2007-05-04 13:06:04 · 9 answers · asked by bart h 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Depends on where you are. If vegetation is sparce then not too many. If your pastures are lush and grassy then maybe 1-2 per acre would be best. If you have a 10 stall barn on a 2 acre property you could rotate horses through the pasture.
It also depends on the Ag laws in your state and county.
Horses are tough on pastures so it doesn't take long for the pastures to get trashed. Cattle are a good species to rotate through pastures because they don't compact the soil down quite as much.
2007-05-04 14:05:16 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
It would depend on where you live. In the more arid parts of the US it will probably be 5 acres or more per horse, in the south where plenty of rain flows, two acres should do it, but even then I would split the field into 2 lots so the land could be rotated. Any more per horse any you may be having founder problems in the spring. In the winter, more is good. I would suggest asking some of the farmers in the area where you live if this question is for you.
I have 5 horses and 15 acres of pasture in VA. Unfortunately one horse is 32 and toothless so he doesn't eat much, two have cushings so shouldn't be on the grass at all, and the two that are mine, are kept up in a two acre field most of the time. I do allow them in a larger field during the winter and a few hours during the day in the summer. (All that land - and all we do is keep it clipped. Such a shame.)
2007-05-04 20:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by cajunsma 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
For 2 acre it is 5 horses
2007-05-06 19:06:16 · answer #3 · answered by chalah c 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It doesnt matter per acre it as long as they can all run around and be free! It really is a self judgement. You have 2 know when your horses feel cramped and they need more room! I don't advise 30 horses on 1 acre but just use a good eye and see how they do then add if needed!
2007-05-04 20:31:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
growing up w/an aunt that had a large horse farm, i was always told the rule of thumb is 1 horse per 2 acres. 1 acre would probably be fine, just make sure to feed the horse really well.
2007-05-04 20:10:47 · answer #5 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Less than one.
In most parts of the country you need 2 acres per horse, unless you just want them turned out in a mud lot. For any type of grazing or exercise, 2 acres is the minimum.
2007-05-04 20:11:04 · answer #6 · answered by luvrats 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
contrary to what others are saying, if you are strictly grass feeding your horse and not supplementing it with food every day, then the rule of thumb is one horse per 4 acres in drier areas, 2 in lush areas. this is if you are feeding it hay and letting it graze only and maybe only giving it feed once a week or so. however, if you feed your horses a nutritionally complete feed mix and give them hay, then you can fit 2-4 horses to an acre depending on things like size. obviously 4 draft horses would eat a lot more than 4 ponies...so, if you have an acre of nice lush grass, and are supplementing feed and hay, 3 average sized horses would be about right. if not, 1 horse to 4 acres of grazing land.
2007-05-06 22:55:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
to get insurance on a horse, i know that in my state, it is one horse per acre. it could be two minis on one acre, but you wouldnt be able to get insurance on them. one equine per acre no matter what the size. where you live it might be different so you should check your state and/or town regulations.
2007-05-04 21:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by Melanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told to reckon on 1 and a half acres for the first horse and 1 acre per additional horse.
But expect to feed over winter
2007-05-05 07:47:45 · answer #9 · answered by Debi 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