Who has horses?

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I should also add that I have draft horses so I was thinking of them lol when I said 4 acres per horse. I like that many for my girls because we get alot of rain and they are big so it brings more mud. You are right for a normal sized horse 2 acres should be plenty! Sorry about that!

 

[ShrekDawg]

4 acres per horse if you are letting them graze grass in the summer. You can have more horses on less land, BUT they will stomp the ground down and grass will not grow, you will have mud and dirt and you will be spending more money on hay. So to be comfortable $ wise and the horse grazing wise.. 4 is per horse.

Thanks, that makes sense. Although surely even with 2 per it wouldn’t be a mud pit? Maybe horses are really damaging to the environment or really rough or something, idk. I’ve seen horses in tiny little dry lots that are all mud and dirt and they seem way happier when they’re out grazing. So I want them to have grass and be happy so if that means more land I’ll do it if I’m ever able to.

Depends on where you live, what kinds of grass grows there, how much rain you get, what type of soil you have, whether you have/need irrigation, whether you fertilize, aerate, rotate, etc, etc. But you are right, 4 acres is a lot - that would be very poor land.

There will be areas where the horses stand (under trees, near gates, etc), and no matter what kind of maintenance you do, there will probably be bare spots as a result.

Thanks, that makes sense. Wow that is a lot of different factors!! I never even thought of most of those!! Thanks!!

But yeah from what I was reading is in really good areas it could as little as 1, 1 1/2, or 2 acres or sometimes less and other areas it could be 2-10. So I guess the 10 would be like desert and scrubland? And it did say for grazing it is more than for just exercising which makes sense.

Also mentioned something probably similar to what you were saying about the bare spots which that horses like to tear around and race along the fences or roll or whatever and otherwise tear up the grass? And are therefore harder on pastures than other livestock. Idk if that’s true but from what I’ve seen and what goofs horses are, I believe it lol

I should also add that I have draft horses so I was thinking of them lol when I said 4 acres per horse. I like that many for my girls because we get alot of rain and they are big so it brings more mud. You are right for a normal sized horse 2 acres should be plenty! Sorry about that!

Nah it’s okay, I was gonna say that seems like a ton of land lol although that said, I think if I ever have the opportunity and a big enough property, I may try to give them as much as possible, 4 or maybe more per, because it does seem like it’d be good for them to have more land and they’d probably be happier, but then again even 2 per is probably way more than most people get. I’ve been to/seen a couple barns where they just have completely mud pit tiny pens and tons of horses crammed into them and the only grass they get is when they’re allowed to hand graze so that’s why I thought even 1 or 2 per sounded like a lot to me but maybe it’s not, idk. But big horses definitely need more room lol

 

[sassysarah]

There will be areas where the horses stand (under trees, near gates, etc), and no matter what kind of maintenance you do, there will probably be bare spots as a result.

Yep, I have bare spots at all of my gates from when the horses come up to eat, sleep, drink and from me constantly bringing them in and out.

 

[Bunnylady]

Are you familiar with the "Paddock Paradise" concept?

Most people recognize that a horse confined to a stall is bored. But believe it or not, a horse confined to acres and acres of wide open pasture gets bored, too - and fat (which is really not good for it). A lot of us (*raises hand*) have horses that will develop serious health issues if allowed access to all the grass they can eat. The idea of Paddock Paradise is that you create an environment that is stimulating for the horses, and they exercise their minds and bodies as they move themselves through it. It truly can be a case where 'less is more.'

Here's one person's take on it:
https://thenaturallyhealthyhorse.com/2014/05/01/paddock-paradise/

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I'm not disagreeing with Bunnylady, but my horses never got fat off of grass. I let them out for 8-10 hours a day. They get a hay slice in the am and a generous scoop of grain all for breakfast. They get grass all day then they come in and get a scoop of whole corn. I have never had any issues with them having an entire 16 acres to themselves. It actually is nice that 2 horses have this so they can run and roll (which they love) and can scruff up the grass and still have more. Again, my horses are draft horses, but they still have never had any issues. Some horses are more particular then others. I have a friend who has a horse and he cant eat grass. It's too much for him (per the vet) and he only gets hay and grain.. each horse is different is my point.

 

[Bunnylady]

I have a friend who has a horse and he cant eat grass. It's too much for him (per the vet)

It goes by many names (Insulin Resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, insulin dysregulation), but it's a common problem in breeds known for being "easy keepers," like Quarter Horses and ponies. Some, like this friend's horse, can't seem to handle any grass at all, and others are OK with limited amounts. Grass is the most normal horse food there is; the idea of a horse that can't eat grass seems crazy, but there we are.

 

[cassie]

It goes by many names (Insulin Resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, insulin dysregulation), but it's a common problem in breeds known for being "easy keepers," like Quarter Horses and ponies. Some, like this friend's horse, can't seem to handle any grass at all, and others are OK with limited amounts. Grass is the most normal horse food there is; the idea of a horse that can't eat grass seems crazy, but there we are.

Allergies can be downright bizarre. This doesn't have anything to do with horses, but I once had a kid goat that was deathly allergic to goat milk of all things. She died of anaphalactic (sp) shock. Go figure

 

[Folly's place]

'Grass" covers a lot of territory, and most pastures are planted in seed mixes designed for faster growth, suitable for cattle. The original native grasses and forbs are less 'lush' generally, but also grow slower and are harder to start and maintain in pastures.
We've also inadvertently selected for horses who have those metabolic issues, because we like how they look, and are easy keepers.
Individuals who would do well on poorer quality lower calorie feed (any species) will tend to get fat on unlimited feeds.
Mary

 

[Willowspirit]

Being a wet blanket here! Get back to lessons, and lease a nice calm older horse at the barn. Any of these might put you off even more than you are now! While 'bomb proof' is relative, and uncertain, none of these, cute as they are, are advertised that way. There's too young, too inexperienced or trained, and fearful. Don't even look at craigslist!!!
Remember "easy to buy, and hard to sell"!
Mary

Excellent post! We have three horses. One young and in good condition. The other two are pasture pets. I am actually looking for a dead broke trail horse right now. The thing about horses is that you need to do everything for them you would do as if you were riding even if they are dead lame pasture pets. You can't even throw them out to graze if the grass is too rich!

Then selling an older horse is difficult because you want to avoid them being auctioned to slaughter!

Don't get me wrong, we love our horses but they are a huge time and money commitment.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry I never replied! I think I did read some of these last few replies but not all and then forgot.

Anyway, thank you all! This is very helpful