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Find the Ideal Home for You and Your Horse Using These Five Practical Tips Attention horse lovers! If you haven’t considered living in an equestrian community, think again. Endless possibilities await those interested in pursuing their equestrian dreams in a supportive community. Use these five pointers to help guide you through the selection process and you will soon find yourself enjoying everything that a planned community has to offer.
 1. Do Your Homework
It is important to realize that equestrian communities are not all created equal. You should research and visit as many different communities as possible when you are looking to buy. Each community is planned, developed and managed differently. Learn as much as you can about what is available to you so that you can make an educated decision. Michael Donovan of Equestrian Services, LLC stresses the importance of an effective design and encourages buyers to ask as many questions as possible. Learn about the role of equestrian activities in the community, who manages the property, what you are responsible for paying regarding maintenance of the common areas, and what the terms of use are for shared areas? Find out what stage of development the community is in. Make sure that the central equestrian facility is fully functional and complete by the time that you plan to relocate yourself and your horses to your new home. Ensure that fire and safety procedures are in place and clearly posted, and that the facility is fully insured.
 Photo courtesy Derbyshire Equestrian communities are popular in mild climates with good natural footing. Though horse sports are popular in these areas, equestrian communities are not limited to warm climates. A handful exist right here in the Northeast and are designed to suit this climate and the needs of the riders. Equestrian communities are a welcome addition in many regions of the country where open riding space is quickly diminishing. Large tracts of land are often devoted to creating trails, pastures and cross-country courses. The concept is modeled after the golf community and is designed to bring people with similar interests together to interact with one another and enjoy common resources that might not be readily accessible otherwise. “It seems that many areas of the country are now creating equestrian communities. Often this may be the result of other development which has reduced the affordable land available for riding interests,” explains Mike Hosang of the Carolina Real Estate Company. As an added benefit for us animal lovers, the open space also helps preserve natural habitats for other wild species. In addition, residents often pay less in taxes in many areas since equestrian communities enjoy agricultural zoning. A lifelong resident of Aiken, S.C., Mike agrees that equestrian communities are particularly popular in the southern market due to the longstanding tradition of equestrian activities in the area. The mild temperatures throughout the year and good natural footing also factor into the equation.  Photo courtesy Oaks of Lake City Contrary to popular brief, equestrian communities aren’t just for the wealthy. From the recreational rider in search of an extensive trail system to the serious show ring competitor, do your homework and you’ll find a community that suits your interests. If trail riding is on top of your list, find out how much space is allotted for the trail system, who will maintain it and what the terms of use are. The convenience of having a trail system at your doorstep means more hours on the trail spent enjoying your horse and your surroundings. If you are training for competition, pick a community with a managed stable and indoor arena that has the space that you need to train and a resident trainer. Some facilities cater to one or as many as several different disciplines and are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Regulation size dressage arenas, polo fields, and jumping and eventing courses designed by Olympic level riders are just a few of the extras that some communities offer depending on where they are located and who develops and manages the property. Selecting a community with like-minded riders offers camaraderie, riding companionship and the opportunity to learn from others with similar riding goals. Living in a community that is not only tolerant of horses but values them as a part of everyday life is a unique experience for residents as well.
 Photo courtesy Oaks of Lake City Equestrian communities are typically set up one of two ways. Each property lot either has a barn and pasture adjacent to the home or there is one centrally located equestrian facility that everyone has access to. If you are eager to have your horse right in your backyard, then the first option is definitely for you. If a hectic schedule prevents you from doing daily barn chores and you like the option of having someone help you care for your horse, then a community with a centrally located equestrian facility is an easy choice. Knowing that your horse will be fed and turned out if you are held up late at work offers peace of mind and flexibility. Keep in mind that services vary from one community to another and may include some or all of the following: feeding, mucking, tacking up, exercising, turnout and clipping. Enjoying the amenities without the time and energy required to maintain a farm is an added benefit. “Horse owners can buy a small tract of land and still enjoy the benefits of owning a large tract without the expense and upkeep,” explains Betsy Lamb of Aiken Town & Country Realty, Inc. Find out what the guidelines are for the home sites in the community to get a better idea of what possibilities are available to you as you build your new home. You may have to choose from a handful of designs or you may have more freedom to bring in your own builder of choice.  Photo courtesy Oaks of Lake City If you’ll be keeping your horse on your lot, find out how much space is allotted per horse, what the barn designs look like, how the natural footing is and what type of fencing will be used. Depending on the community, you may also be able to include an apartment in your barn and build a guest house on your lot, if either of these options interest you.
5. Resources, Amenities and More During the seletion process, pay attention to the surrounding area as well. Some communities are situated in rural locations while others are developed near large metropolitan areas. Find out how far you will be from hospitals, schools, and neighboring towns and cities. Your horse’s health care is also another important consideration. In a community with a fully staffed central equestrian center, you will have access to routine visits from a veterinarian, farrier and other equine professionals. In some communities, you will need to arrange these services on your own. For Catherine Dowd, it was a combination of the amenities and resources that helped her decide to purchase a lot at The Oaks of Lake City in Lake City, Fla. “The Equestrian Center, 15 miles of looped trails and the surrounding areas are key reasons my husband and I purchased a home site at The Oaks,” she explains.  Photo courtesy Oaks of Lake City Have a clear understanding of what resources are available to you and plan accordingly before you move. Find out if there is quarantine period or a receiving barn for new horses. Like any other commercial stable, expect to pay a monthly fee to help support the upkeep of the equestrian facility and staff. Once you complete your search and purchase the lot of your choice, get ready to spend countless hours enjoying your new surroundings with your horse. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of amenities designed with you in mind and to enjoy the equestrian lifestyle that you’ve always dreamed of.
Special thanks to the following individuals for their help with this article: Catherine Dowd, Mike Hosang and Melissa Major, The Carolina Real Estate Company ; Russell Kime, Texas Land & Lakes; Betsy Lamb, Aiken Town & Country Realty, Inc.; Julia Layman, Murphy O’Brien Public Relations; Debbi Mayster and Michael Donovan, Equestrian Services, LLC; Ann Miles, Sarah’s Way and Jacob’s Village; Gladys Fox and Linda Hampson, Wetherbee Farm Real Estate; and Melissa Vanacore, Longfield Stables.
 Photo courtesy Carolina Company |
