12 Tips for Keeping Horses on a Farm or Off-Grid Property

Planning on adding horses to your farm or off grid homestead? Think again. It might be a lot harder than you think. Here's a list of things you will need to consider.

See Also: Off Grid Horses: Riding Lessons and Other Issues.

Assess Land and Facilities

Before bringing horses onto your property, assess the land and facilities to ensure they can accommodate the needs of horses. Check for suitable pasture areas, access to fresh water sources, safe fencing, and adequate shelter options such as a barn or run-in shed.

Provide Ample Pasture Space

Horses require ample pasture space to graze and exercise. Aim for at least 1-2 acres of pasture per horse, depending on the type of forage available and the horse's needs. Rotate pastures regularly to prevent overgrazing and promote healthy vegetation growth.

Secure Safe and Sturdy Fencing

Install secure and sturdy fencing around the pasture area to keep horses contained and safe. Choose fencing materials appropriate for horses, such as wooden board, high-tensile wire, or electric tape, and regularly inspect and maintain the fencing for any damages or weak spots.

Ensure Clean and Fresh Water

Horses require access to clean and fresh water at all times. Install automatic waterers or provide large troughs that can hold an adequate amount of water for the number of horses on the property. Regularly clean and monitor water sources to ensure they are free from contamination.

Construct Adequate Shelter

Provide suitable shelter for horses to seek protection from extreme weather conditions such as rain, wind, or intense heat. Options include a well-ventilated barn, run-in shed, or a combination of natural and artificial shelters. Ensure the shelter is structurally sound and offers enough space for all horses.

Develop a Feeding Program

Create a feeding program that meets the nutritional needs of your horses. Consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to develop a balanced diet based on hay, pasture grazing, and appropriate grain or concentrate feeds. Feed horses at regular intervals and monitor their body condition to adjust the diet as needed.

Maintain Regular Veterinary Care

Schedule regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations for your horses. Establish a relationship with a local equine veterinarian who can provide routine care, administer vaccinations, and address any health concerns promptly. Stay updated on deworming protocols specific to your region.

Practice Regular Hoof Care

Establish a routine for regular hoof care, including trimming or shoeing. Schedule visits from a skilled farrier who can maintain proper hoof health, address any hoof-related issues, and provide guidance on hoof maintenance between visits.

Implement Pest Control Measures

Develop a pest control plan to minimize the impact of flies, mosquitoes, and other pests on your horses. Implement strategies such as fly masks, fly sheets, fans, and insect-repellent sprays to keep horses comfortable and protected from pests.

Provide Enrichment and Exercise

Horses need mental stimulation and regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Incorporate enrichment activities such as toys, treat balls, or varied grazing areas to keep horses engaged. Set aside dedicated time for regular exercise, whether through riding, lunging, or turnout in a safe and adequately sized paddock.

Practice Good Manure Management

Develop a manure management system to prevent the accumulation of waste and maintain a clean and healthy environment. Regularly remove manure from the pasture and implement composting or proper disposal methods to minimize environmental impact.

Continual Learning and Education

Stay informed and continuously educate yourself about horse care, health, and management practices. Attend workshops, seminars, and clinics, and connect with local horse communities to exchange knowledge and experiences. Stay updated on the latest research and advancements in equine care.

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Keeping horses on a farm or off-grid property is a rewarding endeavor, but it requires careful planning, commitment, and ongoing maintenance.

8 Ways to Live Off Grid in your Car

When it comes to living off-grid, there are several vehicle options that can be well-suited for a mobile lifestyle (including "Skoolie Bus Conversions"). Here are some of the best vehicles for living off-grid:

Camper Van

Camper vans offer a compact and versatile living space. They typically include a bed, kitchenette, and sometimes a small bathroom. Camper vans are easy to maneuver and can provide the comforts of home while allowing for mobility and flexibility.

RV (Recreational Vehicle)

RVs come in various sizes and configurations, ranging from small motorhomes to large Class A motorhomes with ample living space. RVs often feature sleeping areas, a kitchen, bathroom, and storage compartments. They provide a comfortable and self-contained living environment for off-grid living.

