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iluvdogs111 · August 2010

This is about owning a miniature horse and the laws regarding owning farm animals. I really was hoping to get a miniature horse in a year or two...but now I'm worried we don't have enough land, because my dad said the town law may be we need to have a certain number of acres to get one. And I know in our area it's like 5 acres to own a horse. We have just over 1 acre, and a barn at the very back of our property, there are trees surrounding it on 3 sides. I know the law varys a lot from place to place, but I'm a little confused because 1. All the websites say minis need only about a half an acre per horse 2. Some people keep them as pets in their houses 3. And some are used as guide animals for the blind So, I'm really hoping the 5acre rule doesn't apply to miniature horses as well. My dad's gonna call tonight and find out. Anyways, do you think the rule applies to mini hores as well? I know you can't know for sure but I'm anxious to find out......what do you think? Thanks.

Garnet · August 2010

You do not need 5 acres for a mini horse

I've seen a mini horse in half an acre before. As long as you have enough grass for him/her to graze on, s/he should be fine. Make sure s/he has plenty of water and check occasionally to make sure s/he has enough. If you want, you can even feed him/her some feed to go along with the grass

I have never owned a mini horse. All I have are full grown Quarter Horses, but my best friend (Vampy) owns a pony and they keep him on about half an acre or less. I know a full grown Quarter Horse can be kept in a round pen, so a mini horse wouldn't need much land as long as s/he is kept healthy. Make sure to have regular vet checkups to keep him/her up to date on his/her worming and shots

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Yeah, I know that you don't need that much land, I'm just owrried that there is a law that says you can't own any type of farm animal in my area without at least 2 acres or something like that.

Garnet · August 2010

Oh, well then yea, your dad will have to call about that haha my bad xD

Minx · August 2010

Id say an acre would probably be plenty. I agree that i keep my pony AND horse on about 2 acres along with 2 sheep and about 4 rabbits. I still have to suppliment them with a bale of hay but im sure thats because of my horse being a pig xD Im sure if you called the city you could probably work out a deal. If i were you id look up how many acres you need for a sheep or goat because they are around the same size as a mini or a pony and you might be able to get the city to allow it, Especially if you tell them you plan on supplementing it.

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Yeah, okay, thanks. I dunno what the rule is but I'm anxious to find out because I really want one. We only have one neighbor right near us and they used to have horses so it shouldn't be a problem, plus it's pasture would be in the back so no one would have to see it. I think it's more of would it be a bother to others rather than how much grass it needs.

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

I'm so upset right now I'm in tears, My dad just said he went to the town office and asked them and they said 5 acres. He said even for a miniature horse? She said you need 5 acres. He told them we only have on neighbor and they still said 5 acres. They obviously don't know anything about minis because they need a lot less land than horses. I want to talk to them about it but we'd probably just get the same lady. my dad says there's no way to bargain with them or change the law. It shouldn't matter how much land you have if you live in a place like I do. This means I can never get any farm animals, ever, until I graduate college, move out, get a house with 5 acres of land and get a job. And who knows how long that could be. I spent so much time researching and now just because of one silly rule I can't ever get one. Ever.

:x

Garnet · August 2010

Well call them back and talk to them perhaps?? I know I make my dad be persistent when it comes to things like this!! Im currently selling one of my horses so that i can buy my new one and i make dad keep calling to check on the sell and things xD haha

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

I know, but we'd probably just get the same lady, she obviously didn't make the rule and won't bargain with us. If it was like 2 acres we could probably work something out, but 5? I dunno if that's just horses or all livestock.

NickelbackLuver · August 2010

That was the law for Michigan... but where I live now I see people who have full grown horses in their backyards o.O (probably half an acre) so I'm not thinking that's a law here, but now I have to wonder the same thing D; I was going to wait until I had more land to get a mini too, and more money considering how expensive they can be... but I got my mom interested in owning one too xD But, we have around an acre as well, and could allow the Mini on most of it. *shrugs* I think it's more of a thing dealing with neighbors than what's good for the animal. My one neighbor would call in on us too I think =/ they didn't like it when we put a fence up -.-

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

Nickelback__Luver wrote:

I think it's more of a thing dealing with neighbors than what's good for the animal.

I agree, the laws aren't necessarily about what the specific animal needs, it's about appeasing your neighbors and neighborhood. I live in a housing tract, and NO farm animals are allowed except for a loop hole that allows small things to pet kept strictly as a pet(such as a single pet duck). Some people do not like farm animals, and do not want to be around them(at least not directly next to them), so they buy houses in areas where they don't have to deal with them. In California you could own acres upon acres, but if your house is not zoned for livestock, then you can't have them. Unfortunately the law is the law, and unless you get enough people to sign a petition to abolish the law(could take years and a lot of money), then your father is right in saying there is not point in bargaining with them. Please keep in mind that the people who told you 5 acres probably have no power, and are just doing their job, so it doesn't really matter if they specifically known about the requirements of a miniature horse.

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Yes, I guess your right. I just wish they'd consider our situation, as we have a huge hill on one side seperating us from others and then trees and a road on the other. Our only neighbor that is even visible to us is across the road and they owned horses in the past, so they wouldn't mind I'm sure. Plus it would be in the very back so no one would have to see or hear it. I guess I just wish it wasn't such a high number, or so strict. I suppose they figure people with that amount of land don't have many neighbors right next to them? :roll:

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