| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mogwai |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 07:36:18 AM
Just wondering really. The old advice was always an acre per horse. I imagine that's probably about right depending on the ground. Just wondered if that was reality?
Ros |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| loosefur |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 7:34:15 PM
I was always told one acre per horse plus an extra acre - so 5 acres for 4 horses... but I don't agree with that anymore. I have five on 3 acres out 24/7. I would never expect them to survive without supplementing with forage and in fact I would prefer zero grass, instead lots of rocks, sand and wooded areas and all forage supplied by me in the form of hay or dry haylage i.e. something more resembling their natural habitat. Once the ground thaws I'm going to set up a version of a Paddock Paradise on my rented 3 acres. I'm limted in what I can do as the land isn't mine but at the very least I will set up a track round the perimeter. The best thing about Paddock Paradise is that you can keep more horses per acreage and the land in the middle of the fields that is freed up can be used to make hay/haylage. |
| gg |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 6:16:07 PM
I guess it was 2 acres per horse. Though like others have said depends on the horse and type of soil in your patch. I currently have 1 horse on five acres. she lives out 24/7. It's great in the winter rotating paddocks to stop poaching. In the summer our sheep help out with the excess grazing!!!! |
| vjc |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 1:40:57 PM
I honestly think a lot depends on ground management as well, having lots of grazing has its plus side but also a down side if not managed properly, ie: overweight and laminitis prone. Ihave my land divided into small and larger fields and they have winter turnout fields and summer turn out fields, there is nothing wrong with a small paddock as long as the horses have enough room to have a little skip about and are fed supplementary feed if they need it. Mogwai i am laughing at the vision of your little fatties  |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 1:03:52 PM
The 'old way' which I was taught was 2 acres for the 1st horse and 1 acre per horse after that, so 3 acres for two horses, 4 acres for 3 horses etc...
As I understood it this was used for horses living out 24/7 
Stabled horses are totally different, in Newmarket for example there are yards that have 50+ stables and only 2-3 acres of grazing.
I have 3 horses and just over an acre grazing, my paddocks are used more for a leg-stretch as mine are stabled at night and fed twice a day with hay in the paddocks in winter |
| susan p |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 12:12:43 PM
I have four on sixteen acres,but lasy year I only used the six acre paddock and they were not as fat!
I think 2 acres per horse,properly managed would be fine.Having more land just tempts you to fill it up with more horses!! |
| moatside |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 11:54:17 AM
I have always understood it to be 1 acre for the first and 1/2 acre for each after but I think it depends on the type of ground, the horse and if they are out 24/7.
I have 4 on 9 acres and always have plenty of grazing and manage to get about 5 acres hayed each year.
My girls are generally out from 06.30 am until about 4pm in winter and out full time in summer unless really hot then they come in during the day. Having said that this year they have been out at night more than normal - only just started bringing in. |
| mogwai |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 11:27:18 AM
I think mine could survive on about 1/10th acre and still be fat!!! Obviously i'd like to allow them a little more than 1/10th acre .
6 on 16 acres, wow! That sounds like heaven!
Ros |
| flosskins |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 11:24:27 AM
I have 1 horse and 2 acres and always have plenty of grass as I rotate it. its probably a bit much for her really so could get away with 2 on it. |
| alethea |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 10:34:31 AM
Hi Ros
I agree with Nat.
I think it completely depends on the type of horse and how much they eat and also the type and quality of land.
Alethea
Aristotle Arabians |
| NatH |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 10:30:06 AM
Many years ago it was suggested 1 acre per horse but I really think allot depends of the type of ground you have and the type of horses you keep.
I would suggest a minimum of 1 acre per horse but ideally 2 acres + if possible |
| vjc |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 08:58:56 AM
The british horse society reccomends one and a half acres per horse but i always think it depends on a few things. ie: if your horse is shod it can churn up the ground more than an unshod horse, is it a small horse or a big hunter type as size matters!!! is it a young horse likely to charge around more or is it an old horse that barely makes a mark on the land! and most importantly is it out 24/7 or is it part stabled!!! so many grey area`s I am lucky as i have 6 horses on sixteen acres so plenty of space. |
| Red Rum |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 08:14:41 AM
Hi I have two arabs and 4 acres is only just enough. Arabs seem to be able to consume alot of grass with no bad effects, mine eat me out of house and home and never look to fat. Mandy |
| jaj |
Posted - 06 Jan 2010 : 07:43:58 AM
I always thought it was 2 acres for the first and 1 acre for every subsequent horse but must depend on so many variables.
I'm sure with careful manangement people can and do manage on a lot less though  ! |
