Horses

The following should always be considered for SWEM horses:

Doorways - 2B+ Wide and 4B+ tall (minimum)
Walkways - 5B+ Wide and 5B+ tall (4.5 optional on edges for detailing if using stairs or slabs) (minimum)
Secure - It is recommended:

• All barn areas or property access routes have a secure gate to prevent escape.

• Make walls or barriers tall enough to avoid escape, check perimeter for blocks they can use to jump over!

• Avoid using scalable blocks that horses can hop over (unless 2B+): single blocks, glass pane, bars.

  • Non-scalable blocks are 1.5B and include walls and fences.

  • Horses cannot jump on troughs or feeders unless another block or high shavings level allows them to step up.

Horses should always have reasonable access to:

Water - As either a replenishing (infinite) water source or adequately filled water container (trough, half barrel).
Food - As either forage (grazing on grass) or feed (quality bale, timothy, alfalfa or sweet feed)

Paddocks are fenced in attachments to a stall, which can offer limited grazing space or just outdoor access with soft footing for horses with restricted (small) stall areas. They might also be referred to as a 'run' or a 'walkout'. 

Fundamentals - Paddocks

If a stall does not require a paddock, these rules do not apply providing the space is safe, accessible and secure.

Requirements: Paddocks are required unless a stall meets or exceeds 6x8 or 7x7 sizing requirement, then it is optional.

Purpose: Paddocks extend the floorspace area of smaller stalls, or provide a walkout into fresh air and sunlight. Paddocks are not substitute for pasture turnout for grazing, exercise +/- socialization with others.

Access: Paddock areas should always be accessible (open) if the stall is smaller than 6x8 or 7x7 sizing. Paddock areas can be closed off temporarily for tacking, feeding, mucking out or isolating horses.

Width / Length: Paddocks must be 5B+ in both width and length to allow turning, lying down, movement and handling.

Floorspace: Paddock area (blocks) only counts usable space including feeders etc but excluding walls/fences etc.

Footing: Paddock footing must be clean, soft and natural - grass or dirt is recommended.

Terrain: Paddocks should not have extreme terrain - instead level or gently sloping (1:3 grade) for 75%+ area.

Sunlight: Paddock areas should be uncovered by all but a one block overhang from roofing etc.

Secure: Paddocks must be secure with no escape points (breaks in fences, step ups to get over the fence).

Occupancy: Paddocks can be merged together between stalls, provided the capacity meets min. 5x5B per horse.

All paddocks must be at least 5X5, but it is recommended to use the width of the stall, such as a 6X6 stall having a 6X5 paddock.
It is not recommended to make paddocks larger than 3x the capacity of the stall as this will create very long, thin runs. 

Pastures (by SWE's definition) differ to paddocks as they are generally larger and intended for sustainable, longer-term grazing, exercise, and solo or group turnout of several horses at a time. 

Fundamentals - Pastures

Pastures are differentiated from paddocks by their size and either being separate from, or closed of to, stalls.

Purpose: Pastures offer horses a larger and more enriching turnout space to graze, exercise and socialize.

Access: Pasture entrances (gates) must be a minimum of 2 block wide and 4 block tall (headspace).

Area: Pastures must offer a minimum 120B (~11x11) per horse, plus an additional 240B per 10 horse capacity.

Width / Length: Pastures must be 11B+ in both width and length - avoid extremely thin pastures which restrict movement.

Floorspace: Pasture area (blocks) only counts usable space including feeders etc but excluding walls/fences etc.

Footing: Pastures should have soft, natural footing with mostly soil-type blocks (grass, dirt etc).

Terrain: Pastures should not have extreme terrain - instead level or gently sloping (1:3 grade) for 50%+ area.

Grazing: Pastures should offer mostly grass, but dry lots (no grass) are permitted if bales are provided at all times.

Water: Pastures should have water via troughs or natural sources sufficient to meet the maximum capacity.

Shelter: Pasture shelter should offer 3x3B per horse with protection from elements such as sun, rain, wind or snow. Pasture shelters must have 2-3+ edges weather protection (walls etc) and be 5B+ from floor to ceiling. Pasture shelter may be substituted for natural shelter (trees) if there is sufficient coverage and density!

Boarding facilities must offer full-capacity structure shelters instead of natural shelter.

Secure: Pastures must be secured with 1.5-2B+ fences/walls and no escape points (step ups to get over fences).

Occupancy: Pastures can only accommodate as many horses as it can (sustain) grazing and shelter for.

Calculating Pasture Requirements: Pastures need a minimum of 120B+ per horse (~11x11) + 240B additional per 10 horses.
We recommend 225B per horse (15x15) for either solo or higher capacity pastures for a good balance of space and grazing.

Work out pasture area: Multiply the long edge (# blocks) by the short edge = area. This is the inner space excluding fences.
Work out pasture capacity: Divide the pasture area by 120 = approximate capacity, or use our quick reference chart below!
--- Example: 980B area divided by 120 = 8 Horses. That is 8.1 rounded down to 8 as you cannot accommodate 0.1 of a horse.
Work out pasture length: If you know one edge and the capacity, divide capacity by the length and you'll get the width.
--- Example: 700 required capacity divided by 30B on one edge = 24B (23.3) width.

Our server is deeply rooted in respect for animals and their welfare. This does not just include their amenities in stalls, provision of needs via food, shelter and turnout. It also includes their overall treatment. We encourage (and * enforce) the following:

• * Horses should have safe, secure and welfare standard accommodation(s).

• * Horses should have reliable access to food and water.

• * Horses should have routine cleaning of stall and turnout spaces.

• * Horses should be untacked when the owner is offline, or do not require the horse for an extended period of time.

• * Horses should not be left tethered when the owner is offline - as they will be unable to attend to their needs.

• * Horses should not be harmed or killed inhumanely by any player.

• Owners should take every effort to keep their horse safe while riding.

• Owners should treat their horse with respect; avoiding derogatory language, abuse, or abandonment.