Turnaround on turnout

FOR performance horses, finding the balance between “doing a job” and “being a horse” can be difficult, with their job often taking priority. In winter, practicality or yard rules often dictate whether it is possible to turn out our competition horses.

However, even with sufficient turnout options, many professionals in the northern hemisphere have long favoured keeping their horses stabled in winter, believing the potential dangers of the paddock outweigh the benefits. A combination of this risk and the desire to keep competition horses immaculately presented has created a norm of performance horses often not being turned out at all in winter and insufficiently in summer.

But times appear to be changing, with top riders beginning to recognise the benefits of regular turnout. Living out or