Managing Horses on Small Properties

The cover image featuring two brown horses grazing on green grass, with a white paneled fence background.

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By: Jane Myers

eBook - June 2005 - eRetailers

A comprehensive guide to the management of horses and land for owners of small properties.

A dream shared by many is to run a few horses on a small property on the fringes of a city or town. This book shows how to combine sustainable land management practices with a style of horse keeping that will protect the health and well-being of your horses, as well as the land and its wildlife. + Full description

Good property management does not need to be an expensive undertaking. Improved pasture means less feed bills, reduced mud or dust improves a horse's health and reduces vet bills, better manure management turns a liability into an asset.

The reader is first introduced to the horse's natural behaviour as expressed in body language, intelligence, ability to learn, grazing, herd instincts and social behaviour. The book then goes on to cover all the basics of safe handling, routine care and common health problems.

Property selection, property design, water supply, pasture management, horse facilities, fencing, trees and plants, manure management and equipment and tools are comprehensively dealt with in separate chapters.

This is a practical book written with a minimum of jargon especially for those who are new to horse ownership and small properties. It will deliver real benefits to the landholder, including reduced horse keeping costs, better welfare of horses, increased productivity, and improved land management practices.

- Short description

Reviews

"Whether you're a prospective or an established equine landowner this book is a sound investment. Its practical approach to horse and property management is evident throughout, and this, coupled with the comprehensive detail, will ensure its place as a well-thumbed volume on any equine bookshelf."
SU (New Zealand Lifestyle Block, Dec 2005)

"This practical guide is perfect for those people that are new to horse ownership and small properties."
Linda Sharman, WA Country Lifestyle, Summer 2007

Details

ePDF | June 2005
ISBN: 9780643097902
Publisher: Landlinks Press
Available from eRetailers

ePUB | June 2005
ISBN: 9780643099241
Publisher: Landlinks Press
Available from eRetailers

Features

Provides practical information and real benefits for both new and experienced horse owners
Written in a straightforward manner using a minimum of jargon
Well illustrated with explanatory photographs
Glossary of terms
Useful contacts

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Horse management
Natural horse behaviour
Safe horse management
Routine horse care
Common health problems
Chapter 3 Property selection
Individual property features
The wider area
The legals
Chapter 4 Property design
Influencing factors
Making a plan
Chapter 5 Water supply and conservation
Managing and conserving water
The natural system
Managing waterways
Water sources
Using water
Water problems
Chapter 6 Pasture management
Managing pasture
Soil
Suitable pasture species
Management practices
Chapter 7 Horse facilities
Sacrifice yards
Training yards
Arenas
Shelters
Stables
Chapter 8 Fences and fencing
Fence placement
Fence visibility
Fence dimensions
Costing fences
Types of fences
Posts
Droppers/battens
Erecting fences
Gates and gateways
Chapter 9 Trees and plants
The benefits of trees and plants
Trees and plants as habitat
Trees for shelter and fire protection
Trees and plants for fodder
Poisonous trees and plants
Trees and plants for pest protection
Buying and planting
Protection and care
Chapter 10 Manure management
Manure management options
Affects of types of bedding
Manure accumulation and composition
Manure storage
Composting manure
Manure use
Paddock manure management
Chapter 11 Equipment and tools
What equipment is necessary?
Other items
Chapter 12 Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Authors

Jane Myers has worked in the horse industry for over 30 years and has a Masters Degree in Equine Studies from the University of Wales. She has conducted research at the world famous Edinburgh University School of Veterinary Science and worked as a lecturer in equine studies at the University of Melbourne, Glenormiston College. She has studied horse behaviour intensively and has a deep commitment to horse welfare and training methods that foster a more responsible relationship between the rider, the horse and its environment. She has written numerous articles on horse keeping for magazines and newspapers on various subjects such as horse property management, horse behaviour, horse riding and safety. Jane is an Executive board member of Horse Safety Australia.

Horse Safety Australia was formed in 1992 (then called the Association for Horsemanship Safety and Education) to foster higher standards of safety within the horse industry, particularly relating to teaching horse riding to groups of beginners. It is responsible for accrediting instructors in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Certification by Horse Safety Australia has been described as appropriate for instructing horse riding in the Education Department Guidelines to schools in Queensland, Tasmania, NSW, ACT, Victoria and South Australia. Horse Safety Australia also helped with the development of the units of competency in the National Training Package for the recreational horse riding industry. Clusters of these units are expected to form the basis of registration in recreational horse riding with the National Outdoor Recreation Leaders scheme.

Jane is a co-author of Horse Sense, the definitive guide to horse care in Australia and New Zealand, also available from Landlinks Press.