of stables there where the horses have no turnout whatsoever, > they live in their stalls 24/7 and only get out when their owners come to go > riding. But to look at them one would never assume they didn't get turnout > based on the length of their hair. > > My nieces, like so many young girls, are horse crazy, and will spend hours > and hours grooming their horses. The horses love it and they love it. And
No, grooming and keeping a horse looking beautiful is certainly not abusive. Horses love the attention and the interaction with people and grooming feels good to them. But if you have to keep a horse in the stable 24/7 other than when it is being ridden because you feel you need to protect the mane and tail - well, sorry, but I feel that this is actually abusive even though probably well-meaning. What crime did these horses commit to deserve solitary confinement all their lives??? I am just going to state categorically that, unless there are very very darn good reasons such as SE or some other problem, horses belong outside. And they deserve as much room to run around in and be in a natural environment and in the company of other horses as their owners can afford to give them. Most of the time, my horses have a choice as to staying outside in inclement weather or go inside the barn. They invariably stay outside. The only time they seek to go inside is when the flies and no-see-ums are really bad. Anneliese
