Tips for First-Time Buyers of Charlottesville Horse Farms
For anyone with the love and passion for horses, buying your very own horse farm for the first time is very exciting, indeed! Owning, setting up and maintaining a horse farm that will give the best possible conditions for your horses requires a lot of knowledge and experience. For first time owners, you would certainly have to start somewhere; and here are some useful tips for you not only to get started in the right direction but also to build the confidence needed in maintaining your own horse farm.
Lot size
Experienced owners suggest that one should consider the largest lot size that they can get. More often than not, buyers have underestimated this detail. Some might think that 25 acres is enough, but after considering everything that will go into that lot, 30 acres might seem the more appropriate size to buy. If in case the lot size to be purchased is limited, make sure that you properly plan what you will be putting into your horse farm and that it will fit into the available space. Remember that it is not just how many total acres the property consists of but how many acres are open and in pasture. Sometimes a smaller property may actually have more acreage that is usable for your horses than a larger one.
Water source
Yet another detail that is overlooked, especially by the inexperienced. Knowing whether there is a reliable and sufficient water source is important. Water is vital in maintaining a horse farm. It is also important to identify different parts of the land where water can be accessible. Different parts of a horse farm will need water therefore different water access areas will be needed. If there is not a stream that contains water year round to all of the fields and paddocks, you will need frost free hydrants to fill water troughs or even better, automatic waterers.
Number of Horses
Have you decided on how many horses you will care for in your Charlottesville horse farm? Do you have a good idea of how many you will need (or want) and how many will be appropriate, taking into consideration other aspects of your horse farm such as lot size, the stable, feeding capacity, etc. Your horses will be a factor in different decision making steps for the entire horse farm therefore it is important to be solid on how many you will need and how many you might add in the future. Another part of this equation, will be how your horses will live. Will they be in stalls and only going out for a few hours a day or will they be living out 24/7 and gaining much of their nutrition from pasture grasses. In the later case, you may want to factor in enough acreage in pasture to allow rotational grazing.
Topography
Charlottesville is as beautiful and awe-inspiring as it is perfect for setting up your horse farm. If you plan to own one, it is essential to consider the physical area where you will put your horse farm. It is crucial that you know every physical aspect of the land your purchasing and whether or not there are problems that need to be dealt with in order to prevent problems related to drainage, quality of the soil and the resulting quality of pasture. There is a lot to consider.
If you need more information or assistance in buying the perfect horse farm in Charlottesville VA that will fit your equestrian needs, please visit my website www.JumpIntoGreenerPastures.com.
Pam Dent