Increasing Your Horse Property Income

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Owning a horse property can be very rewarding, but it isn’t for everyone. One of the biggest problems that you may face is low horse property income. Property values have continued to increase and everyday equine management expenses are always on the rise. Here are a few money making and saving ideas for horse property owners. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Horse Property Income

Did you know that you can share the costs of keeping a horse by part-leasing them to a suitable rider? This is a great opportunity for riders who can’t afford to buy a horse. In these types of relationships, it’s best to keep a written agreement detailing the lease. Also, include what you expect them to take care of and pay for while they’re in possession of the horse. If you don’t like that idea, you can always board someone else’s horse on your property for a fee. Create a boarding agreement in writing to make sure you’re on the same page as your boarder.

Do you have extra space in your barn? Is there an unused outbuilding on your property? Clinicians, instructors, and event organizers need facilities to conduct both riding and non-riding educational activities. Many of them rent spare spaces on horse properties to conduct business. Depending on the instructor, you could rent out your free space and possibly gain some free instruction at the same time. Another way to increase your income is by holding fee-based fun, educational, or competitive events on your property.

Preparing For Spring

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If you are preparing for spring with your horses, you’ll want to get your horse trailer in good shape. Winter in Colorado brings snow, which can do damage to your trailer. Melted snow means that you could be dealing with mold, rust, and corrosion. A good cleaning inside and out is important–both for your comfort and for your horse’s safety. Mold is especially something you want to fix right away. It can cause your horses to develop respiratory problems. Continue reading for some tips on how to get your horse trailer ready for spring. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Your Horse Trailer & Preparing For Spring

Start with making sure that your trailer is still waterproof. Leaks can come from doors, windows, body joints, roof vents, and rivets. Also, check the electrical plugs on both the truck and trailer. If there is any corrosion around the plugs, they need to be cleaned up before the trailer is used. Any horse owner worth their salt will tell to use a contact cleaner instead of WD-40. Not only is the contact cleaner cheaper, it removes the corrosion instead of just covering it up. Now that the inside of your horse trailer is clean, turn your attention to the tires.

Just like in your car, the tire pressure of your horse trailer should be well balanced. Tires can typically lose anywhere from 3 to 5 PSI per month. This is due to minor bead imperfections, porosity, and other small compromises. The longer a horse trailer is sitting unused, the more tire pressure it will use. During the rough Colorado winter, this is unavoidable. Therefore, before using your horse trailer, make sure all tires are inflated correctly, including the spare. Also, take time to inspect the sidewalls, particularly if the unit has been parked in a damp environment.

How To Properly Share The Trails

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Colorado is known for it’s extensive hiking trails. However, it’s October and winter is just around the corner. The trails will be loaded with hikers getting in that last hike before we get snowy weather. When horseback riders meet hikers on the trail, confrontations can occur. To share the trails with a hiker, remember to be kind and you can defuse trail confrontations before they happen. Here are some tips on how riders can share the trails with hikers.

Share The Trails: Do’s and Don’ts

After stopping and saying hello, you and the hiker must come up with a quick and safe way to pass one another. Sometimes the best procedure is to ask everyone to step off the trail on the same side so you can ride by. Downhill is preferable, but sometimes the terrain makes it safer for them to step off to the uphill side. Every trail is different and so is every horse. If there’s enough room and your horse is skittish, then maybe you should pull over and let them pass first. If the trail is too small, the hiker might have to backtrack to a better area to make the pass.

What about cyclists? First, face the cyclist and ask them politely to stop. Then talk to them about the best way to pass. In many cases, the cyclist may have to follow along behind you until there’s a safe place for you to pull your horse off the path. Always, thank passersby for cooperating with you. Make every interaction a positive one! Looking for horse properties for sale in Colorado? Colorado Horse Property has the largest database of horse properties than any other site and our team of horse-person realtors can help you find the perfect property for you.

