So You Want To Keep a Horse On Your Property

Hafl in my parent's backyard 

It’s not cheap, owning a horse. And that’s probably putting it mildly. But it’s also true that the costs don’t always have to be quite as expensive as first thought. Take boarding, for instance. Many people assume that they’ll need to keep their horse in stables, which can be expensive, but this isn’t the case. You can have your horse on your own property, though there are plenty of rules you’ll need to follow. We take a look at some of these below. If everything sounds good by the end, then this might be your best option.

How Much Land Do You Have?
This is the biggest consideration. Horses are large animals, and need space in which they can stretch their legs and move around. While you don’t have a space the size of a football field to work with, you do need to have some usable land. A couple of acres will suffice, though obviously the more that you have, the better. Note that this will have to be “managed” land, that is, land that will be fit for horse-related uses.

Removing Any Obstacles
Part of making the land usable for horses is removing any obstacles that may cause them harm. As such, you’ll want to clear the area of anything that might be bad news while they’re out. Trees, stumps, holes in the ground, any weeds that might be harmful to animals and so on should all be removed. Once you’ve removed everything, get in touch with a company like Edrich Lumber; they’re able to recycle items such as stumps, leaves, wood chips, and so on. Once everything’s removed, your horse will be able to roam around in a safe environment.

Securing the Premises
Of course, it’s not just your land that you have to worry about. You also need to think about how you’re going to prevent your horse from crossing your property line and escaping. It’s important that you put up fencing that is appropriate for horses; they’re not like other animals! For instance, barbed wire is a big no-no. It’s acceptable for other animals, but horses move fast and run the risk of cutting themselves before they even realize what it is. The best solution is a wooden rail fence, which can be put up pretty easily and is secure.

The Infrastructure
Your horse is going to be outside all the year round, so they need shelter to protect them from the elements. It’s advisable to put up your own stable and make it comfortable for the horse. If you live in an area that gets cold conditions, then you’ll also want to consider getting them blankets, though don’t be too concerned as horses navigate cold temperatures extremely well.

Adding Another Animal
Finally, consider getting a companion animal for your horse. They don’t like to be alone! If you don’t have space or money to care for another horse, then consider getting a goat, which function as surprisingly effective friends for horses. Plus, they’re fun

Would love to see him graze at my house


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