As a horse property owner, don’t you find it funny when people complain about how difficult it is to manage their homes? Sure, deciding on the lighting, furniture, and wall colors can be challenging. However, once you compare it to maintaining a horse farm, it’s child’s play!
Do you remember when Michael Scott said that New York is like Scranton on speed? Well, you can say the same thing about horse properties and family homes. Not only do you have to deal with a much larger amount of land, but you also have horses to take care of.
To put things lightly, the list of chores is a little bit longer. But enough on that. You already know how much effort it takes to keep your property in the best state possible. You’re here to learn how to improve it!
We can help you with that. Below, you’ll find tips and ideas for improving your lovely horse farm so that you, the people that you work with, and your horses can live even more comfortably.
Improve the Horse Barn/Stable
It doesn’t matter whether you have a horse barn or stable. You need to make sure it’s in the best shape possible. Poorly maintained stables can severely impact your horses’ health, and it’s probably the last thing you want.
That’s why, if you believe your barn or stable requires an upgrade, you shouldn’t hesitate and invest in it immediately. Updated facilities mean healthier, happier horses and fewer things to worry about for you. Below, a few upgrades you should consider:
- Install ceiling fans (leave at least 12 feet of clearance) and use exhaust fans to improve ventilation and airflow.
- Improve your barn door to give animals more fresh air. You can hire a garage door opener servicing company to ensure everything works smoothly.
- Lay down new flooring to increase comfort and maintenance. The most popular barn floor types are – concrete, asphalt, gravel, clay, and dirt.
Besides these updates, you can always consider building new stables or expanding your existing ones. However, keep in mind that it may require extra permits. Not to mention it’s a much more significant investment.
Invest in Safe Fencing
What is the last time you’ve taken a stroll or a ride all the way around your fence lines? It’s something many horse property owners tend to forget about, yet it’s a crucial part of farm management. Doing so will allow you to keep your fence in good condition and reduce the risk of more significant repairs.
The thing is, though, constant repairs and fence check-ups require time. The best thing to do is invest in long-lasting fencing that will be reliable and safe for your horses.
For instance, you should never install a wire fence as it may be harmful to animals. We recommend you use wood or metal. And if you’re not afraid of spending more, you should surround your property with PVC fencing.
Change Your Hay and Horse Feed Storage
Ensuring your horses have a supply of healthy feed and hay is one thing. The other is storing it properly. Not only should you protect it from weather and elements, but also keep it out of your animal’s nose’s reach.
It might require some planning, but it’s an essential part of horse property maintenance. Here are a few ideas for improving your hay storage:
- Prepare a locked and locked-off area.
- Store feed and hay off the ground to prevent mold from developing.
- Use bungee cords to strap the container’s lids tightly.
Take Care of Pasture Management
Pasture management is not something you should underestimate. You ought to take your time and learn more about how grazing impacts your pastures, and use that information to give them a boost.
Consider rotational grazing to give your pasture the rest it needs and give manure enough time to break down. A good practice is to let the grass recover up to 4 inches to protect valuable topsoil.
Also, if you see that your pasture areas need fertilization, make sure to use a reliable program. Doing that will extend the pasture’s quality and quantity.
Another crucial thing is also to deal with poisonous weeds. Unfortunately, distinguishing weeds from flowering plants can often be tricky. The best idea is to hire a professional landscape service to deal with your weed problem.
Find a Way to Manage Manure
Taking care of your manure is a stinky business- literally. Unfortunately, as ugly as it might be, it’s essential if you want your horse property to look and smell the way it should.
To manage it properly, you should clean your property regularly. However, even that can sometimes not be enough. Keep in mind that an average horse produces a daily dose of 60-70 pounds of stall waste. Multiply it by several horses, and you have a lot of manure to deal with.
Many property owners try to deal with the stall waste issue by using manure for soil bedding. It’s a great idea, especially if you don’t have enough storage room. However, there’s a catch. To use horse manure as a fertilizer, you have to compost it first. Otherwise, you risk parasitic contamination.
To deal with that issue, it’s best to prepare an area for your manure. You can also build special containers so that piles of horse stall waste don’t ruin your land aesthetics.
Clean Your Water Troughs
Maintaining clean water buckets, troughs, and waterers is essential. The same goes for regularly checking whether they have any leaks, which can lead to severe issues in the long run.
Check the plumbing and valves for any wear and tear, and, if necessary, repair or replace broken parts as quickly as possible. Leaking or standing water can attract mosquitos and other types of disease-carrying pests.
Final Note
As you can see, improving your horse property requires some effort. However, with the right plan, time, and all the help you can get, you’ll be able to ensure your property stands out from other horse farms in terms of quality and comfort.
What’s more, if you’re planning on selling your equestrian property, investing in the right upgrades will increase its value. Take care of your stables, pastures, fences, and find an efficient way to manage manure.
It may sound like a lot of work to do, but if you want to ensure your horses are happy and healthy, taking care of your property is the only way to achieve that.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
