paddock size

Paints4life · 02-22-2006, 11:19 PM

hey all.
I am very interested in getting a miniature and this amazing roan mustang, i can't afford to pay 3 boardings but these horses......i don't know i can't stop thinking about what i woud give up to get them.
Anyway, i was thinking that maybe i could rent some land from my barn owner, he has plenty. I would put up a tiny mud lock. Whisch is like a small paddock. Now, with daily rding and unging and excersie how much space would they need. I don't think i can get a full acre and i would be riding the muctang so he would get his excersise without needing to go crazy in a tiny pasture. How about 1/4 acre. I was at my other barn today and they have the coolest little paddock and it is not 1/4 acre it probably is 1/6. But it is plenty big. I know the rue of thumb is an acre a horse but remember i woud be riding him and my mom walks with the miniature and hikes.

**Orchid** · 02-23-2006, 09:37 AM

If the mini and the mustang have even minor personality conflicts, you are going to have a heck of a lot of problems putting the two of them in a paddock that small.

**divinemisselle** · 02-23-2006, 09:41 AM

Too, in an area that small, you'll have to be fastidious in manure removal.

Horses are natural grazing animals. The process of grazing promotes proper gut movement, foot wear, muscle tone, among other things. I would go for the biggest possible size you could afford.

snickers · 02-23-2006, 09:49 AM

As Orchid said, seperate them, and they need a bigger pen.

I also suggest for you to get information on mustangs as well.

Off the subject and curious is your mare needs to go to a trainer, but you are buying more horses and fencing. None of my business, but I would use that extra money and put the training in the one you have that has the problems she does so you can start riding her. IMO.

**beth55051** · 02-23-2006, 10:17 AM

Is that the Roan mustang mare that's been advertised on Horsetopia for the last year or so??? I know there's one over by the eastern side of Wisconsin. If it is the same one, she's never been gentled just used as a broodmare. Mustangs don't do well with confinement and will find a way to get out or cause lots of damage to themselves and the other horses locked in with them. They need lots of room to roam.
Yes, I agree with Snickers. It isn't fair to have a horse just standing around with no job to do. Horses are much happier and healthier if they have a job to do.

babycakes · 02-23-2006, 01:02 PM

Just another thing to think about, if you are going to have three horses in a small field you will have a grass problem. They'll most likely need lots of hay in the paddock. And hay can get costly.

EquineAlberta · 02-23-2006, 01:10 PM

We have private pens at our place that are 70' by 65', and that is the smallest I would put a full sized horse in. With that size of pen though, you have to feed them hay a few times a day as there will be no grazing left after a couple days, and you will need to provide them with daily enertainment or they will start to crib, weave, or be sour. A mini could likely do with a smaller pen.

Of course you will also need shelters in both pens.

Regardless, 2 more horses is a lot in vet bills; vaccinations, deworming, teeth being floated, farrier and such. It is SO easy to collect horses, but in the long run, I think you will be happier focusing on one horse and really going all out, rather then spreading your time and money too thin.

Karen2

jkpisani · 02-23-2006, 01:38 PM

I think putting them in a pen that small is a disaster waiting to happen. I know you're thinking, well, a stall is smaller than this so, what's the difference, right? Well, it is different. When these horses are interacting together, fighting, playing, etc., they need room. They act much different as a group. One horse may keep the ohters riled up, or pick on it. They need to be able to get out of harm's way if need be. I really wouldn't advise it. Just my opinion.

Paints4life · 02-23-2006, 06:45 PM

Thanks equinealberta.

Storm is already being trained snickers thank you. It would be a small paddock with just the mustang and miniature. They come from the same farm and already know each other. I don't know who asked this but no it is a he not a she. He has been ridden and just bneeds a few miles.

My idea is to get the mustang for me to ride while storm is in training and of course my mom wants the mini for hanging out with.I would most likly resell the mustng when storm is ready to be worked seriously.

snickers · 02-23-2006, 07:15 PM

Thats good to know.
I must of missed that post, because the last I read was you didnt have the money yet.
I am glad she is getting it now.

TXCowGrl82 · 02-23-2006, 08:17 PM

Instead of buying a horse you plan on reselling (and be realistic, it probably wouldn't happen), why don't you see if there is anyone at your barn that needs their horse exercised? Then you don't have the added expense of another horse, and you still get to ride.

