When planning and designing your horse property, what’s most important is evaluating its future re-sale value. Whether you are operating a horse business or keeping horses for leisure, the most sought after horse properties are developed with careful forethought. This year, if you’re looking to build your dream horse property, are adding new infrastructure or planning to sell, there are several key elements to a high value horse property that must be taken into consideration. We share our top five…
1. Safe fencing
By far, the most common injuries, and some of the most severe, involve fencing. Traditional post and rail fencing made from hard materials, such as wood and metal, can cause devastation in the face of energetic horses. In contrast, Stallion Rail fencing is made from impact resistant and indestructible polyethylene. Rather than being rigid, it flexes upon impact, drastically reducing the risk of injury.
2. Useful amenities
Highly desirable amenities, such as hitching posts, hot walkers, wash bays, stables and covered yards, all increase the value of a horse property. The design of your property should take advantage of the terrain and space available, while adjusting for the infrastructure you need. Stallion Rail offer a free and customised design service to assist you in planning the next addition to your property.
3. Paddocks and pasture
Horse properties offering a number of pastures and paddocks are at an advantage. Having several well-kept paddocks available means that horses can be rotated throughout the year, in turn improving their wellbeing and reducing impact on pasture quality. Shelter, access to water, well-maintained fencing and routine manure removal are also crucial to keeping your horses and property in top form.
4. Regular maintenance
Particularly if you’re operating a horse business, such as a stud, agistment or training facility, presentation is fundamental to impressing your clients. Rubbish and excess leaf litter should be cleaned up, gates and fences kept in working order, adequate storage for hay, feed and equipment, and space available for moving horses, vehicles and floats safely.
5. Long-term investment
Finally, when building your horse property, you should strive to use materials that’ll last. Short-term savings may not result in the highest re-sale value for your property. Fencing, buildings and other permanent structures are investments, both now and for the future. While this doesn’t mean you over-extend your budget, selecting high quality materials that are easy to maintain, long-lasting and functional should be your priority.