What to Know About Horses for Farming on Your Homestead

Horses are powerful animals. There’s a reason why vehicles have “horsepower” and not “cow power” or “dog power.” The strength of a horse far exceeds that of most other animals, which is why they’ve been used for years to help with the most demanding tasks.

Trading in your tractors and other machines for a team of draft horses seems like the smart way to go, especially for those trying to limit their carbon footprints and live off the grid. Horses bring you back to a simpler time, and you can get more in-tune with your work. Plus, they run on grass and feed, not gas, and they naturally multiply.

Although it may be tempting to purchase horses for your homestead, there are some things you should know and consider before bringing home a team. Knowing these beforehand can help you realize all that goes into owning workhorses.

Below, you’ll learn what to know about horses for farming on your homestead. This will help you make a better decision about adding horses to your homestead.

Having Enough Land

Horses need land. If you’re considering getting horses to do fieldwork on your homestead, then you likely have a good amount of land. For every horse you own, you should have about two acres of land. This allows them enough land to forage and get enough exercise. If you’re providing them with hay or other feed, then you could get away with less land per horse.

Consider your land’s carrying capacity, though. Ensure there are grassy areas and that you keep them adequately irrigated. If not, the acreage per horse increases. Workhorses will surely get plenty of exercise if you’re using them to plow fields or as a method of transportation, but they still need enough fresh forage material to chew on throughout the day.

Building Shelter

As with any large animal, horses need adequate shelter. Most horse barns include stables to separate the horses and provide them with space. Barns are great, especially if you have multiple horses. However, a more natural shelter is the run-in shed, which is a three-sided and roofed shelter.

Make the walls solid and stable. Wood walls are usually best because they’re difficult to kick in and last a long time. The flooring overall should be dry and level so your horses don’t slip or trip. The horse shelter is where most horse owners store feed and hay as well, so do your best to make it rodent-proof, and ensure your horses cannot access the feed on their own. Finally, consider fire and safety hazards. Keep all wires hidden and out of reach of the horses.

Creating a Fence

When you get a team of horses, you want to keep them on your property. Fences allow your horses to roam within your boundaries. Draft horses are more robust than most other horses — it’s why you likely chose a draft horse breed. They can get jobs done effectively and efficiently. That means your fencing will have to be able to hold up to their strength.

Horses have natural flight tendencies in fight or flight situations. Often, they get injured on fences when a horse flees from a problem. Horses are valuable, and it’s worth spending the extra money to keep them contained and safe. The fence should be tall enough to deter your team from jumping over them. Rail fences are generally what most horse owners use since they’re visible, safe and attractive.

Choosing a Breed

Once you inspect that you have the proper acreage and shelters to support a team of horses, you can move on to choosing a breed. People breed horses for various reasons — sporting, herding, working, casual riding, show and even for transportation. Different breeds will be better suited to work on your homestead than others.

For those just starting with horses and have little to no horse experience, you want to choose a horse that already has experience with what you want it to accomplish. Trying to break a horse can be challenging. Find someone who can help mentor you through the process. Below are some of the common draft-horse breeds:

• Percheron: Percherons move well and can get a job done efficiently. They’re a larger breed, too.
• Belgian: Belgians are the heaviest breed and are very strong. However, their weight can slow them down, but they move well.
• Clydesdale: The Clydesdales are the most iconic breed and are suitable for pulling heavy carts or trailers.
• Mule: Although a mule isn’t a full horse, they’re a mix between a horse and donkey and are quite strong.
• Suffolk: If you’re looking for field workers, Suffolks are for you. They’re energetic and love to work. Plus, they keep their focus.
• Shire: The Shire is large and powerful. They’re great for transporting things but not the best for fieldwork.
• Norwegian Fjord: Norwegian Fjords are short, but they’re mighty and wonderful for fieldwork.

There are many other horse breeds, but these are among the most common for working and transportation. Choose your horse based on what you need most for your homestead.

Understanding Their Jobs

Giving up all of your farm equipment for horses can be a big transition. When you trade the heavy machinery for an animal, you won’t have front-end loaders or plows that can get the job done relatively quickly. While they have their disadvantages when it comes to working, they can still do many of the jobs that your tractor would do.

Workhorses can help bale hay, mow the lawn and rake your fields. Plus, they can transport people or haul carts when moving other equipment from one end of your property to the other. If you need them to help pull a log you cut for firewood, they can surely get the job done. Additionally, they can work in nearly any space, large or small. Draft horses are dependable and beneficial as long as you have the proper equipment for them.