Paints4life · 02-23-2006, 09:08 PM

Theres four other horses at that barn. 1 is to old, the other is an idiot, there is a pony that is to small and a new one that is barly halter broke. I am working at my od barn excercising my old horse twice a week. I want everyday access.

Why wouldn't he sell? Hes cheap now and broke. Just needs some miles i can put on him and sell him as trained for like $700.

snickers · 02-23-2006, 09:25 PM

The horse market is low and from the experience I have had with my mustangs, you have to practically give them away. I see mustangs that are not trained for a certain dicipline in ads that have been posted for months and the price keeps getting lowered.
Unless they are big stought horses well trained in a dicipline.
You might get 700.00 for him.
Some people tend to stay away from mustangs, why, I cant tell you.
Those of us who have them, love ours, but a mustang is not for everyone and training for a domesticated horse does not always work on a mustang.

Paints4life · 02-23-2006, 10:22 PM

Its not like i'm going to train him. He already is. I'm just here to put miles on him.

Anyway. What would b an ok size for a private paddock?

snickers · 02-24-2006, 06:02 AM

He is broke to ride, no decipline training.
IMO, having to put miles on one is not trained, they are green broke,
still in traininig.
For instance, my ranch gelding is trained to work cows, he dosent need miles put on him.

EA, answered that. She has good size paddocks.

sheri7785 · 02-24-2006, 09:24 AM

I know in my area you would have an interesting time selling that mustang. I can explain the why here. I'll admit I'm one who does shy away when I see mustang. I figure some of the domestic horses I have been around are nasty creatures who don't care at all about the humans. I ask myself do I have the knowledge to care for a mustang and keep it in it's spot? I don't know having never been around one. People around here also shy away from them thinking they aren't safe. I've also heard rumors from a mustang is worse than a mean stud to they are known troublemakers and break down fences. Do I know if those are true? No I don't. Would I like to learn? I would yes and I've learned about them from here more than I have anywhere else. But with these thoughts running through people's heads it's hard to resell a mustang. And I agree with everyone if he "just needs miles" he's still needs training to choose and work in a discipline.

Paints4life · 02-24-2006, 03:21 PM

<Snipped by Orchid.>

If everyone could confine their replies to this topic strictly to appropriate paddock sizes, it would be appreciated by the original poster.

Thank you.

Heather

ToveroMom · 02-24-2006, 08:06 PM

The info was posted here already.
I keep a mini or 2 with my horses but they are not mustangs.
You see a Mustang is not as accepting of things as a domesticated horse. They are very territorial and THAT is what people are concerned about. There are things regarding this idea that you have not encountered as you have not dealt with mustangs. That mustang is cheap for a reason. Well bred,broke horses are selling for 750 around here. Hard to make a killing in the resale business.
There is a lot of great info and experience here.
If you ask a question-folks will respond to you with their best judgement.

jeffers718 · 03-20-2006, 03:11 PM

no offence to you.....
When you buy a horse....you take the responsibility of providing that horse with EVERYTHING it needs. A horse cannot feed itself or tell you that it needs more room. I think it is unfair that you would try to put it in a small pin just so you can "have a horse to ride" Besides a unhappy horse does not make a good "riding horse" To me cutting corners is just unaceptable. For one a horse is REQUIRED by law to have shelter if it is in a small pen. That will take up some room. Two a horse that is cooped up will get bored and can injure itself and other horses in the pen trying to play. Three a horse will run out of grazing real quick in a small pen and can injury itself leaning over fencing to get to grass. Four mustangs are NOT like your average horse. They need extra room and extra handling. They have wild horse blood in them. They are not bad horses but they need more thanyour average domesticated horse. You need to think about what is fair to the horses not about what you want. This may sound harsh but it is just the truth. I do believe for everyday confinement that a horse should have a big enough pen to run and kick up his heals and have shelter and plenty of grazing and hay.

jeffers718 · 03-20-2006, 03:15 PM

A good size paddock would be this
enough room to put a good shelter and allow the horse to run,graze,and play. Otherwise it is to small.