Truck Camper

Truck campers are designed to be mounted onto the bed of a pickup truck. They offer a cozy living space with sleeping areas, a small kitchen, and sometimes a bathroom. Truck campers are ideal for those who already own a pickup truck and want a portable living option.

Overland Vehicle

Overland vehicles are typically off-road capable trucks or SUVs that are modified for extended off-grid travel. These vehicles often have added amenities such as rooftop tents, water and fuel storage, solar power systems, and extra storage for outdoor gear.

Expedition Vehicle

Expedition vehicles are specifically designed for off-grid travel in rugged terrain. They are built on heavy-duty truck chassis and feature robust construction, large water and fuel storage capacities, advanced suspension systems, and comprehensive self-sufficiency features.

Converted School Bus (Skoolie)

Converting a school bus into a mobile home, known as a skoolie, has become a popular option for off-grid living. Skoolies can provide ample living space, with the ability to customize the interior layout and incorporate features like solar power, composting toilets, and full kitchen facilities.

Van Conversion

Van conversions involve converting a cargo van into a livable space. They offer the freedom to customize the layout according to individual needs and can include a bed, kitchenette, storage, and solar power systems. Van conversions provide a compact and efficient off-grid living option.

Tiny House on Wheels

Tiny houses on wheels are small, self-contained homes built on trailers, allowing for mobility. They provide a full living space with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom loft, and storage. Tiny houses on wheels offer the benefits of a traditional home in a compact and mobile package.

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When choosing a vehicle for off-grid living, consider factors such as the size of your living space requirements, mobility needs, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and the availability of necessary amenities and resources. Additionally, it's important to comply with local laws and regulations regarding vehicle modifications and parking for extended periods.

Cycling Off Grid and Bicycle Maintenance

Living off the grid in Northern Ontario can present several challenges, such as limited access to transportation, the need for physical activity, and the need for an affordable mode of transportation that doesn't rely on fossil fuels. A bicycle can be a very useful tool to address these challenges and improve the quality of life in many ways, such as:

Transportation

A bicycle is an affordable and sustainable mode of transportation that doesn't rely on fossil fuels, making it an ideal option for off-grid living. It can be used to travel to nearby towns, run errands, or commute to work, depending on the distance and terrain. With a sturdy bike, one can also navigate uneven terrain, rough roads, and narrow paths that may not be accessible by car.

Exercise

Living off the grid in Northern Ontario can be physically demanding, and having a bicycle can be an excellent way to stay active and healthy. Regular cycling can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and reduce stress levels. Cycling can also be an enjoyable way to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of Northern Ontario and appreciate the outdoors.

Sustainability

Using a bicycle as a primary mode of transportation is an eco-friendly way to reduce one's carbon footprint and contribute to environmental conservation. Bicycles do not emit greenhouse gases or contribute to air pollution, making them a sustainable alternative to cars or other motorized vehicles.

Cost-effective

Bicycles are relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain compared to other forms of transportation. With proper maintenance and care, a good quality bicycle can last for many years, making it a long-term investment that can save money in the long run.

Source of Income

Getting training as a bicycle mechanic can also prove to be profitable, as many people who live in communities with limited roads and plenty of woodland trails also choose to use bicycles. Those people will end up needing the help of a trained bicycle mechanic whenever they need to fix their bicycles.

Conclusions

A bicycle can be a very useful tool when living off the grid in Northern Ontario. It provides a sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation, promotes physical activity, and contributes to environmental conservation.

Horses Off Grid: Riding Lessons and Other Issues

The following post is a sequel to my older post:

Horses - Off grid care and maintenance for Equines

In the previous post I covered such topics as:

• Cost of buying a horse (about $2000).
• Vet bills ($11,000+ per year on average).
• Horse shoes and farrier costs.
• Feeding your horse.
  

Basically expect to be spending $15,000 annually on your horse, and that is assuming it doesn't get sick, eat a poisonous mushroom, or get seriously injured and end up with a vet bill of $50,000+.

Basically all you need to know is that horses are super expensive and they get sick/injured regularly.

But there are other issues to consider too.

First...

Do you even know how to ride???

If you don't even know how to ride you have no business buying a horse and trying to use it for transportation when living on your off grid ranch, farm, homestead, cabin in the woods, etc.

You really should learn how to ride first.

