![]() With this information in mind, the most natural food for horses is pasture. Their digestive system is best suited to processing small amounts of food continuously therefore, horses are most content when they can nibble almost constantly. Their stomachs are small, with a 2- to 5-gallon capacity, limiting the amount of feed they can take in at one time. When considering what, how, and how much to feed horses, it is important to remember that horses evolved as forage eaters, grazing for upwards of 16 to 18 hours each day and traveling considerable distances as they grazed. ![]() Nutrient deficiencies, excesses and imbalances all can have a negative effect on health and performance. Proper amounts and balances of these nutrients are important. Aside from water, horses need energy, protein, minerals and vitamins in their rations. Improper feeding can cause problems such as colic, lameness, reduced performance and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Proper feeding is critical to the overall health of the horse. This might include limited turnout to the pasture or dry lot, work in hand, riding or driving. Since exercise is important to the physical and mental well-being of the horse, horses that are kept primarily in stalls should be afforded the opportunity to exercise each day. Stall walls and doors should be strong and not have gaps that a hoof could get through. This size allows enough room for safe movement of the horse and handler in the stall and for the horse to lie down and get up comfortably. The standard size horse stall is 12-feet-by-12-feet. Construction materials should be sturdy and have safe exterior and interior surfaces, including accessory equipment such as hooks, hangers, latches, feeders and waterers. Site selection should optimize drainage, ventilation and light. Barns should be located close to turnout areas and easily accessible for trailers and maintenance equipment. Horse barns should be constructed with health and safety issues in mind. ![]() Management factors such as limited pasture, weather, injury, and the use of the horse may dictate that a horse is stabled for a significant portion of the day. Your local soil and water conservation district will have advice for preventing run-off and protecting water quality. Measures need to be in place to control erosion of stone, soil and manure into areas that will impact water quality. They are frequently constructed with a stone base and are covered with natural clay or crushed stone but may also use geotextile or filter fabric. Dry lots should be well-drained so that horses are not standing in mud. Fresh, clean water, appropriate fencing and adequate shelter must be provided (see above). Dry lots have little or no vegetation and are usually used when suitable pasture is not available or as part of a rotational grazing program in order to limit damage to wet or overgrazed pasture. Other suitable methods for housing horses include dry lots and stables. Gates should latch securely and not have openings in which the horse could get a head or limb caught. The best fencing material will not only depend on cost, but also the age and temperament of the horses to be contained. Electric tape is a good choice for fortifying existing fencing or for subdividing a pasture for grazing management. Wood or diamond mesh make excellent perimeter fencing choices for horses. Pasture fencing should be durable and safe. ![]() Check with local authorities for specific requirements and zoning regulations. It is generally recommended that sheds be set back at least 50 feet from property lines and 100 feet from neighboring houses. The shed should be structurally sound, well ventilated and have safe interior and exterior surfaces. Constructed sheds should be positioned to optimize drainage and should face away from prevailing winds. Constructed sheds must have 100 to 150 square feet per horse that will use the shelter. Shelter may be natural, such as mature tree stands, or constructed open sheds. Pasture-kept horses must have access to fresh, clean water at all times and adequate shelter during weather extremes. Higher stocking rates will necessitate elevated levels of pasture management such as mowing, fertilizing and rotating pastures, and may require supplemental feeding. Additional acres may be needed depending on soil quality, topography and other animals present. As a general rule, a stocking rate of one horse per two acres is recommended to maintain pasture quality. Pasture-based horses tend to have fewer disease and behavioral problems than horses housed in more confining circumstances. The most natural method is to keep horses on pasture. There is a wide range of suitable methods to house horses.
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