Plan Your Horse Farm

Planning the layout of your horse farm or ranch is one of the most important tasks you’ll face.  Whether you are developing bare land, or working with a pre-existing horse facility, there are many things to consider.  Below are some ideas to get you started.

• Can horses get out of the barn at night or onto the road?  If so, a perimeter fence may be necessary.  In the event that a horse does get loose, a perimeter fence will help keep the horse on the grounds and off the road.
• Fences need to be checked on a regular basis.  Planning a bridle path around the entire property will help make this task an enjoyable time to spend with your horse.
• Some disciplines dictate the size your arena needs to be.  Consider this as you plan, however, it’s usually better to have a larger, more versatile arena than to limit yourself with a smaller one.
• When choosing fencing, combining differently sized rails can help keep cost down.  Adding a rail of electric to a non-electric fence system can help reduce wear and tear.
• Three- or four-rail fencing across the front of your property can help enhance beauty and provide a safer, more effective fence.

If planning a boarding facility, your needs will be different from the average horse owner’s.   Click here to read an article on “Boarding as a Business.”

• Having a separate entrance away from your residence will help decrease disturbance when you’re not at the barn.
• Have your gates set back from the road so you don’t have to stop a truck and trailer on the road to open them. 
• Plan your barn according to traffic flows.  Remember, you’ll need to accommodate horses, humans and vehicles.
• Don’t forget about parking.  You’ll also need to plan adequate space for trailers to park and turn around.
• Plan your arena to be at least 70’ or 80’ wide.  This allows enough room for most disciplines.
• Utilize as much space as possible.