And I need your help to decide what to do. I have to decide whether I should keep my horse is pasture for winter or bring him down to the stall. This year there is supposed to be barely any rain, (california), but you never know. This wouldn't normally be an issue, i could normally bring him in whenever I wanted but there are more people boarding and more people who want the stall. I will list the pros and cons, and you can help me decide. ..
stall-
pros: Get out of the elements and stays dry, stays mud free, and less work to groom when I want to
ride.
cons: he hates the stall, even if I get him out to exercise, he is in the pole barn, so he can at least smell and touch other horses, but the horse on either side of his stall hate him, and he hates them , they fight each other a lot. He also gets really hyper and annoying when I ride.
pasture-
pros: he can hang out with his buddy, and play. He likes it up there, his whole demeanor change since he's up there.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
cons: not sure if his particular pasture is dangerous, but a couple horses have slipped and had to be put down before. his neighbors like to let their dogs roam and they chase and bite the horses sometimes, mines been unaffected, and I'm sure he'd give them a good kick, if he didn't slip and fall like one of the horses did and was put down. his feet get thrush easily, he was lame for two weeks because of it, even though i was there every day picking out his feet. He gets really muddy and take forever to clean. The "shelter" only covers the top of them, so wind and rain can blow in from the side.
So what do you think i should do? Thanks for the help.
and a side question: my horse is getting his teeth floated and his pasture is up on the hill so would I need to ask the BO to let me have the stall for that day?
Perhaps if you had a different stall so he isn't fighting with neighbors it would improve his disposition. I would not pasture him because of the thrush and dogs.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Honestly if it were me I would look for a new stable. This one sounds like the owners are not very responsible. Someone should call the animal control about the dog problem which may have caused the injury to the other horses. Your horse deserves better care than this place provides. Move him.
Can't you have him turned out during the day and then stalled at night? Thats by far the healiest way for a horse to be stall kept in the winter.
I say keep him in the pasture after all they are horses but if he gets hurt or something happens ask for a stall
Your horse will be happier and healthier in the pasture.
I would definitely get a stall. He would stay sound longer and you don't have to worry about him getting hurt. (I would always get a stall if my horse even had a small change of getting a fatal injury in the pasture) And if I were you I would ask to have the stall while he is getting his teeth floated.
Maybe have the best of both worlds-keep your horse in the stall most of the time, and turn him out for a little while. That way, he'll get a little time to kick up his heels and play, and if you're going to ride, you can just keep him in his stall for the day. Horses usually don't like being in stalls for too long. They need free time to stretch their legs without being ridden ...
Hmm
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I personally prefer stall in the winter (even though my horse is in a stall year round) but There is a chance of him to slip in mud. Also, he will get disguisting out there. Also, does he come to you when you try to catch him? I am sure you dont want to be walking/running around in the mud to try and catch him
BUT, if he likes pasture alot better, then I guess keep him in there. Is it possible to like reserve a stall? You could just bring him in during the night maybe? And let him be out at night?
EDIT: I agree with MP (I believe is the username) you should try and find a new stable, if possible
