday things in the human world to give them the best chance to adapt positively to the life you expect them to have.

I so agree with this! My youngsters learn early that coming in for a night once in a blue moon is part of life. For the most part they are out 24/7, coming in twice daily to eat and having regular handling, seeing the farrier and vet, etc. But they also learn early about life in a stall and I believe that when it comes time to go to the trainer the adjustment is much easier for them because they had that early education. :yes:

To the OP, I also believe that your youngster will do fine with less than constant turnout at her age. If she was less than 2 1/2 years, I'd say unlimited turnout was critical. But at 2 1/2, she is over the most critical stages and should do fine.

[JB]

Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about and have seen essentially just that done in this area (not 50 lbs of grain, though, and they were fed in individual buckets but the dominant horses pushed the little guys out of the way). And even when fed individually, in my experience youngsters that live out 24/7 (in climates that have real winters) do tend to be smaller and less developed than their peers. Maybe their pasture is not as good as mine, or maybe their overall nutrition is not as good - really I don't know exactly why. Believe me, it would be a lot easier and cheaper for me to raise all of mine on 24/7 turnout, but I do not think that is ideal.

Gotcha. Yeah, turnout 24x7 with poor management isn't good either. If the pasture isn't good, you have to feed good hay :)

[EqTrainer]

I don't necessarily think it is easier OR cheaper to keep young horses (or any horses) out 24/7 and do it *well*. The price of land alone in most places means that having enough pasture to rotate and for them to move on is going to be $$$$.

[NoDQhere]

I don't know what you mean by "pampered and protected." If mine get a nick, or have a goopy eye or something, it is tended to immediately. My horses have individualized feeding programs that would not be possible if they were fed in a herd situation (and fwiw, my one horse that was raised essentially "feral" until 2, and who was bullied by the older horses in his herd, has permanently stunted growth). If that is pampered and protected, I can live with that. I think my program is accurately described as a happy medium, and I am frequently complimented on my horses' very good manners by others who have to deal with them on a routine or emergency basis.

Obviously, any injuries are treated :rolleyes:. Not surprising though, our youngsters seldom have injuries because they have grown up "out". More and generally more severe injuries tend to occur in horses kept locked up except for turnout.

[siegi b.]

I have to agree with Yankeelawyer here....
The extremes - 24/7 or complete stall confinement are never good. Horses that are expected to be useful and healthy companions/athletes need to have exposure to a good mix of things and not just on a sporadic basis. In order to raise youngsters that know how to lead, respect the vet and farrier, and can be de-wormed and bathed without major conflict, you need them to spend some time inside. I also don't think it's that good for babies to be outside when it's 90 plus degrees and the flies are eating them alive. So in my program the babies spend the first year of their life coming in at night or during the day, depending on weather and after that they are confirmed with their manners and can spend 24/7 outside with good run-in sheds.

It has worked for me in my 25 + years of breeding and so I can be a little opinionated on this, I think... :-)

[Samotis]

I also agree with no the extreme comment.

My colt has a stall and run that opens up into a large arena with a grass burm for grazing.

During the winter he gets closed in at night and during the summer he gets to stay out at night.

He also gets to go in a grass pasture 4 hours a day with the older geldings.

This seems to be good for him as he moves around a lot and also can play with other horses, but he knows how to stand in the crossties, get his feet trimmed and have a bath without any major arguments!

Now I do think that babies need to socialize with other horses. I don't necessarily think it is the stall confinement that causes some bad behaviour, it is the social aspect they need from other horses to learn what they can and can't do!

The first time my colt went out with another horse it was a little pony and he went running up to her and was right in her face with no warning. She spun and kicked him right in the butt. It was the shock of his life! He ran to the corner of the pasture and just stared at her. He couldn't understand what happened! Needless to say he is much more respectfull!:lol:

[LockeMeadows]

This guy is a May 5, 2008 gelding. As of yesterday, he stands 15.3 1/4 at the rear and 15.2 1/4 at the withers. He lives in for about 12 hours each day and then he's turned out with another yearling for the other 12 on a beautiful pasture. The only supplement he's on is Omega Horseshine plus an excellent quality grain. He has clean x-rays (taken for sale purposes) and has the best brain you could ask for. We just gelded him this past week, but he was quiet even as a stud-colt. Usually when it gets dark, he's waiting for us at the gate to come in. Him and his little brother LOFF their stalls and know that the stalls mean sleepy time. I honestly think the younger of the two would be happy to live his entire life in the stall. He HATES going out and waits at the gate for us if he happens to notice we're in the barn during the day. :rolleyes:

[Edgewood]

I do a little of both. I try to have them out 24/7 if the weather is nice. And I bed my run in shed deeply and they are cleaned 4x/d and they eat their hay in there, so it is mostly like a stall anyway. The run ins also have bug spray units in the summer. In inclement weather, they do come into the barn. And at other times, as needed, they come in to the barn and learn to live in stalls. All of mine love their stalls but also love being outside. And they do especially sleep in the well bedded run ins (at least in the winter). In the summer, they sleep out in the big lush pastures. Also, I have 12x24 run ins, so I try to keep the head count to 2 horses per pasture or 3 weanlings in some cases (since they are small).

