HOW MANY HORSES CAN WE KEEP ON THIS PROPERTY?Horse

F.Q.A from Horse Property Buyers.  Questions from home buyers seeking to buy a property suitable for horses will be very different from the home buyer seeking only a home.

HOW MANY ACRES DO WE NEED?  Loudoun County permits property owners with just
3 acres to "keep" horses.  That is a plural.  There is no limit on the number of horses on that 3 acres.  So, it's entirely possible for a property owner to keep 3-4+ horses on a 3, 5 acre lot.  Where the owners will love is another matter.

Some important features to consider include:

Covenants - Are horses allowed in the area/sub-division/community??

WHAT ABOUT A HOUSE FOR THE HORSES TOO?  Barn with sufficient number of stalls for the anticipated number of horses is a good start.  If there is no barn, then the property will need sufficient acreage for a barn, paddocks, fencing, often a run-in shed, shed for tack, etc.  

WHERE WILL THE BARN GO?  I've had buyers who considered a 3-5 acre home site lot with a house to keep several horses and that's just not, IMO, realistic.  Grazing acreage is important, as is the drainfield, 1/4-1/2 acre for the septic system needed in most rural properties in Loudoun County.  The barn can't be constructed over the drainfield and permits to build a barn may require setback from the residence that makes it just too limited for comfort (the horses' comfort).

YOU CAN'T JUST STAKE A HORSE OUT like a barnyard dog.  Fencing is critical.  Also critical is grazing acreage.  Granted some horse owners do supplement grass, but horses need to move around.  Don't forget about the cleaning needed and keeping too many horses on a small lot is going to mean a lot of work, for the health of the horses.


                  Horses

Be realistic and, if horse ownership is in your future, we'll help you find the best property for your budget.  If the budget is low, there are many horse boarding farms throughout Loudoun County. 

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WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS, we'll help you find the best horse property for your needs and your budget.
* We'll preview to make sure the property has the cleared acreage needed.
* Personal tours of suitable homes you select.
* Comparative Market Analysis for similar homes sold in the area.
* Referrals to lenders if you need it. 
* We attend all home inspections, house, septic, etc.
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Click Loudoun County Map below to open.

 

Lenn      search      Loudoun County Virginia Map

             
 

 

  

 

Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988

 

HOMEFINDERS VIDEO 

 

For a tour of homes in your location of choice in Loudoun County, contact Homefinders.com, 540-822-9907.  We'll arrange a wonderful tour and you can get to know the county, shopping, recreation, the real estate market and the hardest working Buyer's Agents in the area. 

 


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12 Comments on Loudoun County Horse Properties - Cleared Acreage, Barn, Buyers' FAQ.

MAY
26
270,432 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Nice post!  Love your horse photos, too. 

It's interesting to compare "rules" for horses around the country.  In our area it changes from city to city as to how much land is required and how many horses per acre are allowed.  Even more interesting - Scottsdale has horse property right along Scottsdale Road, which runs north and south all the way through the city.  So a tourist driving up and down Scottsdale Road passes by elite shopping and within 2 miles is driving past split rail fences that line the road to keep the horses off Scottsdale Road.  It's fun to explain that to newcomers to our area that I've never seen one of the horses fenced next to Scottsdale Road actually walking along Scottsdale Road.  Maybe they added that fence FOR the tourists! 

 
11:50am • #1
1,952,020 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jan.  Loudoun County is horse country and the horses are very popular.  lots of horse shows and horse farms.
12:38pm • #2

Hi Lenn, It sure is interesting to hear about Loudon County horse property. Sounds like a dream come true! I specialize in horse properties throughout San Diego County. In many areas around here you can have horses as long as you have at least one acre of land, then you can have two horses per acre. So if you have a property with three acres, you can have six horses! It can get a bit crowded but most of our horses live in small corrals or barn stalls. Grass pastures are almost non-existent. I promised my now 8 year old Andalusian, one day she would get to see a real pasture...
8:03pm • #3
182,824 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Lenn.  I have no experience with horses.  I know each time I get to go to Loudoun County, I see horses.  Your post is educational, I appreciate it, thanks.
8:07pm • #4
763,734 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lenn, I think the norm here is no more than one horse per acre.  As you said, they need to have enough grass for grazing.
8:57pm • #5
MAY
27
1,952,020 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jill.  The 3 acre minimum provides for some pasture.  BTW, that 3 acres is down from 5 acres just 5 short years ago. 

Cheryl.  You'll see horses everywhere out here.

Tammie.  I don't believe an acre per horse is sufficient unless the owner is prepared to keep that acre clean and that horse well fed.
3:19am • #6
840,958 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

This is an essential post for any city dweller (and others) considering becoming a gentleman farmer...Fencing, barns and horse per acre are all very relevant points to anyone wanting to become a successful old McDonald without the EI EI ooooh
7:52am • #7
302,028 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lenn, we offer pasture board and estate lots where you can keep the horse on your lot. Its important for people to note that fencing and a barn could easily add $100,000-$150,000 to the price of the home!
12:40pm • #8
1,952,020 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richie.  Indeed.  Folks with no experience need to learn what they're doing.

David.  You bet.  I'm working with some buyers now looking for a home for their 4 horses and a home for the family.  They've priced the prefab barns at about $50,000.  

2:08pm • #9
MAY
28
314,651 Points Called Shot Master

Some buyers forget it's not just the size of the lot that matters. There's a lot more to consider and plan when thinking of housing horses on a property. Great post. 
8:44am • #10
423,870 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I agree Lenn, 3 acres is too small for a house and a horse, and especially for multiples of horses.  It requires a fair amount of space for this many horses and the pasture will not grow at all if the soil compaction and grazing is too extreme.
10:41am • #11
1,952,020 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gina.  That is a fact.  Too many horses on a small lot is not heath for the horses.

Rob.  Indeed.  Generally, horse owners are willing to take less of a house in order to put the money in the barn/paddocks.
12:27pm • #12

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