Turnout- Single vs Herd

[gumtree]

Basically as some other have said. A ‘heard’ to me is a very large population. I hardly ever hear the term used except on the forum or out west. I prefer groups At least 2 up to around 6 in a large paddock. Our mare field will have as many as 15+.

But it all depends on the horse/s. Just like people not all like and or play well together. All of our horses are introduced before being turned out together. The majority of our stalls have wall with bar partitions tops. A new horse will be stalled between his/hers new paddock mates and I monitor how they interact. Go from there.

We have some small paddocks that share a fence line with group paddocks. The new horse will be turned out in there so they can sort things out over the fence. We monitor how they interact and go from there.

I have found mares by and large are more problematic then geldings. Colts by the time they are 3 year olds and some late 2 year olds can get very rough with each other.

Depending on the size of a given years foal crop we may or may not wean by gender until they are early yearlings.

I would not turn out colts, entire horses together. Not even a single colt with a geldings. Stallion instincts takes over.

Regardless of gender of older horses ‘pecking order’ always take a few days to sort out. Especially if fed in the paddock. It’s interesting how it changes over time. IME geldings sort it and it remains pretty much the same. Mares not so much.

IMO and experience if properly introduced and grouped according to personality/kinship and kept that way the possibility of injury is slim to none. At least not IME and we have a fairly large population with horses coming and going at times. Minor nicks and scrapes are a given at times.

As to monetary value that’s not much of a concern when done correctly. We only work with TBs a lot of which would be valued much higher than the average farm owner’s horses. Consider most of the world’s most valuable horses are raised in large groups in Kentucky I’m not the only one that feels this way.

If turned out 24-7 by and large it is important not to let them, any two get heard bound. IMO one has to take the time and effort to stall them separately from time to time. But this depends on the horse/s

The only horse we lost to a paddock injury was a yearling colt turned out by himself. Perfectly safe paddock but somehow he broke his shoulder. A mystery to this day.

This is how I feel about it. To each their own.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=HickoryHollow;8485776]
Just like the title says, what are your thoughts (or if you have studies that is cool too) regarding turnout? I’m currently working on setting up my pastures, at least on paper for now, and am very back and forth on whether I want to go single horse lots or a herd turnout.

I know there are pros and cons both ways. I’d like to do a group turnout, but my main holdup is injuries- be it a kick to the stifle, ect… If I do end up going with a herd setup, I’m really leaning towards geldings only to try and keep a little more peace.

So what do you prefer?

If you need background on my personal farm to weigh in- I’m looking to run about 9 horses total. About 2-3 personal horses with about 6-7 horses in training. If I do a herd turnout, I will definitely have a smaller lot attached for horse introduction. If I do single lots, I’m thinking there would be single lots side by side for the training horses and I would probably put my personal horses in together in a separate area. Just brainstorming right now and am definitely open to suggestions.[/QUOTE]

As a general rule single turnout is the second choice. Turnout with a companion is generally a better idea but implementation requires thought and judgement on the part of the husbandryman.

If single paddocks are to be used having another horse within eyesight is a good idea. That gives some idea of “herd” and promotes more relaxation on the part of the horse.

G.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

For a training barn I strongly prefer single turnout, but next to each other. I have boarded in all types of situations, from 30 together to groups of 3-4 to single. At the last training barn, my mare and her neighbor would groom each other over the fence, but my mare wasn’t allowed to destroy the gelding on the other side (and she wanted to and would have, she’s a real b#tch to pasturemates sometimes). Training barns aren’t necessarily long term, so you have to balance value of horse, risk of injury, with stress of isolation. If this is a longer term situation, then I would have a mix of options ready.

For my home I like small group turnout, same sex if horses, of multiple acres. Basically what fordtraktor said. I am dividing and enlarging my drylot this summer so it will be two and two, and two sheds, but then the four can go out together on 2.5 acres (keep in mind one group is a donkey and mini-donkey). I would probably only do three horses out there otherwise. If you have giant paddocks you can get away with more horses.

My favorite pasture boarding barn setup, and the only one I didn’t have an injury at some point was where they had a long, deep (24’) open on one side shed and it was split into 4 separate, large paddocks of the individual run-ins. The horses couldn’t get to the very back, there was an aisle, so the staff could walk along and enter a paddock for checking the waterer, or dumping special feed, etc. Some boarders put two of their own horses in an acre paddock and some did solo. My mare and mini-donkey shared a two acre paddock. The paddocks were separated by electric fencing, so no fence-line issues. It was a really good, simple, yet anyone could feed, setup.

