The number of horses that can be can
kept on 4 / 5 acres depends --
what type soil you have, how well
grass is already established ( true grass - not weeds),,
the terrain, wet spots, how well land
- soil will tolerate horses - ( horse traffic -
antics, of those horses - 2 to 8 foot skids/ divits) , and under what
conditions, ( how much you want to 'replace divits' ), some soils
will do much better than others. How intensively you can manage, and commit to
keep 'at it' .
As stated the county
Agriculture / extension agent - can help you.
Someone posted that she was in
WVa, VA, MD. area, and "could keep 1 horse on
3 acres" - 'A good rule of thumb'.
But, conditions vary greatly, even just
within the same counties. I have 3 horses on 5
acres. I am in VA, alot of shale soil here - for
me, and I can keep 3 horses on that / shale , - I
would not recommend !, and have to be careful, ( the other
side of the county has 'good' soil - they can "easily"! - if
managed well - keep 1 horse per 1 to 2 acres - without giving hay
late spring til early fall).
I have to work a bit harder to keep
even reasonable pasture -- weed prevention,
rotation, not allowing them on certain areas - depending on weather - too wet or
to dry, and have to give at least some hay all year, plus
'feed'. ) I generally have to seed at least some every year -
generally twice, apply weed killer - two to three times a
year, and mow areas, ( mowing more a weed control, than for any other
reason ), and should fertilize/ lime more, but.....
One thing I recommend - if
you do not have - invest in small tractor ! - not a yard type - look
for at least ?? 24 or so hp,
54 inch cut mower, I think the bigger
the better ; attachment capablilties, ie. blade, bucket, bush hog,
you can get later - if needed. I have to rely on neighbors with
tractors, -- a lawn type tractor just will not do the job
- it can - but it will wear out too fast. ( Plus, it can take
forever to do 'jobs' .) Someone ask - cut to 3 or 4 inch length. Have
to be careful, though not to let pasture get 'burned up' , one of fickle 'mother
nature' tricks - never can tell. But can bet - the time it is
mowed close - you will not get rain and will it turn
hot.
If planning to ' bring in'
horses some of the time - to a dry lot, or stalls - jmho,
my horses , and what I have understood - horses perfer to be out at night
during late spring, thru early fall, ' in ' during the day - when
heat / bugs worse. Winter -- not going to have that much grass anyway,
probably - so, out in the day -' in' at night.?? ( makes sense
to me, but -- I never confine mine, they just hang out in the
shade of the overhang of the barn , or the trees, during heat -' buggy' times
,and during night during the winter . If really cold, wet / windy -
they can be blanketred if wanted - and - they do let me know. Who
said ? horses did not mind being cold, wet? Sometimes, seems true, but
---- they will let you know / can tell when they are miseable.)
If property flat, I would not worry to
much about other farmers' run-off. The drift from sprays maybe? Need
to talk to them. Ask what they are using. May need to keep horses off of
adjacent area for week or so.?? Especially, if treating borders / fence
lines.
Someone mentioned - manure management
- luckily, mine for the most part - do not 'soil' whole pasture. They have
certain areas, they will use. - I need to spread those
sometimes, with rakes - or have had neighbors come in to get for gardens -
they just plow 'it' in early spring, or in the fall.
Have found though that horses will use one area for awhile, then move to
another, and rotate theirselves. ( Ok, I have one horse, now,
that the other two are having to train to do this, but - he is
catching on). On other property - that had more horses ( 8 to
20 on 20 acres ) - we would 'drag' - it with 'harrow',
couple times each season. You do not need to spend 'big bucks'
for a harrow - make your own - find some old chain link fence,
weight/secure a couple of old tires on it and pull with tractor or truck.
As far as manure pile from stalls / or if horses will only use one area -
advertise - free - they load and haul; bet you will get rid of, as long as easy
access. Just a thought. Stephanie M
