Thread: Horse question

Hi,

The general rule of thumb "one horse per acre".
But to be honest it depends on the block. Eg:
How much grass?
How many trees?
How good is the grass?
How wet/dry is the block?
How big are the horses? (Shetlands or normal thoroughbreds)

Can you split up the block with horse fencing, to create individual paddocks so that you can "spell" them? (Giving the grass a chance to re-grow).

How often do you want to pick-up the horse manure? In theory you should do it daily on small blocks - you would be surprised how much a couple of horses can create...

Regards,
The Grey Ghost

Pretty much everything Grey ghost has said and asked.

it also depends if your prepared to supplement feed. Me personally I wouldn't keep 3 large horses on 3 good acres let alone a bush block unless I had a form or yarding or stabling

Umm, horses? Didn't the economic use of the horse go out the window about 1930? Supplanted by cars, trucks, motor cycles, tractors. My grrandfather reckoned the best thing he ever did on the farm was to buy a tractor about 1927. Half their land was used to graze and grow feed for the horses that worked the other half, and half his time was spent harnessing, unharnessing, feeding, shoeing, repairing harness, etc.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the for that, just early days.

i always wanted a horse as a kid, sure the kids would be keen.

cheers guys

Are you going to be living on the block?..

Yes, but think we will keep looking for a flatter block and less tress and may look at putting a a qld on it,

A flat block would be easier and cheaper to build on.. and better for the horses too..

...1 horse could quite easily feed a dozen cats or dogs for a whole year
so 1 to the acre sounds pretty good to me

Shamelessly stolen from the funny pics thread, post 642...http://i.imgur.com/VWydT.jpg:

:wasntme


JC