We are considering buying an acreage – about 5 to 10 acres. Besides a barn, fencing, ring, and other things that can be built, what do I need to look at and consider as far as the actual land goes?
Any experienced people who keep their horses at home – your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Just to add to everyone. Go look in the end of the rainy season. You will be able to see where you trouble spots are. Always have the water checked!! If it is a septic tank, have that checked! Get the most land possible. For me I look for trees, water stream(s) & that my home can not flood. Check your water rights. If you want to grow hay, veggie what ever have the soil checked. I own 151 acres in WY. Hope this helps! Good luck!!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Make sure the grass is good. The better the grass, the easier it will be to keep your horses fed. Also make sure there is room and correct land to put everything you want to build. And, always, look out for poisonous plants that may be growning in the fields.
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owned 3 horses at home.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:43 am
low spots that hold water. Look at the fertility of the pastures…note what grass is growing and how much.
Fencing is worth a lot. A good fence up saves a lot of time.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/179689/buy_the_horse_property_you_need.html& has some ideas too
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experience
October 28th, 2009 at 9:30 am
You want a lot of grazing space, i have 5 horses and they mow everything down pretty fast. Also, make sure theirs drainage to prevent mud in the Fields. If you are planning on building a bard make sure there’s level ground to build it on. If your putting a ring in i wouldn’t suggest putting sand in it. Just mow the grass in the area you want to ride in. I have two rings, one that’s grass and one that’s sand. I get much more use out of the grass one and the sand one ends up being much more expensive.
hope that helps!
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October 28th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Make sure it has good water. If it has a well, I’d have it tested. If you have water piped in, great. If you have to get water piped in, around here it’s quite expensive. Find out how far it will have to be piped.
I’d also look for good drainage. It’s funny how people are building houses in areas only a few years ago it was a swamp. Then they are complaining about water in their basements!
Does the road going to the acreage get regular maintenance? I live on a gravel road and the snow gets removed pretty good, but you need a 4-wheel drive in the spring as the roads get soft and muddy.
How fun looking for a new place! Good luck!
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October 28th, 2009 at 10:01 am
1. A good well with good drinking water.
2. Good drainage. You don’t want to live in a swamp or have too much standing water.
3. Good soil so you can grow good pasture
4. Get as much land as you can so that you can rotate pastures.
5. Check the local "rules" about livestock and buildings so that you don’t have any nasty surprises later (like no livestock allowed, or you can’t put up a barn!)
6. Take a look at the neighbours – horse owning neighbours are better than ones that target shoot, race motorbikes, or do other things that don’t mix well with horses.
7. Check for poisonous plants and trees, such as black walnut.
8. Do you have room to ride? Open fields, parks that allow horses, or at least wide ditches to ride in?
9. Fencing – it can be very expensive, so can you use what is there, or modify it to be horse safe? I highly recommend electric fencing to keep horses from leaning on fences.
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Have horses on 4 acres. Wish I had at least 10 acres!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Just to add to everyone. Go look in the end of the rainy season. You will be able to see where you trouble spots are. Always have the water checked!! If it is a septic tank, have that checked! Get the most land possible. For me I look for trees, water stream(s) & that my home can not flood. Check your water rights. If you want to grow hay, veggie what ever have the soil checked. I own 151 acres in WY. Hope this helps! Good luck!!
References :
October 28th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Well look for land that does not have tons of rocks because you need to put posts in. Also a place that is pretty flat so its easier to put in a ring. A place for your barn that you can put lighting/water source etc. Not too far from you house either. Hope I have helped a little. GOOD LUCK =D Also you need one acre per horse, not including the barn, ring etc. SO EXITING !!
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