Read This Before You Buy Your Dream Horse Property—The Letter I Wish Someone Had Written Me
- Tori Goldsworthy
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
A Letter to First-Time Horse Property Buyers
Hey there,
If you’re here, you’re probably dreaming of something more.
More peace. More space. More connection with your horses.
Maybe you’re sick of boarding. Maybe your horses are currently in your backyard—but things aren’t quite how you want them.
Maybe this is your first step toward a bigger dream: building a boarding barn, raising a family with horses, or just finally waking up to the sound of nickers instead of neighbors.
Whatever your reason, I want to say something before you go all-in:
Take a deep breath. And read this all the way through.
This isn’t a checklist or a sales pitch.
This is a letter I wish someone had written me when I was just starting out—before I bought my first farm. Before I spent too much money fixing things I didn’t know were broken. Before I felt overwhelmed and burned out.
So if I can save you even a fraction of that? It’s worth writing.
1. Not Every Farm is a Horse Property
I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many listings are advertised as “horse-ready” when they’re anything but. Just because it has a barn and some fencing doesn’t mean it’s safe, functional, or sustainable for equine use.
My first “horse property” was a nightmare.
The barn looked fine in pictures, but it really just needed to be torn down. The land seemed perfect. But the drainage was awful—so bad that my pastures washed out every spring. I learned fast that an agent who doesn’t understand horses won’t think to ask the right questions.
A true horse property should work with your horses, not against them. And if you’re buying a farm, you need someone in your corner who gets that.
2. Zoning and Permits Can Make or Break Everything
This part is so boring—until it isn’t.
I’ve seen people fall in love with a property, go under contract, and then find out they’re not legally allowed to keep horses there. Or that they can’t add a second barn. Or that the local ordinance limits the number of animals per acre.
Don’t assume anything. Ask everything.
Is the property zoned agricultural or residential? Are there limitations on fencing height? Will you need a conditional use permit to run a business? Can you ride off-property on nearby trails—or is it private land?
The freedom you crave with your horses starts with clarity, not just land.
3. Layout Matters More Than You Think
When you’re walking a property, don’t just ask “Is this pretty?” Ask:
“How will I haul hay here in January?”
“Is there power to the barn?”
“Where’s the manure pile going to go?”
“Can I feed, muck, and blanket horses without walking a mile in the dark?”
If you’re doing your own chores—and let’s be real, most of us are—you want the barn near the house. You want flat space for trailers to turn around. You want gates that open easily, fencing that’s already solid, and a well-thought-out setup for water and storage.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It has to be doable.
Your knees, your back, and your time will thank you later.
4. Pretty Doesn’t Mean Practical
That picture-perfect red barn with white trim? Might look great on Instagram—but if it’s not ventilated, not insulated, and not safe for your horses, it’s just a liability with good lighting.
Function over aesthetics every single time.
Trust me—when you’re hauling in grain during a snowstorm, or walking the fence line in the pouring rain, you won’t care about the color of the barn door. You’ll care about whether the door latches properly and whether the footing is dry.
Your horses don’t care how “cute” it is. They care if they’re comfortable and safe.
5. The Hidden Costs are Real
Buying a horse property means committing to a lifestyle—and that comes with expenses most regular homeowners never have to think about.
Plan for:
Hay (storage, delivery, and price fluctuations)
Fencing repairs (they always happen at the worst times)
Tractor or ATV for hauling feed, manure, or dragging the arena
Mud management
Water systems (frozen hydrants, broken tanks)
Insurance (farm policies are different from home policies)
You don’t need a trust fund. But you do need a cushion. The costs add up, especially in that first year.
6. Please Don’t Do This Alone
This is probably the most important thing I can tell you.
You don’t have to go through this process alone—and you shouldn’t. I say this with love: not every real estate agent is equipped to help you buy a horse property. And that’s okay! But if they don’t know horses, they don’t know what to look for—and that can cost you.
I got into real estate because I lived through a bad deal.
I spent money fixing mistakes I didn’t even know to ask about. And I promised myself I’d never let another horse person go through that if I could help it.
That’s why I got certified, why I specialize in equestrian properties, and why I always bring my real-world horse experience to the table.
One Last Thing…
Buying your first horse property is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do.
It’s also one of the biggest.
So give yourself grace. Take your time. Ask all the questions, even if they feel silly. There’s no prize for rushing. The right property is out there—one that fits your horses, your routine, your vision, and your life.
And if you ever need someone to walk that path with you, I’m here.
Tori Goldsworthy
Equestrian Property Specialist | Photographer | Blogger
Tori Goldsworthy has dedicated her life to serving the equestrian community. Based in Central Wisconsin, she is the state’s first Certified Equestrian Property Specialist, combining her educational background in Equine Science and Business Management with years of hands-on experience in the horse industry. Her passion extends beyond real estate—Tori is also the owner of Goldsworthy Equine Photography, where she captures the bond between horses and their humans. She runs a free educational blog, helping farm owners navigate the challenges of horse property ownership.
With a deep understanding of equestrian needs, Tori brings expertise, compassion, and a lifelong love of horses to everything she does.
This article is from the December issue of Equine Business Magazine
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