Baby Quirk or Something Worse?

[SadieRidingHorses]

@Ghazzu

guess what I’m trying to say is “do not let the best be the enemy of the good.”

Not surprising that this wisdom comes from someone who has dedicated her life to animal welfare.

As Brene Brown teaches, shaming someone doesn’t work. Accountability (as some posters offered the OP) does. But saying you’re a bad horse owner, or you’re selfish, or you obviously care more about other fixtures/conveniences than turnout, just makes someone close their ears.

Also, if a poster on an online forum makes you feel UNSAFE, stop participating in that forum (this is sincere advice). At the very least, do not engage that poster. (Again, sincere advice). There are plenty of other places to discuss horses on the Internet.

[SadieRidingHorses]

And @Ghazzu, so sorry about your dog. Maybe look at some of the rescue groups that bring dogs up from the south, where the high-kill shelters are bursting with lovely animals.

[endlessclimb]

That’s how I got my dog, she was pulled up from Georgia.

[BigMama1]

In terms of the horse’s quality of life and the concerns OP was describing (which is the actual issue here), is there any real difference between 20-30 minute alone in an arena and zero turnout? To me “turnout” implies time spent at liberty outdoors. I’ve boarded at places where due to dangerous ice conditions, horses didn’t get any turnout. They did get 30 minutes free in the indoor arena, but that’s not turnout IMO. Some horses coped fine with that, others did not.

[endlessclimb]

They probably should have just been put out on the ice, they would have been happier.

[sascha]

Yup. Watched some moron go over management and turn their own horse out on ice. Broke a hip. But, hey, the horse got to go outside that day for 5 minutes … and then full stall rest, not even arena turnout after that. Worked out really well!

[sascha]

Yes there is a difference between a half hour in an arena and zero turnout, especially if they go out with a buddy for silly time.

[trubandloki]

@BigMama1

In terms of the horse’s quality of life and the concerns OP was describing (which is the actual issue here), is there any real difference between 20-30 minute alone in an arena and zero turnout? To me “turnout” implies time spent at liberty outdoors.

My horses are never 100% in stalls. When separated they are in smaller paddocks attached to stalls. When together they have no stalls and more space.
I only say this before I am pounced on for my opinion.

I have seen lots of boarding situations, and lots of horse keeping set-ups.
Those that do not match mine are not bad for not matching what I do.

I think there is a HUGE difference between no turn out and 20-30 minutes free in an indoor.
Is 20-30 minutes in an indoor optimal? No. But 20-30 minutes doing what they want in an indoor is for sure very different than zero turn out.

[Ghazzu]

@SadieRidingHorses

Maybe look at some of the rescue groups that bring dogs up from the south, where the high-kill shelters are bursting with lovely animals.

That’s where my last 2 dogs came from–I’m working with one of them again at the moment, and there may be a candidate on the horizon.

[BigMama1]

FFS why are you just trying to be obnoxious? Where did I suggest they should get turned out on dangerous ice? Some horses were fine with a whole winter of no outdoor turnout. Some weren’t. My horse wasn’t so my solution was to move to a barn that is in a different area and doesn’t get the same ice conditions. To me it’s worth the long long drive. The people whose horses were fine and happy stayed put, and presumably their horses are still fine and happy.

The whole point is the OPs horse is not fine and happy in its current situation, and turnout (or lack thereof) may well be a major factor. Don’t know why it so triggering for some folks to hear that.

[LilRanger]

When does a large living area become turn out? How big of a stall/run is getting into “enough space?”

I see horses with 12 hour turn out that consists of a 20x50 paddock. Is that turn out? Or is there some magical minimum that you have to reach? They are at liberty and outdoors with buddies next to them.

It just seems very subjective…

Edited to add that this is more of a general to the board question, not just to you, BigMama

[LilRanger]

Yes there are crazy rescues out there. I think they are secretly hoarders or control freaks, if they can’t choose how the animal lives, no one can!

[endlessclimb]

You probably shouldn’t have horses then, since you can’t figure out how to turn them out for a whole winter at a time.

[trubandloki]

@trubandloki

I think there is a HUGE difference between no turn out and 20-30 minutes free in an indoor.
Is 20-30 minutes in an indoor optimal? No. But 20-30 minutes doing what they want in an indoor is for sure very different than zero turn out.

Yes, I quoted myself. I wanted to add more to this thought and figured the post was old enough that editing would be missed.

I come to that conclusion because I have dealt with a horse on 100% stall rest versus the same horse on confined turn out for healing (the same injury, different times).

[BigMama1]

Are you confusing me with EqKelly or do you just enjoy being a dick to everyone?

[endlessclimb]

@BigMama1

Are you confusing me with EqKelly or do you just enjoy being a dick to everyone?

One: That’s a very sexist insult.

Two: I’m not confused who you are, I’m just applying her logic every where so perhaps she can see how stupid it is. I just don’t care to be particularly fluffy to you, as you’ve been a jerk about it, too. Comprende?

[BigMama1]

I think it’s just a semantic difference - to me “turnout” is outdoors. So a horse with no turnout never gets free time outdoors. That’s not the same to me as 24/7 in a stall. As you say they may get to run loose in an arena, hand walked, etc.

[BigMama1]

Got it. You do like being a dick to everyone.

[endlessclimb]

@BigMama1

Are you confusing me with EqKelly or do you just enjoy being a dick to everyone?

Again, with the sexist.

And no, not everyone. Just you. XOXOXO

[BigMama1]

Why, exactly? Because I recognize that some horses don’t do well with no turnout? And some people have to make adjustments to their horse’s living situation to keep them happy and healthy? How dare I?