And you cannot just read a book, subscribe to a magazine like Horse Sport Magazine or whatever in order to learn how to ride. It doesn't work that way. You need to physically get horse riding lessons or else you shouldn't be even attempting to ride a horse.

So here's one location in Ontario to consider, but if you live in other parts of Canada then you need to research what else is near you.

Claireville Ranch located in Brampton (clairevilleranch.com) offers weekday ($35) and weekend ($40) trail rides, and breakfast rides ($85) which are more suitable for people who just want to try riding a horse and are not ready to commit to lessons. They also teach Western horse riding lessons. 8 lessons will cost between $400 to $440 to $520 depending on whether you want group lessons, semi-private lessons or private lessons. The riding lessons are 30 minutes long.

Note - Their prices might fluctuate from time to time. Last I checked trail rides at Claireville are now $50 each. I suspect the price went up due to the pandemic.

I am going to ask my friend/blogger colleague Rob Campbell if he wants to go riding there sometime. Should be good for some photography and a few blog posts.

Okay...

So let's pretend you have taken the horse riding lessons, etc. You have the money to buy a horse, pay the vet bills/etc for 25 years (the average lifespan of a horse is 25 to 30 years)...

And you own land, you build a stables suitable for housing a horse (you don't want the stables to burn down either, like Sunnybrook Stables burnt down a few years ago).

Oh and insurance. You will want insurance on the stables.

And you will need a truck and a horse trailer for transporting your horse to the vet.

You have to make the lifelong commitment to being a "horse person". You can't go halfway with this. It is a lifestyle. People don't just go "I am going to buy horses!" one day and then change their mind a few months later. You have to truly commit.

It is a bit like getting married. Or getting a full body tattoo. Or amputating your arm because you didn't like it anymore. You do this and there should be no going back. (Especially if you amputate your arm. That definitely is not growing back...)

When you talk to people who are "horse people" you quickly realize that their horses are a bit like their babies. It is similar to someone who is a cat owner or a dog owner, but more than that. Most cat and dog owners don't spend $11,000 per year just on vet bills. They don't build a huge stables / house just for their cats and dogs. Cat and dog owners don't spend an hour every day mucking out the stables and cleaning their pet's feet. A horse owner has gone over the edge and is in love with their horses so they're willing to muck out the stables every day, even when they're sick or injured, and to clean their horse shoes every day. (This is why a lot of horse owners keep their horses at a stables that rents out space and services. They aren't living off grid with their horses.)

It is a truly serious commitment. You don't just buy horses because "I am going to use them for riding around off grid on my homestead in the woods." You need to be truly and utterly committed to the task of owning and caring for an animal that depends on you to live.

What if you get sick or injured and you forget to go feed your horse because you live alone in a cabin in the woods? Or if you forget to give your horse water. If your horse goes 48 hours without water it will get colic and possibly die. Five days without water and your horse will die of dehydration.

If you're not serious about being a horse owner then you shouldn't bother being one.

Go get a four-wheeler instead if you want something that is low maintenance that can get you around on your off grid property. Leave the horses to the horse people who are seriously in love with these majestic animals.

Off the Grid Internet via Smart Cars

By Ika. Edited by CM.

Cars are getting smarter and more connected. When you are living off the grid, but want access to the internet having a smarter car which is connected to the internet - and has good processing power - might be a more viable solution than having to drive into town every time you want to use the wifi at the local Starbucks or cafe.

The modern technology world is evolving every second. In-car internet has been standard for almost a decade. Integration of the Internet was a groundbreaking moment that was the main priority in the car industry from 2010. and fast-forward to 2021. web browsers are becoming standard in the car industry. In 1970, Ericsson invented in-car phones, from simple dialing and calling to the landline, and cars evolved to have modern technology. Now, almost every new car has an infotainment center that provides you with car diagnostics, music, and videos. But, if you are still looking for something more, built-in web browsers are the thing you're probably in search of during your commutes.
 
Web Browsing While in the Traffic Jam

According to NHTSA high number of 660,000 drivers are using cell phones in the car at some point in the day. In addition, 36% of drivers use smartphones while waiting at the stop sign, red light, or in a traffic jam. To prevent that, car manufacturers are developing web browsers that are built-in cars. According to Tesla, their in-dash touchscreen browser was the first of that kind as a part of standard equipment. In addition, Tesla has a 17-inch touchscreen tablet that has replaced the classic central console.

