Breeding Farms

Horses are herd animals, so companionship is part of the picture. Consider the horses you have now and those you may want to bring home in the future.  Two miniatures count as one.

Shelters can be as simple as a three-sided loafing shed or a covered pipe paddock that offer protection from the elements.  Do your horses spend most of their time wandering around the field, dozing in the corral, chewing on fences, or a little of everything? Obviously, your horses have their own opinions about their housing and how they prefer to be cared for day to day. 

Do your horses load up in the trailer or will they go nowhere beyond your own fence line? Some horses like adventures, and others are perfectly content staying home. Your herd might include an endurance horse you’re putting miles on or a retired bombproof gelding the grandkids can climb all over. 

Have you ever noticed that sometimes it’s the little things that make everyday horse care easier? Having a tack shed and grooming supplies close by can save a lot of trips back and forth. You’ve placed the saddle pad and saddle perfectly on your horse’s back... and the girth is still hanging on the hook where you left it after cleaning it. Next thing you know, you need a hoof pick or the fly spray. And this time, try not to forget your riding gloves.

A reachable hose bib, a sturdy tie rail, and a convenient spot for the manure cart, fork and broom can bring some Feng Shui around the barn. Preferably, the hay and feed aren’t within reach of your horse’s nose and are stored together somewhere secure and weatherproof. What else? Make sure you hire a barn cat. 🐈‍⬛ Mice happen. 🐁🐁🐁

Acreage is more than just a number. How it’s fenced and how much of the terrain is actually usable can make a big difference. And nature has a way of keeping things interesting. Mud? That’s where horses play hide-and-seek with their shoes. Wind? Feed a flake of hay and half of it relocates to another county. Dust? That’s what you admire on your truck after it’s just been washed. 

How close do you want your horses? Just outside the kitchen window, a short walk to the pasture gate, or a little farther across the property? A well-planned layout can make everyday things easier, whether you’re unloading hay, backing in the horse trailer, or catching your horse for the farrier.