Comments on: Stabling

By: Gwen

Gwen — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 09:55:07 +0000

In reply to Binbons. I agree with what Binbons said and my horse is the same but in the field if he wants he can be stabled it is in my horses hands and he very rarely goes into the stable.

By: Karin

Karin — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:02:27 +0000

I leave my horse at a barn with natural methods. My horse wears shoes only on the front. He needs that, the farrier keeps his feet trim and tidy, and my horse loves the attention. His gait is smoother when he has even feet.

By: gina

gina — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:21:19 +0000

In reply to Brenda. your a very good horse keeper, trust me they thank you!

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 02:53:30 +0000

Love all the input. I have 2 rescue mares, 1 21yrs,smaller one 12 yrs. The 12 yr old was rescued from owners that left her unattended in a stall for days & days..she was totally underweight when I found her & cribbed constantly. They are both in 4 acre pasture w/open pole barn,stalls very primitive just a few board dividers & gates. Use the stalls only when the farrier is there or when feeding. Our “cribber” amazingly does not crib at all now, never had to use a horrible “collar” etc. She has adjusted just fine to coming & going as she pleases, & they are both right there waiting at feedtime…lol and a joy to be around.Let your “babes” run free…

By: Bibi

Bibi — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 13:35:25 +0000

I have since many years trying to get people to get a more natural approach to horses, how we keep the and how we ride them.
I have read quite a few of the questions asked in this forum. Obviously lots of them come from inexperienced horse owners.
I keep horses since over 30 years and ride since early 1960’s so I have seen a lot of progress and change over the years.
Keep it as natural as you can, but never forget the comfort and intended use of your horse. 🙂
Stabling – run-in shed/heavy duty tent or similar is what I suggest. Indoor pens or spacious multiple horses stalls with access to a big paddock or field is also good.
Feeding – 95 % of horses just hack out a few times a week, here good grazing/hay is sufficient. Check for a good Vitamin/mineral supplement when needed like shedding season. According to work load/hard keeper/ old age etc extra feed such as sugar beet pulpe, alfalfa or even grain can be needed. If uncertain please ask for advice from an experienced owner you trust in your area.
Rugging – nothing wrong with that, when needed! My horses where only rugged as needed. This means for most of them – hardly ever. Cooling fleeces are almost a must,but they come off after a short while.
A highly bred horse in field without shelter and continuous cold rain and cold winds would probably run to you when he sees the rug, a nordic type horse/cob will just ignore the weather.

Shoeing, if your horse can do his job without steel shoes, but wearing boots, leave them OFF. A young horse please don’t start shoeing, use boots.
If your horse has been wearing steel shoes you must consider a transition time to bare hooves of one year as normal. During which time your horse might be a bit sore.
Horses with heavy workloads normally need steel shoes to protect their hooves.

Ground work training – well it is a very good way to start a horse, or for an experienced person to correct inappropriate training. If you don’t have the feeling for it and/or ability to read the horse’s signs, GET HELP. you might ruin so much in only one trial session. (It happened to me, a girl riding/doing groundwork/ lunging my OOTB horse having followed NHS clinics managed to get completely upset and un-rideable in 15 minutes. I had two days of work to get his mind back to normal)
Riding- is what we normally do as “work”…I usually call taking the horse for a walk, what else is 1 h hack with a few minutes of trot and canter to a horse?

Sport horses working can be kept in a group and being in full training, this has been shown by german elite dressage rider & trainer Klaus Balkenhol.
Breeding Stallions as well,outside of breeding season, shown by Swiss National Stud. Haras National Avanches, film on YouTube.
Bit versus bitless – it is the hands that make a difference. A Hackamore is bitless but a “severe” bridle…Australian as well so this is sort of dead end discussion.
Saddle versus bareback – if no saddle the whole weight is on the small surfaces under the rider’s pelvis, OK for a short hack. Sport and race horse cannot perform their task without a WELL fitting saddle.

Any comments, please do.

By: Eventing Paint Horse

Eventing Paint Horse — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 18:04:07 +0000

This has taught me soo much Thank You!!

