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  Discussion on Barn Stall or Continous Turnout
Author Message
Member:
Goodie

Posted on Thursday, Jul 10, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

I just have to ad my 2cents worth. My two horses have been through every kind of stabling situation possible. Currently, they seem to be the happiest. They are on 3 acres that is sectioned kind of weird (used to be a cattle farm). They have a shelter with dirt and 3 open sides, they have trees with big leafy branches that create great breezes when needed. They also have a barn with straw and a cement floor. Even though this sounds harsh, of all the areas they have to play and sleep, they choose to spend about 75% of their time in the barn. When I was in WA, they never left their pasture to come near the barn. Here in MN, it's the exact opposite. I actually have to chase them out of the barn in order to clean it! I have masks on them 24/7 with breaks for cleaning and wipe-downs. They also have fly sheets. I tried going without and found that they actually got upset more, stomped ALOT, and go pushy when I went near their masks! They will run into the barn for their sheets and masks within about 20 minutes of me taking them off. I have even tried coating them with fly spray but they really enjoy the sheets and masks. Between the clothing and the barn, my horses are the happiest they have been in the 10 years I have owned them. I know that they hate the bug difference between WA and MN.
Member:
Lccsi

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 3:55 pm:

Hi. I have a 6 month old weanling filly. I would like opinions about whether it would harm her to be in a day/night turnout being stalled (out 10 - 12 hrs a day on pasture) vs being on rough board and out 24/7 .. Right now she is temporarily being boarded in the day/night turnout and being stalled. When she is out she is pastured in a paddock next to another mare. She seems content and grazes and plays on her own. Is this situation OK or would it be better to have her out 24/7..
Member:
Morg1

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 4:23 pm:

I've always been under the impression that growing legs are better off if the foals get to roam freely opposed to being kept in a stall. I prefer having all of my horses out 24/7, unless of course they're being shown. Even then I feel guilty for keeping them in.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 4:32 pm:

Lori-what kind of climate does she live in? Does she have a shelter when turned out? Would she be alone or with other horses when turned out?
Member:
Lccsi

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 5:12 pm:

It's in New Jersey... It's just that I have not found a rough board situation that is close enough and that I'm comfortable with the horse care. The best I can find is where she will be out as much as possible but stalled for some amount of time.. She has spent her first 6 months in a herd being out all the time, got a nasty kick on the fetlock which abcessed (they shipped her wrapped in a pressure bandage for 3 days.. What a mess when she arrived but she will be ok)so I'm a bit worried about out 24/7 where they don't seem to get as much individual attention and handling. I guess the question is will it hurt her by not being out 24/7
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 5:51 pm:

All of our babies are brought it at night and when the weather is cold and wet. I don't think it's ever hurt them. As long as they get time to bounce and run I think it's better to have her going in some of the time and where you feel more comfortable with the care. (I assume her stall is kept clean.)
Member:
Morg1

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 6:34 pm:

As long as she gets a lot of time outside I think she will be just fine. How big will her stall be?
Member:
Lccsi

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 6:53 pm:

She will be in a 12x12..Goodness knows she looks like a peanut in there but she will grow :-)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 7:32 pm:

As Sara notes many foals are raised with 12 in and 12 out or something close to that. Ours are brought in. But would the muscoskeletal system be even stronger with 24 hour turn out? It's an interesting question Lori that science has not answered yet but we do know that constant stalling is detrimental to the cartilage and bone.

But it is only one of many questions involving turn out. I think the daily haltering and leading are very important in the early training. And there is the health question of being able to closely examine the foal when brought in and observe the horses appetite.
DrO
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 11:03 pm:

I have always had my babies out 24/7. For one, the haltering/leading became a problem. I assume it was because she did not do it on a daily basis. It, was fixable of course. I also wonder if they should be learning to "deal" with stall confinement just like they have to deal with tieing for periods of time.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Oct 16, 2005 - 11:35 pm:

As Dr. O. mentioned, for us part of bringing them in each day is the handling they get. They always gets brushed a little, their feet picked up, etc. when the come in, and we work a lot on leading, not running ahead, moving from pressure, etc. when going in and out. They are started in halter from day one of their lives, though, and it putting a halter on always means something nice for them; ie food, lots of petting, etc. We seldom have a problem. If you're concerned about catching, use a foal halter tied together with string that will break easily, or one joined together with velcro that you securely fasten before you start leading.
Member:
Gohlson

Posted on Monday, Oct 17, 2005 - 11:03 am:

I have always kept my young colts out on a 24/7 basis. I live in Denver Colorado and all three of my young boys seem to do very well being outside. As long as we give them food to eat and space to move around in, they seem to enjoy being outside. We do give them a three sided shelter where they can go to get out of the wind and the snow/rain when needed, but keeping them indoors seems to be out of the question. We also do not put a blanket on them and they all grow a very nice and thick coat which keeps them very warm.

If your stable owner doesn’t mind and if you know of a carpenter, you could always have them build this shelter for your, and if they do it right, it can be made moveable.

https://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/plans/E8000/8162/8162P.pdf
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Monday, Oct 17, 2005 - 12:30 pm:

My young horses are out all day (12 hours in winter and longer in summer) and in every night. Like Dr O and Sara mentioned, it's important to handle them regularly. Makes life much easier on all concerned from the get-go.
Member:
Lccsi

Posted on Monday, Oct 17, 2005 - 1:03 pm:

Thanks for the advice.. I'm going to keep her in a day/night turnout and stalled.. I'm pretty lucky in that she is a very good baby and leads pretty well and stands quietly when we groom her and pick up her feet as well as standing for the vet.. I know she will get as much as possible pasture time but be safely tucked in for inclement weather and non-turnout hours as well as the daily handling.. Thanks for all your opinions..
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