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Horse farming is an exciting activity that you should consider taking up. If you are interested in horse farming, you should probably look for horse farms for sale before purchasing your next home. However, this shouldn’t be a challenge for those who have already bought their properties. Provided your farm has plenty of open spaces and varied terrain, you can make it horse-friendly through several upgrades.
While they aren’t your typical home improvement projects, horse-friendly upgrades also increase property value. Below are a few changes you should make to your farm.
1. Construct a Stable
A stable or run-in shed should be your first installation. Like humans, horses also need a place they can shelter from inclement weather, mostly strong winds and rain. They also need a comfortable space where they can feel safe and comfortable when resting. While there are endless designs, run-in sheds and stables are preferred by most horse owners.
Run-in sheds are typically three-sided buildings with free access. Horses can choose their place of comfort and remain unrestricted. Run-in sheds also require minimal equestrian maintenance and have low fire risks. Constructing these sheds is also easy, and you can purchase pre-assembled kits locally.
If you prefer designing the shed from scratch, ensure that you leave a large opening for easy access. You should also use sturdy materials and leave plenty of ventilation.
2. Create a Water Supply Area
Food-deprived equine can survive for more than three weeks, while water-deprived horses only last for six days. Water is crucial for all metabolic and physiological processes, such as digestion, muscle contraction, and joint lubrication. Horses need proper hydration for overall health and to avoid fatal conditions, such as colic.
You should install a reliable water supply before bringing your horse home. Horses consume between five and 10 gallons of water daily. This can increase to 24 gallons depending on the type of feed, training, size, and temperatures. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot to collect enough water for your equine friends. Proper roofing and landscaping allow you to collect enough water from seasonal rains.
3. Prepare Raw Land to Suit Horses
The natural state of your land or property is called raw land. Such farms are unimproved and free from utilities, structures, and sewers. You should prepare the raw land to suit equine occupation. Most trees, brushes, and boulders in raw property should be removed to make the land suitable for horse breeding.
According to equine regulations, you should only keep one horse on a half-acre piece of land. You should choose raw land that can accommodate your herd. Depending on the available grazing and horse-land size ratio, you should subdivide the land to provide sufficient forage.
Proper fencing is part of preparing your land. Horses are strong and fast. You should build a quality fence to keep them contained safely. Generally, fencing that can contain your horses should be approximately five feet or six feet tall.
Endnote
While having horses on your property has impeccable perks, you shouldn’t do it blindly. You should provide quality shelter, sufficient water, and fencing for the comfort and well-being of your horse. Upgrade your raw farm and include supplements in their diet for healthy growth.
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