PAM DENT

Jump into Greener Pastures


434-960-0161
[email protected]
  • About
    • About Us
    • Company Info
    • Testimonials
  • Featured Properties
    • Walnut Grove
    • Madison Co. Farm
    • Brightly
    • Black Walnut Farm
  • Buyers
    • Home Buying Steps
    • Home Inspections
    • Inspection Study Period
    • Buyers
    • Customer or Client
    • What are the Things that a First-time Home Buyer Should Consider Before Purchasing?
    • Buyers Articles
    • Area Information
  • Sellers
    • Home Inspections
    • Sellers
    • How to Prepare Your Farm for Sale
  • Specialties
    • New Construction Homes in Central VA
    • Golf Communities
    • Farms & Estates
    • Seniors Real Estate
    • Historic Properties
  • Counties
    • City of Charlottesville
    • County Details – Albemarle Co.
    • County Details – Fluvanna Co.
    • County Details – Greene Co.
    • County Details – Louisa County
    • County Details – Nelson Co.
  • MLS – Search
    • Search By County
    • Search By Price
    • Search By Acreage
  • Blog
  • Contact

Soil Quality For Your Horse Farm

Buying an Equestrian Property?  Don’t Overlook Soil Quality

It can be difficult to find the perfect piece of land for managing horses. However, it is possible to know more about critical factors, such as soil quality, that can impact the health of horses and the management of a property, including outbuildings and pasture. Buyers who do not pay attention to soil quality may have a more difficult time with horse management and may have to supplement feed with additional minerals and chemical options, as mineral-rich soil often equates to better foraging options.

Whether you currently own a farm or are in the process of searching for one, remember that the land itself is a consideration beyond location, acreage, and price. Especially if you are planning to grow horses, the vegetation, soil, water, and bedrock that serve as the foundation of the top layer of the ground affect the overall health and strength of your horses.

Considering that, where do you start to ensure that your horses get the most benefit from the land they live on?

Soil Quality Is Important

Soil quality can be easily overlooked as those looking for equine real estate draw up their wish list for a property. However, this factor can be important for a number of reasons. Some may want to have quality pasture for their horses and this is dependent upon the type of soil and the grasses that may be able to grow on a particular soil type. In addition, some soil types, such as a loamy soil can be problematic for paddocks when it rains.

It may be necessary to have different soil types, such as a well-drained soil with gravel for areas such as confinement areas or buildings. The type of soil in an area can make for fewer issues with mud and for a better pasture growth environment. Horse management becomes easier with the right type of soil in the right location.

Vegetation – A Clue to Soil Quality & Drainage

Before examining the soil, there can be clues in the vegetation as to the amount of water in an area and the type of soil drainage. The types of plants growing in an area can indicate a wet and marshy area. Plants such as hardhack, rushes, sedges, and skunk cabbage often grow in wet areas that are not suitable to use as a pasture. This can be important when creating a layout for buildings and pastures for horses or other animals.
The types of shrubs and trees that grow in an area are often dependent upon soil type and prospective buyers can use the existing vegetation to determine whether or not the property is suitable for one’s purposes. Additionally, anyone selling a farm or equestrian property should be aware of all of the various types of trees and shrubs on the property to address any buyer questions or concerns. More information about the type of soil required by different plants can be found at the conservation district, extension office or local library.

Desirable Soil Features & Qualities

Those checking out a site for their horses may want to take a soil sample. Costs for the test are minimal, when a charge exists. It may be necessary to send in multiple sample for analysis, depending on the previous purposes of the land. If the soil is lacking in certain nutrients needed for horses, it is easier to make changes to chemical management rather than attempting to alter the physical management of soils and grasses.
Good outcomes from positive soil samples are often better for horses raised on high phosphoric soils. Owners may want to look for the presence of natural springs and big trees as this can be indicative of high phosphorus levels and mineral-rich water. Soil that retains excessive amounts of water does not make for strong hooves. Owners want to look for soil that is nutrient-rich and that drains well to support the health of their horses.

Horse farms for sale in Charlottesville VA

How do you ensure that your horses get the most benefit from the land they live on?

First, take a soil sample and have it tested. The cost for testing will depend on how many facets of your soil you want to be analyzed and how many different samples you take.

Once the sample or samples are analyzed, you will receive a computer printout detailing the levels of nutrients present in your soil, including phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, the PH measure of acidity, and potassium. If your farm has been pieced together from an older farm and additional land that might not have been used previously for livestock, take samples from different portions of the farm.

Doing so will keep you from spending money on fertilizers that you do not need on the parts of your farm that are already blessed with minerals. It is also best that once you have the initial soil test done, you continue to monitor the nutrient levels every three to four years, and on land managed, for every two years.

Just like humans, horses also need basic levels of certain minerals and vitamins on a daily basis to maintain their health. When horses graze, they get some of those nutrients from the soil via the grasses that they eat.

If you are planning to grow horses in a horse farm, you must be aware of two nutrient requirements. The first is the nutrient requirements of the crop, and the other the nutrient requirements of the horse. Those two are not always the same.