Protecting Horses From Wildfires

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Colorado has a dry climate and is no stranger to forest fires. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests have both experienced large wildfires this year. This poses new challenges for horse owners who are protecting horses from wildfires. The following are some tips we’ve put together to help horse owners prepare. Also, Colorado Horse Property has the largest database of horse properties than any other site and our team of horse-person realtors can help you find the perfect property for you.

Tips For Protecting Horses From Wildfires

First, figure out where you can take your horses in the event of a fire. Consider using regional stockyards or livestock sales yards, county fairgrounds, show facilities, racetracks, or even large parks to take your horse during emergencies. However, evacuation is not always possible. Create a fire proof area just in case. Find a large area with less vegetation and surrounded by metal fencing. A firesafe area could be a large sand arena used for training or a pasture that is bare because of overgrazing. Feed and water troughs should be metal and placed in the center of the area.

If a wildfire springs up close to your property quickly and without notice, you may be forced to leave your animals behind. After putting your horses in their designated firesafe area, mark them for identification. This can be done with a grease marker or pre-made tag. It may seem like a good idea to set your horses free, but this often causes more problems. Best case, loose horses often find roadways, blocking egress traffic. The last thing you want to do it block emergency vehicles from dealing with the fire. Worst case, loose horses can cause car accidents or even be struck by vehicles.

How To Buy A Horse

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Many people believe that buying a horse is easy. Nothing can be more further from the truth. Buying a horse isn’t like buying a dog from a breeder or adopting a cat from a shelter. Buying a horse requires a lot of planning, mentally and financially, akin to buying a house. Here are a few steps that we’ve put together for how to buy a horse the right way. Speaking of buying a house, if you are looking for a horse property in Colorado give us a try. We have the largest selection of listings of horse properties in the state!

Steps For How To Buy A Horse In Colorado

The first step to buying a horse is figuring out exactly what you want. Make a wish list of age, height, level of training, and temperament you’d like in your new equine companion. At the top of the wish list, write down your budget. How much you can spend will have an effect on your wish list. Now you can begin searching. Word of mouth is great when you have a good community of horse people around you, but that doesn’t always happen. You’ll probably have to look online. Facebook is a great place to start. Once you’ve found a few reliable sources, talk to the sellers. The key is to ask a lot of questions.

Be honest with sellers about your riding ability and exactly what you are looking for. In the best scenario, the seller will be willing to let you have a trial run with the horse. Ask the seller is they’ll allow you to take the horse for a day or two to see if he is a good fit. Before buying a horse, make sure a veterinarian or horse clinician does an exam of the horse’s overall soundness. You don’t want to buy a horse only to find out that it has a medical condition that you didn’t account for in your budget. There is a certain level of maintenance required to owning a horse. This includes food costs and routine check-ups. All of this will factor in your decision.

FAQs Colorado Horse Properties

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Owning a Colorado horse property means that you can have your horses at home. This is a fact that’s much more appealing than the alternative of keeping your horses boarded off-site. Not only is it less convenient, it is also very expensive. Therefore, if you’re planning on becoming first time horse buyers, you might have to move in order to have the space and freedom you need. Here are some facts about horse properties that we get asked about a lot. You should consider them when looking for a home for you and your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado Horse Properties

Space is very important and you should determine how much land you need before you start looking at properties. Three acres may be sufficient if you want to have a small backyard barn with two horses, but that will differ from person to person. Plan ahead of time of how much you want to grow your herd. You may need more land than you originally thought. Then there’s barns. Some horse properties will already have them and some of them will not. Just because a house is zoned for horses and other animals doesn’t mean that the previous owner had them. Therefore, the property might not have a barn. There are many barn builders in the state of Colorado. Plan out how much of a barn you will need and then shop around.

