I read a book in High School called “5 acres and Independence”,
I still have my copy. Just seeing it’s binding on the bookshelf is inspiring.
I’ll have to dig it out. Lots of great practical stuff for living on the land old school- before the days of Mother Earth News, etc.
The original Y2K manual!
I recall the original author making a point there was no place on 5 acres for the “pleasure horse”. The 70’s edition had a disclaimer, saying (because of the trend of people moving out of town just to have a horse) is was OK, and had to be understood in context.
I worked off and on a farrier for 24 years, giving it up about 10 years ago so as to save my spine for old age. I had some quarterhorses and paints for a long while. I really do concur with the original author- if they aren’t work horses, or used for working cattle on larger acreages, you are better off without them.
Gas prices may make me rethink that, but they sure don’t pencil out on a 5-10 acre deal if you’re going to try to raise your own food.