[Pocket_Pony]

It depends on the other aspects of the set up. Will they be housed only in a pasture with run-in shed, or will they go out all day (or night) and have stalls to come back to? I have stall/paddocks and pasture areas for turnout. Everyone is separated for two feedings so they each get what they individually need.

Also agree that it depends on personality of everyone and how they get along.

I only wanted geldings because my one gelding can be studdy and was too interested in the mares. But I ended up with a filly, go figure. I took a decent amount of time to get them acquainted (6 months or so) before letting them go out together. They are all three out together now, but had I just thrown everyone in together it may not have ended up so well.

If I had multiple mares and geldings I’d probably do separate turnouts by sex, but since I only have three, they all go out together.

If you are doing this for resale, the I’d probably have a combination of individual paddocks and larger group turnout areas. Invariably the low one on the totem pole will have bite and scratch marks that you’d maybe rather not have for general showing the horse at its best.

[NoSuchPerson]

Mine are out 24/7. They have shelter, but I have no barn. I prefer individual turnout for a number of reasons, including that I just find it so much more convenient when it comes to managing individual feed requirements and keeping track of who is eating what.

However, I don’t do individual turnout unless there is a reason why it’s better for the horse. For example, I have one right now who is out by herself. She has vision problems and seems to be happier in her own space. She has fence neighbors, and likes to have them close, but not too close. She also doesn’t enjoy pasture rotation, so I just let her be Queen of her own permanent domain.

In general, I think the benefit from having pasture mates outweighs any benefits of individual turnout. In years past, I’ve had larger groups (up to 8) turned out together and it worked OK, but for me, 4 seems to be the magic number for the greatest degree of harmony. Of course, I’ve never had large acreage pasture, which I would think could accommodate a larger herd.

[NJRider]

I have 4 adjacent areas that are individual turnouts with a shed, drylot and attached small pasture. This is also good for horses on limited grass access. Then I have a few large pastures for multiple horse turn out. The paddocks are ideal for training horses because they are generally here short term, have a buddy next to them but are not with other horses to minimize issues. The trainer can easily catch the horses to be ridden, as it is close to the arena. This has worked well at my place.

[Highflyer]

If you have the kind of training barn where horses are generally owned by many different people and are there for short time periods I would plan for individual turnout (or build in such a way that turnouts can be split or left open for multiple small groups). While I think group turnout is the best and healthiest way to keep horses, finding and maintaining a good dynamic is tough enough without having the horses constantly changing. Probably not worth it for 30 days or for the owner who will get upset about even minor scrapes and blanket tears.

[mvspencer]

I think small group turnout is good for OTTB’s. My friend has picked up a few project horses straight from the track and turned them out with another horse right away and hasn’t had any injuries, knock on wood. They need to learn to be horses and socialize as part of their transition from racehorse to riding horse. It would be good to have a couple of small paddocks just for one horse if any problem do arise however.

I think group turnout help one of our alpha horses actually. He had never been turned out with another horse before, but he was always trying to assert dominance on whoever was around. Once we turned him out with other geldings, he became a lot easier for us to handle. He came to understand the concept of a “pecking order.” He actually became a really fair alpha. He keeps the pony who bullies everyone in check, and all the other horses can graze in peace. Its great!

[cessi0900]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8486002]
Humans are also social animals, but many still prefer their time alone or even without anyone most of the time.

Horses are not humans, but they too come in all kinds of personalities, some like certain horses, some like all horses, some like to pick on others, some like it best alone.
Have seen it all, I would not make rules and make them fit all horses, but have management that can fit all kinds of horses.

If a horse is to stay only for training for a bit, you really don’t want to have to lay off it if he gets a big bite right where the saddle goes, or a big knee or torn eyelid from horse play while fit and full of themselves.

I think it is different if someone has horses that are going to live with each other for long time and get along great, yes, then herd management is fine.

Otherwise, just be sensible and try to keep them safe, if they are project horses or just there for training.
Some of those can be turned out together and that is lovely, just lets not push our luck when we don’t have to take those chances, especially with other’s horses.[/QUOTE]

We don’t disagree, which is why I said: Still safe to have space for the one who just doesn’t get along with anyone but overall I prefer herd.

[MoonWitch]

I have 13 and board another 16. Mine are turned out in four fields; one for the mares (11) and three for the different personalities of the geldings. My fields are identified by frat, seniors & nerds. The horses in these herds get along great and if someone is not “meshing” they can get moved around.

