Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Take advantage of the natural lay of the land as you design your facilities.
If you are starting with a piece of bare land (or one with just a house), you have a big
job ahead of you, but you can design things exactly as you want. Plan your facilities in
relation to the improvements already there, such as residence, utilities, and fences. If the
land has no source of water, the very first step is to drill a well in a location that will be
convenient to the residence and to the horse facilities. Take the natural features—the trees,
rocks, streams, and hills—into account so that you don't lose what they have to offer but
can instead incorporate them into your scheme.
If you have an operating small farm or a partially developed acreage, you must evaluate
the existing facilities. Are they suitable as they are or do they need modifications? Are they
usable temporarily as transition facilities? Do they have salvageable parts but require ex-
tensive renovation? Will the renovation cost more than a new building would? Would it be
impractical to remodel the existing facilities, and should they be torn down instead?
Study as many existing horse facilities as you can, especially those in your locale, and
take notes and/or photos of what you like and don't like. Make some initial sketches of
what you want and show them to knowledgeable people in agricultural Extension and in
