Equestrian communities that have worked

[SharonA1]

I keep hearing of people, especially women “of a certain age,” (meaning me) who love having a horse but are finding that in this area of the country, things like commuting time from home to work to barn, difficulty finding coverage if you board your horse(s) at home, the extra time/work of trailering out to trails because direct trail access is disappearing, differences in barn culture if you board out, etc. can be daunting as we get or envision getting alittle older. Plus, wanting a sense of community can get alittle stronger as we get older, and if you live on private acreage or if you are always in your car frantically driving to the next thing, that community feeling can be harder to find.

Throw a few million $$$ in my Christmas stocking and I could create an equestrian community that would fix all of this!! Easy peasy! But in the meantime, I’m wondering what does make a small community work out as per the fantasy. Assume a lovely indoor and outdoor rings, enough hired help, enough acreage, respectable trails access, and within an hour of a decent-sized city for jobs and healthcare.

My own idea would be to buy (with my nonexistent millions) an existing horse facility on acreage, and then plan for building of a couple clusters of homes with room for backyard horsekeeping, plus a few townhomes for people who wanted to keep their horses in the full-board barn.

[clanter]

there are several “equine” development around here under the Horsemans Ranch is one. The first included a golf course for the golfers, a lake for the boaters and fishermen and an equestrian center for the horse folks.

Something for everyone, right?

Homeowners’ association meetings seemed to address poop in the roads more than community improvements

the next development they did was equine only

Horseman's Ranch | Acreage Lots | Whitesboro, Txty

Where I live was started in the 1948 as a small city where you could keep your horses at home, still is that way today even though we are now surrounded by a few million people. There has been a consorted effort by some to get the horses out while the majority (at this time) prefer to allow the livestock that they can see without going for an extended drive into the country

So, really look at just what the community’s intent is to be and READ the HOA agreement (if any, where I am we just have city regs to follow)

Horseman's Ranch | Acreage Lots | Whitesboro, Txty

[NoSuchPerson]

6-8 years ago, I looked into a few equestrian communities and was pretty discouraged by what I found. I think it takes a bit of magic to create a great community. These are the main things I think you would need to have:

First and foremost I think it takes a charismatic, personable, strong-willed person who isn’t a wanna-be dictator and jackass and who has a clear vision, detailed plan, and money to create the community. Then, that person must develop a succession plan and cultivate people who can step in and uphold the vision after the founder is gone.

Money. Did I already mention money? You have to have enough money to put the infrastructure in place first. I’m sure not buying in a community with nothing more than “plans” to build a covered arena or trails or a barn in the future.

And what may be the most difficult of all and require the most magic, I think you’ve got to cultivate a community of like-minded people who share the same values, ethical standards, and community goals. Obviously you will need a detailed and enforceable HOA that has some real teeth, but we have all heard the horror stories about how much damage one rotten person who doesn’t give a f*ck can do to a community.

I would love to live in a nice equestrian community, but I’m not convinced I could find one that suited me.

[sunkistbey]

We actually looked at that property in Whitesboro but decided against. (And Texas)
I do love the arena at NRS though.

[exvet]

I live in a horse community that had a hard time building out for over 20 years (lots of money issues and reputation of an HOA from hell) until covid and the mass exodus from California hit. We have a barn (with a wait list), a nice covered arena, two outdoor arenas including a dressage court and an obstacle course set up. There are trails galore in the community and access to the national forest and their trail system right from the property. There is a club house, swimming pool, work out room, games/billiard room and a large community common area for parties, larger meetings and the like with kitchen. There are areas for barbecues/outdoor grilling, a fishing pond, as well as tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball court, horse shoe pit, etc. The community overall is very well maintained. As with most places it’s the HOA that becomes the ‘challenge’ for many/most. We almost sold our new build a few times due to the challenges conforming to the architectural committee’s requirements, especially with respect to the barn and fencing; but, in the end we’re glad we stuck with it. The neighbors are great. I would venture to guess that less than 20% of the residents own horses. Most board at the community barn but there are also about 20 lots, nothing less than 2 acres that are designated for horses if you choose to keep them at home. We just purchased the lot next to us, an additional 2 acres for more turnout and to prevent anyone from building next door and ruining our view (gorgeous mountains). Boarding at the barn has turnout available (round pen, European hot walker) to get your horses out but it’s limited to rotation/sharing/and requires you to be there during your horse’s turnout or hire someone to be there. Much like clanter’s experience, HOA meeting consist of neighbors complaining about neighbors and horse poop. I plan to just keep riding until they tell me I have to stop and then I’ll move back to the valley in order to continue to ride. So far most people have been very supportive - horse owners and non-horse people alike. It’s amazing how many non-horse people come out and help when staffing at the barn is low or injuries/vacations decreases the number of staff. We cleaned stalls at the barn on Christmas day after getting done with our own and many of the residents did the same today. I will say having two horse properties about 2 hours away that are in horsey areas but are private acreages, it’s really nice to not have to keep up an arena and have more for facilities than I could have on my own (well since I sold my ranch 9 years ago). It’s also very nice to have that sense of community and know there are neighbors who will go out of their way to help you out.

[LCDR]

The political polarization and hatred in this country has spilled over into equestrian communities. Horse people in general used to have a passion about them for horses that transcended pretty much anything else. I have have seen the nasty things about the current state of politics bubble to the surface in them.

[SharonA1]

No worries, LCDR. I live in the Boston, Massachusetts area, where the local culture has for 400 years been pleasant and discreet and respectful of authority and quiet about our opinions re: rules … What could go wrong?

But seriously, I hear you. I guess it’s another reason for an HOA led by reasonable adults.

[LCDR]

I know. I lived in Southie at one time.

[atr]

There’s an 40,000 acre ultra-expensive community near me that is really built largely around golf courses-I think there are 5 total planned, has a beautiful central club house/fitness center/pool/restaurant and a bunch of other facilities, including the very swanky Equestrian Center, set off to one end of the property, with an indoor, vast outdoor arenas, and private and public trail access.

The whole place was originally built as a second home community, but there are a lot of primary home owners now, too.

The barn does take some non-property owners as members, which keeps the place full, but its eyewateringly expensive. Think $75k membership, significant annual dues, and the most expensive board in the area. I do know several people who have just invested in a lot on the property just to have access. But, it is all beautifully maintained, the horses are cared for like royalty, and its all far enough away from the residential parts that there aren’t any poop complaints that I have heard of.

There’s a separated dude barn facility that offers nose to tail trail rides to property owners and their guests as well. Just to give them the whole Wild West Experience, I guess.

Its full enough now that they don’t feel the need to host clinics or other outreach events for the local Equestrian community. Which is a bit of a shame. We all rather enjoyed our L program auditing when it was there a few years ago and they put on a catered lunch for us!

It did have a bit of a rocky start, but they now have a super professional barn manager who doesn’t take any nonsense from anybody and it seems to run pretty smoothly. And with charging as much as they do, they have the staffing levels and quality to be able to deal with ridiculous requests with a smile, I guess!

What i don’t know is how they get rid of people who misbehave if they’ve bought into that level of membership.

[ljc]

I’m.Curious. Where are you located? Sounds pretty darn nice!

[exvet]

American Ranch in Prescott, Arizona.

[Arelle]

There’s a barn in the middle of a very nice golf/HOA community in Flower Mound, TX: http://www.bridlewoodequestrian.com/ and https://www.bridlewoodhoa.org/home/

And another up the road, with much higher priced homes:

. - SADDLEBROOK

This is all smack between Dallas and Fort Worth and a 15-20 minute drive to DFW Airport. You just need to have the right amount of money to purchase into these communities.

[MunchingonHay]

Golden Ocala. https://www.goldenocala.com/

[blue_heron]

Not to prove your point perhaps but I don’t think it’s fair to expect one’s love of horses to transcend personal politics. Especially when we’re having a discussion about community. Conversations about race, wealth, safety, and the lack of general diversity in the horse world are definitely relevant here.

Signed someone who also spends the majority of my time in the greater Boston area.

[ParadoxFarm]

Equestrian communities are tricky because they are unpredictable. One here near me was built, and people bought and built homes. Then more non-horsey people bought because they just liked the area, and then somehow the equestrian center (which is lovely, SUPER indoor, outdoors, pastures, etc.) got sold off. Then the new owners of the equestrian part denied access to anyone that had a home there. So now it’s simply a nice group of homes on 5 acres but not with riding facility privileges unless you then board there – which is not cheap.

One other well-known equestrian facility that we looked at in another state was really nice, but the developer still controlled it, and at times he would let non-resident groups rent the equestrian facilities for events and block the community from using it during this time. Until that developer would hand that over to the HOA, he had that “right” to do what he wanted when he wanted. And he wasn’t going to hand it over until all 5 or 6 phases were complete – so he said, and that would takes YEARS. And even then, who knows what HOAs will decide in the future.

I like the concept, but the reality usually isn’t what I expect.

[aregard]

I’ve known of a couple, and I observe that mostly the cycle of horse-ownership is of a different length than the cycle of house-ownership.

The family-oriented, 4 bedroom house types, especially. Families move there for their kids to have the horses, then the kids grow up and leave home. Mom and Dad stay for the golf course, but begin to resent supporting the barn, the cross country course, etc. in their homeowners dues, because they aren’t using those facilities anymore.

I know of one 55-up community that has a barn. There was some question whether or not the barn was still functioning (it was) but it is not advertised in the 55-up community pamphlets, so I don’t know if it’s on its way out. I think (again) the assumption is “most residents” come for the golf course, or at least appreciate the views, but most don’t care to pay for the upkeep of a barn that serves less than 2% of the houses.

[LCDR]

I really do not understand what you are trying to say.

I am maybe too idealistic, but I believe that political differences should not result in threats of harm to horses.

[blue_heron]

I don’t know who said anything about harm to horses. Were you speculating that people who don’t have the same political views than you will hurt your horses?

[rulex]

@exvet

As with most places it’s the HOA that becomes the ‘challenge’ for many/most.

This is the key I think. Anything communal is going to require management and rules and inevitably it’s impossible to please or accommodate everyone.

In theory the idea of sharing expensive resources like arenas sounds great, but what happens when there’s disagreement on the level of maintenance and upkeep and reasonable usage? When one party cares about maintaining good quality footing and another wants to let their youngster blow off steam and run amok in the ring and tear up the footing?

I think the best that one can hope for is to find a horsey neighborhood where there is maybe a nearby indoor or two that allow drop ins and a developed trail network with lots of equestrian usage. That way you can do your thing with your horses at home but still be part of a community while still maintaining some healthy boundaries.

[FitToBeTied]

Just like golf course communities you have to know who owns what. Here in VA a very fancy community was built with a golf course. It turned out that the community did not own the golf course. The golf course went bankrupt and the golf course and all of its facilities went up for auction. As I understand I developed bought the land and was planning on putting more houses in.

I wished I had the money to buy because I would have built Habit for the Homeless homes there.

There was also an equestrian facility there and it too went bankrupt. I don’t know the status of that.

Residents were upset because they all thought those facilities were community owned and covered by HOA fees.