Herd Turnout

[Sun3535]

Hi, we have two horses and have been on our current livery yard with both horses together in our field.
My 16 yr old daughter has asked to move to a yard which has much better hacking and a farm ride. It’s cheaper too, I pay 175 a month per horse and this is 148 so that’s a def bonus.
My only issue is, it’s herd turnout, the mares and geldings are seperate and there’s around 10/12 in each huge field. Out 24/7 in the summer and in at night in the winter.
I think this would be great for our girls as much more space and more natural environment, I’m just worried about injury and getting them in in the winter. I am a bit of a wimp and I get nervous when there crowding by the gate, doesn’t bother my daughter’s at all 🤣.
Juat wondered how people found herd turnout or if they prefer smaller paddocks x

Horses are herd animals so should be out in herds. If there is sufficient space + grass then there shouldn't be an issue. Issues only usually occur when they are in herds in small fields with not enough grass.
Too many yards have individual turnout in small paddocks, it's downright cruel!
Are all the horses on DIY? So bring in times in winter will vary?

We’ve had both and it’s never been an issue , do you have 2 of the same or are they going to end up separated as that might affect if I moved ?

I love herd turnout in big fields with trees & hedges rather than electric fenced paddocks.
Generally it's fine and I've always found mares get less injuries than geldings as they sort out the hierarchy and stick to it then get on with eating or snoozing. Whereas the boys mess about & play stupid games & pull each others fly masks off 😖.

I did have a very dominant mare who wouldn't let any of the others past her at the gate in winter so I had to be up the yard early or pay for bring in which was a pain.

Hi, yes diy so bring in times will vary. My two are not dominant at all so I’m worried about getting them from the back. When I did it years ago they all seemed to have to come in in order of dominance, otherwise you struggled to get passed the gate.

Yes both mates will be together

Yes I do like the idea of them being out in big fields with trees and hedges. Hopefully your right about the mares 🫣

In that case I’d probably give it a go .

Mares but yes mates 🤣. Thankyou!.

Our gelding is extremely happy in a small herd. They get to play, burn off some fizz and have their friends. Agree with pp that you need plenty of space and plenty of food available, we have either glass or ad lib haylage.

Horses are herd animals - why would you want to restrict them from living as naturally as possible?

Always herd turnout rather than small individual paddocks - unless there’s a temporary medical reason. My daughter’s mare is currently in a smallish paddock because she’s recovering from injury but her paddock is still bigger than standard individual paddocks at some livery yards. As soon as she’s well enough she’ll be back out in the herd. We have mares and geldings together, ranging from 3 years old to 16, and they all get on well. It’s lovely to see them grooming each other, sleeping close to each other, having a little play and just generally mooching around together. They’re constantly on the move when they’re awake. The fields are big with hedges, walls and trees so there’s plenty of natural shelter and ours are all out 24/7 unless the weather is absolutely horrendous - even then they like to come in for a few hours to dry off and stuff their faces with hay and then they want to be out again.

Herd turnout has many advantages as people have described. If you and your horse aren't confident it can be harder to bring in if there is a pushy horse in the gateway. If it is a big enough herd there shouldn't be an issue with your horse being left out on its own. I would be asking how bring in works in winter - is there a time to do it? If DIY it might be a bit adhoc and those left out later could get harder to manage. Just a thought. Also feeding in field etc not an option in comparison to individual. Is there any poo picking? How does that work? Some owners are more responsible than others and in a communal session there are those that do less. Is there enough well rotated land to accommodate that much grazing? It can be great but that is what I would be checking X

Just remembering a horse I looked after who was massive in a field like that, a little shetland who refused to be caught would follow us round and then try to duck out the gate when I opened it bucking. I do like herd turnout but if there is an annoying horse or pony in there it becomes everyone's problem. There is a bit more scope for kicking/ biting etc as that is part of how horses get on. Are your 2 turned out together at the moment? Of all the options I generally prefer around 4 turned out together with horses and people I know. The farm ride and hacking sounds amazing though. I would choose a yard for better hacking. A lot depends on your horses, are they confident? Lot easier to bring in a boss mare than the lower pecking order ones. Is the gateway robust? Stoned with a proper gate would be the ideal but rare don't want to be bogged down in a muddy gateway trying to get one in. Those are my things that should be considered beside the advantages of herd turnout. You can't find a perfect yard as they don't exist so depends on what you are comfortable with. Can your daughter do winter bring in or is it down to you? Such an interesting question obviously it has been on my mind for 2 responses....

Thankyou, lots to think about. There’s plenty of land and the horses run with sheep. There is hard standing around the gate and a path that goes into the field so at least it won’t get muddy
. There’s no feeding at all in the fields, which im more than happy with and no turnout/ bring in times, they just have to be in at night oct to march.
My only worry is that I’ve no idea what the horses are like. The yard owner reassured me that any that are aggressive have to leave. Ours a both pretty submissive so I might struggle in winter but I think I’m just going to have give it a go xx

It does sound like a very good set up @Sun3535. On bring in at night at least you would have 2 so if everyone brought in earlier you wouldn't have one on their own. Bring in times sound restrictive and they can be really annoying but saves one being out on their own or what to do if you realise you will leave one on its own by bringing in. Might be worth asking the other liveries how they manage that. Hope it all works out, it does sound nice.

Herd turnout is great, and your two will have an advantage because they know each other already. Is there the ability to put them in a yard for a day or two at first, so they can meet the others over a fenceline?

I was given a good tip to put them in a rug or summer sheet for the first weeks, to reduce the effect of any nipping.