Buying & Selling


10 Things to Know Continued from page 11


One of the most frightening scenes to find


first thing in the morning is a horse that has somehow gotten into a feed room and gorged on grain. Horses are not physically able to vomit. This can lead to an episode of colic, or severe stomach pain, and can be fatal. A horse- proof place to store grain is a must. Ideally, the storage should also be rodent proof.


5. Check the fences “Good fences make good neighbors.”


Perimeter fencing, Cross fencing, paddocks and runs. Fences must be strong, sturdy and checked regularly for loose nails, cracked boards or loose posts. Pipe fencing and pipe and cable are popular in Texas. Other options include wood fences, hot wire, vinyl and no- climb wire. For more info ask me for a FREE Guide to Fence Laws in Texas.


6. Ride out? Ride out is the term used by equestrians


to denote if there are riding trails or areas off the property that are allowed for equestrian use. I often see agents comment: “Miles of trails!” Unless there is a public park next door that allows equestrian use, do not say you can ride on other people’s property. With increased liability and fear of lawsuits, fewer and fewer private landowners are allowing people to ride on their properties.


7. Arena surfaces


Horses have incredibly delicate tendons and ligaments in their legs, and if they tear or rupture one, it can be a career ending or fatal injury. Because of this, it’s no surprise training surfaces, like in arenas, now have any number of options to cushion the impact of repeated stress.


From bluestone and sand to synthetic ma- terials including rubber and felt, know what the surface is and how old it is. Sand breaks down through repeated use and time and will need to be replaced. The synthetic materials can be very expensive and are a major selling point of a property to a serious competitor. It’s not unusual for a complete arena in-


stallation to be between $50,000 and $100,000, or more. Arenas always deserve a mention


18 SouthWest Horse Trader


along with upgraded foot- ing — this alone can be a major selling point.


8. Access for vets, farri- ers and trailers


Horses require a lot of people to keep them healthy. Farriers trim equine feet and attach shoes as needed every four to six weeks. Veterinarians usually visit a minimum of twice a year for checkups and vaccines, and many horses also get at least a once yearly visit from the equine dentist.


Having a way for these professionals to eas- ily access your barn and


then have a place that is well-lit to safely work is a must. Not only do these folks need a place to work on your horse, they also need a place to park their truck where they have easy access to the tools of their trade.


Having a dirt path to the barn that turns into eight inches of shoe-sucking mud during the spring rainy season will make for a very cranky veterinarian if they get their vehicle stuck at your farm. Also, if owners plan to have feed and hay delivered, those very large heavy trucks need a way to get into the property and to the place where they need to deliver. If they don’t think they can get to your property with- out getting stuck, they won’t deliver.


9. Farm equipment storage and parking


You are also going to need a place to park all of your farm “toys.” Horse trailers, trac- tors, mowers, manure spreaders, trucks, arena maintenance equipment, and whatever else you have all need a place to live. Keeping ma- chines covered or in some form of garage will make them last longer and work more reliably.


10. Figure out a bad weather plan Every farm owner needs a plan for bad


weather. If homeowners are in areas with wild- fires, they need a plan for how to get their hors- es to safety. In areas that may flood, they may need to trailer their horses out to somewhere


March 2018


higher and drier well before the storm even be- gins. If a huge snow is expected, they need a plan for how to get to their barn to feed and water the animals. By addressing these 10 key horse facil- ity concerns in your marketing, you will be helping prospective buyers check off the must haves on their needs and wants list. If the prop- erty you are selling comes up lacking in a cer- tain category, have a plan for what could work for them instead. No feed room? No problem, be able to


tell them where they can buy horse-proof feed bins.


No tack room? Show the potential buyer where one could be added on after purchase. Always remember a true horse person is going to want what is best for their horses. Accentuate the reasons your listing is the home where every horse would want to live, and you will draw potential buyers to your equine property. Other


considerations include existing


leases, easements, water rights, mineral rights, conservation easements or crop subsidy pro- grams, and shared use and maintenance agree- ments. And of course you will want to consider working with a horse property specialist who knows how to photograph and market your equine property. w


Claude Choate is the owner of Grasslands Equestrian Center and Choate Farm & Ranch Realty. Alvord, Texas. 214.727.3316 Visit him on Facebook or NTXHorseProperties.com.


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