If you are interested in buying an equestrian home (i.e. a property that is larger than 20 acres and ideal for keeping horses and other domestic animals), we will talk about everything you need to know about buying equestrian property in this short guide.
Where should I buy my first equestrian property?
If you are adamant about moving to Florida and purchasing the perfect equestrian property, there are several things about moving you need to be aware of before you embark on this journey. Most crucially, you should make the right decision when it comes to hiring a moving company. Executing such a long-distance relocation is not easy. The moving company has to have the necessary vehicles, crew, and equipment.
It is no wonder so many people who are aficionados of equestrianism rush when buying equestrian property. Its climate is perfect for keeping horses, but on top of that, you can choose between an array of different properties in this region which already have all the necessary infrastructure. Such as stables, roads, tracks, pastures, and the like.
Equestrian property can range from small, which are most frequently bought by people who want to have their own private stable for their leisure time, to properties large enough to attain the status of a commercial property.
Location, location, location, as always
Any real estate agent will immediately tell you that location is the most crucial variable when it comes to choosing your new property. And it’s no wonder. It is not every day that one buys a mansion, let alone an equestrian property! Although Florida is all-around enjoyable, there are some areas that are more suitable for your and your horse’s specialized needs.
If you are more into competitive horseback riding, you ought to make sure that the property is spacious and isolated. The best landscape to conduct your daily practice are environments that are further away from urban areas of any kind.
‘Setting up shop’ in the countryside makes the most sense. Not only so that you do not disturb your neighbors (or so that they do not disturb you), but also because you require a lot of space to accommodate all of the necessary equestrian facilities. If your days of competitive horseback riding are behind you, then you do not need a particularly large property. However, in both cases, you may want to explore if the estate is in the vicinity of bridle paths.
On the other hand, horse breeders have an additional factor to think about. Your new horse property should ideally be close to a stud farm. In addition, it is worthwhile to enquire with your real estate agent about the type of soil since your horses should have enough pastures where they could graze. Ideally, you should look into this closely. You do not want to buy a property that is swampy. And you should avoid having too many trees. Both because of training and grazing.
Access to necessary amenities is important when buying equestrian property
Whether you intend to purchase a property in a rural area or next to a small town, consider the following. You need to have access to the necessary amenities and services if you want everything to run smoothly. You should be prepared for incidents of all kinds. If one of your horses gets injured or ill, you need to live in a ranch home near a city where you can find a vet that can treat horses, mares, and foal.
You should also think about access to stores. It’s where you can buy the necessary horseback riding equipment, medication, food stock, and other supplies that are essential for running your horse property. Finally, since no man (and no horse) is an island, you should consider moving in or near a place that has a lively equestrian community. That will make living on your ranch all the easier and enjoyable.
Your equestrian property should be large enough
We have already mentioned that the soil in which you plan to set up your stables needs to be high-quality soil. Although this may seem obvious, the size of your property is equally important. Buying equestrian property that’s small may seem like a cost-effective decision at first. However, in practice, this may not be the case. Especially if you have many horses.
Horses typically need a minimum of 1.5 acres of land where they can graze. In the long term, it is usually much more pragmatic to avoid buying and transporting additional food for your horses. Furthermore, if you decide to bring in more horses or if one of your mares gives birth, you may wish to expand the existing stables and facilities.
Also, more space means more horse trails. Perhaps even an arena could lead to creating your own horseback riding club. With enough space, the options are endless.
Sometimes you have to make a compromise
Equestrianism is in a category of its own. Some properties may not be completely adapted to the needs of an avid, experienced horseback rider. So, it is crucial to be prepared to make a compromise when buying equestrian property and get several moving cost estimates in advance. Additional investment may be necessary. Perhaps you will even have to adapt the entire lot to fulfill what you had envisioned. Ideally, your horse property should check off all of the elements that we have mentioned. In case it happens that some aspects are not entirely satisfying, this does not necessarily have to be a deal-breaker.