The point where your yard owner says you can transition to the summer paddocks is the point where my heart lifts and horse ownership becomes much more enjoyable for me. It wouldn’t be my personal choice to keep horses stabled but as I’m on a livery there are obviously restrictions to personalising horse care, so when we switch to the summer routine and they can be out 24/7 my heart feels so much happier. I know I’m still extremely lucky to have as much winter turnout on a livery as I do, and I thank my lucky stars that I have so much freedom to care for my horses as I want to.
I actually quite like the routine of stabled horses, I like mucking out and tucking them up, they’re cleaner, it’s quicker, but I much prefer them to be moving, breathing in fresh air and it’s nice to spend time with them in the field while I poo pick.
The added bonus of not feeling like I have to wake up super early or rush back from work so they have maximum turnout time is much appreciated as well as the lower costs of them being cared for if we’re away. It’s definitely the start of summer fun in my head, when the grass starts growing and the nights are light!
Beth Endurance 