Turnout Opinions
What would you guys choose in my situation?
For the past two days, our barn has been cutting hay from our top field. The residents of the top field were moved down to Gali's field, and the residents of Gali's field were moved down to our lower field. Gali is mega-alpha man, so he and his buddy Manny (2nd in charge type) were not turned out in the lower field because he does not get along with any of the lower field's horses.
Instead, Gali was turned out with Manny and two other horses - Tee and Jack. A couple of kicks towards Tee and some running around, and the field settled down. My trainer suggested that I move Gali's turn out to the back paddock permanently. He has arthritis and he plays REALLY hard in his original field, so the smaller, calmer lifestyle might keep him sound.
Now, I have to weigh the pros and cons of the switch.
Pros:
Smaller field, less play = less of a chance he'd make himself sore
It's a mostly dirt field, so he wouldn't have the extra sugar-charge he gets from the grass, and would also reduce his risk of foundering (he has ringbone).
Cons:
It's smaller - he's going to burn less energy
It's mostly dirt - he already inhales half a bale, his hay intake is going to increase like mad
It gets muddy VERY easily, and he's prone to thrush because he is barefoot.
Current field:
Back paddock:
It's not too much bigger than you see in the picture.
For the past two days, our barn has been cutting hay from our top field. The residents of the top field were moved down to Gali's field, and the residents of Gali's field were moved down to our lower field. Gali is mega-alpha man, so he and his buddy Manny (2nd in charge type) were not turned out in the lower field because he does not get along with any of the lower field's horses.
Instead, Gali was turned out with Manny and two other horses - Tee and Jack. A couple of kicks towards Tee and some running around, and the field settled down. My trainer suggested that I move Gali's turn out to the back paddock permanently. He has arthritis and he plays REALLY hard in his original field, so the smaller, calmer lifestyle might keep him sound.
Now, I have to weigh the pros and cons of the switch.
Pros:
Smaller field, less play = less of a chance he'd make himself sore
It's a mostly dirt field, so he wouldn't have the extra sugar-charge he gets from the grass, and would also reduce his risk of foundering (he has ringbone).
Cons:
It's smaller - he's going to burn less energy
It's mostly dirt - he already inhales half a bale, his hay intake is going to increase like mad
It gets muddy VERY easily, and he's prone to thrush because he is barefoot.
Current field:
Back paddock:
It's not too much bigger than you see in the picture.