If you are a horse owner like myself, you have likely dreamed about the kind of property you would like to own in order to provide for your horses. It might include luscious pastures of grass for them to graze and lower your hay costs, stables in good condition, and a home to live in with desirable amenities. 

When it comes to finding that perfect property, working with the right agent who understands and can accommodate your needs is very important. Here are a few tips to help you find the right horse property!

Pick the Right Agent

It is often tempting to go out and buy rural land, even with a home, on your own without an agent or simply by trusting an owner who’s selling. Choosing the right agent with the kind of experience you need upfront is important, so be sure to ask any prospective agents about their areas of expertise. 

Finding an agent who understands horse ownership, the land that you’ll be buying, and the roadblocks you may face can save you significant money down the road. Your agent should know specific details about the property beforehand to aid in negotiations.

Make a List of Must-Haves

A good agent should present you with properties that aren’t immediately on your radar, but it can be hard to identify the right property when your agent may not understand your needs or the needs of your animals. This is why it’s important for you to make a list of must-haves for your new equine property before you meet with an agent. 

Setting these expectations from the start will help both you and your agent understand exactly what your dream property looks like. Are your horses used for pleasure riding, competition, or ranch work? Will you need an arena, round pen, or pasture access close? How many stalls do you need for your growing herd? Agents knowledgeable in equine properties will ask you the right questions and be able to show you properties that will meet your needs.

Plan for the Future

Here in Kansas, there are many horse owners and buyers who frequently look for ways to make the most of their money. Too frequently, they calculate the number of acres they may need based on their current needs without taking into account realistic future needs. By making adjustments to their criteria, owners can save themselves from headaches down the road. 

Good agents talk to our clients about what they will need moving forward, and how much they will need to invest in their land going forward after the purchase of their property. By making clients aware and helping them plan for the long term, a Land Professional can give them a way to focus on the best value rather than just the lowest price.

Understand the Costs of a Horse Property

Finally, when discussing the cost of a horse and an equine property and the benefits, most of us know that buying a horse is only the beginning. A horse can range from a few thousand dollars up to as cheap as rescuing a horse from many national organizations. The real cost of horse ownership is the ongoing expenses. Saddle, tack, grain, food, farrier services, and vet expenses add up every month. 

It’s also important to consider the infrastructure necessary to care for your horses such as fencing and shelter. If you’re planning to keep multiple horses on the property, then perhaps a larger barn or stable will be required, as well as additional acreage for them to graze and roam. 

You’ll also want to have a tack room or storage space for additional food/supplies. It’s very important to know if a property has existing infrastructure for horses before you sign any closing papers since an ill-informed purchase could end up costing you lots of time and money down the road.

When you work with an agent that can help you find the right land, we can also find the right connections in the community that can help contain your cost. We look to connect you with local resources that can give you the best start to your new horse ranch. We have the contacts and connections to get you linked to sources for bulk feeds, grain, and even help if you need it. 

When it comes to buying land and finding the horse property of your dreams, using a National Land Realty agent is the right choice!