Fencing and Stables

[JessiTrist]

Hey Guys, new to minis and I will be getting one earlier next year, just wanted to start getting things ready for her! I have a small yard (about 1/5 of an acre) Plus a bit of a shed/yard with shelter. I was wondering what sort of fencing would be appropriate and affordable for keeping a mini in and also whether I should divide the area into two or just keep it as one? Also what should I do for a stable? The yard I have at the moment has a small stall type thing which is covered... what sort of bedding should I put down? Also with the WIWO part should I just get rid of it (quite old), re-do it or keep it as it is (chicken wire with a chicken wire roof (was used for chickens

).

Thanks guys, and sorry about all the questions! Also I am in Australia.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

My old stallion lives in the round pen, which is big horse sized so probably about the size of your proposed pen (Yard is Garden in American!!

) I think this is minimum size and no way would I split it. In winter Rabbit also has free access to about 1 1/2 acres- I do not restrict him due to diet, I do not believe in diet!! He cannot go out with mares as he has a screw loose when the hormones rise!! All my other horses are out on a minimum of three acre paddocks, the mares are strip grazing five acres and will finish that and need hay around Christmas. Is this any help?? Oh- the stable / stall/ run-in Rabbit has a shed open fronted, that consists of corrugated iron sheets, three side and a roof. I know you are going into Summer- this can get very hot in Summer (even over her

) but I am lucky as Rabbits shed is right in a hawthorn hedge which shelters it Summer and Winter (he is 26 so hew does need coddling) No-one else has a shelter they all have trees and bushes in Summer, which is when they really need it, and thick, THICK coats in Winter. On as small a plot as you have she will need both shelter and a stall in Winter. You will need to strip the chicken shed right out as IME they are usually padded with straw and once the chooks have gone this straw is RIDDLED with nasty mites that jumped off the chooks!! If it is just wood, spray with disinfectant and search well for nails and splinters. Make sure it is wind and rain proof- how big is it, by the way?? So.....who are you buying?? How is she bred...tell all- Oh and WELCOME to the Forum from sunny England (where it is pouring with rain, which is why I am here instead of washing my colt, it is too cold!!!)

 

[JessiTrist]

Thanks rabbitsfizz

I am loving the forum already!

The mini will be kept on the 1/4 acre full time (very grassy even in summer!) But maybe stabled at night time, or just leave it open as a WIWO. I believe it is about 8 x 10 meters. Is that too small? Will also be fed hay and hard feed as needed, especially when I start showing! Will be taken out and exercised almost every day. The shelter is tin, with three and a half sides, like a stable, with a gateway (need a new gate, any ideas?) Will definately rip down the WIWO part of the chicken pen, but there is no straw or mites as we haven't had chickens for about 7 years. The shelter is right in the corner of the yard and has trees on 3 sides, so doesnt get too hot. Definately going to check it all for nails, splinters etc before bringing the mini here. There are also two small shrub/tree's in the paddock area aswell. Does anyone know if locut (or what-ever it's called) fruit is bad for the minis? Can get this tree removed if it is. Ummm I will add more questions to this post when I think of what I need to ask next! I will be getting a mare/filly from Half Pint Miniature Horse Stud in Western Australia (possibly) but if they don't have any to offer next year I will be looking around, Just thought I'd give myself some time to get the property mini-proof

 

[Bluerocket]

Hog panels, Cattle Panels or Horse Panels make good, strong fence -- see the other current thread about this topic --

Here is a link to a website -- for someone who sells this in the states -- so you can see what we are talking about.

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page3/

They also sell Horse Panels (4' tall and 16' long) Hog panels are 34" tall and 16' long. Also Cattle Panels (vary in height).

Used with enough TPosts (with the rubber caps on them) these can be strong and portable if necessary -- and not horribly cost prohibitive. Make sure you put the SMALL holes on the bottom -- when you set up the fence... and use 3 to 4 tposts per panel (1 at each end and at least ONE in the middle - preferably 2).

Here is a link to that other thread:

http://minihorse.ipbhost.com/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=45676

Don't have any advise about the bedding or structure --

Good luck!!!

JJay

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Jessi read this

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/consultant/Cons...on&sxkw=&signs=

Is this the tree?? The beans of a Locust Tree are used in animal feed and are OK- you need to identify the tree as a horse on that little land will debark anything in it's area!

 

[JessiTrist]

Thanks guys, but nope thats not the tree, it's really hard to find information on as I dont even know its name 100% but it has fruit on it which humans eat all of the time, and we always have cockatoo's and parrots fly in to eat the fruits aswell. Thanks again.

 

[susanne]

As for the tree, if you do mean locust, that is the common name of two entirely different trees -- honey locust (GLEDITSIA), which is safe, and black locust (ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA) which is poisonous.The honey locust has orange berries and sprouts everywhere a seed falls. The black locust has beautiful, fine lime green foliage. Take a branch with leaves and any fruit to a tree specialist/nursery to be sure.

Or do you mean loquat? That is very good eating for humans...I'll check to see about horses.

Where in western Australia are you located? Is it temperate, hot, or cold? That makes a big difference in your choice of shelter. The biggest thing is to give them a dry place out of the wind and rain in winter, and shelter from the sun in summer.

An important consideration for a run-in shelter is what direction it faces. The door should face away from prevailing winds.

Unless you have predators and/or roaming dogs, I would keep the stall open, but with the option of closing the gate if necessary. Are you in town? Make sure your fencing will keep out dogs and, if possible, people. Before we moved, we kept our minis in the middle of Portland, Oregon, on a 1/2 acre property that backed onto an alley. We never had problems with people, but we always kept an eye out for trouble.