The chemical management and additives to the grasses are far from the only option that you must consider. Some horse farmers think that they can balance their horse’s ration by feeding the grass. That is not true. The soil will not give the grass 100% of everything put on the soil, and it’s not economically efficient. If the soil is already rich enough to support good growth, you are only wasting your money putting more nutrients on the soil. If you self-impose an imbalance on the soil, it will only affect the crop and the horses.

If you have worked with your soil and the crops being produced are just enough, yet your horses are still lacking nutrients, you can do an analysis on the hay or pasture and find out what the horses are eating. You also need to make sure you are familiar with the nutrition information on any packaged feeds.

Beyond Soil Sampling

Soil sampling is the first step, but it is not the only step you will take if you want to produce the strongest horses possible in your farm. Prospective buyers of horse farms need to understand that not every piece of property is ideal for raising horses.

Equestrian Properties for Sale in Charlottesville VA

If you understand your farm and understand your nutrients, you can raise a good horse anywhere if you know the contents of your grass, hay, and what you are feeding them. Hence, when searching for a horse farm, make sure that you do not only look at what can be seen by the naked eye, but everything—from barns to bedrock. It’s good to ask for topographical maps detailing the types and depths of limestone under the surface, water and drainage patterns, prevalence of sink holes, and other factors that might affect the equine athlete.

As you evaluate a possible horse farm to purchase, look at the lay of the land. Big trees usually equal good land for raising horses. This is because trees benefit from high phosphorus levels in soil.

Other than trees, sinkholes also indicate the presence of caverns that are made of mineral-rich rock. The presence of natural springs is also a tip-off. Limestone bedrock usually forces water to travel across its layers, collecting minerals as it moves. When it reaches the surface in the form of natural springs, the result is clear and rich water. Remember though that too much water either sitting in a creek bed or retained in soil is bad, as wet hooves are not strong hooves.

Lay of the Land

Not everyone can be lucky enough to find or buy the perfect land. But if you decide to grow horses on a farm, you need to understand what the limitations are and make the soil more favored for the plants that you are to produce.

Soil is a manageable resource. When looking for a horse farm, don’t go for steep hillsides or boggy bottoms, but something that rests in between. Also, consider the logistics of the site, the size of the land, and the slopes.

Questions about buying or selling equine real estate?  Please contact me… I’m glad to answer your questions.

email: [email protected]      434-960-0161

Source Attribution: Thank you to our guest blogger Dylan Snyder of The Snyder Group Real Estate in Jupiter FL.

Filed Under: Blog, Equestrian news, Virginia Horse Farms Tagged With: Central Virginia Equestrian properties, Central Virginia horse farms, farms, Virginia horse farms

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Specialties in Central Virginia

HORSE FARMS

GOLF COMMUNITIES

FOR SALE BY COUNTY

FOR SALE BY PRICE

FOR SALE BY ACREAGE

HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Blog Categories

  • Albemarle Country Homes for Sale (2)
  • Blog (425)
  • Brightwood VA Equestrian Homes for Sale (2)
  • Brightwood VA Equestrian Properties (2)
  • Central Virginia Historic Homes (7)
  • Central Virginia Homes (18)
  • Central Virginia Horse Farm for Sale (28)
  • Central Virginia Real Estate Properties (6)
  • Charlottesville (71)
  • Charlottesville Golf Communities (11)
  • Charlottesville Golf Community Homes (14)
  • Charlottesville Homes for Sale (53)
  • Charlottesville VA Homes (34)
  • Charlottesville VA Horse Farms for Sale (24)
  • Crozet VA Homes for Sale (1)
  • Earlysville VA Homes (3)
  • Earlysville VA Homes for Sale (4)
  • Equestrian news (43)
  • Equestrian Properties in Port Republic VA (1)
  • Farms and Estates (113)
  • Fluvanna County VA Homes (2)
  • Fluvanna VA Country Property for Sale (1)
  • Foreclosures (12)
  • Free Union VA Country Homes for Sale (4)
  • Free Union VA Homes (3)
  • Free Union VA Homes for Sale (3)
  • Glenmore (9)
  • go green (4)
  • Golf Communities (6)
  • Gordonsville VA Homes for Sale (4)
  • Gordonsville VA Horse Farm for Sale (2)
  • Green building (10)
  • Historic Central VA Home (4)
  • Historic Central Virginia Country Home for Sale (3)
  • Home selling tips (3)
  • Homes for Sale in Central Virginia (6)
  • Homes for Sale in Crozet (1)
  • Homes for Sale in Earlysville (1)
  • Homes for Sale in Keswick (3)
  • Homes for Sale in Lovingston VA (1)
  • Homes for sale in Palmyra VA (2)
  • Homes for Sale in Roseland VA (1)
  • Homes for Sale in Scottsville VA (2)
  • Homes in Charlottesville VA (20)
  • Homes in Free Union VA (3)
  • Homes in Lovingston VA (1)
  • Homes in Palmyra VA (3)
  • Homes in Roseland VA (1)
  • Homes in Somerset VA (3)
  • Horse Farm Properties for Sale in Brightwood VA (3)
  • Horse Farms for Sale in Charlottesville VA (8)
  • Information for buyers (119)
  • information for home owners (14)
  • Information for homeowners (16)
  • Information for sellers (66)
  • Keswick VA Homes (3)
  • Keswick VA Homes for Sale (4)
  • Listings (33)
  • Local events (23)
  • Louisa VA Homes (2)
  • Louisa VA Homes for Sale (2)
  • Lovingston (1)
  • Lovingston VA Homes (1)
  • Lovingston VA Homes for Sale (1)
  • Luxury Homes in Scottsville VA (2)
  • Market Reports (34)
  • Mortgages (6)
  • Neighborhoods (9)
  • open houses (3)
  • Palmyra VA homes (4)
  • Palmyra VA homes for sale (3)
  • Pam Dent (40)
  • Pet Friendly Real Estate (3)
  • Places to Go (5)
  • Rapidan VA Horse Farms (1)
  • Real Estate (101)
  • Real Estate Properties for Sale in Charlottesville VA (18)
  • Real Estate Properties for Sale in Crozet VA (1)
  • Real Estate Properties for Sale in Louisa VA (1)
  • Real Estate Properties for Sale in Troy VA (1)
  • Real Estate Properties in Charlottesville VA (10)
  • Real Estate Properties in Keswick VA (3)
  • Roseland VA Homes (1)
  • Roseland VA Homes for Sale (1)
  • Roseland VA Real Estate Properties for Sale (1)
  • Ruckersville VA Homes (2)
  • Ruckersville VA Homes for Sale (3)
  • schools (2)
  • Scottsville VA Homes (2)
  • Scottsville VA Homes for Sale (2)
  • Sold Listings (17)
  • Somerset VA Homes for Sale (4)
  • Staunton VA Historic Home for Sale (1)
  • Troy VA Homes (1)
  • Troy VA Homes for Sale (2)
  • Uncategorized (56)
  • Vacation homes (2)
  • Virginia (58)
  • Virginia Equestrian Property for Sale (20)
  • Virginia Historic Homes (7)
  • Virginia Horse Farms (25)

