There are many ways make your dream of a life with horses come true without running out and buying a farm. Before you take that big of a step, you may want to consider leasing a horse farm. Think about your ideal life on a horse farm and ask yourself some serious questions. How much time do you have to invest in your love of horses? What’s your interest level in day-to-day responsibilities? What point you are in your life goals? And of course, what is your financial means?
If you are just starting out and still unsure of how to tackle your dream of owning a horse property, renting or leasing a horse farm may be a good option. This will allow you to gain the experience you need without being overwhelmed or taking on too much financial responsibility. This will allow you to educate yourself on the daily routine and needs of a farm so you’ll be a more educated buyer when the time comes to either head back to the city or buy the farm!
If you’ve ready to take the first step of leasing a horse farm, consider the following tips:
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- Location is Key – Making the move to a farm of your own is a huge step, especially if you’re leaving city or suburban life to do so. You’ll need to consider your current job, the location of friends and family, and how far schools, stores and other necessities will be. If you’ve got a sustainable farm planned out and are ready to take on the challenge, more power to you. We’ll envy your solar panels from a distance. If you need to stay a bit more connected, however, think of your needs and rent your horse farm in a location that fits your lifestyle.
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- Type of Horse Farm – The second most important consideration to think on before leasing a horse farm is the type of set-up you’re interested in. Do you want a hobby farm, working farm or a private, off-grid type farm? These decisions will go a long way towards the look and function of the farm you will want be looking for. Use a rental agency that specializes in horse farms and tell them every detail that you have in your mind. They’ll find what you’re looking for, if it’s possible!
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Existing Horse Stalls – There are basic minimums that you should look for when planning to keep horses on any property. Let’s start with the existing horse stalls that should already be in place. Horse stalls need to measure at least 10’ x 12’ for small horses or ponies and at least 12’ x 12’ for standard horses. Warmblood, draft horse, or foaling stalls go up from the standard size.Stall doors should function properly and be at least 4’ wide, to make it easy for horses to move in and out. Unless you feel like putting more money into your rented property, stalls should already have automatic waters or bucket hooks on the wall by the barn aisle. The more features your horse barn comes with, the less work and money you’ll have to invest as a renter.
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- Barn Flooring and Rooms – Other important areas to inspect include barn ventilation, floors, storage space, and the safety of basic barn construction. The floors should be dry, non-slip and built with proper drainage. All flooring needs to be level and free of pawing holes or other damage. The best flooring may be hard to find in a horse rental property but if you happen to find a horse farm for lease that is equipped with rubber horse mats, mark it high on your list. Rubber mats ensure the safety and comfort of your horses, whether they’re sleeping or standing. To read more about rubber flooring, check out our recent blog.Tack rooms are a nice consideration as having the extra space to store your gear can make things much nicer. Brushes, hoof picks, blankets, saddles and other tack needs to be stored safely and properly. If you’re planning to lease your extra stalls, plan ahead and make sure you have room to store your guests’ horse equipment, too.
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- Pasture & Paddocks – When leasing a horse farm, check to make sure surrounding acreage and fencing is safe and well maintained. There should be enough turn-out for horses for rotation between paddocks and pasture several times a week. If possible, look for enough land so your horses can have enough pasture to graze in every day. This will keep your team happy and cut hay costs. When you have narrowed your list, visit each of your final choices again so you can walk the pastures and paddocks you’ll use for your horses. Makes sure they are free of dangerous debris such as nails, broken glass or other sharp objects.
Renting or leasing a horse farm is a great way to test your dedication to an equine lifestyle, before you buy the farm! Follow our tips to make an educated decision on the best horse property to lease. Then, when you’re ready to buy a horse farm, you’ll know exactly what you’re interested in.
Are you interested in leasing a horse farm? Ask any questions you may have in the comments below!
Saratoga Stalls is a premium national supplier of horse and barn products. For more information on custom barns or horse stalls please contact Curtis Gardner, CEO, at (800) 918-6765.
2 responses to “The Best Advice on Leasing a Horse Farm”
My wife has always loved horses so we’re looking at getting a horse farm. Thanks for the advice; I agree that location is key. We’ll have to move further away, but we won’t be able to afford it if it’s too far from our works. We’ll be sure to think about that as we look.
Glad our advice on leasing a farm helped! An economical car helps with fuel costs when you have a long commute. It’s all a balance with cost and convenience, huh? Hope your hunt is going well!