Horse glossary
Turnout
Time when a horse is outside in a paddock or pasture.
In Spanish: Salida al potrero
What it means
Turnout is the time a horse spends loose outside its stall, in a paddock or pasture, where it can walk, graze, roll, and play. Some horses live out all the time, while others go out for part of each day and come in at night or during bad weather.
Why it matters
Horses are herd animals built to keep moving. Regular turnout helps their digestion, keeps joints and hooves healthy, and gives them time to relax and socialize, which often means calmer, happier horses under saddle.
Example
Turnout helps many horses relax.
Try this
When you lead a horse out, walk through the gate, turn the horse to face the gate, close it, and only then remove the halter. Step back calmly so you are out of the way if the horse spins and trots off.
Common mistake
Letting go of a horse while it still faces the open field is a common way to get bumped or kicked. Many barns also prefer that horses go out without a halter, or with a breakaway halter, so it can't get caught on something.