If I had to design this property on the way I currently keep my horses which is always make it so they are rarely not enclosed in the perimeter fencing, I would set up like this: and yes it’s super crude. I dry lot my horses separated since it’s easier in a smaller space and they have different dietary needs.
Some of the gates are so we could open them all and run the dogs off the ATV when the horses aren’t out there. Not only are they weak points, they’re expensive. They may not be financially feasible, either!
What’s the red line to the north?
I’d like to leave a gap behind the barn - potential expansion of the barn, but for now: compost bunkers.
I wouldn’t leave a lane, it feels like such a waste of valuable space on a small farm.
To avoid contact with the neighbor’s horses, I’d use those 6" or 12" electric fence line extender/insulators. Keeps the horses from leaning over the fence, but they can still graze up to it.
3 Likes
100% agree on the gates. All those gates between sacrifice, pasture 2 and pasture 3 give me the willies. If you need that much access, don’t cluster them all together like that. It’s already a high pressure area, gates are weak points, and trappy. If you’re doing electric fence, that’s also just a lot of running wire underground.
2 Likes
A fence line if you wanted it behind the shrubs instead of them being in the fence.
1 Like
Those are giant blue spruce, so the fence would have to be behind them. I’m actually concerned about those areas, both the north and the west, and need to make sure I put the fence in a wise spot so that that area doesn’t become a problem when the trees grow. They’re nearly adult height now.
How wide are the narrow parts of the sacrifice area? It looks about the same width as the barn, so 40’ ish? Does your crew all get along? That seems a bit tight, especially if there are any … antics, lol.
I’d consider moving the entire sacrifice are to the south side of the barn and making it more square. A quarter acre is probably a fine size–I had 4 in 100x100 ft and it worked well for us. But, thinking back to that space, half that width would have been a little scary when they got to bouncing around.
You could put manure to the east of the barn along the fenceline. You really don’t want to too close to anything, it’ll draw flies. Some distance is a good thing.
Are the multiple gates into the arena for the dogs? I’d still move that pasture 2 to pasture 3 gate a little further down to spread out the wear to the field. Something we missed in our last place was ensuring all gates could be opened and secured back to a fence–so installed either in a corner, or installed on the “face” of the fence. Especially important for those gates that you might leave open to have field access for horses!
2 Likes
Maybe it’s just my eye, but the area to the east of the driveway (sacrifice + pasture 1) does not seem big enough to bother separating it into two fields IMO. It looks to be well under an acre to me. I don’t see the point of having an 1/4 acre sacrifice area and an additional “pasture” up front if that pasture is only going to be slightly larger. It seems like extra fencing expense and extra fenceline to maintain.
But without any dimensions, I can’t say that for sure.
I also still really like the idea of using the front yard for the dogs. But, fencing-wise, that may be pretty pricey.
Still a lot of gates, curious why you want so many? Also, some seem oddly spaced, so far away from everything else.
My farm had four 1-acre paddocks that were squares with a gate on all four sides (I bought it that way). I used exactly one gate on three of them, and two on the other. Eventually I reconfigured the fields a bit and got rid of those unnecessary gates.
I’d get rid of those I’ve circled in red and add the two light blue diamonds as gates. I definitely would not want a gate so close to the road giving even-easier access to random passerby’s.
1 Like
I am in the crowd that thinks gates are good.
We use the gate at the far end of our pasture(s) for various things. It is an easier access with the tractor with the mower for the maintenance, for example.
I always seem to be standing at a point and wanting to get to the other side of the fence, where there is not a gate near by.
I like the gate from the drive into pasture two because it allows access to a place that horses are not to go thru and open gates to allow horses access. So no having to move amongst the excited heese herd to let them out or change their turn out space.
4 Likes
So we can run the dogs when the horses aren’t out there. With the gates open it makes a big wide loop around the two larger fields.
@Texarkana I can’t afford to make the entire area mud-proof with limestone and getotextile, hence the sacrifice area. It’s just a single line of fence and gate, so not that much in the scheme of things.
1 Like
Gotcha. I have no idea what you mean by “run the dogs” but your farm, your needs!
1 Like
I feel like that a lot at the property that I board at. I’d put at least two more gates at her place, if it were mine.
If they’re feasible physically and financially, I will put them in. I don’t have to go underground for the “only once in a while” gates, I’ll just go over the top. The fence would be off while we’re monkeying with the dogs for a few hours, but we’re home and can supervise. Then close everything back up and it’s all hot again.
One thing: on small acreage, any pasture space you can get helps, even just another 1/2 acre.
Also, it’d be nice to have one smaller field if ever OP needs to have smaller groups for a time, or have a horse separated for whatever reason.
2 Likes
Have them chase and try to outrun the ATV! We call it “roading”, but it’s really not roading in the traditional sense.
3 Likes
Tired dogs are happy dogs!
2 Likes
I can also run a quick step-in line across either the sacrifice area or Pasture 1 to make a smaller zone!
1 Like
I forgot who asked, but yes my group gets along very well. The food may temporarily flare up my Old Man, but I know he’s capable of eating nicely - he just needs to learn to remember his manners. My mare is a total sweetie, no meanness in her.
If I decided to bring a third, it would be my friend’s old gelding who has been out with both my Old Man and the mare extensively, and is not a problem causer.
1 Like