What about pastures? Are they already available on the property? Are they large enough to support the number of horses that you plan on having? If possible, look at the quality of the grass in the pastures. Having pastures with lots of grass can help to reduce your hay bill during the summer. Finally, take a step back and look at the overall layout of the property. Is the barn located behind the house or off to the side? Are the pastures easily accessible by road? A property’s layout can be a major feature which isn’t easily changed. The Realtors here at Colorado Horse Property know what to look for when it comes to horse properties and can help you find the perfect home for you. Give the Colorado Horse Property team a call today!

Top 5 Most Expensive Homes in Colorado

Most Expensive Homes and Horse Properties in Colorado

It is no secret that Colorado has some of the biggest and most beautiful luxury homes in the country. Homes zoned for horses adds even more, with rustic flares and of course the land that comes along with it. The following is a list of the top 5 most expensive homes in the world (according to us!). Oh and don’t forget, all of these luxury homes are for sale at Colorado Horse Property.

1. Homes For Sale in Gateway, Colorado

Gateway Colorado is a testament to the great old Colorado life, though nowadays there is great cell phone coverage in the area and the community has access to the internet. Gateway has an old general store and is home to an auto museum. To the north lies The Palisade, a three-mile (4.8-km) long butte. Most notably, Gateway is home to the Gateway Canyons Resort, one of the most expensive homes in Colorado. This beautiful resort offers kayaking, off-road tours, guided fly-fishing, horseback riding, air tours and more. In the past, the resort  hosted several foot races each year and a large bike race.
Guess what? The Gateway Canyons Resort is for sale!

Gateway Canyons Resort

40275 Highway 141, Gateway, CO 81522

That’s right, with the price tag of $279,000,000, the Gateway Canyons Resort is the most expensive horse property on our list. According to the listing, there are tons of amenities that comes with that large ticket price. “The offering includes a full-service resort, in addition to West Creek Ranch – featuring an extraordinary residence and four unique parcels of land, all creating this unique destination where humanity can pause and contemplate its relationship with nature.

The main residence boasts more than 22,000 square feet of indoor living space and 3,500 square feet of covered verandas, with eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms on four levels. Also, Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa offers seventy-two rooms that house guests who seek a place to relax, reflect, and quench their curiosity. The resort features exceptional lodging, dining, outfitting, educational programs, outdoor adventures, and the world-class Gateway Colorado Auto Museum. For more information about this extraordinary offering, please visit GatewayCanyonsProperties.com.”
Listing By: Listed by Kerry Endsley, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

2. Homes For Sale in Edwards, Colorado

This next horse property is not a full resort and spa, but it is in the town of Edwards Colorado, which is only 4 miles to Beaver Creek Resort, a ski resort with beautiful white slopes. Edwards offers a modern downtown area that was built next to the Eagle River, which is full of popular fishing spots. Downtown Edwards is called Riverwalk, and boasts many shops, restaurants and businesses. The motto for Riverwalk is “Live, Work, Play”, meaning residents can do all three downtown. Edwards is also a popular camping spot because of its proximity to Sylvan Lake, which has over fifty campsites, and the National Forest.

Edwards Colorado Horse Property

25 Casteel Creek Rd, Edwards, CO 81632

Home much will it cost you to live in this fantastic horse property? Casteel Creek has a price of $78,000,000. According to the listing, there are tons of amenities that comes with that large ticket price. “Experience the best of Vail Valley without ever leaving home at majestic Casteel Creek Retreat a 439-acre retreat nestled between Edwards, Beaver Creek Ski Resort, and Vail Mountain Club. Also, it borders 2 million acres of White River National Forest with snowcapped views of the Gore Range. 32,000 sq. ft. main home has 8 en suites, elevators, theater, pool, hot tub, gym and spa.

