You love horses and you’re probably planning to get one soon.
However, one of the things that you need to consider before taking care of one is how much space your horse will need. Since you can’t keep them indoors, you need to set up their own space outdoors.
No worries, we’ve got you covered here. You’ll find out exactly how much space your horse will need in this particular article. So, better keep reading.
How much space does a horse need?
A single horse needs about 400 square feet to 40 acres of land, depending on certain factors. Your feeding plan is the biggest factor as well as your geographical location.
Factors that affect the living space your horse needs
Feeding plan
Do you plan to get enough fresh hay for your horse every day?
If that’s your plan, your horse will need a space of 400 square feet. That’s enough for him to eat and carry out daily exercises.
You should also make arrangements to get his manure picked up on a daily basis. Leaving manure around him could breed infections.
Furthermore, your horse also needs constant access to fresh water always. Of course, feeding is incomplete without water.
On the other hand, if you want your horse to go in search of forage by himself, you’ll need at least an acre of land.
But, take note though that an acre of land is just for a single horse. So, if you decide to find him a companion, the size of the space should also double.
Geographical location
If you live in a temperate area, your horse may need up to five acres of land for forage especially during the winter season.
This is based on the assumption that the pasture offers a healthy combination of natural grasses and good trees. If the quality of the pasture is low, your horse may need more than five acres of land.
Raising a horse in an arid region, though, is a herculean task. Only very few individuals have the wherewithal to do so.
But, during winter, a horse will need up to forty acres of land to meet his forage needs.
Are you shocked?
According to experts, a single horse can chew through more than 27 acres of pasture in a single year. The figure is definitely higher for a horse that goes for competitions regularly.
However, if you decide to restrict your horse to a certain area, the pasture could get overgrazed within a little time. Then you’ll have no choice but to transfer to a more vegetative area.
Factors that determine horses’ rate of food consumption
Since we have talked about the major factors that will determine how much space a horse will need, it is also necessary to discuss the factors that can affect how much a horse eats.
Horse breed or species
Naturally, high strung or hot-blooded horses need more food than cold-blooded horses. Also, the high-strung ones are pickier than their cold-blooded fellows.
This is why cold-blooded horses are often called easy-keepers. That means it may be a better idea to go for an easy-keeper horse.
Remember, apart from feeding, you’ll also provide healthcare for your horse. So, you better choose what breed you’d like to take care of.
Workload
The level of activity of your horse will also determine how much food he consumes.
On that note, a horse that works cattle or one that goes for racing competitions or polo will need more food than the horse that is used as a companion.
Age
As your horse transitions from a foal to an adult horse, his rate of feeding will continue to increase until he reaches a certain age.
For most horses, the amount of food they eat will begin to reduce between 20 and 30 years. By then, their agility would have reduced too.
At that point, the digestive system of your horse will not be able to process as much food as it used to handle. If you notice that your horse’s appetite’s waning, his age could be a factor.
So, better have him checked if you want certain diseases ruled out from the equation. Though it’s quite over-the-top, it is always better to be sure than to regret not having your horse checked later on.
Barn Maintenance Tips to Remember
Keep bugs and other insects out
Flies and bugs disturb horses more than other kinds of insects. It is important that you prevent them from invading your horse’s stable.
With that said, there are many bug repellent sprays available, but many of them are noxious chemicals. If your horse absorbs them, they could damage its skin in the long run.
It is preferable to use a natural fly spray instead.
If your horse’s barn or stable is made of wood, you might also want to prevent termite infestation. We advise you to carry out a termite check every six months.
Eliminate safety hazards from the stall
Look out for items that could harm your horse in his stall, and eliminate them.
For instance, screws or nails that are popping out could harm your horse. So, you may have to drive them back inside. Remove wood splinters too if you ever find them.
Also, the floor of the stall has to be level and slip-proof. You need to inspect the stall regularly for these hazards and remove them.
Keep the stall clean and dry always
The barn or stall of your horse has to be clean and dry always. This should be a daily affair, not just a when-I-feel-like-it thing.
Dirty or wet stalls can quickly breed bacteria, followed by diseases. So, it is better to prevent ailments by keeping the stall clean and dry.
Part of the cleaning process is the daily removal of horse manure because it breeds bacteria and parasites too.
Keep rodents off
You need to rodent-proof your horse’s stall by blocking all the outlets through which they can enter. Also, while cleaning the stall every day, you should check for any signs of bugs in the area.
Thus, regular inspection is never overrated in ensuring that no rodents have shared their living space with your beloved equine pals.
Conclusion
As explained above, a single horse needs at least 400 square feet if you’ll provide fresh hay for him every day, and if not, he needs at least an acre of land for grazing.
The figure could get to about five acres if you live in a temperate region. For residents of arid regions, their horses may need up to forty acres of pasture.
You’ll also need to factor in a horse’s age, breed, and workload to figure out how much space your equine pal will need to live a happy and healthy life.
Read about how to tell if a horse likes you next.