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How many horses2007-11-24 21:15:44

I just purchased 3 acres in Kansas. Can anyone give me guidelines on how many horses I can keep there comfortably? I've always heard 1 horse per acre, but someone recently told me that it should be 2 acres per horse. Thanks!

Answers:

Are your three acres pasture, or is some of that area your home, lawn, driveway, garage, etc?

I'm going to assume that the 3 acres will be able to be used in total for your horses. But there are still alot of variable that will influence how many horses you can comfortably keep on that size area.

Cherry Hill, who is America's best selling horse author states in her book "Horsekeeping" that "You may plan for 2 acres per horse with improved, well-irrigated pasture, but may need 20 acres or more per horse of dry rangeland."

There are many variables in this formula that you need to keep in mind 1)The quality of your topsoil and pasture 2)How intensely it has been grazed in the past 3)If it is cross-fenced and therefore able to be rotated and used to the fullest 3)the breed and size of your horse (A hard-to-keep Thoroughbred will require more feed than a small, chunky pony) 4)The possibility of limitations being set upon you by your district to the number of horses permitted on your property 5)The amount you are prepared to suppliment your horse's grazing with hay.

Cherry Hill also recommends you talk to your local Extension agent what the carrying capacity for pasatureland is in your exact area. That should help you with your decisions.