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About Lisa Lee
Expertise
Questions on basic training, fire safety with all types of animals, transportation questions, Fire Code requirements for buildings (NYS ).

Experience
Over 20 years experience in the horse industry, from working on farms to owning and breeding my own horses. Have been involved with Code Enforcement and NFPA Standard development for the past 5 years. I am also involved in the Fire Service, both volunter and professionally, for a total of 17 years.

Organizations
NFPA

Education/Credentials
Multiple National Certifications in the Fire Service, including Fire Service Instructor, and I am curently close to the completion of my AS in Fire Science Technology.

You are here: Experts > Sports > Horse Racing > Horses > Horses Living In Backyards

Horses - Horses Living In Backyards

Expert: Lisa Lee - 10/25/2009

Question
Hi! So I am very interested in buying a horse except the board at the stables near me is very high priced. I was wondering if it is against the law to keep a horse in your back yard in New Jersey. My back yard is very large, enough room for a shelter it is all fenced in. There is also space to walk and trot only, and safe grace, a lot of room to rome. Do you know if I can? Thank you!
Rayna

Answer
Hi- the first thing you would need to do is check if there are any local ordinances against having livestock on your property. Generally 2 acres for the first horse and 1 acre for each after is what I have seen as common requirements.

Second - keeping a horse at home can be expensive also - you have feed/hay to purchase, vet bills, farrier bills. What do you do with the manure the horse produces? Remember also horses are herd animals, and do better with other animals vs. being alone. What type of fencing do you have? Chain link is NOT good - especially if the top is exposed - easy place for a horse to get its' face caught and injured.

Do you have any experience with keeping a horse? The thing I recommend is to take lessons, and/or possibly lease a horse to make sure it is something you want to take on full time.

Keeping a horse at home means you need to feed it AT LEAST 2 times/day, clean up after it, make sure it has fresh water.....something as simple as going away for a weekend now becomes difficult unless you have someone reliable to take care of the horse.

I don't mean to scare you off - but having a horse at home is a big responsibility!

If you have any other specific questions please don't hesitate to ask.

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