Owning and caring for a pony is great fun and immensely rewarding. However, it’s also a big responsibility, with lots of things to think about. One of the biggest questions many owners have is “How much land do I need to keep a pony?”. The answer is often surprising, and might be more than you think. 

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As well as the amount of land a pony needs, there are several other important factors to consider when choosing a place for your pony to live; some of which are summarised below. 

What is a pony?

Firstly, what is a pony? And how are they different to horses? Numerous definitions exist, but it is generally accepted that a pony is an equine measuring 14.2 hands (148cm) or below at the withers. A wide range of breeds exist, including those native to the UK such as Shetland and Dartmoor ponies. As well as those from further afield such as the Garrano ponies from Portugal and the Konik from Poland. 

Because of their size and adaptability, ponies are often misunderstood. And the level of care needed to keep them happy and healthy can be underestimated. They are complex creatures that originate from all corners of the globe, and are adapted to life as part of a free-roaming herd. Because of this, it can be difficult to meet all their needs in a domesticated environment. Careful consideration is needed before committing to buying or keeping one. 

Why is turnout to pasture important for ponies?

Time spent ‘turned out to pasture’ in a field or paddock serves several purposes for ponies.

Firstly and most simply, turnout in a grass paddock provides ponies with food

Grass can provide a complete food source for ponies, supplying them with the essential nutrients needed to survive. Originating from harsh environments such as the Shetland Isles or the bleak moors of Devon, where food can be scarce, ponies are adapted to consume a low protein, high fibre diet little and often, meaning they spend much of their day eating. Much of the grass in the UK is cultivated to be nutritionally dense, which although great in some respects, can be problematic for ponies who are designed to eat less nutrient dense and more varied forage, leading to problems such as obesity and metabolic disease. Ponies have been found to eat up to 5% of their bodyweight in grass, and with an average bodyweight of 250 kilograms, that’s a whopping 12.5 kilograms of grass a day! 

As well as food, turnout to pasture also provides ponies with an opportunity to exercise

In the wild, horses have been known to cover up to 50 miles per day in search of food. Exercise helps to avoid obesity, regulate insulin levels and maintain muscle mass. Those ponies who live in pairs or groups tend to get more exercise through the medium of play and group activity. Having a companion or two also provides ponies with an opportunity to socialise. Just like in people, socialisation with peers is vital in providing our ponies with a good quality of life. Ponies are naturally herd animals and seek safety in numbers, and can be seen grooming, playing and mutually resting with their field mates. In the wild, pony herds are usually made up of a stallion, several mares, and their offspring. 

Finally, a less obvious element to turnout is the ‘freedom to express normal behaviour’

One of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, and one of the Welfare Needs laid down in the Animal Welfare Act, animals must be able to express normal behaviour; which includes grazing, socialising, mutual grooming, rolling, resting and stretching. Turnout provides an important opportunity for ponies to do this, which is often not possible in a stable or barn environment. 

How much space do they actually need?

The British Horse Society recommends one to one and a half acres per horse or pony, plus an additional acre; the equivalent to one football pitch per pony!

The actual area of land needed depends on factors such as the quality of grazing, the number of horses on the land (i.e. the stocking density), the size, age and type of those horses, their energy requirements, how well the pasture is maintained and if the grazing is supplemented with other feed. 

Is all land created equal?

No! As mentioned, the amount of land needed to keep a pony varies significantly depending on the type and quality of the grazing and how the land is managed. 

As many UK pony owners will know all too well, it can be difficult to strike the right balance between providing a pony with enough space to exercise and graze, while ensuring they don’t over-consume; leading to obesity and metabolic issues. 

There are several factors to consider when deciding if an area of land is suitable for a pony. A pony needs to consume around 1.5-2% of their bodyweight in forage a day. So if there isn’t enough grazing to provide this on the land, hay or haylage should be supplemented. Conversely, if there is ‘too much’ grazing available, access may need to be restricted to prevent over consumption through the medium of strip grazing, track systems or grazing muzzles. 

The biodiversity of the grazing is often overlooked when deciding if grazing is suitable

Biodiversity refers to the level of species richness within the plants and grasses; i.e. the more species, the more biodiverse the land. Much of the grazing land in the UK is species poor, having been cultivated with agricultural grasses such as rye grass, which is useful in fattening cattle (and horses!). Species rich grazing provides ponies with access to a wider range of nutrients, supports the hind gut microbiome and provides environmental enrichment. Although not essential when choosing where a pony is to be kept, biodiverse grazing can help to keep both our ponies and their surrounding environment happy and healthy. Steps to promote pasture biodiversity include poo-picking, avoiding the use of fertilisers, avoiding over-grazing (avoid grazing below 2.5cm) and fencing off and re-seeding areas of grazing with a variety of native grasses and plants. 

