I have 10 acres that is long and narrow. Currently it is set up with a side aisle that access the pastures. I need to redo the fencing this year and while this is convenient for turn out and water, the horses end up running out to the pastures most of the time, so any other layout ideas, I would also like to add some smaller turnouts for sacrifice/dry lots. It is currently divided into 4 pastures. TIA.
PS Width is about 300’
For how many horses?
I have a pretty close to square 9 acre pasture that I have three horses on. They each have 24’ x 36’ dry paddocks attached to their stalls. And a 80’ x 150’ dry paddock (no grass) for when the grass is too rich for longer turn out.
My three horses get along fine. I’ve found with the large pasture they are not moving around and tearing up the same area over and over. I also hay this twice a year, so smaller paddocks would eliminate my nice hay supply.
Pasture size and turn out really depends on what you want and how many horses you have.
What do you mean by “horses end up running out to the pastures most of the time?”
Why not do away with the side aisle and split the pasture up with gates within the pasture. You’ll have to lead each horse to their turnout area but you reclaim that little bit of alley way for use as pasture. How many horses are you putting on pasture. If it was 4 or less I’d are they good with group turnout? I’d be tempted to just have 2 pastures for rotation and one dry lot area close to the barn. I had 8 acres and 4 horses, they had 24/7 turnout on all 8 acres. Never needed a reason to rotate (but we lived in the Deep South where grass grew 24/7). The horses rotated the areas they ate themselves.
PS Width is about 300’
that would make 10 acres about 1500 feet deep … typically you would have graduated sizes starting with smaller paddocks near the barn then gradually increasing the lots sizes with the rear lot have the greater amount of space
When I was redoing my fencing, we put up the perimeter fence and then I use electric tape to do the interior fencing. It allowed me to try some different configurations until I decided how I wanted it permanently. I didn’t have nearly as much land as you do, but I settled on a dry lot near the barn with one big pasture.
There are three horses for group turnout, two are retired and one is in work, they are all easy keepers. There is a fourth horse that is in turnout by himself and he is currently away in training.
They run out because they are ‘starving’ for grass, lol.
I’m considering removing the side aisle so…
I do have a stud paddock, long story, 200x200, that is up close to the barn. Planning to add other paddocks near/around there. Also, would like to add shelters and water for the two retirees.
I would make three 100’ wide and however long (1500’ as suggested by someone?) pastures with gates on the front/side closest to the barn.
100’ wide is plenty wide, and having long and narrow is much better than square, I’ve read.
1 Like
