What do you do if you don’t have access adequate turnout?
As horse owners, we want nothing but the best for our equine companions. We know that turnout is essential for our horses to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing. Unfortunately, not all horse owners have access to adequate turnout options, whether it be due to the location of their barn or the limitations of a show or clinic. So, what can you do if you don’t have access to adequate turnout for your horse?
Rather than shaming those who cannot provide extended turnout, we should focus on finding alternative ways to promote mental and physical wellbeing for our horses. Some of these ways include:
Free Lunging Your Horse: This allows your horse to move freely without the confinement of a stall. Free lunging is also a great way to promote cardiovascular health and improve your horse's agility and balance.
Hand Grazing: If you have access to a grassy area, you can hand graze your horse. This provides your horse with forage intake and the ability to move around. This is one of the best options while at a horse show, clinic, or other event.
Creating a Variety of Feeding Areas: Creating a variety of feeding areas can also help stimulate and engage your horse. You can set up multiple feeding stations around their stall or pasture, which encourages your horse to move around and explore their surroundings, similar to their natural behavior.
Hand Walking: Hand walking allows your horse to stretch their legs, get some fresh air, and mentally engage with their environment. You can also incorporate some training exercises, such as backing up, turning, or stopping, to not only provide physical exercise, but also help your horse mentally engage with their surroundings.
It's crucial to approach this topic with education and understanding, rather than judgement or shame. While adequate turnout is ideal, there are other ways to help our horses thrive, and it's important to explore those options when necessary. Growth and progress should always be celebrated, and as a community, we should work to support and encourage one another in providing the best care possible for our horses.
