Start a Horse Ranch - Here are some things to think about

If you want to start a horse ranch, this page will provide some information from my personal experience and other advice about leaving the city to move to the country.

Many folks who find out where I live and what I do express that they wish they could live in the country and start a horse ranch or have livestock or whatever.  So, for all of you that wish you could do what I have done here is the secret to making it happen.  Are you ready?

Set a goal and then take steps to reach it.

What? Are you kidding?  No, this is all it takes to reach any goal.  It is simple isn't it? 

So, to follow the steps I took, here are some steps for you to follow:

• Decide that you want to start a horse ranch bad enough to do it

Just in case you have any doubts, read my pages on the things I did right when starting my horse ranch, and the things I did wrong when starting my horse ranch to see what you should and should not do in your quest to start a horse ranch.

• Decide where you are willing to live

Do you need to have an outside job or can you manage to start a horse ranch without an outside income? This decision will drive your location.  I drew a circle within a 50 mile radius around where I wanted to work. This gave me the areas in which I could look for my ranch.

• List the criteria that you require for the property you want to start a horse ranch

It is important to start with this because if you start looking for properties first, you will get excited about one that you can probably not afford. Stick to the minimums. Everything else will be gravy.  For example, for me, having a paved road was important.  I also wanted a property that was already fenced and had a water well.

• If you are not already financially able to buy a ranch, find a way to lease one

Find a good real estate agent familiar with the area you are looking in. Use the internet to search. Real Estate websites like realtor.com can help you locate a suitable property. Expect to search for awhile to find a place that meets your criteria.

• Once you find a place you like, make an offer

If you wait, someone will snatch it out from under you.  Don't be afraid to offer less than the asking price.  And, if there are assets on the property that you want, be sure to list in the contract that you want to include them.

• Once your offer is accepted, start planning your move

If you have another property to sell, get it listed with a realtor.  I listed my house with the same realtor that had listed the acreage I purchased. This worked well and we developed a long-lasting friendship.

• When you close on the property, you are ready to move in

Don't rush out and buy horses on day one.  Instead, take your time to get your fences and barns ready to go. I spent almost a year doing this, and still did not have time to complete everything. Once the horses are there, your time will be consumed with them.

• Invest in good exterior fences

Do not under any circumstances have barbed wire anywhere near your horses.  If the exterior fences are made of barbed wire, put another fence up just inside this to protect your horses from it.  Believe me, horses will find a way to hurt themselves, so don't give them such an easy way to do it. You don't want to start with a large vet bill.

• Invest in a good all-weather driveway

You must be able to get in and out of your property.  You will need to feed and check on your horses and eventually you may even want to live on your property.  You will never regret having a good road.

• Invest in a good watering system

We installed Nelson Automatic Waterers for the horses.  We already had a water well on the property when we purchased it. If you don't have a water well already, you will have to get one, or make sure you have access to city water.

• Go slow on spending for high-ticket items

Build small run-in sheds instead of expensive horse barns.  Use electric horse tape instead of building expensive interior fences.  The sheds will work to keep your horses out of the weather.  Putting up temporary fence will help you figure out where you want the permanent fence later when you can afford it.  Spending too much too fast will drive you to bankruptcy.  You don't want to lose everything just as you are starting to realize your dream.

• Buy a tractor

I know, I just said to go slow on spending for high-ticket items, but purchasing a good used tractor is an investment that will pay for itself.  You will use your tractor for everything from shredding to post hole digging. Get one that has a front-end loader and a 3-point hook-up.  Your tractor will save your back and you will find that you can use it on your horse ranch in ways you would never dream of before you have one.

• Buy your horses

This is supposed to be a horse ranch right?  When you start a horse ranch, you want to buy the best brood mares you can afford.

Look for bloodlines that are in demand.  Pick a specialty like cutting, or reining, or halter, and then focus on acquiring horses with the popular bloodlines for that activity.  You do not have to buy a stallion because you can always buy breedings from a famous stallion that someone else owns.  Look for horses with good dispositions.  You want horses that you can handle easily.  The best bred horse in the world is not worth a lot if you are afraid to mess with her.

• Breed your mares and then wait

Yes, wait. It takes 11 months to get your first babies.  This is the fun part and it is well worth the wait.

It is not that hard to realize this dream, or any other dream. It all starts with a clear goal and a plan.

Please share your horse tips with each other here.

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