Cross Breeds

How to Build a Miniature Horse Enclosure?

I've recently agreed to take in two miniature horses that were being neglected by their owners. I need to build and enclosure for them, but I don't know how. Does anybody know? What kind of fencing do I use? How tall does the fence need to be? How big does the enclosure need to be? Should they have stables, a barn, or just a shelter?

Public Comments

1. I know a quick way would be to put up a temporary electric fence until you had something built that is more permanent. http://electric-deer-fence.com/electricdeerfences/electricfencekits.htm
2. Build a stable and off the stable build a wood fence 5 ft. I would say but if that seems to high 4 and a half ft.
3. for their housing, they don't really need much more than a three-sided shelter. Make it as large as you would like. It should be tall enough for you to walk into, of course, but the other dimensions should be around 8x8 ft or so. If you plan to build it yourself, you will need some tools. Use a post-hole digger to dig the base for your corner posts. All four holes should be at least 2-3ft deep. The placement of these will also define your enclosure's dimensions. Once the holes are dug, place the posts, (maybe 10ft tall?) into the holes. As you place each post, fill the hole with cement and prop up the post until the cement has begun to set. Use a lever to make sure the posts are perfectly vertical. After that, you just buy some lumber and basically start building your walls, and then a roof, around the posts. To have a slanted roof, set the "front" posts slightly higher than the "back" posts to give your roof a natural slant for drainage. Good, cheap fencing would be a simple chain-link. This is good for horses because it is not dangerous like barbed wire is, and the mesh will keep out stray dogs who may attack your horses. The fence should be at least 5 ft tall, for protection against other animals rather than enclosure purposes. The enclosure should be as large as you can make it. Since this is going to become their new pasture area, you want to make sure there is enough grazing space to keep it from turning into a dirt field. Anywhere from a half to full acre would be plenty for two minis!