Depending on the size of the doorway to your shed, a cattle panel can make a great gate. You might also look at chain link gates, such as they use with the fencing and dog runs.

Check for mold in the shed -- it can be really bad in a building that hasn't been used for years.

 

[Marty]

Welcome from the Brave Little Prancers. I don't know much. Count on that.

1/5 of an acre is not very much. You'd be surprised at how fast that horse can turn that into nothing but dirt so I would divide it in half and rotate and maintain it very carefully. You'll have to be good at cleaning up your poop out of there too.

I would suggest field fencing and hot wire which is what I use and don't have trouble with it. Cattle panels are good also.

If you do a google search and put in words like "small horse habitat" a lot of small barn ideas will come up for you. Fun to look at and will better be able to help you choose what would work for you.

Just a note to double check your zoning and be sure a mini is allowed in your area.

Take care.

 

[JessiTrist]

Hey susanne... yup thats the one! Loquat.

I am located just south of perth, near the coast line, it is pretty moderate here, it doesnt get too hot or too cold, kinda like perth weather but with a coastal breeze. I have a choice of two paddocks/yards. ONe with the chicken shed type shelter (almost like a stable) And one with just three sides and a roof, but was made for larger horses, so is quite tall. One is on 1/4 acre, and normally kept in those yards are show horses and race horses that get exercised every second day. The other is on 1/5 acre and used for smaller farm animals, such as sheep, ducks etc (none at the moemnt). The race horse shelters areall facing a certain way, away from the wind and the other shelter is away from the wind also.

The 1/5 acre is pretty secluded, but it is in a town. Not many people come up this area, nor do dogs. We do have a dog though, but he is only a small dog and normally gets frightened of animals bigger than himself, so he wont be a problem. He is kinda an indoors dog mostly. Out at the show farm there are a few working dogs who have been reported as running through paddocks and stirring up the horses so now get tied up down at the house most of the time. There are also lots of people that go out there and are very curious/nosey. It is about 15kms from home aswell, so would be unable to check on the mini as much as I would like to for starters. The shed at my place hasnt been used for a while, and if it isnt in great condition I think we may just knock it down and put up a new one.

Thanks agian for the help

 

[susanne]

I do not see loquat listed on the cornell site or IVIS, and a Google search on "Loquat toxic to horses" did not show anything, but this is only an initial search. Please make certain of what exact tree you have and check with your veterinarian and extension agent (or comparable government agent) as to whether or not it is safe. I am not an expert on this.

 

[JessiTrist]

Thanks again Susanne, I will check with all the horsey people around town aswell as the equine vets.

Thanks also to Marty. The yard is an odd shape, and would be quite easy to make into two for rotation. It has knee high (almost) grass all year round.

About the poop, we have a few gardens out front and my grandad also likes horse manure for his gardens, so I tink we will end up bagging it.

thanks again for the help, we are going to be contacting the shire council real soon about keeping her here, but if not allowed then she will go to the farm. That is where my two Thoroughbreds are at the moment.

Another question - Do you think it would be safe to put her in with other horses? I know big horses might not be very good (my boys are 16.2 and 15.3hh) but there is a lady out there with welsh ponies and she has an acre paddock, do you think that would be more beneficial then putting her in a 1/4 acre on her own? I will probably end up with another mini in a few months afte this little girl comes home.

 

[JessiTrist]

Just had a look on a site with info on the Loquat tree and one lady says her horses eats them regularly and love them and they have not done any harm. I still think I might maybe prune the tree so she wont be able to reach the fruits, just in case. Or they might be nice as a treat for her, but of course I wouldnt let her get to them herself as they have a nice big seed on the inside which could be dangerous!

 

[susanne]

Could you put her in a field adjoining the Welsh Pony? A Welsh can be pretty big in relation to a mini, especially a young one. I believe the problem is greater when they are friends, as once they get playing a kick that would be nothing to a larger horse could kill a mini. However, if there is a fence between them, they can still keep each other company and possibly even scritch necks.

As for the shelter, the high ceiling/roof is a good thing, giving better air circulation. It won't be quite as warm, but I think in your climate you won't have to worry much about that.

As long as your council approves your keeping her at your house, I would opt for keeping her close to you with regular exercise -- at least until you get her a mini companion.

 

[JessiTrist]

The welsh's yard is one of 5 paddocks that are joined, and the ones next to it are taken by standarbreds and some quarter horses. I could maybe have her across the road in a 1/4 acre paddock so she can still see the welshy's? The farm is a pretty weird (but still good) set up... there are 5 small paddocks (1 acre) 14 1/4 acre paddocks with shelters and then 2 big 10 acre paddocks and a big 50 acre paddock. I think one of the 5 paddocks might be un-occupied at the moment. i will have to ask the owner. Thanks again.

Oh and about keeping her at home, if it is allowed I think it would be a better option also, as I would be able to exercise her as regularly as needed and keep an eye on what she is getting up to and if anything happens I will know pretty much straight away.

Thanks.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

The problem with keeping her at home is that she will be desperately lonely!! She is still a horse and, I am assuming a weaned foal, to boot?? I would not sell a foal into that situation. You might look into the possibility of bringing her home at the weekends- although I am constantly nagging about safe transport, 15 klicks isn't far to just pop her in a van or even a SUV type, so long as she is used to it and happy!!

 

[JessiTrist]

Hey Rabbitsfizz,

Yeh was just thinking about that and have found somewhere nice and close, 5ks. Mum is on the phone to them right now, hopefully it is suitable!