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Turning horses out to graze...?

885 views 9 replies 10 participants last post by  kiwi79 
#1 ·
Hey folks just looking for a answer to what I think is a simple question....
I let my neighbor turn his 3 horses out in my 2 acre lot. Not that I plan on charging him anything, but what would doing something like this be valued at for a horse owner?
Ask any questions that you think are pertinent.
 
#2 ·
To graze a little, or to use it 24/7?

Not big enough to do much good with 3 horses.

And won't be anything to graze on for long either.

To me, worth nothing.

I know someone that rented a place about this size, 2 horses, trees, and used their water to fill trough, they paid 45 a month, I think?

But had to hay every day too.
 
#3 ·
People here can lease 40 acres of pasture for about $200 a year, essentially the price of taxes on ag exempted, undeveloped land. The horses keep the place taxed at a lower rate and the property owner gets his taxes paid for.
 
#4 ·
Three horses on 2 acres is getting your lawn mowed, except for the weeds they won't eat.

As has already been commented, it won't be long before the grass is down to nothing anyway, when there are three horses on two acres.

You are essentially "rubbing each other's back".
 
#5 ·
Its just a lawn mowing for you and a nice thing for the horse owners.

Really depends on the size of the animals. When we had donkeys and up till we got the latest horse ( a morgan) 2 acres kept the donkeys till snowed covered the ground. With a horse..... they eat so much more. The pony and small horse (14.) dont eat nearly as much as the morgan who is 14.2
 
#7 ·
A lot of different factors will play into the value. Location, type of grass, layout of pasture, shelters, etc... If it was 24/7 turnout I wouldn't price it very high because in a matter of a few days it would be a dry lot and the owner would need to supplement with hay.

I have a 2.5 acre section of my property sectioned off that I allow to grow. I also keep it mowed. I turn the horses out for about 3 to 4 hours on it every evening if the weather is cooperating. It rounds out to about 5 nights a week. So this little set up for me...it's priceless in my opinion. I would be pretty upset if I couldn't do it anymore.
 
#8 ·
The price would vary massively depending on the location and situation.

For example, in the country side where there is a lot of land it would have very little worth.

If it were two acres in the middle of the city you could charge hundreds per month.

It also depends on who is using it, if they have some acres of their own and they just like the little extra grazing then again, worth very little. Some people may say you both benefit, you from maintaining the grass and them for a little extra feed.

However if they have no land and keep their horses stabled or on a dry lot 24/7 then two acres of turnout could be worth a bit to them.

So there is no real answer without knowing more about the situation.

I know I used to pay $50 a week for a bit under an acre in a sort of suburban part of town for full time useage with no other facilities.
 
#9 ·
You could only really charge money as long as the land is providing a good solid meal...which on two acres wouldn't be for long. For your situation it might make more sense to charge for the season. So then the owner controls the land and can let his horses eat it down or put them on for a few hours every other day in the hopes that it keeps growing.
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#10 ·
Like others I don't think a property that size would generate much profit long term unless the owners were happy to feed daily once the grass ran out. I am in the same situation, have about 2.5 acres of pasture split into 3 paddocks. No longer have anything grazing here so have a decent amount of grass although it is winter so has stopped growing now. My neighbour is getting low on grass so is moving two of his horses to our place tomorrow - I would say after 2 maybe 3 weeks they will have turned all 3 paddocks into muddy, grass-less areas and will be going back next door.
 
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