Working Your Horse Property Plan

Purchasing your dream horse property often comes with unexpected challenges as you move from the imagined luxuries of barn life to the realities of having horses outside your backdoor. This is especially true if like many people you end up purchasing a home on acreage without the benefit of a complete horse set up. Often these folks end up keeping their horses at home but hauling out to a fullfacility equestrian centre to take advantage of the many amenities especially if they are on a training schedule for the upcoming competition season. What an unfortunate situation! Thankfully with some planning and research you can begin to build your dream property.

Creating a property plan
Looking at the overall layout of your property as it currently stands is a vital first step. Review existing buildings fencing driveways topography water and power sources property line setbacks and weather patterns. Try to look at your property from all angles walk the perimeter pull up your address on Google Maps read your site survey and research underground utilities septic and water. With this information in hand it is time to start looking at how to make this property your own. This process is often referred to as creating a property plan.
Take into consideration not only your current number of horses their care requirements and your current activities but also your short medium and long term goals. Create your property plan in a manner that will allow for continued improvements and growth building upon the existing situation to eventually achieve your long range vision. You may think of this in terms of one five and ten year goals. It is important to have a basic idea of what you want to achieve in year ten so that you dont build something in year one that will just have to be torn down...wasting time and resources.
Consider the weather
Looking at natural water runoff bog areas and seasonal springs dry areas snow drift locations prevailing winds and storm direction etc. will help you consider where and where not to build your new facilities. Plan your layout to maximize sun and protection from wind wet and cold in the winter and to take advantage of shade and cool breezes in the summer.
Talking to the previous owners and your new neighbours will provide valuable insight into the year round weather considerations. This is especially important if you are purchasing your property during