Owning and running a horse farm is one of the recent passions among farmers today. It is a fun and fulfilling job that entails loving and taking care of these magical animals – and breeding better generations if you are lucky.
Importantly, this type of farming involves various equipment, including blankets, pads, saddles, leads, and hoof pucks, among others. It also requires regular visits to vet clinics, which is often costly. Hauling the horses to arenas and forest trails requires heavy-duty trucks and horse trailers. Overall, it’s an exciting but costly venture that demands massive financial preparation.
Fortunately, some reliable companies can offer horse farm loans. This loan allows you to realize your dream of owning an equestrian property, which includes several acres of land with a stable, secluded pasture, among other real estate properties – regardless of your financial state. Here, we will highlight the top considerations to make when buying equestrian land.
Location
Owning and running an equestrian farm requires a range of equipment and supplies for you and your horses. When choosing a land, find one that is located near feed and tack stores, general stores for your daily supplies, and a local vet for your animals. Access to all the resources you need ensures that you and your animals remain happy and healthy at all times.
It is also cost-effective, as setting up your farm in a remote area means spending more to get the necessary tools, equipment, and supplies. It is also risky for your animals, especially when they urgently fall sick and you can’t get vet services in time. This is an important consideration for all equestrian farms.
Understand Your Needs
Before purchasing equestrian land, you should take the time to understand the type of land that you want. The clarity of your vision and needs is a crucial guiding factor in selecting suitable land. Do you intend to be a casual rider or a professional one? As a casual rider, you may not need the extensive capabilities and organizational requirements of a professional equestrian, which heavily affects the property you buy. Professional equestrianism also comes with stricter specifications than casual ones, leaving the latter with little freedom on land and property requirements.
Accessibility
Convenience is crucial to owning and running an equestrian farm. One of the primary ways of ensuring convenience is picking easily accessible land. You will have everything coming in from the animals to their supplies – food, vets, and equipment. How easy is it to get around the property, especially during emergencies?
Does that land have access to adequate water? These animals drink gallons of water every day. It is easier and cheaper to have a reliable water source on the farm for convenience. The roads towards the land should be in perfect condition and if you must have driveways within the premises for easier movement, then do so.
Land Size
Size is a crucial aspect to consider when acquiring equestrian land. The land is a costly asset whose price rises depending on location and size, among other related factors. For this reason, you may need to consider an equestrian farm loan. Depending on the size of the farm you intend to set up and your plans, you should ensure that you buy the right size to match your needs. Farmers who plan to keep hundreds of animals on their farms need a bigger piece of land than those who plan to start with a few heads of horses.
The land should also be bigger if you plan to set up your residence on the land and if you plan to use it as a barn and for animal food. For how long do you intend to run the farm? Is it a long-term or short-term investment? If it is long-term, you need bigger land as the herd is likely to grow over the years, thereby demanding more space.
Soil Type
Soil comes in various types, each designed for different purposes, from farming to construction and modeling. Not each of these soil types will be friendly to your equestrian dream. So, ensure that you research the best soil types for horse farming and find land with the same soil type. Organic soils, loam, and sand soils are excellent choices for your equestrian land/farm.
The soil type impacts your animals on the farm and supports the growth of quality green plantations that you can use as pasture. With more organic food on your land, you save the money you would have to spend on the animals’ food and channel it elsewhere. Besides using the pasture instantly, with bigger land with healthier soil, you can store the excess supply as hay feed which comes in handy during the winter months.
Cost
Every buyer goes into the market with a budget in mind. How much do you intend to spend on buying equestrian land? The land varies in price depending on various factors such as location, size, climatic conditions, population, and demand. Despite the circumstances, find land that matches your financial needs and requirements. However, you shouldn’t compromise your goals in search of cheap land. You can visit some equestrian farms to have a glimpse of what it might cost.
Ensure that whatever land you choose supports your horse farming needs – accessibility to necessary resources, suitable soil type, and perfect weather. The biggest challenge is finding a balance between affordability and suitability of the land. However, with the many offers on land available on the market, you should eventually find a piece of land to match your needs. You can also consider getting an equestrian farm loan if finances are your biggest challenge.
Buying equestrian land may seem like an easy decision to most people. However, it is not as easy as it seems. There are numerous factors to put in mind to ensure the success of your dream, as highlighted above. The land is the most important and versatile asset of your investment – from grazing your animals to feeding, rugging, and riding them.
Having quality and proper land is the key to accomplishing your dream. Pay attention to the purchase decision and seek help if you must. There is no room for mistakes when investing in equestrian farming.
References:
- https://www.fineandcountry.com/uk/blog/post-what-is-equestrian-property-a-buyers-guide-1496838720
- https://www.buyselllivenorthwest.com/post/10-tips-for-buying-equestrian-property
- https://www.windermere.com/blog/what-to-consider-before-buying-an-equestrian-property
- https://amybrattebo.ca/2020/04/13/13-things-to-consider-when-planning-the-equestrian-property-of-your-dreams/