What Type Lot Is Considered An Ideal Horse Property?

Pennsylvania consists of mountains, hills and slopes, flat lands, rocky terrain, wetlands and much more of a variety, but not all of these are good for horses.

So what type of lot is considered an ideal horse property?

It is not just about having acreage.  Zoning in each township have ordinances for residents to follow.  In Pennsylvania, properties that are zoned agricultural, rural, or farm and forest, usually allow horses and other farm animals on that property.  Restrictions as to how many large animals are allowed will differ from township to township.  This is why it is so important to ALWAYS check with local zoning before buying a property for your horses.  If horses and farm animals are allowed, make sure to get it in writing from the zoning officer.  This way you are covered in the instance that zoning decides to change any of the regulations before you have taken possession.  

The lay of the land should be checked out.  Just because zoning allows for horses and large animals on the property does not necessarily mean that it is suitable for horses.  

The lot should be level or gently sloping for an ideal horse property.  Open fields are best.  Having it partially wooded would be good since that would provide shelter and shade for the horses.  It is not preferable to have rocky, mountainous or swampy land, for it would  not be healthy nor safe for the animals.

Rule of thumb is that each horse on the property should have at least 1 1/2 acres.  This gives them enough room to stretch their legs and play.  

When searching for a horse property,  check out the lay of the land and the zoning regulations before buying the lot.  It will save a lot of headaches after the fact.