Keeping horse near septic feild and well

Hi there, I'm buying a house, and there is just enough room to one or two horses. The only problem the feild is over top of the septic feild. I've read quite abit about this and most people say it shouldn't be a problem as long as I don't let the feild get to muddy. Any comments? There is also a well on the property..someone mentioned horses could contaminate it if they get to close?

All feedback would be great ASAP as the final date to get out of the deal is today!

Thank you!

It really depends on the quality of your septic field and well. If the well is properly sealed, grouted into bedrock and has a vermin proof cap on it, the horse will not contaminate it. Same goes for septic -- if it is properly sloped with correct grades of gravel below and above it shouldn't be a problem either. HOWEVER, lots and lots of older properties do not have either of these constructed properly. If you don't have the construction information on the utilities, then don't count on them being good enough for this type of environment.

Depends on a whole lot of things!!!!!!!!!! How big is the acerage? How many crossovers are on the septic system? How close are they to the top of the ground? The new septics we have installed (we install some here in TN) are safe to drive a semi over(the fill line) The old systems that used to be installed, on rocky ground on side hills would sometimes have 4" corrugated pipe crossovers within a few inches of the top of the ground due to the rock. And a heavy person on a good wet day could just about destroy them.

On home wells, depends on a lot of things! How shallow is the well? What part of the country are you in? Is the ground sand or heavy clay loamy soil? A shallow well <25' could be a real problem. A deep well like we use here 500' is almost of no concern.

Do you plan on having 2 horses on 1/2 acres or 2 horses on 10 acres? That matters as well. Additionally, are you feeding a rd bale beside the well casing? Does the septic line run directly in front of the run in shed? Does your part of the country get 45" of rain per year or 5?

PA brought up some good points -- I totally forgot about dug wells. I just assumed it was a drilled well. If it is a dug well -- keep ALL animals well away. I would say 50 yards minimum. Dug wells rely on surface water -- that is water that originates from the surface. So if there are any contaminents close by, you run the risk of them getting into the water.

Your local NRCS office should have a water conservation and quality officer that can help you out. They can do a soil test , and they also cap wells for you if you need it done.
Here is an office locator for one in your area-
USDA Service Center Locator

You need to call your county and see what the requirements are for livestock, septic systems, and wells. In our county you cannot legally have a pasture within a certain distance of a well.