02-22-2006, 11:19 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	paddock size hey all. I am very interested in getting a miniature and this amazing roan mustang, i can't afford to pay 3 boardings but these horses......i don't know i can't stop thinking about what i woud give up to get them. Anyway, i was thinking that maybe i could rent some land from my barn owner, he has plenty. I would put up a tiny mud lock. Whisch is like a small paddock. Now, with daily rding and unging and excersie how much space would they need. I don't think i can get a full acre and i would be riding the muctang so he would get his excersise without needing to go crazy in a tiny pasture. How about 1/4 acre. I was at my other barn today and they have the coolest little paddock and it is not 1/4 acre it probably is 1/6. But it is plenty big. I know the rue of thumb is an acre a horse but remember i woud be riding him and my mom walks with the miniature and hikes.

02-23-2006, 09:37 AM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,058	If the mini and the mustang have even minor personality conflicts, you are going to have a heck of a lot of problems putting the two of them in a paddock that small. __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

02-23-2006, 09:41 AM
divinemisselle Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,650	Too, in an area that small, you'll have to be fastidious in manure removal. Horses are natural grazing animals. The process of grazing promotes proper gut movement, foot wear, muscle tone, among other things. I would go for the biggest possible size you could afford. __________________ *Ditto.*

02-23-2006, 09:49 AM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,988	As Orchid said, seperate them, and they need a bigger pen. I also suggest for you to get information on mustangs as well. Off the subject and curious is your mare needs to go to a trainer, but you are buying more horses and fencing. None of my business, but I would use that extra money and put the training in the one you have that has the problems she does so you can start riding her. IMO. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.

02-23-2006, 10:17 AM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,867	Is that the Roan mustang mare that's been advertised on Horsetopia for the last year or so??? I know there's one over by the eastern side of Wisconsin. If it is the same one, she's never been gentled just used as a broodmare. Mustangs don't do well with confinement and will find a way to get out or cause lots of damage to themselves and the other horses locked in with them. They need lots of room to roam. Yes, I agree with Snickers. It isn't fair to have a horse just standing around with no job to do. Horses are much happier and healthier if they have a job to do. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

02-23-2006, 01:02 PM
babycakes Coming two Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,586	Just another thing to think about, if you are going to have three horses in a small field you will have a grass problem. They'll most likely need lots of hay in the paddock. And hay can get costly. __________________ Jena <3

02-23-2006, 01:10 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,681	We have private pens at our place that are 70' by 65', and that is the smallest I would put a full sized horse in. With that size of pen though, you have to feed them hay a few times a day as there will be no grazing left after a couple days, and you will need to provide them with daily enertainment or they will start to crib, weave, or be sour. A mini could likely do with a smaller pen. Of course you will also need shelters in both pens. Regardless, 2 more horses is a lot in vet bills; vaccinations, deworming, teeth being floated, farrier and such. It is SO easy to collect horses, but in the long run, I think you will be happier focusing on one horse and really going all out, rather then spreading your time and money too thin. Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

02-23-2006, 01:38 PM
jkpisani Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 237	I think putting them in a pen that small is a disaster waiting to happen. I know you're thinking, well, a stall is smaller than this so, what's the difference, right? Well, it is different. When these horses are interacting together, fighting, playing, etc., they need room. They act much different as a group. One horse may keep the ohters riled up, or pick on it. They need to be able to get out of harm's way if need be. I really wouldn't advise it. Just my opinion.

02-23-2006, 06:45 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Thanks equinealberta. Storm is already being trained snickers thank you. It would be a small paddock with just the mustang and miniature. They come from the same farm and already know each other. I don't know who asked this but no it is a he not a she. He has been ridden and just bneeds a few miles. My idea is to get the mustang for me to ride while storm is in training and of course my mom wants the mini for hanging out with.I would most likly resell the mustng when storm is ready to be worked seriously.

02-23-2006, 07:15 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,988	Thats good to know. I must of missed that post, because the last I read was you didnt have the money yet. I am glad she is getting it now. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.

02-23-2006, 08:17 PM
TXCowGrl82 Greenbroke Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Huntsville, Texas Posts: 3,243	Instead of buying a horse you plan on reselling (and be realistic, it probably wouldn't happen), why don't you see if there is anyone at your barn that needs their horse exercised? Then you don't have the added expense of another horse, and you still get to ride.