Statistics show that people are using web search all day. In the morning, drivers search finance and news site, and later through day entertainment sites. Light reading, games, applications, and social media are visited in the afternoon, especially if you drive something like a Tesla car with such a big screen that it's hard not to use it.

If you are plan to make it a habit, too, you have to have in mind that some of the older car models, especially Tesla cars, may not have enough power to run a bit more demanding website. For example, some people have conducted experiments by playing online games like World of Warcraft in the 2013 Tesla Model S, where they found out that its processing internals is not strong enough to run a more demanding online game like that. However, they did hop into a newer 2021 Model 3 afterwards, and there the game worked without any hiccups.
 
Development of the Internet in Vehicles

At the beginning of adding innovative technology to the cars, IoV consists of sensors and smart terminals. IoV (Internet of Vehicles) created a network of intelligent devices from vehicles and other elements in the environment. Based on that, SIoV got developed - SIoV stands for Social Internet of Vehicles. SUV represents all innovative elements that enable car guidance in real-time. In addition to that, adding web browsers as a standard part of the car equipment is a logical follow-up. Tesla developed a web browser for cars based on Chromium. Chromium is Google's open-source web browser that takes on the popular Google Chrome. Google Chrome is one of the most popular desktop and mobile applications.
 
Volvo has a web search based on HTML 5, and their web search doesn't allow open animated pictures, videos, or music but provides search information. We will see in what direction Volvo will develop its web search. Some high-class cars will have upgraded internet options soon to stay on track with modern technological evolution. We are sure that the car industry will make web browsers a standard part of car equipment in years to come.

Horses for your Off the Grid Home

Did I mention I really like horses?

I have been wanting a horse (I think) since the age of 5. Back when I used to pretend to be a cowboy and was surprisingly good at quick draws and twirling my toy gun on my trigger finger.

I learned to ride when I was about 12 at summer camp. We were given the choice of BMX bicycles or horses, and I already had a bicycle, so I chose the horseback riding lessons.

I came prepared with a set of cowboy boots borrowed from a relative, which I later outgrew as I got older.

Later in my teen years I bought a pair of cowboy boots - and was teased by bullies for wearing them, but whatever, I liked them anyway. Wore them for years until they were worn out.

As a writer, horses would often be featured prominently in my stories and books - mostly about knights and such.

Owning a horse farm therefore has long been a dream of mine. To me buying a horse farm and raises horses is the answer to the question: "What would you do if you won a lottery?"

Which is essentially a thought experiment.

If people would only do certain things if they won the lottery, the follow up question is supposed to be "So, why aren't you doing that right now?"

Which essentially comes back to the idea, if something makes you happy - you should go do it, regardless of whether you have the money.

My problem is that horses are expensive. Not just the cost of the horse itself, but the cost of feed, housing the horses, veterinarian visits, and so forth.

Land is expensive too. So owning a horse farm effectively becomes a two-fold problem involving money.

One of the ideas I have been exploring however is starting a horse farm and hiring someone to train people how to ride, while also offering archery lessons - and finally be one of the few places in the world which offers equestrian archery.

Equestrian Archery is pretty rare. Very few people do it globally. Hungary is quite well known for it, as is Mongolia. But many countries have basically lost touch with this particular skill which was once highly valued for both hunting and warfare.

And since it is a rare skill, but also exotic people would be willing to pay a premium to learn how to do it. (Typically the kind of people who could afford to buy a horse in the first place.)

So my dream of owning and operating a horse farm could become a reality, and I could pay for it for accepting archery students, students who want to learn horseback riding, and by teaching equestrian archery.

So how do I make electricity Off the Grid on a horse farm?

#1. Solar Panels on top of the Horse Barn to provide extra electricity during daytime.

#2. A Wind Mill for pumping Well Water through a filtration system

#3. Wind Turbines to provide electricity to lights and other amenities, day or night.

#4. Backup Power Battery System, so that the solar panels/wind turbines provide energy to the batteries and then store it for later when it is needed.

#5. If the property borders on a flowing river or lake, additional electricity could be made via a small generator (using a turbine, waterwheel or a tidal generator).

