| Are you thinking of buying that perfect piece of | | | | hard on the horses legs. It can also cause health |
| property to build your dream home on and board | | | | issues for the animal. To understand what I am |
| your horses on the property too? A property | | | | talking about, try standing on a house roof or |
| that not only has gentle terrain but also a great | | | | steep piece of property for a few hours. You will |
| view. | | | | quickly find out what I mean. It will hurt not only |
| Then read this short message before you go out | | | | your legs, but your back and affect your mental |
| looking for land to purchase. | | | | attitude if remain on this type of incline for an |
| If you are thinking of building a house and possibly | | | | extended period of time. Too many people put |
| a barn and have horses live on the property also, | | | | their animals on steep terrain, first because they |
| then you have a lot to think about before you | | | | have no other choice, or second because they do |
| begin your initial search for land. | | | | not know better or just do not care. |
| The first most important question is, how many | | | | Another consideration when selecting a location to |
| horses are you going to have on this property. | | | | build a house and barn is access to riding trails. |
| The rule of thumb is, one horse per two acres. | | | | Trailering a horse to another location can become |
| That is two acres of pasture land, not total land | | | | a huge inconvenience in a short time. Try and look |
| including your house. Horses eat all day and that | | | | for property that is close to other large tracts of |
| can cause you to run out of grass to feed them | | | | land, such as state owned property, or large |
| fast. | | | | farms. With the proper permission you will have |
| The other thing to consider when thinking of | | | | access to land to ride on. It would be even better |
| horse property is, the availability drinking water | | | | to find land that is close to National Forest Service |
| for the animals. Are you going to be on private | | | | property that has designated trails that are easily |
| well or city water? This is very important, | | | | accessible. |
| because if you are on city water your cost to | | | | One other thing to consider is local ordinances. |
| maintain the land will be considerably more | | | | Make sure that the property you are thinking of |
| expensive. Horses require large amounts of | | | | buying is zoned to allow the boarding of horses on |
| drinking water that is easily accessible to them. | | | | the land. In Western North Carolina that is not |
| The land also requires large amounts of water to | | | | usually a concern, but it can be if you are living in |
| keep the grass growing. When you are talking | | | | an area close to a large town or city. |
| acreage you are talking about a lot of water to | | | | It is a blessing, and a large monetary savings, to |
| irrigate the land, and if you are on city water you | | | | be able to have your horses live on the same |
| are going to receive very large water bills. | | | | property that you live on. So take your time and |
| The other thing to consider is the terrain of the | | | | search for a property that will meet some if not |
| land. Houses can be built on rolling and even steep | | | | all of these above mentioned requirements. It will |
| terrain, but horses need gentle, level or rolling | | | | make your life and your horses lives much more |
| terrain to stay safe and healthy. Putting horses on | | | | enjoyable. |
| pasture that has little or no level ground is very | | | | |