02-23-2006, 09:08 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Theres four other horses at that barn. 1 is to old, the other is an idiot, there is a pony that is to small and a new one that is barly halter broke. I am working at my od barn excercising my old horse twice a week. I want everyday access. Why wouldn't he sell? Hes cheap now and broke. Just needs some miles i can put on him and sell him as trained for like $700.

02-23-2006, 09:25 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,988	The horse market is low and from the experience I have had with my mustangs, you have to practically give them away. I see mustangs that are not trained for a certain dicipline in ads that have been posted for months and the price keeps getting lowered. Unless they are big stought horses well trained in a dicipline. You might get 700.00 for him. Some people tend to stay away from mustangs, why, I cant tell you. Those of us who have them, love ours, but a mustang is not for everyone and training for a domesticated horse does not always work on a mustang. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.

02-23-2006, 10:22 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Its not like i'm going to train him. He already is. I'm just here to put miles on him. Anyway. What would b an ok size for a private paddock?

02-24-2006, 06:02 AM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,988	He is broke to ride, no decipline training. IMO, having to put miles on one is not trained, they are green broke, still in traininig. For instance, my ranch gelding is trained to work cows, he dosent need miles put on him. EA, answered that. She has good size paddocks. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.

02-24-2006, 09:24 AM
sheri7785 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,074	I know in my area you would have an interesting time selling that mustang. I can explain the why here. I'll admit I'm one who does shy away when I see mustang. I figure some of the domestic horses I have been around are nasty creatures who don't care at all about the humans. I ask myself do I have the knowledge to care for a mustang and keep it in it's spot? I don't know having never been around one. People around here also shy away from them thinking they aren't safe. I've also heard rumors from a mustang is worse than a mean stud to they are known troublemakers and break down fences. Do I know if those are true? No I don't. Would I like to learn? I would yes and I've learned about them from here more than I have anywhere else. But with these thoughts running through people's heads it's hard to resell a mustang. And I agree with everyone if he "just needs miles" he's still needs training to choose and work in a discipline.

02-24-2006, 03:21 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	<Snipped by Orchid.> If everyone could confine their replies to this topic strictly to appropriate paddock sizes, it would be appreciated by the original poster. Thank you. Heather

02-24-2006, 08:06 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,722	The info was posted here already. I keep a mini or 2 with my horses but they are not mustangs. You see a Mustang is not as accepting of things as a domesticated horse. They are very territorial and THAT is what people are concerned about. There are things regarding this idea that you have not encountered as you have not dealt with mustangs. That mustang is cheap for a reason. Well bred,broke horses are selling for 750 around here. Hard to make a killing in the resale business. There is a lot of great info and experience here. If you ask a question-folks will respond to you with their best judgement. __________________ SMILE...though your heart is breaking...

03-20-2006, 03:11 PM
jeffers718 Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Springtown Texas Posts: 58	no offence to you..... When you buy a horse....you take the responsibility of providing that horse with EVERYTHING it needs. A horse cannot feed itself or tell you that it needs more room. I think it is unfair that you would try to put it in a small pin just so you can "have a horse to ride" Besides a unhappy horse does not make a good "riding horse" To me cutting corners is just unaceptable. For one a horse is REQUIRED by law to have shelter if it is in a small pen. That will take up some room. Two a horse that is cooped up will get bored and can injure itself and other horses in the pen trying to play. Three a horse will run out of grazing real quick in a small pen and can injury itself leaning over fencing to get to grass. Four mustangs are NOT like your average horse. They need extra room and extra handling. They have wild horse blood in them. They are not bad horses but they need more thanyour average domesticated horse. You need to think about what is fair to the horses not about what you want. This may sound harsh but it is just the truth. I do believe for everyday confinement that a horse should have a big enough pen to run and kick up his heals and have shelter and plenty of grazing and hay. __________________ Heart pounding, Hooves beating,Head held high,Floating on air, Truly this is freedom, The splendor of the Arabian.

03-20-2006, 03:15 PM
jeffers718 Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Springtown Texas Posts: 58	A good size paddock would be this enough room to put a good shelter and allow the horse to run,graze,and play. Otherwise it is to small. __________________ Heart pounding, Hooves beating,Head held high,Floating on air, Truly this is freedom, The splendor of the Arabian.