I think that it is good to come in and out without your buddies and learn to be independent and just with your handler. So they all are experienced with leaving buddies, coming in to be groomed, handled, etc and they give me very little fuss.

OP, I think that you horse will do fine.

[Waterwitch]

In order to raise youngsters that know how to lead, respect the vet and farrier, and can be de-wormed and bathed without major conflict, you need them to spend some time inside.

Well, I'm going to have to disagree with you, 100%.

My youngsters live outside 24-7, and they are very well behaved for leading, vet, farrier, deworming and baths. Amazingly, they also do many of the other things we expect civilized horses to do, like load in trailers, travel places, and behave themselves away from home. It's called "proper handling".

Living in a barn (or not) has nothing to do with proper handling ;)

[JB]

Disagree with seigi as well. My WB lived outside for the vast majority of his first 2 years, and it was simple to teach him manners with a weekly half hour session.

Would SOME horses benefit from some "lockup time"? Sure. But just because those exist does not mean all horses need that to learn how to be Good Horse Citizens.

[Daydream Believer]

Well, I'm going to have to disagree with you, 100%.

My youngsters live outside 24-7, and they are very well behaved for leading, vet, farrier, deworming and baths. Amazingly, they also do many of the other things we expect civilized horses to do, like load in trailers, travel places, and behave themselves away from home. It's called "proper handling".

Living in a barn (or not) has nothing to do with proper handling ;)

Same here. If you don't believe me, ask Pintopiaffe who bought a weanling from me. She lived out 24/7 all her life until about 7 months old and was a long way from a wild hooligan when taken from her home farm the first time and led into the mess at the Equine Affaire... I AM the farrier on this farm so you can be damn sure that the babies have their feet well tended and are good to be trimmed.

There IS a happy medium.

[camohn]

Ours live out weather extremes permitting spring/summer/fall and are in stalls at night in the winter. I pasture feed and the low totem pole ones do fine. The key is that there are many more bowls than horses.....the feed is divided up into extra bowls so everyone just keeps moving around playing musical feed pans. No one gets to the end of the line and doesn't have one.
As pretty much noted....living out does not = unhandled.
My farrier does do a couple barns where that IS the case (a TB farm and a WB farm) and he does not love them!!
Out is better if able but at coming 3 at least the OPs horse is old enough to do OK with less turnout than a "baby baby".

[mistyjewell]

I have to say, the farm I work and board has essentially 24/7 turnout. The horses come in 2x a day to be fed seperatly and checked over for bumps and bruises. Mares getting ready to foal are in at night, and usually stay in a seperate paddock with their babies the first few days, in at night, then out with the big broodie heard. These guys do come in when the weather is unusually cold, wet, etc, and we tend to leave them in for a little longer when it's been really hot out or something to that extream.

All the fields have run ins, and spring fed streams. Super awesome set up.

The place sells 5-10 horses a year, but it's by no means a huge opperation, just the barn owner and a few part time workers (like me) and I can say that more then one buyer has bought foals from there b/c they are so much more well behaved then some big time farms in the area that have equal or better "quality" foals, but are kept in a lot and not handeled correctly, due to it being a large business, and I think things slip through the cracks.

As they get older, or for vet visits/check ups etc, they will come in and spend a day or night in the stall. They also all go to at least one show and their inspections the first year, and are clipped and bathed.

I think it is a very real and healthy possibility to keep them out 24/7 if it means they still get handeled, and interact with humans. I know sometimes it's also not possible to have 24/7 tunrout, either due to them being in heavy competition, or lack of free space, but I really think the more the horses are out (youngsters and adults) the more healthy mentally and physically they are.

And sure there are some horses that prefer to be in, especially when it's really hot out! but all in all I think the horses body was designed to be outside moving around, and if they aren't being worked constantly, then it's the best thing for them.

[YankeeLawyer]

I think some of you are equating any time spent in a stall in a 24 hour period as being jailed full-time. That is not at all what we do here. My horses *are* out the majority of any given 24 hour period, but they are inside for at least a few hours each day (probably on average 6) and in very extreme weather (e.g., ice). And my criticism is not of programs that DO keep a watchful eye on their horses and ensure that *each* individual receives nutrition and care appropriate for that horse, but of ones that are nearly completely hands off and essentially just leave them outside until they are 3.


As for whether it is cheaper to leave them out 24/7 - it would be MUCH cheaper and easier for me to do so, as we have adequate pasture and fencing for proper rotation. Specifically, my costs of labor, bedding, and hay, among other things, would drop significantly.

Anyway, do what you want. My program works for me, and my horses historically have competed at the highest levels and stayed sound competing into their 20s. I often regret participating in these kinds of threads because people just argue in circles, but sometimes I cannot resist because I just do not agree that an extreme in either direction is ideal.

[lolita1]

My horse likes being in primarily because that is where dinner is and that is where the action takes place. I don't like the idea of youngsters being locked up for large lengths of time (which my horse isn't) but I am all for overnight every night. I like knowing that my young horse isn't in danger of hurting itself while the humans are asleep and being warm during winter. The other factor is general day to day handling which as a baby she really needed. While 24/7 might work for most it isn't something I would do and I also think it is quite specific to what you are doing with your horse.

