Building a Horse Property from the Ground Up

Just like my dad, I always dreamt about having a horse farm. After consulting a few experts, I am now working to build a horse ranch from scratch. If you are also planning to have a stable and ranch of your own, here is a complete guide for you:

1.     Have a Clear Vision

Among other forms of agricultural investments, horse farming is the most challenging. To make it a big success, you should have a clear vision. For instance, decide what you want from the horse property? Some people plan to go towards breeding, while others wish to add a riding facility. Having a horse stud is another option. Depending on the vision, you can plan your budget, material, and timeline.

2.     Plan, Plan, and Plan

Planning is one of the most imperative phases in any construction. If you are thinking about horse property, you need to plan the following points:

·         Hire Experts

At every stage, you will need professional advice. Whether you are working on horse breeding or recreational riding, an expert’s opinion is mandatory. Search for a skilled architect who has experience building barns and horse stalls. Professional architects can provide guidance related to design, feasibility, budgeting, and barn.

Have you ever thought about how the rodeo arenas stay bullet-proof even in the toughest weather conditions? Thanks to all the engineers and architects for the best designs. Try to find an expert who is also running a horse farm.  Since they are already into this business, their input can make your investment a great success.

·         Get a Feasibility Report

You firstly need to check that the property is right for horse farming. Have a look at zoning. Here you will see how many horses will be present. Besides this, you will also notice things like irrigation, easements, water rights, soil conditions, etc.

You need to check the township, city, and country records to get all this information. It is ideal for performing a feasibility study before purchasing a property. However, if you already have a property, preparing a feasibility report will let you use the property in the best possible manner.

A feasibility study highlights all the limitations and advantages of a particular place. Knowledge about these ins and outs plays a big role in construction. For instance, I did not perform a feasibility study before buying a property for a horse farm.

As a result, I was unable to dig fence holes because of the historic lava flow nearby. This shows how a feasibility study saves you from difficulties.

·         Risk Analysis

Get professionals to analyze your project and identify the possible risks. Here you will see if the project has all the basic essentials for success or not. Architects perform this phase by giving a questionnaire to the owner. Firstly, you look at the basics and then inquire about the wants. Basics include water, shelter, and fencing. Now, wants might consist of wash rack, pastures, barn, riding arena, etc.

Tip:

If you are planning to build a horse property, do not keep your wishes aside. Be sure that the property includes everything. It is a one-time investment.

·         Site Plan

This section will include all the programming elements like the total area required for horse farming. It also includes the minimal distance that is essential between the livestock and residences. Details related to the drainage system and excavation is also added in this section.

Additionally, mention the drain field. Be sure to highlight the reserve drain area in case the current drain area fails. The site plan also contains details related to the electricity supply, water, and the overall electric load.

Tip:

You can use Google maps for making your site plan. Get a print out of the map and then highlight the spots where you want specific facilities. I got this idea when constructing a carpet cleaning London outlet. The same site plan mapping process is suitable for a horse property.

·         Budget

The budget is a critical part of your plan. Budgeting will revolve around the total cost of constructing a horse property. Add the cost of material, cost of labor, and hiring a contractor/architect, and some other expenses. Remember, the cost of material keeps on increasing. Therefore, always try to add a 10% extra cost to the actual amount.

Tip:

Always compare the prices of different vendors when adding pricing. Different vendors will quote different prices. Do some research and select the one with the best reviews related to quality and on-time delivery.

3.     Phasing

Once you have decided on the budget, you can proceed with the construction. If you have a big budget, then you can construct the entire horse property at once. However, if you have a constrained budget that depends on incremental cash flow, consider building the horse property in phases.

·         Phase 1

Build shelter, fences, and hay storage. Also, arrange and activate the water system. After all these arrangements, bring the horses.

·         Phase 2

Add a garage and do remodeling where required.

·         Phase 3

Now add a grazing area and a riding space.

·         Phase 4

Now work on barn, landscaping, composting, and tractor storage. Building your project in these phases will let you manage easily. Be sure to hire a contractor who is a specialist in building horse facilities. Ask the builder to leave a good space for the paddocks. Also, pay special attention to the riding area and storage.

Final Thoughts

Though a horse project requires various key considerations, it becomes easier with the tips mentioned above. Follow these key tactics and let your dream come true.  Do thorough research about the material, suppliers, and vendors. Hire the best contractors, plan every step, do appropriate budgeting, and work as per the timeline.

If you are building a horse farm for the first time, you might find it challenging. However, building from the ground will give you freedom in terms of design, layout, and facilities. Do not think further; start planning from today!

Written by Arslan Hassan. He is an electrical engineer with a passion for writing, designing, and anything tech-related. His educational background in the technical field has given him the edge to write on many topics. He occasionally writes blog articles for London Carpet Cleaning