[Lindsayanne]

I used to think horses were always happier and healthier on 24 hour turnout, then I moved out to this farm, and everyone has access to a big walk-in stall that I can see from my office window. I'm really just amazed at how much the horses use their stall(s). Unless the weather is perfect, they keep themselves in about 6-8 hours a day, and when the weather is super cold or hot, they'll spend the entire night or day inside, and if it's rainy/snowy will actually stay in probably 23 hours of the day if they have hay.

Even the real rangy horses I have had come in all convert to barn-lovin' horses within a few months!

So when I took Regal to be boarded at a farm with better riding facilities last week, for the first time I picked stall board (out all night, in all day) instead of pasture board and Regal seems really, really happy.


So what are your thoughts? Is it just mine? Are most horses happier on 24/7 turnout?

[Silverwings]

Belle definately ADORES being outside, she hates winter. She's rarely in the shelters (from what I've seen) and just loves the fresh air.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

I think it has to do with having the CHOICE of being in or out and them knowing there's a way out and they're not trapped.

My horses during summer spend a good deal of time in their stalls and when it starts cooling down they come out and hang around outside the rest of the night into the morning.

[BlingRacer]

Mine like being outside until it gets cold or rainy and then they are all huddled up under the overhang of the barn waiting for me to bring them in.

Currently my barrel horses are out 24/7 except at meal times and my show prospect is in out half the day (inside under lights at night.)

[ROO]

I would personally want my horse out as much as possible. He is out 24 hours per day and I would always choose that over anything else if given the choice.

When it comes to stalls with runs I think any horse would choose to be in the stall all day if there was hay in there all day.

[horseyfrk145]

well, my boy loves both he likes the stall, bcuz the pastures dont have much shade and he likes his comfy shavings...but he likes being outside and running.
plus he has a jolly ball that he ADORES (he's 3 - still has the attn. span of a 1st grader!) so he likes his current arangement

[Lindsayanne]

Originally Posted by ROO

When it comes to stalls with runs I think any horse would choose to be in the stall all day if there was hay in there all day.

I definitely agree in that situation! But to clarify, it's not a stall & food vs dirt pen at my place, My stalls have no hay (unless it's under 10-15 degrees, snowing, or late, late winter when the pasture is down to nothing) that opens out to 15 acres of grazing and nice shady trees.

[jeda_horse]

Well my horses are out 24/7. I know they love that life, but I do wish I had stalls for them. I'd keep them in overnight and when it is storming out.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Mine have access to their stalls 24/7 and are only kept inside for inclement weather.

Azar chooses to stay inside all night AND if he even so much as feels a sprinkle.

Tiffany on the other hand frolicks in the rain and relishes romping in the foulest weather. She also sleeps outside most of the time.

There is grass and hay so the food doesn't sway them either way...

[AppalosaCowGirl]

my horses are turnned out 24-7 but they have acess to their stalls. they stand in there like almost all day.. (funny my two crunch into one stall,) so I normally only leave one open and once they have destoryed hat one by peeing in it all week (dirt floors) I swich...
or like right now they have to stand in my barn becasue both stalls are closed..