Also, consider the topography

Although hilly land can be trickier to manage and maintain, it can be beneficial in keeping ponies fit and maintaining their muscle mass. In some parts of the country with sandy soils, having a free-flowing stream to drink from can be a problem, as ingestion of sand can cause colic. In others, wet and boggy clay or peaty soils around a stream can predispose to skin and hoof problems. So again, provision of artificial drinking stations in a dryer area of the pasture can be valuable too. 

Pasture management and rotation 

Pasture management is the practice of growing healthy grass and related plants to sustain year-round forage availability, whilst also encouraging ecological health. This can conserve or enhance native grasses in the pasture as well as improving the soil health. Most people don’t have access to vast amounts of suitable grazing land. So pasture management and rotation aims to make use of the space available, preserving the grazing and ensuring it remains suitable to keep ponies on. Pasture management can also improve biodiversity and reduce the environmental impact of keeping horses, as well as reducing feed costs and ensuring land is more resistant to becoming waterlogged, or dried out. 

One of the most important elements of pasture management is poo-picking

Although an arduous task, poo-picking helps to reduce parasite load on the paddock, prevent weed growth and keep the grazing palatable and biodiverse. Ideally, pasture should be poo-picked a minimum of twice weekly, but the more often the better! 

Strip grazing, track systems and rotating paddocks are all ways of preserving the grazing available and allowing areas of land to rest and re-grow for future use. 

Regular, thorough inspections of the pasture is important to identify and deal with any hazards; such as rabbit or fox holes, scrap metal or rubbish, contamination and poisonous plants such as ragwort. 

Pasture management can be a costly and time-consuming practice. But it can make a big difference to a pony’s health, and the longevity of the land available. 

What other considerations are needed?

The amount and quality of the land isn’t the only thing that matters when choosing somewhere for a pony to live. The security, availability of a water source, companionship, provision of shelter and sources of enrichment are all important factors to think about.  

Appropriate fencing is vital when preparing a field for a pony

It should provide a safe and secure barrier which isn’t easily damaged or broken. Horses and ponies are very good at getting themselves tangled in fencing and can cause themselves serious damage if fencing is inappropriate or in a state of disrepair. Some good options for fencing include wooden or synthetic post and rail, hedgerows, small-mesh stock fencing or electric fencing. Ponies often like to use fencing as a scratching post and can be excellent escape artists. So barbed or plain wire fencing should be avoided where possible. Whatever the fencing used, it should be checked daily for any signs of damage or failure. 

Along with good fencing, paddocks should be equipped with year-round shelter from the elements

Natural sources of protection such as trees and hedgerows may be sufficient if present, but if not, an appropriately sized field shelter or stable should be positioned out of prevailing winds and in a well draining area of the paddock. 

As inherently social creatures, most ponies enjoy, and thrive in the company of others

Although another pony or horse is the ideal companion, ponies have been known to form bonds with other animals such as goats, sheep and even chickens. The company of one or several other equines allows ponies to carry out natural herd behaviours; and provides them with a source of comfort and stability. Because herds of wild ponies spend much of their time roaming vast landscapes, domesticated ponies in comparatively small paddocks can experience boredom and frustration, and providing sources of enrichment can help to mitigate this. Enrichment can come in the form of alternative food sources such as non-poisonous tree branches that ponies can nibble on (e.g. birch or willow) or even toys such as balls, which they can kick or pick up and throw.

Finally, it goes without saying that access to water is essential for ponies

Water can be provided through natural sources such as streams, or through buckets and troughs. Whatever the source, water should be checked regularly to ensure it is clean, plentiful and free from contamination. Providing multiple sources is ideal as it provides ponies with a choice and an alternative source if one becomes contaminated. 

Summary

Although ideals exist, the actual amount of land needed to keep a pony on depends on a variety of factors. A good rule of thumb is one acre per pony, plus one additional acre. However several factors dictate how much land a pony might actually need. These factors include grazing quality, the stocking density of the land and the energy requirements of the animals on the land. 

Other considerations that need to be taken into account when deciding where a pony is to live include fencing, availability of shelter, water sources and provision of companionship. 

As always, individual ponies’ needs differ, and you should always contact your own vet for advice on their particular needs. 

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References and further reading