For example my horse is a show horse so yes I do care about her getting kicked, bitten and running into a fence. Most of the former especially the day before the show (where I've paid non refundable $$$) and all the other factors such as her coat and needing to be rugged and hopefully (yes shallow they cost quite a bit) her rugs not being ripped to shreds by other horses.

She is not the least bit dangerous or unruly for being locked up at night quite the opposite really - needs a bomb under her she is so desensitize to noise. Please note primarily she is a show horse and I doubt there are too many successful 2 year olds that compete in 5 or 6 shows in the winter show season that we have, that are out 24/7 in a herd situation.

[NoDQhere]

Well, being "raised out" doesn't equate "feral" either. It actually seems as though most of us are in agreement. Out as much as possible, in for "lessons". Of course not everyone has a barn and stalls and foals/youngsters can certainly be well handled and well mannered without ever seeing the inside of a stall. IMO, it is the quality of the handling that is important. Too much of the wrong kind of "overhandling" does as much damage, if not more, than no handling at all.

[Edgewood]

I like knowing that my young horse isn't in danger of hurting itself while the humans are asleep and being warm during winter.

Well, from personal experience, I tend to worry MORE when they are inside. I have a very safe barn with big stalls (most are 12 x 14 or 12 x 16), but I worry about them being in and laying down and getting cast in the stall. I have had a weanling get himself somewhat cast (he freed himself) and a 3 year old too, who in the process did it by the door and managed to get the door pushed outside its runner clip and got her foot stuck (she also freed herself but had a minor injury to her foot). And finally, I lost my very best mare to colic/getting cast/foot stuck about 2.5 years ago. She was checked at 10 pm and was okay and I found her at 5:45 am -- we could not save her.

So, when they are outside, I feel that moving around keeps the incidence of colic down and that they are less likely to lay right near a wall and get stuck.

Even so, mine do often come into the barn, just not every night.

[YankeeLawyer]

Well, from personal experience, I tend to worry MORE when they are inside. .

I absolutely worry more about them when they are inside - primarily because I always worry about the possibility of a barn fire. We have never had one get cast (maybe just lucky though we have unusually large stalls), but it is a possible risk as well.

[Edgewood]

I absolutely worry more about them when they are inside - primarily because I always worry about the possibility of a barn fire. We have never had one get cast (maybe just lucky though we have unusually large stalls), but it is a possible risk as well.

Yeah, YL, I also worry about fire too. Especially since we have a beautiful bank barn that has a lot of hay up top. Thanks for reminding me that I also worry about fire (my SO says I am just a worry wort - but with horses, how can you be otherwise?;))

[ise@ssl]

We don't keep any of our horses or ponies out 24/7. In during the night or really cold hours in winter and in during the day in the summers. We find that this works well for us. Our youngsters are led in and out from day one and we feel this handling works to pattern them. We also have small stalls for our youngsters and they can eat witout having to fight off other foals for food. We have had no bone density issues or growth problems with this method. We can also groom them in their stalls and work with them.

It's a personal choice but we also feel this responsibly manages our fields so we can provide good pasture for them when they are out.

I do agree with Seigi - our youngsters transition well when they are sold and have to go into a stall somewhere else because they understand being in a stall. I've seen some youngsters that have lived out 24/7 that took a long time to get used to this confinement. Ours are put in a stall next to their dam for weaning and they seem to like having their own space and their own FOOD to eat.

[veebug22]

I think it depends on the horse -- some horses seem to prefer being inside -- but in my experience and opinion, it's good for younger horses to live outside in big fields with other youngsters. It's up to the owner to take the time for regular, "indoor" handling. My mare came from a breeder (who is also a good friend) that raised a lot of Hanoverians and Holsteiners. She has actually moved into the TB market now, but all of her horses grew up in big fields 24/7 with other youngsters, unless the weather necessitated them spending some time indoors. All of them were fancy and sold for good money as dressage horses, hunters, or jumpers. All were destined for show careers. But they positively thrived in the herd turnout environment for the first couple years. I prefer my horses to have as much turnout as possible, young or old, just because in my experience limited turnout causes more health problems. Lots of turnout seems to work wonders for many health and behavioral issues. I want them to be horses and spend as much time out as possible. If the horse is worth a fair amount and I don't want it injured, it's a matter of boots and/or insurance!!!

[Commander Cody]

My broodmares and ALL my young horses live out in fields with run in sheds 24/7. They don't come in to eat, they get fed twice a day, groomed and handled for feet, shots and worming. The babies are handled a lot when they are little and those lessons stick with them well. To avoid attachment issues, I move the groups around as needed and never have a problem. I just brought a 3 year old up from the back field yesterday for the first time ever (leaving her brother and the old retired mare behind) and not a peep out of either of them. I find they come in at 3 relaxed and ready to go to work. Saves me time and money and is better for them. Mares of course come in to be bred and foal etc...
Maybe they aren't "breed show ready", but honestly I've pulled them from the field and gone to win at Devon and other shows.