Fact Sheet: 94-09
Suburban Horse Keeping
A. Cirelli, Jr. State Horse Specialist
B. Cloud Southern Area Associate
Introduction
Urbanization and reduced availability of land has caused the horse owner to re-think and evaluate their
horse keeping methods and programs. In the past, many horse owners lived in areas considered rural,
others resided in open areas on the outskirts of a city or town. Presently, these individuals are
confronted with the rapid encroachment of urbanization. Frequently they find themselves living in close
proximity to a large subdivisions or in the midst of a developing Industrial Park. These changes have
contributed too a loss of riding trails and arenas as well as other equestrian facilities.
Currently, about 80% of the horse population is maintained for sport, recreation or pleasure activity.
Consequently, large numbers of horse owners find it necessary to adapt to keeping horses under urban
or suburban conditions of limited land. Horse ownership is a continuous challenge in populated areas
that were once rural.
Facilities
Changes in building codes, zoning regulations, and land use policy place constraints on horse
ownership that are often difficult to reverse. Therefore, it is important that horse owners understand
planned development. They need to involve themselves in land use planning with key governmental
agencies to insure the horse's continued presence in urban and suburban areas. Active participation by
the horse owner is the only way to insure continued horse keeping in future developments.
For those planning to purchase property for the purpose of having horses, it is important to review
codes and restrictions. Horses fall into a gray area between personal pets and livestock. Depending
upon property location, certain limitations on keeping horses, development, and use of property may
exist.
Several types of codes and regulations should be carefully considered:
Building codes:
Establish construction standards.
Zoning:
Prohibits or establishes the use of property for specific
uses.
Sanitation:
Is concerned with public health, related
pollution concerns, and pest control.
Deed restrictions:
Limit property to specific uses(s).
land. Either a large or small parcel of land will work. Management in confined areas means an increase
in concern for cleanliness and sanitation along with appropriate feed, health and exercise programs.
It is not necessary to base the maintenance of the urban or suburban horse solely on a given number of
horses, acreage or square feet per animal. Horses are unique in their ability to adapt to various
conditions. As long as there are trails, arenas, and other safe areas available where the horse can
obtain adequate exercise, they require as little as 10,000 square feet (about 1/4 of an acre) for
maintenance. One horse may be kept in a stall no smaller then 12' x 12', provided he has daily exercise
and/or turnout in at least a 12' x 36' area. Several horses may be kept on a 1 acre facility if properly
designed. However, it is important to follow other aspects of good horse husbandry. Keep in mind that
the business of producing foals is not a recommended practice in a confined setting.
Sanitation
In the urban or suburban setting, a "good neighbor" in horse keeping must have an appropriate
sanitation and hygiene program to control dust, odor and pests. Thoroughly clean stalls, paddocks, and
the general premises and remove and properly dispose of all debris on a daily basis.
A 1,000 pound horse will produce 44 to 45 pounds of manure daily, excluding bedding. That's 8 to 10
tons in a year! For this reason, it is important to develop and implement a system for collection,
temporary storage, and removal.
A good sanitation program is important to maintain the health of your horse(s). It also helps to keep the
neighbors happy, as it reduces dust, flies, and odors. You will probably spend 20-30 minutes daily per
horse in order to keep your facilities properly cleaned.
There are several species of flies that must be controlled. Horse flies feed and lay their eggs in waste
matter such as manure, bedding, wet feed, and other decomposing materials. Stable flies lay their eggs
in horse manure and piles of plant matter in decomposition. Flies are difficult to control. The control of
flies on horse operations is based upon:
Reduction of natural fly attractants
•
Elimination of breeding areas
•
Chemical control
•
Biological control
•
Avoid accumulations of manure, bedding, and feed with water. Insure there are no leaks in the
water system and avoid long standing water conditions.
Rodent control is another important aspect of sanitation. Mice and rats should be controlled through
appropriate feed storage, general cleaning, traps, and baits. These vermin can cause several health
problems.
Feeding
Feeding the urban or suburban horse is no different from horses kept elsewhere. However, they are
usually maintained for pleasure or recreational activity and are not worked hard in most cases. Feed
consumption will be about 2.0 to 2.50% of body weight. A 1,000 pound horse will usually eat around 20
to 25 pounds of feed daily. The diet will be primarily -alfalfa, grass, or oat hay. A nutritional supplement
may be necessary in certain instances. This could be in the form of corn, oats or barley. Some may
prefer a complex commercial sweet feed composed of several grains, minerals and vitamins. Such
mixes are usually fed at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds per day.
All feeds in the diet should be good quality and free of molds or weather damage. Lawn clippings are
not recommended as they could cause colic and various metabolic problems. Horses should be fed 2 or
3 times daily at approximately the same time. Have clean, fresh water available on a free-choice basis.
Feed minerals and vitamins as needed. Always provide a salt block for your horse.
Because urban or suburban horse keeping generally occurs on small land parcels, adequate storage
for feed and supplies is minimal. This often results in the urban owner purchasing feeds and supplies in
small amounts more frequently. For these reasons, costs of feed and supplies may exceed other areas
where additional storage is available.
In addition to feed, other readily-available resources include tack stores, farrier services, and veterinary
care, remember, the urban or suburban horse has the same basic requirements for a quality life as do
other horses.
Summary
Factors to consider
•
Stabling areas for horses require careful planing, proper construction and maintenance. In addition,
the urban or suburban horse owner should maintain good community relations to preserve their
right to keep horses.
•
Maintain facilities according to local codes and aesthetic standards.
•
Control dust, odors, flies, parasites and rodents.
•
Properly dispose of all chemicals, pesticides and other such products using approved practices.
•
Provide for sanitary manure collection and removal.
•
Prevent ground water contamination to avoid "downstream" pollution and health concerns.
•
Provide adequate fire protection.
•
Provide safety for general public.
•
Post signs indicating potential risk(s) involved with horses.
•
Keep horses healthy.
References
Devel, Nancy. 1988.
Land use planning guidelines for horses
. American Horse Council, Inc.,
Washington D. C., 2006.
Kuhne, Cecil. 1989.
Are your horses a potential nuisance?
Paint Horse loumal/April.
Nelson, Ellen. 1990.
Waste management for the horse owner.
Southwestern Horseman/April.
Snyder, K. 199 1.
Owner's liability to animal's actions
. Silver State Horse World/April.
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