How to Farm With Horses

Farming with horses has both advantages and drawbacks for the environment and economic operation. Horses are an environmentally friendly alternative to large, heavy equipment that guzzles fuel. They consume renewable resources and their waste goes back into the earth. Horses are powerful and adaptable, making them a flexible option for different farming jobs. In most cases they are also more affordable that pieces of large machinery. However, horses do require a certain amount of skill to work with. The work is time consuming and can only be at the horses' pace. Horses can be problematic if they get sick, act up or become injured.

Things You'll Need

  • Driving equipment
  • Horse-drawn farming equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a team of draft horses that are well-trained and know how to drive -- pull equipment. Draft horses are the largest type of horse, built to pull heavy loads. They are known for their size and fuzzy feet. Only choose horses that work well together as a team and are in good health.

    • 2

      Select the piece of equipment that you want to start working with first. It will be difficult to master the equipment and expensive to buy several pieces at once so start with one. Work a small plot until you have mastered driving the horses and using the equipment.

    • 3

      Set aside two acres of livestock pasture for every horse in your care. More is better but two acres per horse will allow the animal to graze during the warmer months without ruining the pasture or running out of feed. Feed high quality of hay in the winter months and supplement the horses with grains year-round to help round out their nutrient intake and keep their energy levels up. Provide plenty of fresh water.

    • 4

      Allow the animals to live outdoors as much as possible. Walking and grazing will help speed up their recovery from hard work by letting them use and stretch their muscles. Bring them into a stall when the weather is to hard on them, such as in blizzards.

    • 5

      Groom the horse thoroughly before and after each work sessions. This increases circulation, can massage muscles and helps you notice if an area is tender or needs attention.

    • 6

      Add a new type of equipment when you are comfortable with the old. Horses are capable of assisting in all aspects of farming. Various types of equipment are available for haying, cultivating and plowing. Continue purchasing horse-drawn equipment until you can do all of the work with your horses.