How to Keep a Horse on Little Acreage

While a farm with many acres of land, perfect grazing and room for exercise might present the ideal location for horses, these animals do not require ideal conditions for a healthy life. Evaluating the type of horse and your ability to provide exercise, appropriate feed and stimulation helps determine what you need to keep a horse on your limited acreage. One consideration of keeping a horse on small acreage is the ability to provide waste disposal, because an average horse weighing 1,000 pounds produces more than 40 pounds of manure a day, according to the University of Nevada.

Things You'll Need

  • Shelter
  • Fencing
  • Hay, pellets or other food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your local ordinance office, agriculture department or farm bureau for regulations regarding building codes and zoning regulations. Make sure your property meets any size restriction, because many areas set an acreage minimum, sometimes as high as five acres, for housing a horse.

    • 2

      Provide a clean, ventilated shelter, either a three-sided shed or stall, to protect the horse from severe weather and drafts. The average-sized horse needs a shelter that measures 10 to 12 feet wide, at least eight feet high and with a four-foot-wide opening or door, according to Colorado State University Extension.

    • 3

      Put up safe fencing to contain the horse and prevent injury. Fencing options include boards, rails and other types that do not pose a risk of entanglement.

    • 4

      Contact waste disposal companies about supplying a dumpster for removing approximately 400 pounds of manure and bedding per week, or make plans on other storage and disposal options, such as personally removing waste to an approved location or composting. Clean the area daily to prevent flies, odor and sanitation issues with neighbors.

    • 5

      Find riding areas, trails, riding rings and options accessible to your land in order to exercise your horse. Provide several hours of pasture turnout, if possible. For horses kept in an area without turnout, exercise the average horse for one hour daily, advises Oklahoma State University.

    • 6
      You can replace or supplement grazing with quality hay.

      Provide additional food to supplement lack of grazing area. Feed additional hay, pellets or other food to give the horse both nutrition and activity to replace grazing.

    • 7

      Consult with your local USDA Cooperative Extension Office for recommendations for improving the quality of your grazing area, soil, grass seeding and management options. Consider dividing the land into two sections to allow one area to grow while the horse grazes on the other. Discuss sharing pastures with neighbors.