Buying equestrian property

‘Equestrian property’ is becoming an increasingly popular term among Britain’s estate agents, as more and more people look to re-house their horses.

Horse-owners traditionally pay to keep their horses at stables and equestrian yards away from their own homes, but many are now changing these ‘livery payments’ for mortgage payments – buying homes that can cater for equestrian needs.

Equestrian land doesn’t come cheap, but can, as a long-term solution, prove cost-effective compared to paying stables for maintenance.

If you are looking to purchase an equestrian property, here are a few hints and tips that should help you overcome any potential hurdles.

Acreage

The price of equestrian land varies depending on the quality of the pasture and, of course, the acreage.

As a minimum, look for one acre of land for every horse you will be keeping on-site – two if the quality of grass isn’t as good for grazing.

If the property doesn’t yet have stables, try to establish whether there will be any problem attaining planning permission to build them.

Fencing

Strong and effective fencing is not only essential in preventing your horses escaping – it also stops other animals getting in.

‘Post and rail’ fences are far more reliable than hedges, but they are also more expensive. Fencing off just a few acres can cost thousands of pounds, so you may want to account for this when you are drawing up your budget.

Beware of weeds

If the land you’re looking at is riddled with weeds, it may be best avoided altogether.

One increasingly common weed, ragwort, is poisonous to horses and can be fatal. The British Horse Society believes that as many as 6,500 horses die every year as a result of ingesting it.

Ragwort is notoriously difficult to eliminate, largely due to its high seed germination rate. It spreads quickly from field to field, so even if your potential new property is free of ragwort, be wary of making a purchase if you know the weed to be lurking nearby.

Vehicle access

Make sure you can comfortably manoeuvre a Horsebox in and out of your potential new property – even the healthiest of animals will require a cautionary trip to the vets at some point.

Remember too that a well-maintained drive will make for a more comfortable journey – both for you and your horse. While not a problem that can’t be solved, a rough, bumpy track will require you to set aside some more of your development budget.

www.bhs.org.uk - British Horse Society
www.ruralscene.co.uk - Rural Scene Equestrian property