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Post by solomon on Mar 14, 2011 15:47:52 GMT
If you have the choice through the summer, own land or freedom of choice from YO, what would people choose to do re turning out 24\7? I know I am going on about this, but we do have our stables and wonder about all pros and cons. I am thinking we might do a bit of a mixture. Everyone elses summer routine? Thanks
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Post by spotti on Mar 14, 2011 15:56:06 GMT
We never had the choice before this summer (old yard had daft rules about times), but I think it will probably be pretty much the same as our winter routine, except Faith will be out longer and will probably have her muzzle on. I don't think she'd object to being out 24/7, but I think we may have issues getting her in! She may also turn into a fatter fatty than she is already  . With a different horse then I'd leave them out if that's what they wanted. Possibly still go up twice a day to check on said horsey and maybe bring them in for an hour or so to get them out of the hottest part of the day (having said that, depending what their stable is like they may be better off under a tree or something), and also to give them a good groom etc. I have a friend in Narnia (new yard) who brings her horse in every day, gives her her tea, and then if horsey wants to go back out then she puts her put, if not then she stops in. Said horsey shows what she wants by either trying to go back out or simply settling down to eat hay. Owner has had her for donkeys years so knows what she's like, so if she wants to stay out then she does, if not then she doesn't. Horsey wears a muzzle all summer regardless of day or night so getting fat isn't really an issue. |
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Post by fimacg on Mar 14, 2011 16:33:29 GMT
mine will be coming in during the day and out at night - simply to get them off the grass and stop them exploding into bunch of fatties.
1st though we need to do all the drainage and fencing in the new field
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Mar 14, 2011 17:17:21 GMT
We have them out 24/7/365 and the boys don't have rugs on, the girls often only have light weights on during the winter and nothing in the summer. TBH ours much prefer being out compared to when they were in. Sunshine can't cope with enclosed spaces and Savannagh is much happier out than she is in because she has a problem brought on by dust, Daints has never been in and like pest she doesn't like enclosed spaces. I think generally it does depend on the horse though as Chip and Bracken would be happy in or out. I think it does depend on land a lot as well, we have 5 acres of our own and have andother 2 acres that we are given free use of during the summer which means that we can have the amount of ponies that we have.
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haffyfan
Administrator 
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on Mar 14, 2011 18:45:27 GMT
out 24/7 for me. Far more natural for them.
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Post by scattymare on Mar 14, 2011 20:18:16 GMT
Normally out 24/7 though last year they came in for half the day to get them off the grass. They're out 24/7 now. Have turned into mud monsters but happy and no more coughing. Means more time for riding for me too as no mucking out.
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Post by zara on Mar 16, 2011 7:25:43 GMT
AJ is out 24/7 in the summer unless the weather is really awful. As my yard is on the top of a hill (highest point of Sheffield) and the land is exposed with no natural shelter so if the weather is bad he will come in for the night to dry off and keep warm. Aj is very good though and will "tell" me what he wants to do Zx
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joandlad
Apprentice Poo Picker
My beautiful boy!
Posts: 473 
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Post by joandlad on Mar 16, 2011 13:45:44 GMT
It really depends on what grazing you've got and what horse you've got. At my old yard Murph had to stay coming in at night all year round (despite owners of skinny TBs being able to turn theirs out 24/7 in the summer) as the grazing was just too good for him and even with a muzzle on he was verging on obese. We've moved yards now and I'm hoping that he'll be able to go out 24/7 for the summer as he's pretty much eaten his grass down to nothing over the winter. Majority of the yard are moaning because they've got hardly any grass but I'm loving it!  Roll on summer and a nice lie in. ;D Depends on the weather how often he comes in during the summer but if it gets really hot I'll bring him in for a few hours a day just to have a break from the flies and the sun. |
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Post by maximum on Mar 21, 2011 20:12:09 GMT
depends on horse and weather - would like 24/7 but if the flies are bad or horse is getting fat then they come in during the day for a few hours and out at night.
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