Stable & Pasture Equipment

How big should my horse's paddock be?

Horses, as former steppe and running animals, have a high need for exercise, fresh air, and exposure to light. To satisfy their natural requirements in these areas, a horse needs several hours of turnout per day. Not every horse management system can provide horses with the opportunity to be on pasture around the clock. Space, management, and feed availability are the limiting factors here. For these reasons, we further distinguish between field keeping and paddock keeping.
When horses are turned out for several hours a day into a field, pasture or paddock and then brought back into the stable, this is referred to as turnout. With turnout, it is important that horses can fulfil their need for movement, fresh air and light. Grazing on pasture grass is secondary in this context. The area must be large enough for lower-ranking horses to be able to avoid conflict.
The situation is different when it comes to proper pasture management. Here, the already mentioned needs of the horse are further supplemented by the feed aspect. A pasture should provide sufficient feed for the animals on it, so that ideally no hay needs to be fed additionally. Logically, the area must therefore be larger. A ratio of one horse per 0.4-0.6 hectares on permanent grazing (1-1.5 acres per horse) is recommended. The stocking density of the pasture should be chosen so that there is sufficient feed available for all horses and the grass is not completely eaten within a few days.

For a stable fencing solution that is easily visible and accepted by horses, you'll find all the necessary electric fence accessories, such as ropes and tapes, in our online shop. Wide tapes are particularly easy for horses to see. For hassle-free connection of individual ropes and tapes, you can choose between tape tensioners and rope connectors. With electric fencing energisers and their corresponding batteries, you can make your pasture fence escape-proof.
If you're unsure about your exact requirements for fencing materials, you can use our handy electric fence calculator. Here, you can precisely calculate how many metres of material youll need for a rectangular, circular or round electric fence.
Our range is complemented by accessories for electric fences, such as adapter cables, fence connection cables, fence testers and warning signs.

In our guide on pasture management, we have compiled the most important horse pasture basics. Here you will find more detailed information about the different types of horse pastures and why they are subject to heavy wear and tear.