We believe horses should have the opportunity to be turned out whatever the weather so we prepared two winter or wet weather turnout pens.
They we’re dug out and have a stone base for drainage, topped with anti weed membrane and natural wood chippings.
These turnouts are in no way as big as a grass turnout paddock, but are certainly more comfortable for the horses and ponies to be out foraging similarly to their natural lifestyle than staying in a 10×10 or 12×12 stable for the day if it’s wet or snowy. We have used private livery before where there isn’t enough acreage for the horses and so very little turnout if any was available and we didn’t have any alternative than to keep them stabled 24/7 as per the livery yard rules.
This is not only sad and boring for the horses, it’s also dangerous for handler and rider as they would get lots of pent up energy and so be extra excitable when getting them out to walk or exercise, resulting in bolting, bucking and broncing and becoming overly spooky.
We therefore knew when getting our own place wet weather turnout was a must have!
