Tag: horse facilities

Fences for Horses

Taken from Fences for Horses by G. T. Roberson & R. A. Mowrey

Whether it’s a backyard pen for a single horse or a large equestrian center, a well-designed and maintained fence is an asset. While many people marvel at the appearance of attractive fences around pastures and paddocks,the appearance of the fence should be a secondary concern to the informed owner. A fence should be designed to protect horses, people and property.

A good fence should …

Taken from “Fences for Horses” by G. T. Roberson & R. A. Mowrey

Fencing Materials

There are many options in fencing material available to the owner. The most common materials are wood, metal, plastic, wire and concrete. Some fencing systems combine more than one of these materials. Examine the pros and cons of all materials before making a choice.

Wood

Wood is one of the most popular materials available for horse fences. Wood can be used for posts, braces, boards …

Adequate fencing is a necessity of owning or boarding horses. Many factors must be taken into consideration when choosing or building a horse fence.

This resource covers a vast amount of information about horse fencing including:

• Purposes of a Fence
• Height of the Fence
• Selecting the Fence
• Fencing Materials
• Gates
• Construction
• Maintenance

Types of Fencing for Horses

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No matter what your management style or needs, the basics of a safe horse stall are the same. Many options that effect function and cost are available for horse stall features.

This fact sheet provides an overview of some basic stall features for a typical 1,000-pound horse. You should adjust the dimensions for significantly larger stall occupants.

Horse Stall Design

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The most suitable floor is highly dependent on management style, while personal preferences can have a strong influence. Fortunately, there are many options for suitable floors in a horse facility.

The objective of this resource is to provide information on stall and stable flooring materials, including flooring material attributes and options for overcoming some deficiencies.

Stall Floor Materials & Drainage

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We all know that the stable should smell like fresh forage and clean horses rather than manure or ammonia. Yet, failure to provide adequate ventilation is the most common mistake made in construction and management of modern horse facilities.

This resource covers common questions about ventilation, recommendations for providing effective natural ventilation and designs for improving ventilation in horse stalls.

Horse Stable Ventilation

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Ann Swinker, Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University

A good fertilization program is necessary to produce high yields of quality forage and to maintain healthy stands of grasses and legumes. The rates and types of fertilizer required vary with different forage crops, management intensity and soil type. Soil testing is a valuable tool when developing a pasture fertilization program. Sample hay fields annually and sample grazed pastures at least every other year. Contact your county Extension office for more information …

Krishona Martinson, Equine Extension Specialist, University of Minnesota

Controlling weeds is probably one of the most important decisions to think about when managing horse pastures. Weeds are generally less palatable, less nutritious, and are less dependable as a forage supply to horses than the desirable pasture species they replace. Some pasture weeds are …

Ann Swinker, Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University

Shelter

Horses should have some protection from the hot sun, wind and precipitation. This can vary from a good shelter belt, a three-sided shed in the corner of a pasture to a complete stable with box stalls.

Horses without shelter will require more feed and water to maintain their health.

Fencing

Fencing for horses can be the traditional board or rail fence to electric wire. Several newer products are now on …