Estate Country Horse Ranches: What To Look For When You Want To Start A Racehorse Farm
Posted on: 22 October 2015
Now that you have decided to become a world-famous breeder of top-notch racehorses, you need to find the right horse ranch grounds. If you look to Kentucky, Tennessee, or neighboring states, you will have better luck finding the perfect real estate for your entrepreneurial and equestrian ambitions. Not only does your new estate/country horse ranch need to have adequate lodgings for the humans, but also adequate lodgings for the horses you plan to breed, raise and train for the Triple Crown. Here is what you need to look for and what to demand before you make an offer.
The "Estate" Should Encompass Several Acres
Your new horse ranch should have at least several dozen acres. For every horse you purchase and add to your booming farm or board in your stables, you need at least one to three acres of grazing and paster land where the horses can eat and run about. If you start your racehorse breeding business with at least ten broodmares and one or two stallions, that is thirty-three to thirty-six acres of land alone, not counting the land around your house, the land on which the barns or stables sit, and the areas dedicated to racehorse rehabilitation, mating and exercise. While fifty acres would be considered somewhat small, it is a good "starter ranch" in this business.
The Barns and Stables Should Have Enough Stalls to Keep All of Your Horses
Since you will not want to put your prized animals out in freezing cold, torrential rains or burning sun, your stables and/or barns should have enough stalls for all of your horses and then some. The stalls should each be large enough to house two horses, even though you should only keep one horse in each stall. This allows the horses to turn around and lay down when they need to, and gives you enough room to get out of their way if they decide to kick or lash out. Unless the property is promoted as a "fixer-upper," there should be no holes in the ceilings of the stables or barns and no falling boards or debris which could hurt or frighten your animals.
Your Abode Needs to Pass Inspection Too
Just as you need to ensure the safety and well-being of the horses you intend to keep and breed, your own home on the property needs to be safe and up to code for humans. While you can get a home inspector to check out the human dwelling prior to making an offer, you will have to rely on an experienced rancher or farmhand to inspect the barns, stables and other structures. If anything does not pass muster and the property is not being sold "as-is," you have the right to request updates and repairs before making a bid on the property. The previous owners, if they like your bid, have to make the repairs in order to comply with your terms, and then you are the proud owner of an estate and country horse ranch dedicated to churning out racing champions.
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