Winchester, Kentucky

[spirithorse22]

My husband has a potential job in the Winchester area of KY and I have been looking at the older threads on here about the area.

I see many argue its a Thoroughbred specific area and other disciplines will feel a bit out of their element. I am very interested in over all costs.

Does that high money Thoroughbred industry mean hay and feed costs are high? I read that Kentucky produces a lot of the hay I current buy (which has to be shipped into my state). I checked out the Lexington Craigslist and hay costs seemed less expensive than my current prices.

Would anyone care to chime in on their board cost or hay/feed cost/options? Bedding prices (is it difficult to get shavings?) Farrier prices? Vet costs? Over all horse industry opportunities or culture? Where is traffic worse, etc.?

We currently live on a medium sized property w/ 6 equines and assorted barn creatures. They’d all be moving with us so we’d be looking in the Bourbon, Montgomery, Fayette, and Clark counties potentially. We currently commute about an hour to work and feel comfortable maintaining (or shortening!) that commute.

Any suggestions on better/ag friendly counties? Anyone run any equine businesses in any of those counties? Any contributions would be appreciated! Thank you COTH!

[Palm_Beach]

I don’t live in KY, but I’ve been there plenty of times. I think Winchester is near Lexington, which is a very nice, horsey area. You can spend a lot of money on a property, or not so much. It’s also low-lying, so watch for flooding. I can’t imagine commuting an hour unless you buy a property way, way out.

[spirithorse22]

@Palm Beach

It’s also low-lying, so watch for flooding. I can’t imagine commuting an hour unless you buy a property way, way out.

VERY helpful info!

[GrumpyMare]

There are plenty of non-thoroughbred farms in Winchester. It puts you in a close range to many horse activities and good access to vets, farriers and trainers. It can get hilly in Winchester so you just have to find the right property.

Hay is reasonably priced if you buy it in the summer or early fall, but gets pricey as the winter goes on.

Im in Scott County just north of Lexington and I love it. My son does Pony Club and 4H and there is something to do almost every weekend.

[mlinky]

Winchester is basically a suburb of Lexington. All types of horses and all disciplines. Lots of shows, vets, farriers, etc. Hay and shavings are plentiful and pretty cheap. You should be able to find reasonably priced property with a 15-30 minute commute.

Truthfully, you can’t be in better horse country than central Kentucky.