Purchasing the Necessary Equipment

Depending on the job you want your horses to achieve, you’ll need specific equipment. Once you decide what you want your horses to do, you have to purchase the implements and harnesses necessary to complete those tasks. Here are some of the basics when it comes to equipment for your draft horses:

• Harnesses: There are different types of harnesses for different jobs. Make sure you research what kind of harness you need, whether it’s for pulling or plowing. Harnesses allow you to control your horse, and they put less strain on the animal.
• Forecart: Forecarts come in handy when you have other equipment. They are like a joint that allows you to connect your implements to the horse.
• Discs: If you have a garden, discs are a necessary tool. They are essentially tillers and work the soil so it’s suitable for planting.
• Plows: Although there are many plows for many jobs, it’s best to purchase your plow based on the strength of your horses.
• Manure Spreader: Manure is a great way to fertilize your fields. Horses pull manure spreaders to ensure every inch of the area is covered.
• Harrows: Harrows smooth out soils and even out the ground for perfect planting ground.
• Wagon: Wagons are perhaps the most used piece of equipment. They’re great for hauling hay, and they can carry almost anything else when connected to a horse.
• Rake: If you’re planning on making hay, a rake will help fluff the hay and bring it together in a row for easy baling.
• Mower: Mowers help cut hay and any other vegetation that you want to trim down on your property.
• Baler: Balers are also necessary for making hay into prisms or cylinders.
• Saddle: Some workhorses are well-tempered and trained enough that you can casually ride them around your property. Though some people can ride bareback, it’s better for you and the horse if you purchase a saddle.
• Chains: Chains aren’t a necessary piece of equipment, but they do help if you need to haul a tree out of the woods or can’t maneuver your cart into smaller spaces.

With horses, you can always add more equipment. Start with the basics and get only what you need for your horses’ intended jobs.

Caring for Them Daily

Animals require daily care, especially if you want them to farm. They depend on you for survival, and it’s your responsibility to ensure they have enough nutrition and water each day. Most horses will graze throughout the day, but they also need food. Some may need grain as well, depending on their age and their dietary needs. Set up plenty of water tanks throughout your fenced-in property as well so they have access to it throughout the day..

Grooming horses is a necessary part of their daily care as well. This helps prevent skin irritations from their equipment and harnesses. Do this before and after they work. Your horses also need clean bedding, which may include straw or wood shavings.

Knowing the Costs

If you’re getting horses for your homestead to help farm, then you’ll generally need more than one. Horses shouldn’t be alone, so it’s advisable to get at least a pair to start with. A well-trained workhorse is an expensive purchase on its own. Multiply that by two, and you could be spending a lot of money. It may cost you a few thousand dollars just for one horse.

Additionally, costs include feed, water, fencing, shelter, veterinary care, bedding, equipment for the farm and farrier services. Horses also require a lot of your time. Ensure you know the costs of owning a team of horses before bringing them to your homestead. However, it does pay off because you can have a horse for years to come as a worker and companion for your homestead farm.

Keeping Up with Healthcare

Another essential consideration for having horses for farming on your homestead is their healthcare. Although you can certainly take care of some aspects of their health, you’re likely not an equine veterinarian. Horses experience anxiety and feel stress under certain situations, so it’s important to learn about your horses and get the proper care. Find a reliable veterinarian who can come to your property and check on your team of horses.

Registered equine veterinarians will usually come to your property a few times every year to provide an overall check on your horses. They’ll check your horses’ teeth, which are essential for their ability to eat. Additionally, they may look at the horses’ shoes to ensure they properly fit and aren’t causing any additional health problems. This will require you to find a farrier as well to shoe your team correctly.

Training for Work

As previously mentioned, if you don’t have prior experience with horses, you should purchase an experienced team. You can train them yourself, but it will be challenging for both you and the horse unless you hire someone to train them. It’s easier and more practical to purchase horses that already have farming or driving experience.

Within your homesteading community, find someone who has workhorses. They can help you learn the ropes of working with horses and can be a mentor. Otherwise, you can find workshops and even online courses that can help you as well. Research and learn as much as possible to make the transition from tractor to horse a little smoother.

Considering the Benefits and Drawbacks of Horses for Farming

Horses are environmentally friendly. As a homesteader, you want to be self-sufficient and sustainable, and horses can undoubtedly help you achieve that goal. They can maneuver through almost any landscape, which isn’t something heavy equipment can do. They can work cattle and make for great companions as you toil in your fields.

One of the drawbacks of having horses is that they can be expensive. You put a lot of time and money into them. However, if you’re willing to put in the work for your horses, they’ll put out just as much work on your homestead. These hardier breeds meant for work can withstand almost anything, and you can count on them to give you horsepower when you need it most.

Horses on the Homestead

Horses make for great pets and even better workers. Before you load up a trailer with a new team, do your research. Make sure you have the time and skills to provide for your horses. You’ll reap the benefits in no time as they do the work that your heavy machinery once did.

Author Bio:

Jane is the editor-in-chief of Environment.co. She is passionate about sustainability, gardening and homesteading.