By: Lydia

Lydia — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 22:38:48 +0000

never stable any of mine they live out all year round n love it if they have to go into a stable they freak out

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 02:13:59 +0000

Hi All I am loving this site thank you for everyones comments as I find most of them so so helpful. My hubby and I purchased a small 7 acre plot with a little old home and a wonderful steel 4 stable block and lots of paddocks with post and rail fencing and a lovely big round yard. We are not horse riders and we have never owned horses until about 15 months ago when we rescued our first two beautiful girls. A gorgeous Welsh / shetland pony 7yrs called Tinkabell – Tinks for short and her awesome little 6 week foal who we called Milly the Filly aka Mill Mill (who is now 15mths old). Wow what a learning curve apparently we started with the hardest little ponies to have. Thats ok because it can only get easier then right 🙂 We have learnt so so much with the help of our Vets / Farrier / Google and other horsie friends. We have now just rescued another Beautiful Palomino 15 Hand Mare she was abandon for over 8 months when she came to us she was extremely emaciated and very unwell – with the loving care of our vet Keith we have helped her get back on her feet so to speak and she now has a forever home with us and is here to enjoy her retirement as she is about 30 years old. We named her Gracie May Hope as she is Amazing – Amazing Grace how she managed to hold on till someone could save her as she was in such a poor state. After a couple of weeks of 4 hourly warm feeds as she has very little teeth she is looking terrific and feeling much better we are now in our 6th week and out to 2 feeds daily unless it is rainy or very cold and I will slip in a warm lunch. We are so honored to have them come join us and they have free rain of 5 acres so they can weave in and out through the paddocks they so desire and also we free rain them in regards to the stables so they can graze when desired. Although the Shetland /Welsh we do have to provide restricted grazing throughout the summer months so they have a small yard with a huge open stable filled with shavings and rice hulls (2 to 3 feet thick) – (thicker for our older mare as she needs it soft as she was so emaciated) and also a massive sand pit as the mum had foundered so this help her. They seem really happy and our little Milly is growing up gracefully and is truly amazing. We have always provided her and all our horsed with stimulation such as toys / Mirrors (all girls need a mirror) 🙂 lol and lots of things they would investigate if in the wild. We get massive cardboard boxes in for our filly which she loves to play in and this has also been a great help in teaching her to float which she does without any hic ups she is truly an amazing little girl and loves to be involved in everything we do. She loves all our machinery cars bikes and the ride on is like her best friend. She loves to play chase in the paddock with our teenage son (it’s a game only him and her share) when she sees him she encourages him to play as she always wins of course a she wears him out. We are so incredibly grateful to be able to have the space and the time to assist by providing a forever home to this majestic animals that have come into our care and they have taught us so so much and brought so much to our lives. I also am extremely thankful to all that put up there little messages on these type of sight as it is wonderful to pick up little ideas along the way that assist us in providing a better quality of Life for the wonderful horses that come in to care at Milly’s Manor (our home). So Thank you so much everyone as you little notes have been truly helpful. Enjoy your horses as we do as we are all so blessed to have them. Thank you again Kindly Regards Danielle x o

By: dave hendricks

dave hendricks — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 05:51:56 +0000

I know I,m gonna sound like the bad guy here but my racer is in training most of the year so she is stabled and since she is I simply do what I have to do and work her 2hrs in the morning and 3 hrs in the evening(rain,snow or sunshine) every other day,and I am happy to say shes in peak condition and health. and once again thnx to everyone for postin such great tips and advice Dave

By: Marsha

Marsha — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 17:08:11 +0000

For those that have the opportunity to let their horses graze are very fortunate. However, I have to board my horse. The owner of the stables is very knowledgeable and really cares about the horses that board there. As a matter of fact, when I wasn’t seeing my horse on a regular basis she would get upset with me or any of the other owners. She also puts the horses out two to three days a week all day. I just recently bought my second horse and she is getting plenty of exercise by my riding instructor. Unfortunately, she hurt her leg and was not able to ride her for almost two months. I am glad to say that I got on her for the first time last week.