Some horse owners dream of having a horse in their backyard. It can be a good dream, and it just might be right for you, as long as you know what’s in store for you and your horse. First, you need to know the answer to the question, “Is my rural setting zoned for horses?” If you live in a suburban or even rural neighborhood that prohibits raising cattle, you’ll have to stay elsewhere; do not attempt to hide your horses if it is against a local ordinance. In order to be a responsible boarder for horses, I will describe your housing options and the responsibilities you must take as a stable owner.
There are three basic types of horse shelters: pasture, paddock, and box. You can find designs in barn building books or buy these pre-made enclosures. You can even have a trusted architect or contractor design and build them for you.
Pasture: The last shelter option is the open sky. A pasture is a substantial portion of fenced land where high-quality grass for horses grows. If you have enough land, motivation, and ability to create and manage a pasture for your horse, this is the best way to go. Horses that live on pasture are less likely to suffer from colic, leg problems, respiratory disorders, stable vices (bad habits resulting from boredom) and other problems that can affect horses confined to stables. They also don’t need as much exercise from you because they get it on their own, riding through the grass. If you find that you only have time to ride once a week, your horse won’t feel cramped.
Paddock: A paddock is usually a smaller outdoor shelter that probably doesn’t have grass. In the eastern United States, a paddock is usually a large pen with board fencing. In more urban western areas, paddocks are smaller 12′ x 12′ or 12′ x 24′ enclosures made of substantial 15-gauge pipe. Wire fence is sometimes incorporated into these pipe pens. Horses that live in a paddock need daily exercise because they won’t get much exercise in such a small space. If you can’t ride every day, you should turn your horses loose in a nearby arena or take them for walks to give them a way to stretch their legs. A paddock, then, is the best thing after pastures. It will give the horse some room to move. Because paddocks are outdoors, they also provide natural ventilation and more opportunities for mental fun for your horse than that of a stable.
box: Some owners keep horses in closed enclosures called boxes. A cashier’s stand is just what it sounds like; it is a box-shaped stall. Box stalls are compartments within a barn. Keeping a horse in a stable offers some advantages. Horses in a stable can stay cleaner and tidier. Horses won’t get muddy when it rains or dusty when it’s dry. They also avoid bites and other injuries inflicted on them by other horses. The downside of keeping a horse in a stable is that living there is less healthy for the horse than living outdoors. A horse that stands in almost the same spot for hours on end is more prone to colic, leg problems, and boredom, often resulting in so-called stable vices. Also, because ventilation is not as good in a barn as it is outdoors, horses that are kept in a barn are more prone to respiratory problems. Like horses in the paddock, horses in the stables require daily exercise; They don’t have much room to move. You will need to ride your horses daily, release them in an arena, or at the very least spend half an hour each walking around the stable.
Owning horses on your property takes time, money, and some hard work, regardless of how you choose to house your horses. Although having the horses in the backyard is a great experience, don’t romanticize the idea too much. You have to take on some responsibilities along the way, including:
a good image: While horse ownership was once commonplace, finding communities that accept horses is becoming more difficult. You can do your part to maintain the stable image of the home by being kind and considerate of your neighbors.
Cleaning: You have an obligation to your horses and to your neighbors to keep your property clean and in good condition. Part of that is daily cleaning your horse’s stable with a manure fork.
continuous learning: Since you and your horses are pretty much on your own, you’ll need to learn as much as you can about horses and how to keep them happy and healthy. You can continue your education by subscribing to horse magazines and reading books about horses and horse care. See about joining a local horse club. It is a wonderful ongoing source of camaraderie, learning, and support.