I feel as herd animals, they do better with the socialization. I go by personality and not by age. Some of the frat boys are older and have never learned to grow up. Likewise, the nerds are age 9 to 27 and the seniors are 10 to 28.

[Hilary]

If you are going to turn them out together they need to have a lot of space- acres - so they can if they choose to be alone if they want, or to get away from the ones they don’t like. As others have said they are social animals and I think they do enjoy being able to play, groom etc with another horse. Just visiting over the fence isn’t the same. Sometimes you need a hug and a phone call isn’t going to do it.

That said for human, practical, purposes, you will need to be able to separate those who don’t get along. Geldings play more, and harder, than mares, but mares will be much nastier when they want to be alpha for the herd.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=MoonWitch;8487104]
I have 13 and board another 16. Mine are turned out in four fields; one for the mares (11) and three for the different personalities of the geldings. My fields are identified by frat, seniors & nerds. The horses in these herds get along great and if someone is not “meshing” they can get moved around.

I feel as herd animals, they do better with the socialization. I go by personality and not by age. Some of the frat boys are older and have never learned to grow up. Likewise, the nerds are age 9 to 27 and the seniors are 10 to 28.[/QUOTE]

Horses are herd animals, but also some stress way too much in a herd.
Those we should give their own space.

Across the fence is fine for socialization, also for fence induced aggression.

Managing for the horses and conditions we have is best.
No rules apply when it comes to personalities, they are what they are.
While accident can happen any place, any time, being sensible about how we manage horses helps cut down on injuries from horses interacting with each other.

I still say, have a place where the OP can accommodate all kinds, as they come thru her barn, is the most sensible.

[JoZ]

The best boarding situation I was in had two horses share each small-ish pasture. Quite a few of the boarders had two horses so that worked out well. The pastures were large enough that they kept grass but not large enough for that to be the main food source.

My two “keeper” mares have been together since they were weanlings and I’d never want to move them somewhere that kept them apart. If I brought one horse to a boarding stable, I’d be open to having him or her share turnout with an agreeable horse or two, but I wouldn’t be thrilled about a “herd” (4+, to me). I also would expect a high level of vigilance the first few days to make sure the arrangement was going to work. If it was done in a smart safe way and my horses was still injured at a later date, I’d think it was the price one pays for (a) a good set-up and (b) dealing with horses in general!

[HealingHeart]

I vote a mix of options; 2 indivual turnout, but large, 1 AC, separated with a bridle path type fencing (safety, nomflighting across fence) & 1 or 2 large group turnout fields. This leaves you options for now & future horse dramatics .

[MoonWitch]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8487156]
Horses are herd animals, but also some stress way too much in a herd.
Those we should give their own space.

Across the fence is fine for socialization, also for fence induced aggression.

Managing for the horses and conditions we have is best.
No rules apply when it comes to personalities, they are what they are.
While accident can happen any place, any time, being sensible about how we manage horses helps cut down on injuries from horses interacting with each other.

I still say, have a place where the OP can accommodate all kinds, as they come thru her barn, is the most sensible.[/QUOTE]

I should have explained better. The only “shared” fence is between the nerds and the mares. The nerds are just that and just “gawk” at the girls. The other two fields are completely separate so no aggression there.

I also won’t take any horse that is or could be aggressive. If they start to bully etc. I ask them to leave.

[MsM]

If you will have horses coming and going after a couple of months or so, I would opt for individual turnout for them. It takes time for group dynamics to settle and there will always be upset and the possibility of injury if there is too much change. I would favor individual turnout with the possibility of over-the-fence buddies that you can adjust as needed. I would also maintain a couple of larger turnouts for the more permanent horses in groups.

[cbv]

I have gone from mixed herd turnout to preferring individual turnout. It has been a long turnaround and unfortunately based on experience.

I think when you have multiple horses and turnout options, without a lot of turnover, small herd, single sex turnout can work well.

But especially in a training situation, where horses will be coming and going, I think individual turnout is optimal.

It seems the worst injuries occur over the first couple weeks of new turnout situations. Not immediately when you are watching closely. This lesson was learned the hard way at the last training barn I sent my horses. The barn folks certainly tried to do everything right. Small herd and introduced slowly. Two weeks in and we all thought the mares had worked everything out peacefully. Until they didn’t and my mare had a compound fracture (eg shattered) splint bone. The other mare also had stitches.

The other situation is on my own farm where I have a small number of horses. Specifically two of each gender. They get too herd bound. So on my own property I now pasture individually. It was trying to separate my two mares at the training barn that led to the above situation.