#6. Did I mention HORSEPOWER? In theory you could have horses walk in circles with a generator in the middle, complete with gears for extra speed on the generator since the horses are capable of providing significant power. This is not a new concept really, it has been around for a long time.

Interesting Factoid: It's a common misconception that one horsepower is equal to the peak power production of a horse, when in reality a horse on average is capable of a maximum of around 14.9 horsepower. By comparison, a human being is capable of approximately five horsepower at peak power production, but lacks a horse's stamina. 14.9 horsepower is roughly equal to 11.1 kilowatts. Thus in one hour, a horse could produce 11.1 kWh. The average American home uses 900 kWh in a month. Four horses, working only 1 hour per day, would produce 44.4 kWh - over a 30 day period that would be 1,332 kWh - which is more than enough for an average American household. At that rate, the horses could have two days off each week and they would still produce 951.4 kWh just by working 1 hour for 5 days per week. Factor in solar panels and wind turbines, and the horses could work even less.

Building Structures

I am a big fan of hand tools. Assuming that the property doesn't already have a structure that can be suitably converted into a horse barn, such a structure would need to be built. In which case, I am in favour of borrowing designs from Mennonites to get the building done. The beauty of Mennonite architecture is the following:

1. It goes up fairly quickly. A team of Mennonites can build a barn in a single day. True it would take longer if it just me and some hired help, but it can still be done.
2. The entire structure can be made using hand tools. No electricity required.

A second option is to buy a Prefabricated Horse Barn, like the one in the photo further below. Prefabricated buildings are made in a factory and then shipped to the location and then assembled. It is a cheaper and faster way to build structures by mass producing them in a factory, which at the same time maintains quality control, is not hindered by rain or weather conditions, and the construction workers don't spend half their time waiting for supplies or machinery to arrive, because all the supplies and machinery are already there in the factory.

A prefabricated horse barn from horizonstructures.com

Conclusions

So there you go, an inexpensive way to build a horse barn, a list of ways to provide electricity so that the property is off the grid (and you save money by paying zero for electricity and pay less property taxes for being off the grid), and a person like myself could potentially turn a profit by teaching archery, horseback riding, and equestrian archery.

On top of that you would also have the option of using the horses for transportation, for farming, for hauling lumber, and a variety of tasks requiring a little extra "horse power".

Hungarian Equestrian Archer Lajos Kassai

DIY Sailboats

Let us pretend for a moment that you are the type of person who likes to travel and are okay with eating fish on a regular basis (because you love fishing a lot).

Or maybe you just like sailing / fishing?

Well the good news is that there are plenty of ways to build a sailboat these days - and no shortage of free resources available on the internet.

Below are some photos of simple and relatively easy to build sailboats you might build.

 Let us pretend also for a moment that you want a boat that has a lot more space aboard it - so you have room to sleep, cook, frolic, etc.

Well then you are going to be looking at larger boat designs, like this one shown here on the right.

It is large enough to sleep in, but not really adequate if you want to be cooking in there or have much room for storage.

And trust me, storage is a big issue when it comes to living on a boat.

A small ship might be more your thing if you are hoping to actually live on it. It is definitely a case of bigger is better because unless you are used to living in a tiny coffin apartment then you are going to need all the space you can get.

And if you want added stability start thinking catamaran. Again, the bigger the better.

Or maybe you don't want to sail at all but just want to stay in one place?

Check out the floating cabin below.

Emergency Road Kit for your Car

Below is a list of things you will need to prepare an emergency car kit for road emergencies. Always keep the winter safety and emergency equipment in your car regardless of the season. (If you take them out you might forget to put them back in when winter comes again.)

KEEP THE FOLLOWING NEAR YOUR DRIVER'S SEAT

Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars.

Water—plastic bottles that won't break if the water freezes (replace them every six months).

Thick Warm Blanket.

Extra clothing and shoes or boots.

First aid kit.

Seatbelt cutter or other sharp tool. (Store the seatbelt cutter near your driver's seat, so you can grab it and use it quickly if the car is flooding with water.)

Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush.

Large candle in a deep can and matches. The candle will keep you warm in the event you become trapped in your car and need to wait for a rescue.

