The Preserve at Wolf Laurel, NC
The 5 Questions to Ask about Equestrian Facilities
If you’re interested in riding and horse-owning, a master-planned community’s equestrian facilities may be an ideal solution. It solves your desire to have your horse nearby while eliminating the challenge of purchasing a large parcel of land, building a barn and cutting your own riding trails. It also covers the responsibilities of who cares for your mount when you are away.
As the number of equestrian-equipped golf communities increases, your choices for where to buy grows as well. Here are five questions to keep in mind as you compare the options available to you, prepared with the help of Jennifer Donovan, Principal at Equestrian Services, LLC, which specializes in equestrian management at master-planned communities. To see all the GolfCourseHome communities that feature equestrian facilities, click here.
1. What Is the Culture and Style of the Community?
Some equestrian settings are more pastoral and casual, some are more competitive and intense, and some even include a working-ranch component. Does your own experience level somewhat match that of your neighbors? Is the facility kid-friendly enough for your children to feel welcome? Make sure that your personal attitudes and preferences toward the riding lifestyle fits with the community.
2. What Planned Equestrian Elements are Built, Approved or Under Construction?
The track record of the developer will help you gauge how solid the plans and the timetable are for building the trails, barns, paddocks, arenas and other components that make up the total amenity. If you are planning to buy a lot and build later, then a solid plan for construction and the developer track record will help you make a decision.
3. What’s Beyond the Community’s Borders?
Even if it has its own generous acreage for riding, the community will offer more long-term value to you if the developers have located it next to scenic public parklands or secured plenty of easements through privately owned tracts. Also, take a look to see what kind of “horse country” the surrounding region offers, including large equestrian events, meets, shows and competitions.
4. What Are the Fees and What Is the Customer Service Philosophy?
Unlike golf and tennis, equestrian facilities often involves the staff of the community becoming directly responsible for the equivalent of a family member—your horse. The animal’s health and safety must be a paramount concern to all employees and managers involved in the facility. Find out how committed the senior management team is to their equestrian component, including whether any top managers are riders themselves.
5. Is Safety and Cleanliness a Top Priority? If Not, Is the Staff Accountable?
Horses have a unique emotional pull for people and, the staff of your community’s equestrian amenity has to be part of that, themselves—and by sympathetic to your anxiety if conditions aren’t just right. That starts with hygiene and cleanliness in the barns and paddocks, with safe handling as an equal priority. Be sure to ask the tough questions about how complaints are handled, who reviews them and how the chain of command works. Also, be sure there are contingencies in place in the case of calamities such as fire, damaging storms or other harmful conditions.
GolfCourseHome features communities equipped with equestrian facilities in eight states. Click the link below to take you to each state's listing of communities offering equestrian facilities.
California
North Carolina
Colorado
Pennsylvania
Florida
South Carolina
Georgia
Virginia
