Top names back turnout call
How our equines are kept is key to physical and mental health
AN Olympic gold medallist and a leading charity have backed calls for owners to challenge how they keep their horses, especially in relation to turnout.
H&H reported on the top welfare concerns as ranked by experts (news, 30 July), including whether horses are managed to suit owners or themselves.
May Robinson, a rider, coach and former yard manager, has contacted equestrian associations to raise concerns over the number of horses still stabled at all times.
“This is quite an apt time to talk about it,” she told
H&H. “When the country was on lockdown, people were complaining about having to stay in; how do horses feel if they’re in a 12x12ft box all the time?
“There’s so much talk now, rightly, about mental health; I want to raise awareness of horses’ mental wellbeing, but sometimes
I feel no one wants to listen.”
Ms Robinson acknowledged that for some people, grazing is not available all winter, but urged owners and yard managers to consider sand pens or other turnout areas as an alternative.
“Every horse, regardless of value or job, should have three to four hours out a day, minimum,” she said. “They need to be able to roll and move; horse walkers are no substitute. People might say they haven’t got turnout but why keep a horse without the right facilities? There’s no argument for keeping a horse in 24/7.”
Ms Robinson said she hoped the message would have more clout coming from leading figures in the equestrian world.
Dressage superstar Carl Hester has long advocated turnout.
“I have always ensured that my horses are turned out every day,” he told H&H. “It is so important for their mental wellbeing, helps keep many challenges with health and training at bay and makes for a better, well-rounded athlete.
“Horses need to be horses, regardless of what their job is, and it will always be an essential part of our management because we owe it to them.”
World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told
H&H challenging the status quo of how horses are kept “goes right to the heart” of equestrianism’s social licence to operate (news, 5 September 2019).
“Stabling, or over-stabling, of horses is highly relevant,” he said.
“Just because we have looked after our horses in a certain way does not make it right, not least as our understanding of the needs of horses is constantly evolving.
“A key consideration for overall welfare is horses’ mental wellbeing, which is as important as physical welfare. We should keep the three Fs – freedom, forage and friends – very close.
“Changes are being made in the sport world, with plenty of examples of racehorses and top dressage horses being allowed time in fields with equine company. But there are still far too many sport horses that only come out of their stables for exercise. This can also be said of the leisure world, where limited turnout or individual paddocks are often the norm. Of course horses are individuals and we need to better understand their mental wellbeing in any regime, as one size does not fit all, but we have to allow our horses to be horses.
“There’s plenty of room for improvement and everyone should challenge themselves on whether they are giving their horses what they need for quality of life. It is about enabling horses to thrive, not simply survive.”