Instructions
The Pasture
Test the soil in the area where you are considering laying out your pasture to make sure it's capable of sustaining healthy grass. Most states have soil-testing labs that will perform the service for a fee. Take samples from 2 to 6 inches below the surface, at least five per acre, and well-spaced apart.
Eliminate any excess trees -- but not all of them. If they're healthy, your horse will make use of them for shade in the summer. Make sure you remove any red maples, American elders, chokeberry, buckeye or golden chain trees. These are all poisonous to horses. You'll also want to make sure none are within reaching distance of the fence line, once you erect it.
Choose your grass and purchase seeds. Some grasses do better in certain climates than others. For instance, if you live in Arizona, avoid Kentucky bluegrass because it doesn't do well in high temperatures or arid conditions. Avoid fescue if you have a mare and plan to breed her. It is highly toxic to horses in the last three months of pregnancy. You will want a seed that contains up to 25 percent clover or alfalfa, as both will aid your horse's digestion.
Seed your pasture. Make sure seed placement is uniform across the area and the seeds are no more than 1/4 inch deep. Do this in either early spring or late summer so the grass has adequate time to root before winter sets in, and avoid letting your horse graze on it consistently for at least the first year.
The Barn
Select the site where you will place your barn. If possible, use a location that rises 12 inches above ground level. If you don't have that, bring in soil to elevate the spot. This is crucial so that rain can run off from the barn area. You can also construct drain funnels around the barn to channel water away.
Prepare the barn floor area, especially where the stall will be located. Lay down 4 to 6 inches of porous material, such as gravel, as the base. After you have erected the barn and the stall is in place, top the porous base with something else to collect the moisture when your horse urinates, such as wood shavings.
Obtain several 5- to 10-gallon water containers. Fill them and keep them inside the barn where they are less likely to freeze in the winter months. Otherwise, if you live in a cold climate and your pipes freeze, you'll be lugging heavy water containers to your barn by hand. Horses drink as much as 30 gallons of water a day in the winter and dehydration can cause serious health risks.
Buy a horse toy, especially if you have only one horse. They are very social creatures and get bored easily. To avoid unhealthy habits such as weaving or cribbing, make sure it has something to play with in its stall. You can buy toys at any horse supply store, or use a rubber ball with a handle that it can toss around.
How to Prepare a Pasture & Barn for a Horse
A good many companies sell prefab barn structures, but if you think all you have to do to prepare for your horse's homecoming is have the panels delivered and erected, think again. Your horse will require proper grazing in the pasture, and your barn must have adequate drainage and a few emergency contingencies.