Looking for input about the horse scene in Rimrock area of Arizona. My husband is a retired equine veterinarian and we have 3 horses. I used to Event and enjoy Dressage and just trail riding. We are downsizing from 20 acres. We are looking for affordable living (2-5 acres); a horse community, and
being able to find ranch sitters for our property so we can visit our son, who lives in Southern Utah.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I am a veterinarian who is still working (at least for a few more years) and have three horse properties in Arizona, all small because I downsized from a ranch with a breeding operation about 9 years ago. There’s not a lot right now that I would consider affordable unless you’re far out in the outer reaches. The Rim Rock area is a heavy tourist area with the cost of living that usually accompanies such areas. It’s beautiful though. My properties range from 1.25 acres (Rio Verde & Desert Hills, both suburbs of Phoenix and very horse focused) to 4 acres (Prescott/Williamson Valley area). I currently own 4 horses. Depending on where you’re coming from the ‘style’ of horse keeping can be quite different.
As for the horse scene in the area you’re focusing on, it is heavily western based. There is a small community of dressage and eventing people in Payson and Camp Verde which is ‘close’ to Sedona. More of an eventing crowd can be found up around Flagstaff. I am on the board for the Northern Chapter of Arizona’s dressage GMO and given the influx of people to the state have seen some recent growth in the sport disciplines after a sharp decline. As for pet sitting my adult children are often wrangled into it or members of my staff who pet sits. I have also boarded my horses for a week or so at a time with one of my coaches, easier to do in the Valley (Phoenix) when we’ve gone out-of-town.
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Just for comparison’s sake, you might try looking in Prescott Valley. While much of that area has (unfortunately) become tract homes, on the opposite side of 89 are some really large lots with nicer homes, many already with arenas and barns. The only drawback is you’re kind of out in the boonies. There are some trails, but they wind around property lines and it’s mostly flatlands.
Another option is Chino Valley. Maybe not in the actual town of Chino Valley, but on the outskirts between Prescott and Chino Valley. They’re custom built homes sort of set up on a hillside, many with horse amenities and access to trails. But again, you’re living in a more remote area, so you have to want that lifestyle.
From either of these areas, if you have a horse trailer, you can haul to numerous beautiful trail heads within about 30 minutes. As for competition, the vast majority of that is indeed western oriented. The pet sitting… well, since it would be temporary assignments, you’d probably be okay. But just to be forewarned: In my experience up here, even the professionally run, large barns have a hard time recruiting and then hanging on to, their barn help. Yet there are pet sitters who advertise that they’ll come and clean/feed, so don’t let that deter you. Just be aware.
If I were still actively riding hunters and jumpers, or was into eventing and dressage, I’d have chosen the Flagstaff area. In fact, I still toy with the idea of moving up there simply because it’s more heavily forested and I’m one of the weirdos who wants even more snow in the winter! 
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I have a very good friend in Chino Valley. I envy her horse facilities and her views of wide open spaces. But, the WIND! The seemingly constant wind would drive me insane. My parents used to live in Flagstaff and I love that area. My grandparents lived in Sedona for decades (40 years?) they had Coffee Pot Rock practically in their backyard. I spent summers there as a kid and if I could pick anywhere to live it would probably be the Sedona of 30+ years ago
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I just shared your response with my husband. We do Get the not so affordable comment though we are, at least, finding choices. We bought our 23 acres in 2017 as a foreclosure here in California, and its value has greatly appreciated. That hasn’t particularly helped us as the inflation is sky high for a purchase. We are looking for a basic horse set up; fenced and shelter, but not grandiose for us and our 14 animals. We have 4 ranch dogs, which immediately makes us need a little space from neighbors; 5 feral cats who adopted us; 3 horses and 2 birds. We were looking in the Maricopa area, but since we don’t live there, we can’t compete with the quick turn over of listings. We have relatives in the Chandler area. The appeal of the Sedona area is proximity to Flagstaff and a not too harsh climate, and 5.5 hours from our son. We’ve lived on the East Coast where I was active eventing. At this point, kindred horse spirits of any kind would be nice, but we’re making a compromise on the perfect fit for horse activities to be closer to our son. The ranchsitter problem I know…Goes with the territory of enjoying the full experience of horse ownership…Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights! Cheers!
Thank you for taking the time to share insights about the area. We are looking for a mild climate where year round riding would be possible. I went into more detail in my answer to ‘exvet’. I haven’t quite figured out how to navigate replying:) It has been very helpful!
Thank you for sharing with us. Wind! hmmmm that’s something to consider. Like everywhere, it sounds like Sedona grew out of its charm a bit. We’re just looking for a bit of a horse vibe; some riding availability and the opportunity to have a little more freedom from our life here. Having horses at home and freedom are not so easy to accomplish, I know!
If it were me moving to Arizona I would pick Flagstaff
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I lived outside Flagstaff when I was in my early 20s. I was ten miles outside of town on Highway 180. I loved living there, but man, those winters were brutal. Winters were not a lot better in town, which is 1000 feet lower elevation than where I lived. Living out there was not for the fainthearted at that time (late 1979 to early 1981). I imagine it’s much more built up and not so isolated now. My then boyfriend, now husband, lived in town, which was easier to deal with due to actually having infrastructure, but still challenging.
Rebecca
Have you looked at Camp Verde or Cottonwood? Both are growing areas. Cottonwood is a cute town with a lot of historical ties to the area. Camp Verde has the added appeal of being very horsey. It’s only about 45 minutes from Sedona, maybe an hour from Flagstaff.
We’ll give Flagstaff some more consideration!
Thank You.
Hard winters is something we want to avoid for the care issues and the down time from riding. We’re not looking to be isolated either. One of our priorities is being close enough in to enjoy a sense of community wherever we go. Thank you for your input.
My husband is going to Camp Verde on Tuesday. He’s meeting with a realtor to look over the area. I’m printing everyone’s input so he will have food for thought on his trip. Thank you!
So you’re the one!! From one SoCal girl to another, I have to say I’m slightly disappointed. 
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If he’s going to Camp Verde and has time, he should cruise by Jackpot Ranch. They hold a lot of horse competitions there, although again, primarily western. But it’s also a recreational gathering place and event center.
Thank you! I’ll let him know:)
To clarify, being in Flagstaff isn’t at all isolated. I was ten miles out of town, which was very different. I felt Flagstaff had a great sense of community. But remember, I’m talking late 70s to early 80s when I lived there. My experience isn’t at all recent. And I don’t know how the winters are these days with global warming.
Rebecca
Thanks for the update. The best thing is to go there in person like my husband will be doing this week. We live 7 miles out of town right now so that is different than where the action is yet close enough. I guess we find land prices more in our budget a little out of town.
Thank you. It’s on his list now!
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I lived in Chino Valley for eight years from 1999-2007. Having come from SE I Idaho loved the temps but was disappointed in the wind as where I had just lived was terribly windy.
I didn’t see anyone had mentioned water, or lack thereof. Even when we left CV in 2007 water tables for wells were getting lower all the time. I believe in Flag a lot of people have to get water hauled in. Basically this is a big reason we left and moved to Kentucky. Well, that and the horse scene, clinics, shows etc, still astounds me how much there is here after living in the west so long.
Anyway, just a heads up for you to consider. 
