Possible retirement, turnout 24/7?

[Nikki17]

I'm considering moving my mare to a field board situation. She's 19, slowing down a lot, semi-retired. She has always lived in a "show barn" environment with stall 8 hrs/turnout 8 hours. Can anyone share their experience making this transition with your horse? Benefits? Cons? I am nervous I will move her and she will hate it. Should I wait until spring? The situation I'm considering has beautiful turnout, nice run in shed, and feeds each seperately twice daily. Thanks

[appychik]

I did it this spring with my old guy... he's 19 too. He's in the same boat, officially "retired" but still worked fairly regularly to keep in shape. He adjusted just fine. His hardest issues are dealing with bad weather. He was used to coming in if it was raining/lightning/etc... but now he's out regardless. He's got a run-in and is feed separately in the afternoons.

He is surviving... I think I took everything harder then him. We'll see how he survives the MN winter outside. I'm dreading that. But, if need be, there is a warmer box stall with his name on it. :yes: And... he's got plenty of warm blankets to wear too.

So, I say do it. Gus is sounder now then he's been in years (the reason for his retirement to begin with) and he's enjoying being out all the time too. Plus, no more cribbing. :D

[Nikki17]

Thanks....I'm in Virginia, so winters aren't too terrible usually. maybe I could see if a stall was available, could she come in in extreme weather...I would pay for that service of course.

[subk]

I moved my upper level event horse to a similar situation several years ago. He went from being micro managed to 24/7 small group (3 or 4) turnout and was blissfully happy. Under all the spit and polish they are still horses and he enjoyed being treated as such!

[Petstorejunkie]

To me it depends on how delicate they are in the winter. my guy with the right nutrition is an easy keeper, but you do anything to him too drastic come winter and his BCs drops. I'm moving my horse late nov-early dec this year 450 miles north, so i've opted to full board at least til spring

[Joshua's Mom]

HI Nikki,
We have been keeping retired horses for the last 20 years here in Pa. you would be surprised to see how well they thrive when they live outside with their friends. I have a barn for foaling, and for getting our young horses started. If I have to bring one of the retired guys in for some special situation that may arise, they hate it. It is just such a natural thing for them to live in a group moving around all day that most of them are healthier and happier than before they arrived. We get them with heaves, and they thrive. The arthritic ones are moving like they are 5 years younger! My house is fenced out of my pastures, so to speak and all day long I get to watch the herd dynamics . What a wonderful thing. Everyone has a place and a job. I think that your mare will love it. (after the first week or two)

[SOTB]

Oh, how I feel your pain! I retired my TB 2 years ago and he had also always been at a show barn. I live in Illinois and he was never a huge fan of the winters here so I actually sent him back to Virginia (Crimora). I sent him in October. I paid for stall boarding for the rest of October and November. Over 6 weeks they adjusted him to staying outside. Early on they said he was anxious to come in at night (they brought him in when he was anxious), but over the 6 weeks he got more and more comfortable and now you can barely get him to come inside. He is so happy there and has now going into his third winter there.... still doing great! With a run-in shed and buddies, I think they can all adjust to being outside! Good luck!

[NorCalDressage]

Did this recently with my mare. She was the type who liked to be outside though. Even though she was in a stall with 1/2 day turnout. She went from full time work to retired and pasture board. She actually really enjoyed it! I think it's important for them to be with another horse for this though. Took her off of her joint supps when she moved outside. Outside also helped though - all the moving around seems to help arthritic horses.

She doesn't always go in the shelter when its raining, but at least she has the option, right?

She is out with about 4 other mares. I bring her in for grooming or a bath about 1/2 times a week. I think she enjoys being wild again - she has gotten a bit more honery!

[saddleup]

I didn't have the happy experience others had when I tried to retire my then-17 year old gelding. He lost weight, became more lame than before and has scars from being beat up by a very nasty mare in his turnout herd. I left him there for only four months, then brought him back to his former stable, where he became much more sound, gained back the weight and the bloom in his coat...still has the scars, though.

It did prompt me to move to horse property so I could have him retire safely on my own property, so that is his happy ending, I guess.

Just know that some horses don't adjust. Even my vet said he wasn't cut out for that type of retirement.

[AKB]

Make sure there is plenty of room in the run in shed and that the herd will let him go in. Otherwise, the herd should be made smaller or the shed may need to be enlarged. Our horses use our barn as a run in shed since we leave everything open. Everyone loves it. However, if someone is being kept out of the barn, we have to reconfigure the group so that two horses have access to one half of the barn and three have access to the other half.