Posted: 19th August 2020 | Back to news feed
We all love gazing longingly at our dream homes with rows of beautiful stables, acres of rolling green pastures dotted with shiny horses grazing in the sunshine… but there is a lot to consider when purchasing an equestrian property so we have put together some key areas that you should consider before you start packing up the horsebox!
Land – how much is enough?
Horses need space. A backyard is simply not going to cut it I’m afraid! It might sound obvious but being able to identify just how much pasture land is required takes some careful planning.
As a general rule, and under BHS welfare guidance, a minimum stock density for horses is 1.5 acres for the first horse and one acre for every additional horse. If you follow this guidance and with good management, you should have sufficient land to section off in order to maintain good grazing capacity throughout the year. This will of course depend to some extent on if you live near a flood plain or on the side of a mountain…
When viewing a property, keep your eyes peeled for grass quality and growth of undesirables like ragwort (nasty green stalky plant with yellow flowers) which pose a serious threat to equines.
Also check the ground particularly in high hoof traffic areas for signs of mud damage (bare patches, pitted ground, abandoned wellies) and don’t be afraid to ask questions! It is for your horses’ welfare after all!
Good paddock management during the drier spring and summer months along with maintenance and regular poo picking ensure your acreage is optimised and safe for your horses. There are some super labour saving devices available but if you are on a tight budget we find a wheel barrow and a good fork do pretty well! Teenagers display exceptional talent in this area of work – if you can get them started!
If you are hoping to have your horses live out all year it is crucial to ensure you are able to manage existing land to allow for winter excesses of rainfall or geographical waterlogging. Gateways, become a particular problem with boggy land and mud if not carefully managed. There are some fantastic products to assist with mud control and ground support which can improve minimal turnout space in winter months. This before and after image illustrates how effective they can be! Thanks to Mud Control for the images! www.mudcontrol.co.uk
Equestrian Facilities
If you are lucky enough to find your perfect pad with exactly the right number of stables, happy days! If however, you find that some additional horses are coming your way and you need extra capacity then you need to look at planning permission.
Any construction you are looking to undertake must meet planning rules in your area along with any licences you may need to operate as a commercial equestrian centre or livery yard. It might only be a small block of two stables but make sure you get the correct advice before you start buying more horses. These things take time and are a legal requirement. Also planning consent differs for private and commercial use. Planning must be sought for all sorts of construction to include (but not limited to) stables, shelters, arenas, conversions, floodlights and house extensions.
You can lead a horse to water…
An important factor when looking at a new property and its suitability for equestrian use is water! I know, we get plenty of it falling from the sky in this country but if you have acres of paddocks, are you able to get water to them without setting up a BP sized pipeline?
Equally, you don’t want to have to construct a replica of the Hoover Dam to stop flood damage! Drainage is key to pasture maintenance (see above about mud) and makes the difference between a Manege and a swimming pool!
Check the utilities at the property to ensure you are able to fix electric & water to where you need them. It’s all very well saying you don’t mind lugging buckets across a 2 acre paddock but when it’s dark, raining and blowing a hooley, you’ll be glad you thought about it!
Location
Phil and Kirstie really do know their onions when it comes to location! But what should you look for in an equestrian property? Well that largely depends on what your activities involve. If you are competing and need to travel regularly then motorway links are going to be high on your list of priorities. If you enjoy hacking around peaceful countryside then a local well maintained network of bridleways is going to be a key factor for you.
Understanding your requirements before you go to view a property will help keep things in perspective, just in case you fall in love with a property that really is totally unsuitable for your needs because the stables are gorgeous! Always good to take an impartial friend along with you!
Get to know the local area on foot or even better on horseback. Why not take a trip to your preferred location for a day and ride some routes, check out traffic levels at different times of the day, or visit a local equestrian centre to hear their thoughts on how horse friendly the local area is. You can gain some good insights about your new neighbours like is the Pub horse friendly? Are there some green fingered enthusiasts who might like to help reduce the muck heap?
Your new home.
If I had a penny for the number of times I’ve heard “I don’t care what the house is like….” But actually, your home is just as important as where your horse sleeps! It does come down to budget a lot of the time and the equestrian facilities are usually a driving factor but remember, if you are unhappy, your horse will sense it and therefore worry about you. So make sure you get the best house you can! Nothing wrong with a mobile home or a tent if you get some nice accessories (horse pictures) and a good wood burner!
So to sum up what you need for a good equestrian property, here’s a list!
- 1.5 acres. But ideally at least 2 acres depending on how many horses you have
- Well drained level land with water fed paddocks
- Beautiful stables or the ability to build them
- Planning permission for said stables
- Manege preferably with floodlights and mirrors
- A house – derelict or otherwise! Failing that a tent.
At www.equestrianproperty4sale.com we work with affiliate agents to provide you with specialist care and advice on the purchase, sale or rent of equestrian properties. If you would like more information and some genuinely sensible advice on how to get your property on the market or where to start your search, drop us a line enquiries@equestrianproperty4sale.com or visit our website!
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