A field should be properly fenced with a good water supply. Mature horses need at least 1-2 acres of grass as overcrowding could lead to competition for food, space and water. Supplementary feed will be required during the winter months or extremely dry periods. Hay alone might not be sufficient.

Horses should be checked at least twice a day and the grass availability as well as water supply should always be monitored. Keep an eye for signs of laminitis during the spring and early autumn. Check bodyweight with a weight band. Also try and provide restricted grazing for animals who have had laminitis before.

Ideally, fencing should be post and rail, high enough to stop horses escaping. Other viable alternatives include a single top rail which has posts and wire fence strands underneath. You should not use barbed wire fencing as it causes injury. Sheep wire also get horses caught in it. Gateways should be fastened and padlocked if it’s near a road.

Horses should have easy access to a reliable, clean supply of water throughout. Although a bit of work, buckets and other containers are also an option. Water troughs as well as containers should be regularly clean to prevent the unwanted build-up of algae. Old bathtubs are unacceptable as they are extremely dangerous.

During the winter months, water containers usually ice up so they must frequently be checked to ensure the horse has access to water. Shelter should also be provided to protect horses from wind, snow and rain during the winter and to provide shade as well as files during the summer.