Into the Future

LoveGus said:

Talking to our bank (to get ideas for the future) we can actually get a decent mortgage (up to $165,000) without out breaking our backs to pay it each month. Ok that's fine we weren't looking to go that high but it gives us an idea.

The two of us have always wanted a smallish farm, me I love fresh eggs and miss the ones my step uncle would give us so I've wanted chickens. My fiancé wants a pot belly pig. If we aren't boarding I'd look at getting a pair of horses for the sake of companionship. I have talked to my sister about average cost of keeping a horse on property as that's what she once did. Something I'd be willing and able to do.



My only questions for you guys are:
~ Bare minimum of acres for a pair of horses? **This will depend on where you live and what the regulations in your area are. In Maine, each town has its own regulations. For example, my town is 1 acre on any property, regardless of how it is zoned BUT the horse must have access to at least an area equivalent to .33 acres. They give dimensions as a suggestion but you get the point. One town over it is 1.5 acres for a horse. 2 acres for draft horse, and 3.5 acres for 2 or more horses for rural zoned properties. Horses only permitted on residentially zoned properties, regardless of acreage by permit. My horses are boarded and have access to a 80x120ish run at all times, with pasture available (depending on level of mud/rain/snow in the area). When we buy, we are looking for homes with a minimum of 5 acres so we can rotate (even though we only have 2 horses)

- this way I know where our minimum is **i should have read this first.. he he
- yes I know this may differ but just ideas

~ what type of fencing is lowest maintenance but best at keeping a horse safely contained? **this answer is totally dependent on the horse. my draft, Duke, who is respectful of ALL fencing types and has no issues with thin line electric fencing. There is a hafflinger boarded there also who will run right through any fencing, and must be kept in an oversized round pen because he will use his mane/tail to set off the fence so he can bust through it. I have also seen him try to shimmy under it (super amusing) So this will totally depend on your horse. If you are buying a horse, ask the previous onwer, or rescue. They will be honest because I am sure they don't want the horse back because he is playing houdini.

- I've heard wood fencing can be pretty high maintenance which is why I'm asking - there is some wood fencing at our barn. i'd say 2/3rds of the horses there chew on it. Duke is not one of them. So wood may be pretty, but it needs to be sanded/painted every year or maybe 2 if you live somplece with low humidity, and no snow.

- again I know this is preference
- I've heard electric tape fencing is good but what voltage would even be best? **For me, when we buy I plan on getting the thicker tape fencing (i just think it looks nicer) and running a single wire below. I believe you can get electric conductors with varying voltages so you can adjust because you wouldn't need the same voltage to keep a baby pig in as a horse.... at least I don't think you would.

This won't happen for a few years yet, I'm not willing to break the lease which is a few years. Plus I'd like to put away money for the move down, first expenses (utilities and food) etc. I just want to get the ideas down to research. Which is another thing we are doing. We've got A half a page full of prospective places we'd like to go but aren't going to truly narrow down til the time to find a home is closer. I just like to research and since we want to bring animals onto the little farm I need to research that as well.

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