Wind‑up flashlight.

Whistle or horn in case you need to attract attention.

Roadmaps.

Backpack in case you need to get out of there on foot.

TRUNK ITEMS

Gasoline can for if you need to trek to the nearest gas station.

Car jack.

Spare tire.

Basic tools + a Tire Iron.

Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping), for adding grip under your tires.

Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid.

Tow rope.

Jumper cables.

Fire extinguisher.

Warning light or road flares.

Print out the Emergency Car Kit list. Cross items off the list as you put them in your car. Drive safe!

Horses - Off the Grid care and maintainence for Equines

Honestly if you are keeping horses it is going to get expensive. Expect to be spending about $2,000 per year on each horse.

Part of that annual cost will be veternarian bills, shots, etc. Without regular vet visits you increase the chances your horse gets sick and dies from an illness (horses are like 5 year old humans, they get sick easily).

Another part will be whether you are shoeing your horses. Horse shoes are mandatory if you are riding your horse over any hard surfaces (pavement, rocks, etc). Without horse shoes the horse will hurt their feet on the hard surfaces, become lame, and it will cost you way more in veterinarian bills.

If on the other hand there are no hard roads, no rocky surfaces then you will be fine. This means you will need to think ahead when it comes to where you can ride your horse.

So yes, if you have lots of soft dirt for your horse to roam around on - large grassy fields, soft riding trails, etc - then absolutely, skipping horse shoes will be a possibility.

Which will save you time and money because horses need to be fitted for new horse shoes every couple of months.

Feeding your horse is not quite so onerous. You just need adequate foods that horses can eat - and you need to avoid anything that is potentially poisonous. Because otherwise your horse will eat it, get sick and die.

Basically the long and short of it is that caring for a horse is going to be a long and difficult process - which is why most horse owners choose to hire someone else to do it for them and have their horses stabled on a farm explicitly made for horse lovers. (Such horse farms are pricey however, just a warning. But at least they reduce stress.)

So before you think you can just go out there and buy an horse and use it for transportation or as a pet, think again. Do your research. Talk to horse owners. They are way more expensive to take care of than the actual cost of the animal.

Transportation Off The Grid

There are a variety of ways to have self-sustaining transportation when you are living off the grid.

#1. Walking, jogging, running. Great if you love exercising regularly.

#2. Cross Country Skiing. Good for in the winter.

#3. Bicycles. You will need to perform regular maintenance of your bicycle, thus brushing up on your bicycle mechanic skills is a must. You might even consider taking a bicycle mechanic training course.

#4. Boat - Sailboat or rowboat or canoe. Really only good if you have a large body of water or a river that is going in the direction you want to go.

#5. Horses - Nothing like equine power to get around in your local community! I personally love horses, it is my dream to one day have a horse breeding farm / ranch with a bed and breakfast.

#6. Dog sleds - Really for more Nordic regions. But totally doable if you love Huskies and dog-sledding.

Outside of these options you get into the realm of electricity powered and gasoline / diesel powered engines. Or hydrogen, but hydrogen cars are currently too expensive because they're mostly experimental models.

There are electricity powered bicycles, known as e-bikes, which produce more power and speed than a normal bicycle and look like a scooter.

Then next step up would be a diesel or gasoline powered scooter. (In which case, you aren't really "off the grid", are you???)

The next would be a diesel motorcycle. But be forewarned, diesel engines don't start very well in the winter.

Then diesel cars which can be modified to run on leftover cooking oil. And again, the problem of slow starts in the winter.

And lastly gasoline vehicles... In which case you're not really off the grid at all.

Thus it all goes back to bicycles. Simply the most energy efficient way to travel relatively short distances. The average cyclist goes about 19 kmph (12 mph).

Competitive cyclists can get over 32 kmph (20 mph), which is great if you live only 10 or 20 km from everyone or everything you need to visit.

For longer journeys (over 50 km) you may want to get a head start or resort to public transportation (buses, carpooling, subways, trains, planes, ferries, etc).

Admittedly, depending on your needs, you will sometimes need to compromise and use what is available.

Which brings up an interesting topic... In the TV series "Revolution", why aren't they using bicycles more? Horses and steam trains, yes, they are using those, but bicycles seem like a very easy solution.