Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

22/07/2010, 4:33 PM Peter Joined on 22/07/2010 Posts 3 Cost of keeping working horses I'm looking into getting horses with the aim to put them to work tilling, and if possible to help with a little logging. I have quite a bit of slopey grazing for them and the free help of a carpenter to build a stable. Can anyone help with some estimates as to start up costs and day to day expenses and with if it would be possible to persuade horses to do both ploughing and logging work, thanks Pete    Report

22/07/2010, 9:01 PM Lesley Joined on 04/10/2005 Posts 81 Re: Cost of keeping working horses No experience with working horses, but I have had connection with riding horses over the years. Basic care include farrier to trim and/or shoe - roughly every 6-8 weeks. Costs vary, but we have our shetland pony trimmed for £20 (she doesn't have shoes). Health care - tetanus jab every 2 years, worming 2-3 times a year, teeth rasping if necessary. Horse vet care is expensive so you may want to consider insurance, and if you are intending to take them on the road, third party accident cover is also a good idea. Horses that are in regular work usually need more than just grass, so some hard feed will be required too. You will also need to "rest" the grazing areas otherwise the grass will get poached and muddy and take ages to recover, and very wet muddy ground causes hoof problems. On the other hand, too much rich grass can also cause problems like laminitis, so you may need to restrict how much grazing is available, especially in the spring. You also need to look out for toxic plants, particularly ragworth (the yellow daisy which is in flower at the moment). As a beginner, you would be best getting something already broken to drive/pull machinery. Once they are used to having something behind them, they will usually pull anything, so switching from plough to cart to logging shouldn't be too difficult. Driving a single horse is a relatively easy skill to pick up, but depending on your ground, you may need 2 horses to plough/till, and driving a pair can be more complicated. However, remember horses are life not just for Christmas! The average lifespan of a horse is around 25 years, so its a long term commitment. You cannot just turn them out into a field and leave them to it until you want to use them. They need regular attention, grooming, checking feet and exercise to keep up their fitness levels for work. You also need to have someone to look after them if you are away, sick, on holiday etc. When you are struggling up your sloping field in horizontal driving snow and a force 9 gale to break ice on a water trough, you'll probably wish you opted for a tractor instead!    Report

25/07/2010, 6:12 PM Peter Joined on 22/07/2010 Posts 3 Re: Cost of keeping working horses Thanks very much Leslev, that's given me a great start!    Report

CountrySmallhol...LivestockEquineRe: Cost of keeping working horses

(please select) Forums Home |- Search Forums |- Active Topics |- Unanswered Posts User Options |- Sign In |- Join this community |- Forgot Password Administrators |- Forum User Guide Livestock |- Cattle |- Equine |- Goats |- Pets & Small Animals |- Pigs |- Poultry |- Sheep |- Waterfowl Others |- General |- Cookery |- Gardening & Growing |- Machinery |- Property & Renovation |- Home Brewing Blogs |- Welcome to Smallholders' Blogs |- Yellingham |- A Little Stone Cottage in Wales |- Flexmore Farm |- Really Small Holding! |- Corkie's Girl |- Louisxix |- Forest Artisan |- 16 acres or there abouts |- Favalle |- Kilmeedy Lodge Animal Sanctuary |- Four Acres in Wales |- Keeping a Smallholding whilst working full time