b'Y ouve yearned to keep a horse in your backyard for years. Youve dreamt of looking out the window each morning to see him grazing contentedly in his tidy paddock. Youve pictured yourself going out anytime you want to feed him, groom him, ride him, and just be with him. Now youve found that this can be a reality. Its time: Youre about to bring a horse home.But before you do, theres a host of things to prepare and much to consider, from the structures you need to build/have built to the equipment youll need to use to complete barn chores.Read on to learn what horse extension specialists Karen Waite, PhD, of Michigan State University, and Fernanda Camargo, DVM, PhD, of the University of Kentucky, recom-mend for owners making the transition to at-home horse care.Pastures and PaddocksYoull need to provide adequate turnout space for each horse on your property. Here, climate will play a large part in determining your pasture size. In drier climates horses will need more grazing room than in wetter areas with lusher pastures. Here in Kentucky, 1 to 2 acres per horse will suffice, Camargo says. Space to run and roam is ideal, she says, although many horses that are used to confined areas do well with smaller paddocks or drylots, which might be your only option if you ARND BRONKHORSThave limited acreage.To surround that space youll need safe fencing. Waite recommends that its at least 4 feet high for a standard 1,000-pound horse.TheHorse.com | The HorseSeptember 201911'