Martin Webbster asked:


Arizona is considered a dream destination for many rural real estate investors. The state is typical western area where you will find cabin or log houses reminiscent of the 1800s gold rush. Much of Arizona has not changed. You will still find the ranches, the speeding cattle and the wild horses in that area. With the increasing number of investors taking interest in recreational properties such as ranches, hunting properties and fishing cottages, the Arizona state has come to mean a hot spot for land owners.

If you are considering investing in rural real estate in this area, one place you may want to consider is the Tucson area. Here you will find several properties such as horse lots, ranches and cottages. Arizona Tucson is one place where you will find large tracts of land designed for horse properties. This means investors interested in setting up this type of investment will have it easy as there are no permits to obtain in setting up a ranch.

The horse properties can be developed or purchased outright and used as residential premises or for resale. It particularly suits people who need to live away from the city for a while or retires who have spent almost all their lives in the city. It also enables rural sports enthusiasts to be able to pursue their hunting, fishing or mountaineering hobbies. No matter the reason, Tucson becomes a preferred investment destination for property hunters.

If you want to obtain a property of such nature in this area, you may be paying from $300,000 to $6m. An old ranch will typically sell for $400,000. With this type of property you may get enough space or plot of land to set up a horse breeding area but will not be enough to put up a full residential facility. These will also come with poor fencing or wooden fences that need extensive renovations.

Homes in the region of million Dollars are well maintained properties with large farm houses that the owner can use as a permanent residence. The also have large portions of land tat can be used as a farm or horse breeding grounds. These types come with excellent well facilities and sometimes alternative energy sources like wind power or solar.

If you are looking for a peaceful home to settle after retirement, or a getaway residence for your summer holidays, you may want to buy a horse property in Tucson her you will enjoy nature in all of its quietness and beauty.

With that said, you would want to know how to buy a horse property. What do you look out for?

The most important thing to consider is the topology and terrain. For the horse breeding to be successful you need to get a land that has a gentle sloe. This way water can flow away fro the property and prevent flooding and stagnation. Again, the soil must not be too clayey otherwise the ground will be too soft for the horses during the rains. You need a large area to be able to build a stable and for the horses to move about freely. You should also get a strong fence. Wooden and prefabricated fences are the most common. Wooden fences are cheap but require frequent maintenance so that the wood does not rot. Prefabricated ones are strong and durable but cost a lot.

You also need to consider how you will be getting water for your horses. You will want to locate your ranch near a water body so that you can easily draw water to feed the animals. You can also dig a well but you will have a lot of benefits if the animals can go out to drink.

Lastly, consider how fertile the ground is. You will count on this quality to produce good pasture for your horses.



GINO

Roger Bourdon asked:


In a recent investigation of the new property scene in Florida and Georgia, a remarkable growth in the influence of equestrians has become very obvious.

Obviously aimed at the ‘Baby Boomer’ set; these properties unfortunately will not be within reach of the average horse enthusiast. Where once the leading attraction on new large scale developments was to have a golf facility enclosed within the designs, more and more of the up market projects are including horse riding facilities as a much higher priority.

As a horse riding fan, this is not difficult to understand, for although other recreational facilities such as golf, and close proximity to other ‘attractions’ such as theme parks, can provide a certain amount of relaxation, nothing can really beat the lure of horseback riding as the ultimate in ‘unwindingness’.

The first signs of this were spotted at a massive development that is still being constructed on a 2,500 acre site just adjacent to Disney in Orlando. However the presence of a number of ‘signature’ golf courses, and the close proximity to Disney overshadowed the equestrian facilities that are there. But, there they are, and all visitors to this complex have to pass by the stables and training areas as they approach the magnificent entrance to this development.

However, all this pales into insignificance when compared to the facilities being offered at a development in the nearby State of Georgia, at a purpose-built Country Estate, close to Lake Oconee in White Plains.

Unlike the developments in Florida, here the home stead sites all range from 1 to 6 acres, with estate home plans ranging from 2,400 to over 8,000 square footage. On homesteads of at least three acres in size, owners will be able to keep up to 2 horses on their own private enclave.

OK, these homes are not going to be within reach of every horse lover, as the home plots themselves will range from $200,000 to $450,000, but look at the range of facilities available to you equestrian enthusiasts.

1. The Riding Club and Boarding Stable. This barn will include a full tack room, tack lockers, members lounge, and stalls, jumping facilities, quarantine facilities and much, much more.

2. The Club Horse Boarding Stable. The Equestrian Village will feature a club horse-riding program.

3. Multiple Riding Areas and Training Facilities. A number of training facilities to provide a world class equestrian experience including an Indoor and Outdoor Riding Arena, and a standard Dressage area.

4. Club horses will be available to Club members for trail rides at no extra cost

Then look at the range of horse care facilities offered

1. Clean and muck stall and outside pen once a day

2. Feeding twice daily or special feeding and exercise programs.

3. Visual monitoring during normal business hours, special medical attention and grooming services on a fee basis.

It just goes to show, how much horse riding has come back into its own when large leisure organizations start to heed to desires of equestrians. But then, it is hardly surprising, as we all know horse back riding is far more relaxing for the body and the sole than hectic and busy Disney style entertainment.

So, when you set off in search of these luxurious leisure resorts, you may want to have a book or two handy to polish up your techniques, and according to a number of international ‘horsy’ specialists, a good site is very useful. One such site worthy of more than a quick glance can be found at www.anyhorsebackriding.com for an ever-expanding variety of horsy topics and advice.



CORDELL

Gypsy asked:


Hi, I am looking into buying horse property in a couple years, and was wondering what state would be best/cheapest.

want something no too rural - within 30 minutes of a big city. Not a mountainous region, and not tons of snow in the winter - at least no more than Colorado, where I live now.