History

  • January 2021 (6)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • October 2020 (2)
  • September 2020 (2)
  • August 2020 (3)
  • July 2020 (3)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (2)
  • April 2020 (3)
  • March 2020 (3)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • November 2019 (1)
  • October 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (1)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • December 2018 (1)
  • November 2018 (1)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • August 2018 (7)
  • July 2018 (5)
  • June 2018 (8)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • April 2018 (6)
  • March 2018 (10)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • January 2018 (13)
  • December 2017 (8)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (3)
  • September 2017 (3)
  • August 2017 (6)
  • July 2017 (7)
  • June 2017 (9)
  • May 2017 (4)
  • April 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (4)
  • February 2017 (4)
  • January 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (3)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (6)
  • September 2016 (2)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • July 2016 (1)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (2)
  • February 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (3)
  • July 2015 (4)
  • June 2015 (2)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (1)
  • August 2014 (1)
  • February 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (3)
  • December 2013 (1)
  • July 2013 (2)
  • March 2013 (1)
  • February 2013 (1)
  • December 2012 (1)
  • September 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (2)
  • July 2012 (1)
  • June 2012 (4)
  • May 2012 (1)
  • April 2012 (1)
  • March 2012 (2)
  • February 2012 (4)
  • January 2012 (1)
  • December 2011 (3)
  • November 2011 (2)
  • October 2011 (2)
  • September 2011 (2)
  • August 2011 (2)
  • July 2011 (2)
  • June 2011 (3)
  • May 2011 (3)
  • April 2011 (3)
  • March 2011 (4)
  • February 2011 (3)
  • January 2011 (8)
  • December 2010 (5)
  • November 2010 (5)
  • October 2010 (3)
  • September 2010 (2)
  • August 2010 (8)
  • May 2010 (4)
  • April 2010 (1)
  • December 2009 (2)
  • November 2009 (5)
  • October 2009 (4)
  • September 2009 (3)
  • August 2009 (4)
  • July 2009 (3)
  • June 2009 (4)
  • May 2009 (5)
  • April 2009 (5)
  • March 2009 (9)
  • February 2009 (6)
  • January 2009 (13)
  • December 2008 (11)
  • November 2008 (13)
  • October 2008 (13)
  • September 2008 (12)
  • August 2008 (17)
  • July 2008 (22)
  • June 2008 (15)
  • May 2008 (1)

Areas of Expertise

  • Central Virgina Horse Properties
  • Keswick VA Horse Properties
  • Albermarle VA Horse Properties
  • Charlottesville VA Horse Farms

Social

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube


Charlottesville VA Homes For Sale
Retire To Charlottesville VA
First Floor Bedroom Homes For Sale

Contact Pam

Pam Dent
Phone: (434) 960-0161
Email: [email protected]
Gayle Harvey Real Estate Inc.
198 Spotnap Rd, #C-5,
Charlottesville, VA 22911


Real Estate Site Map

Copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved