My husband and I are retired, and are looking to move closer to our son in Utah. Looking for
a ‘target’ area closer than we are now to Southern Utah that is horse friendly–pasture with grass; not too extreme of a climate, and most of all–an active horse community. I love eventing and dressage. My husband has a Tennessee Walker. We both like to trail ride. So far, having our horses home on our 20 acres has made it very difficult to get away together as there are not many people available to take care of a menagerie of animals for even a few days. We need affordable land; can be a modest house; barn and fenced–5 acres or so. Mainly we are looking for vibrant horse community, and more freedom than we have here somewhere between Northern California and Southern Utah. Any Ideas?
I live in northern Utah, in a small town in the mountains outside of Park City. The majority of the horse activity in Utah is in this general area, defined as the Wasatch Back and Wasatch Front (so Salt Lake/Ogden/Provo, and the equivalent along the back of the mountains–Heber City, Woodland, Kamas, Park City, Coalville, Morgan and up into Eden and Paradise, etc.,)
Heber City might be worth looking at for you. Active horse community, with good dressage and some eventing barns, mountain valley, so reasonable pasture, striking distance of Southern Utah and also of Salt Lake which has decent cultural opportunities and an international airport. Winters are wintery, though, so you’ve got to be able to tolerate snow. And it’s not cheap any longer, unfortunately. Another option would be Provo/American Fork area. Not quite as cosmopolitan as the Wasatch Back, but less wintery winters and more reasonable pricing.
I don’t know them well, but Cedar City and Brian Head might be worth a look for the more reasonable land costs, but the horse activities and opportunities, as an English rider, are going to be very much more limited.
Hmm. “Grass” and “Near Southern Utah” are a pretty challenging combo.
So this is weird but the place that came to mind to me is Bear Valley Springs near Tehachapi (California). I haven’t been there in ages, but they’re up in the mountains so they have a little more grass than most places, and it’s set up with a lot of small horse parcels. They have their own CDS chapter. You’d have to haul out to event but you’d have decent access to Fresno Horse Park and Galway. You might have more horsey neighbors and a situation that was more cooperative and amenable to support your getaways.
Thank you! Our son is an AMGA Mountain Guide and coordinating living near him with horses is a bit challenging. I’ll check into your recommendations–much appreciated!
Thank you! I know that challenging part about ‘grass’ and Southern Utah. I appreciate your input!