Other considerations - I am graduating with a secondary education degree, as is my fiance, so a place with jobs for teachers.

ALFONZO

TourFactory asked:

http://www.tourfactory.com/s436555/r_www.youtube.com

Now Reduced 50K. Investment Opportunity. For a Handy, creative, visionary owner who can be artistic. This Fixer-upper beauty from outside can become your primary retreat. Update the flooring, kitchen, baths, front curb appeal and back landscaping to match the newly renovated homes in the area. This property offers a separate guest-house with its own entry. A Brilliant choice, to live on one side and rent the other. There is NO Home Owners Association. Half of this lot can be used for keeping horses or can be developed; Newly renovated pebble-tech pool, above ground SPA, natural grass area and lots more… Seller will consider a quick sale Offer. Don’t miss it!

CHADWICK

Benjamin Wise asked:


You can have a formal riding lesson with an instructor, or you can simply have a lesson in riding. For me every time I get on a horse I learn something new. It does not matter if I am in an indoor arena or out in the open country along a winding trail. Sometimes the horse is the greatest teacher of all.

Horse riding can be enjoyed by everyone and the age span is huge. My last employer said that he first learnt to ride at age 30. Now since I started around 7 years, I figured 30 to be old. My mother has been learning to ride for about 3 years now and she is in her early 50’s.

My father had a horse on our property, we had 6 acres and for some reason he got a horse. I should mention that my father does not like horses. I was probably 3 or 4 years old and it would be fun to ride whilst someone kept me balanced and lead the horse. I never grew attached to the horse and for good reason since he always ran away with me when I was left to steer on my own.

If I had started with actual riding lessons at an earlier age, I would have had better control and knowledge. Lessons help you develop a good seat which gives you excellent balance. When your horse panics you are then able to focus your attention on getting him under control. Without the lessons you may simply be hanging on for dear life praying for the horse to calm down and stop.

Horse riding lessons not only help you learn to ride correctly, but you also learn a good deal about your horse. You will learn to pick up on his moods and subtleties and your instructor will be able to instruct and help you work with your horse.

A horse’s life should not be about all work and no play. Even top competition horses get to simply blow off steam. Treat yourself, treat your horse and take him for a hack or trail ride. When you have paid a lot of money for your horse and or you are riding competitively you owe it to yourself to have horse riding lessons.

A fit healthy horse when scared can be formidable beast; they have far more power and endurance than a horse that is ridden infrequently. Taking lessons with your horse will help create your bond of mutual respect and understanding. Your horse will know and respond to your cues.

When you are out in the open and the confines of the arena are a fading memory, your skill learned from your lessons really pays off. The bond you formed with the lessons has established trust with your horse. He is calmed and reassured by your voice, he knows you are confident in the saddle and out for a pleasure ride.

Horse riding is a fun sport, even in competition there is intense thrill and excitement. Always ensure your safety as well as your horse’s and invest in some riding lessons to develop and strengthen your bond with your horse and your skill in horsemanship.



EFRAIN

Martin Webbster asked:


Horse properties have become quite common of late. No longer the preserve of Colorado or Kentucky ranchers, city dwellers and investors are also looking into horse property investment. They understand that this area of real estate is growing very fast and commands a lot of buyers. Mostly, the investors buy the property for possible resale or use by themselves. For personal use, when they can retire to these properties during the summer and partake of all that the rural America has to offer. They can build a ranch and breed cattle on the rural properties. Or, they can behold the scenic rural west and go on fishing and hunting expeditions. The possibilities are endless. As a resalable property, investors believe that with time the prices and demand for horse properties will be on the increase as many people look to the rural areas for land and recreation. As rural land still remains cheap, these investors find it worthwhile to buy large tracts of land and convert into ranches.

How does one go about the business of looking for a horse property for sale?

Well, your first approach would be to think about the barn. This is the place that you will need most for the horses. Will you want to build a new barn or use the one on the ranch? Is existing barn in good shape? Does it complement the structure you intend to put up on land? Is it large enough to contain the number of horses you intend to rear? Typically, you will have to look out for many things to arrive at a good barn. The barn must be strong and study. It must be strong enough to withstand the rumbling of the horses. There should be no large gaps through which some of the horses may break through. If you intend to build a new ban, are you going to make a carpenter construct one for you or you will use prefabricated type? Each option has it own cost. You will also have to consider how close the barn is to the road. To avoid accidents and dustiness, you will want to get a barn that is farther away from the road so that the swirl from the passage of cars on the road will not accumulate in the yard. If you are going to use the existing barn, inspect the floors. Are they suitable for sleeping by the horses?

Consider access to your property. Do you have well constructed roads so that trucks can easily reach your property to deliver supplies? Can the trucks turn in the yard without problems?

The fence will also have to be very strong for this type of property. Meticulously look at the posts to determine if they are strong and can withstand a horse that is trying to beak away. You should determine if the stakes and the wood work are safe so that the horses will not injure themselves in any way. Many property owners would like to use wood fences but they can be expensive to maintain. They require frequent painting and replacement. They are susceptible to the weather and can even rot away. They are however cheap to construct in the first place.

Vinyl fencing is more durable and requires less maintenance but very expensive to install.

How easy can you find water? Many properties have wells but access to nearby stream or some other water body will be of great benefit.

Think about how you will provide lighting for the place? Has the owner installed solar panels or generator the event that the grid fails?

If you intend to hold a large number of horses, you will have to get ample storage for them. Judging by the size of the property, can you hold that number of horses you envisage? Do you have enough room to store their supplies including food?

Then you have your home to consider. How is the residential facility sited on the land? Is it convenient for you? Will you have to pass through the horse feeding area or barn before you exit?



GAIL