I have a young mare, and I feel that she does not get turned out enough. She gets turned out for about 2 hours per day. I'm trying to convince my mom to let me go to a barn that is a little farther away, with much better turnout. What is somethings that would be a benefit for this, and what are some affects a horse could get from not being turned out enough?
Anonymous
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Turnout is extremely important and there are tons of affects that can come from not getting enough.
A major one is colic. The less turnout, the higher the risk. There's tons of information and research out there on it. Colic is expensive, turnout is not.
Hoof issues. Lower limb circulation is facilitated by the pumping action of the vein system between the sole and the coffin bone. Standing in a stall does not provide this and poor hoof growth is virtually assured and it increases the risk of virtually all other hoof problems.
Behavioral problems. Stalled horses are more likely to develop stereotypies and be high strung and harder to train. A horse in a stall doesn't get normal social interaction that they need and stalls are too far removed from their natural way of life. How would your mom like to spend 22 hours a day in a cubicle? and she's not even adapted to plains life.
Those are the primary ones that come to mind but do some searching and you'll find some more. The natural horsemanship sites have some good information about the pros of turnout.
Barefoottrimmer
Aside from nutrition, there is nothing more important than turn out. Your horse needs to have an opportunity to be a horse and have a horsey life. Horses are not meant to live in a box. It causes behavioral problems like cribbing, and weaving, chewing and biting. Also standing in a stall is very hard on a horse's feet and legs and body overall. A stalled horse will have much more joint and arthritis than a horse who is allowed to be out in the pasture. 24/7 turnout would be optimum if ever possible. Socialization with other horses is also necessry for a healthy balanced horse, psychologically speaking. She should have at least one pasture buddy if she can't be turned out with a herd. Living in a stall will make your horse miserable. Think about it. This is not a difficult matter to understand. Hope you can get the change, for your horse's sake.
PRS
Turn out is all important. Horses that get large amounts of turnout into proper enclosures do not develop stable vices (which are caused by stress and boredom). They also have fewer incidences of colic, founder and ulcers. 2 hours a day is not enough, 8-12 hours a day would be better. Pasture board with a run in shed would be perfect. Horses are simply not meant to be confined in a 12x12 space.
Trainer0KidzNponies
2 hours is no where near enough. first off, expect stocking in your horse eventually. A serious leg issue which will cost you ride time and vet bills. Next there is vices, cribbing, weaving, chewing, etc. are mostly born from stalled horses who are in way too long. Third issue is weight gain and bloating or balloning shape to the horse. Easily fixed with riding though. Fourth is when the horse does get out in the pasture its excitement and pent up energy make it way more prone to accidents. Fifth is the most common issue if the horse is in an enclosed barn or center isle type barn, lung issues. Constant dust, dirt, urine, feces, etc. can take their toll over months and years. They can also upset the eyes and nose. Sixth most common issue is thrush and hoof illness from standing in feces and urine and then being packed with soiled or wet bedding. This is of all the most common affect.
Horses should be at the VERY least turned out 8 hours a day if not 12-24 hours. If this horse gets more turnout you may notice a very big change in her personality. Calm, patient, and gentle horses could have once been pent up stalled horses. Horses who are turned out for long periods of time also have a less likely hood of getting sick.
Your horse's hoofs may grow quicker when turned out due to the constant stimulation, so watch them.
I would highly recommend changing stables even if the turn out is increase by an hour or two it will make a huge difference. On our farm horses are allowed in their pastures 24/7 if the owner wishes. We've found that horses use to being stalled most of their day suddenly relax and become easier to handle. Though this may take a few weeks for certain horses as they get very excited to get turned out at first for so long.
Again if possible i would switch as soon as I could, especially with a young horse. Benefits to the horse, your wallet, and your own happiness while handling the young horse can all be seriously effected by this little change.
wahoo
A horse is a grazing, and moving animal, they have to keep moving in order for circulation, digestion and breathing in fresh air.
When spending time in a stall, there is risk of thrush developing and becoming a major cause of lameness.
Cribbing and Weaving can become an issue for bored horses, the cribbers can ingest particles of wood and other foreign objects as well as sucking in air.
A horse needs plenty of exercise by running playing, and moving, which is not easy in a stall.
A horse is also a gregereous animal and needs the companionship of other horses or at least another living breathing being that it can interact with in the pasture
A horse also has to go through the actions of grazing which in a stall can amount to start eating its bedding or worse its poop
In an enclosed area such as a stall and barn, the much needed fresh air, and sunshine are taken away form the horse. Sunshine is so important to an animals coat, physical wellness and mental health.
You might ask your mom how she would like it if she was locked up in her bedroom for 22 hours in a day.