Turnout Question

[Rodeo]

I'm a fan of group turnout. I like the natural type environment where horses get to be horses when they are not in training. They get to interact with a herd whether it be 3 horses or 30.

If a group turnout situation is not available, what would you consider ideal with regards to turnout size and number of horses per turnout.

The reason I'm asking is that I'm looking at a possible change in my turnout/barn situation. I'm considering a fancier barn (custom stalls or pre manufactured stalls), an outdoor arena, and one - three large turnouts, depending on the number of horses.

This is just an idea as of now, but I'd like to see what others consider ideal. Individual turnout is not an option. It's just something I don't agree with and it's my personal preference.

[maria]

I also like group turnout, Connor has always been out usually out with 3-4 horses. I personally think that's a good size, easy enough so they all get along, but you're also able to catch your horse and get him without the herd charging you to the gate haha

[happilyeverafter]

Just curious but would you turn a boarder away if their horse had to be on individual turnout? Some horses just dont go out with others because they are kickers or biters etc. and they can be a liability?

While I'm a fan of group turn out, I do respect the need for paired or individual turnout.

I wouldnt put more than two horses on less than an acre. They tear up the ground and it just becomes mud which makes it useless for quality turnout. Theres nothing I hate more than horses standing around in mud.

Cativa's been out with 8-12 horses on 6-10 acres of land. I think this is fine as long as the herd dynamic is well established.


The general rule of thumb is one horse per acre. Most people do more horses on less land but the mud and natural grass availability should be considered.

[star]

My guys are turned out in pairs. My paddocks aren't huge so the boys need to get along because there isn't enough room for one of them to be able to "flee for their lives"! As well, 3 of the 4 are shod so a kick can be a pretty serious thing.

It took me a few weeks in the beginning to figure out who should be with who instead of being with who I THOUGHT they should be with! Now they are as happy as fat, fuzzy little clams.

Personally I think group turnout is great as long as you have lots and lots of space. I'd want at least 1/2 acre per horse so that they have room to figure out the herd dynamics.

Having said that, there are some horses that are NOT suitable for a herd situation. If they have never been in a herd situation they may not have an awareness of how to socially interact.

[Rodeo]

Gill, the one acre per horse rule is for pasture. Generally one acre will provide adequate nutrition and grazing for one horse. There's not a barn in NL with that much turnout.

Would I turn away a boarder that needs individual turnout? No. But that depends on the circumstance. I don't normally take boarders. If someone insisted on individual turnout, that generally means a high maintenance person, and to that I say no thanks. That person is more suited to a boarding barn than a private barn.

Mud can be managed by putting in appropriate footing in the necessary spots. We have had a couple of areas where mud tends to build up, but we have put in different types of stone to allow for good drainage.

Clovelly has nice sized turnouts. Plenty of space for a few horses in each turnout. Much like what I'd like to try doing myself.

Tammy I agree, some horses are just not suited for group turnout. Some horses are bossy little friggers that just need their own space lol. And some horses are more timid and are easily chased off and away from the grub.

Anyway, I was considering turning my 2 1/2 acres into three turnouts, which was the reason for my original post. Makes for easier management and supervision of hay intake (round bales), even though I'd rather a single turnout. I just hate splitting them up.

[Emma]

My horses in the summer are out on 24 hour turnout which I think is the best thing for a horse .I think a ideal amout of turnout is 1 acre per horse at my barn there are 10 horses so we have around 10 acres or more in one field , obviously not many people have that kind of land in the provence.

[Maria]

Do you plan on rotation?
Well, would you have all three turnouts in use all the time, or would you use two, then switch, and so on?

I love group turnout, its what makes horse time = Horse Time.

[katherine]

I wouldn't say that someone who insists on individual turnout is a high maintenance person. It means that they know their horse well enough to say that they don't do well with others. It's a safety issue to put certain horses together if you know they don't get along. Group turnout is definitely ideal - just not for everyone.

[Becca]

Agreed with Katherine. Honestly I respect thoughts people more as they know their horse well enough that they need their own space to prevent damage to other horses and property (broken fences and stalls, etc) you might like the corner stall, however if I had a boarder who's horse needs space I would have no problem giving it up for the sake of my barn not being destroyed. It's better then lying and saying yes my horse gets along with everyone! And ends up eating all your horses,
Blankets, and barn haha.

[Rodeo]

I think high maintenance was the wrong phrase lol. But there are many horse people that are quite particular about their horse and can take it to the extreme. In my case, having a small private barn that takes very few boarders, someone complaining all the time about precious having a scratch because the big mean horse played too rough is just not worth it. But I'm not running a business. Thus, the person might be more suited to a bigger boarding barn where they have the facilities to satisfy the boarder. That's all.

I remember one horse lady telling me she had to separate the two horses that were in one turnout because the boarders horse has a "bite mark". It was just a bit of hair missing from horse play so it was silly. But if they bite and break the skin in a serious "discussion" of course they can't turned out together. Or if they are constantly kicking at each other, etc. Especially if they don't have enough space to distance them selves from the boss. That's why I said that I agreed that some horses are not suited for group turnout.

And Becca I agree with your point (and Kathrine's) also, it is better than lying, and then ending up with torn blankets or a hurt horse. Again, in that case I agree that individual turnout is better, or turnout with another horse that is similar.

[Enixam]

Although, my horse loves to be turned out with other horses, and i strongly agree with group turnouts, BEFORE my boy went to clovelly, he has bite marks. I dont mind, one or so, because, i know sox isnt no angel. Hes not a biter, nor a big kicker, but he aint no saint. Although, i did not agree with te fact my horse had 7, yes seven, bite marks one day i went to check on him. He was in a pasture with 3 horses, and only one of them was bossy. And the barn owner used to say it was where he was scratching. Weird, cause, when he was in a turnout alone, with a hell load of trees and brush and bushes, after breaking 3 halters, cutting himself ONCE. He did not ever have these ' scratch ' marks! Ahahaha.that being said, i love group turnout, and love barns that offer it

[Rodeo]

^ You also have to make sure it's "play" biting too. I've had to separate the geldings on occasion when a mare went in heat and one or two of them got a little too excited. You know, they are geldings and they have their needs lol. They think they do anyway.

Play bites to me are a scattered bit of hair missing or slight marks. Hair ripped out in patches with raw skin is something that I'd monitor more closely and see who was doing what to who and then appropriately adjust the turnout situation.