Advice about turning out on concrete....

[Trewsers]

As some of you may know Joe has a damaged ligament which requires limited turnout for the foreseeable future. Madam however, needs to stretch her legs a little more:rolleyes: I can't seperate them at the mo, as she is very nervy and anxious without him, so have to keep them together and Joe has to be able to see her all the time. (It may sound extreme to some of you but when you only have two horses it can be a prob). Question is, do you think she would be safe enough to roam in our new concretebase enclosure outside her box? I am just worried she may slip or fall and injure herself - or are they not that daft? It would mean she could nibble a net outside Joe's house and they could groom over the door, plus she could roam freely and come and go as she pleased in her box to shelter. In addition to this, they are both getting about 4 hours grass turnout per day. Any thoughts on the safety aspect please? Or am I worrying for nothing? Thanks.:)

[charlie1980]

Hi cant understand what you mean, but mine all have concrete outside there stables and can roan in and out, they have been fine, good for those on rest /laminitics.

[Trewsers]

I was just worried that if she got excited and ended up cantering up and down on it she might hurt herself - she can be a bit daft at times!

[skewbald-mad]

might be a bit of an issue in winter with slipping?

[Trewsers]

Good point - I could get plenty of grit from the local builders merchants tho in preparation.

[Trewsers]

Just another thought - would they both be ok on the concrete or do you think they might hooly too much? (I know its difficult to say specifically as you all don't know my horses personally!). Gosh, its so difficult when one of them isn't 100 per cent.

[charlie1980]

ahhh now see what you mean, mine doesnt get wet as the area is covered. I would be careful if there is room for any running,

[chickyd444]

my horse spent two weeks on the yard (concrete) with just one mate for company - he was a bit stressy but soon calmed and was fine on the concrete :) i have to say it wasnt a massive area - just room to wonder and stretch and mooch :)

[xox stace xox]

i think shed be fine

at the old yard we had no access to grass turnout in winter, so we had them roaing yard on concrete and they were fine :D

[KT C]

I would think they'd be fine as long as they have plenty hay, etc - is it a very large area - is there much scope for running about? Mine is usually fine having a wander about the yard, and will generally just go an root about for any stray blades of grass which have appeared!

Be careful about putting grit down on concrete - it can eat away certain types of concrete, makes a real mess of your yard!

[Trewsers]

Thanks for all the replies! The concrete base is 23 metres long and 8 metres deep, so not too big - and I'd put plenty of hay out to keep 'em happy! There's just enough room to trot up for the vet.

[Trewsers]

Be careful about putting grit down on concrete - it can eat away certain types of concrete, makes a real mess of your yard!

Thanks for that - didn't realise! Will ask the chap who did it for us - he ought to know.

[Jakandy]

Just another thought - would they both be ok on the concrete or do you think they might hooly too much?

When I had my horses at a livery yard I used to worry myself sick about this. 2 of my geldings lived in a big barn with 20 other geldings. In the winter the farmer would not allow them out so they just had access to a concrete area. Somtimes they did get excited and race around and over the years I saw quite a few falls mainly because the poo wasn't cleared up frequently enough.

Having said that though in the 5 years we were there to my knowledge there were no serious injuries. I prefered them being on the concrete to shut in the barn all the time. I am lucky enough to have a large concrete yard where I am now and when it's really foul I do let them wander around but individually not all together.

[Trewsers]

Having said that though in the 5 years we were there to my knowledge there were no serious injuries. I prefered them being on the concrete to shut in the barn all the time. I am lucky enough to have a large concrete yard where I am now and when it's really foul I do let them wander around but individually not all together.

Yeah, you see I'd rather they could wander when the weather is really bad than being stuck indoors - Can't turn them out all day at the moment into the field in case Joe decides to hooly (he's meant to be resting his leg!). Hopefully I'll nearly always be there when they are wandering - and they shouldn't get into too much trouble being as there is just the two of them.