Also on-site are 3 apartments, 1 caretakers apartment, 2 guest homes and 2 cabins with a total of 21 bedrooms and 34 bathrooms. Can build 5 additional homes! Extensive water rights, 12+ miles of groomed paths for snowmobiles, skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Plus, a recreation building with 5 story rock climbing wall, shooting range, Olympic lap pool and Teppanyaki grille. Offering includes 12 high-performance snowmobiles, 3 ATVS, stocked trout pond, tubing hill, soccer field, indoor arena, on-site gas station, spots for helipad and meeting rooms. Fully-staffed, furnished, and turnkey.”
Listing By: Listed by Kerry Endsley, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

3. Homes For Sale in Meeker, Colorado

Our next horse property can be found in the beautiful Meeker, Colorado. Meeker is largely an agricultural community, located in the wide fertile valley of the White River. This winding river flows west, then northwest, past Meeker (site of the White River Museum), and across the broad valley between the Danforth Hills on the north and the Roan Plateau on the south. Northwest of the town of Meeker you will find the Colorow Mountain States Wildlife Area, where there is camping, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on the 1500-acre park.

Meeker Colorado Horse Property

22110 County Road 8, Meeker, CO 81641

This is one of the most expensive homes in Meeker. It is right in the middle of all outdoor wonders, so that  you can enjoy the beauty that is the river, the mountains, and the forest from the comfort of your home. And with a price tag of $46,000,000, there are plenty rooms to enjoy these views from! “Westlands is one of Colorado’s premier mountain recreational and retreat properties. Within its 4,603± deeded acres is some of the finest private river fishing in the mountain states, excellent big game hunting, bird hunting, an exquisite owner’s home and guest quarters, extensive support buildings, four hole Greg Norman designed golf course, tennis court and immaculately maintained grounds.

Located in the treasured White River valley in Colorado’s western slope near Meeker, Westlands has hosted many distinguished guests, from CEO’s of large corporations to well-known dignitaries, political figures and celebrities. Also, Westlands has been carefully developed and nurtured over the last 30 years by its owner who has spared no expense and whose fine eye for detail has created a family and business retreat that is unrivaled.”
Listing By: Listed by Brian Smith, Hall and Hall Partners LLP.

4. Homes For Sale in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

If you enjoy skiing, then this next horse property is going to be your favorite! Number four on our list of most expensive properties in Colorado is located in Steamboat Springs. The city is an internationally known winter ski resort destination. Steamboat Springs is home to the Steamboat Ski Resort on Mount Werner and the smaller Howelsen Hill Ski Area. Horseback riders will also love Steamboat Springs. This town is located in the upper valley of the Yampa River, just west of the Continental Divide and Rabbit Ears Pass and is full of horseback riding trails for residents to enjoy.

Steamboat Springs

46600 CR 129, Steamboat Springs

Coming in at just under $40,000,000, this horse property has one of the most expensive homes in Steamboat Springs. “Big Creek Ranch is approximately 4,850 acres of pristine ranch land. This ranch checks off nearly every box a legacy ranch buyer has: prime big game hunting, outstanding fishing along Big Creek, public land boundary, smart improvements and close proximity to a major resort area. Over 80% of the boundary is shared with the Routt National Forest and the setting is nothing short of spectacular. Tucked in its own private valley, the house provides the ideal space for large family or corporate gatherings.

The cold, high mountain and richly oxygenated waters of Big Creek flow through the ranch for over 6 miles; this is some of the best fishing you’ll find in the Rocky Mountain west. Steamboat Springs, with its famous slopes, great dining and boutique shopping, is a only a few minutes’ drive on paved, year-round county roads. Big Creek Ranch is arguably the finest large acreage ranch within 10 miles of a major resort area on the market today.”
Courtesy of: Christy Belton, RANCH AND RESORT REALTY.

5. Homes For Sale in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

Our last luxury home for sale in Colorado can be found in Cherry Hills Village. This is one of the most expensive homes in Cherry Hills Village. There are over 30 miles of trails in this beautiful town. Cherry Hills Village also has 47 acres of park lands, and boasts two horse areas. The city is also the home of the exclusive Cherry Hills Country Club, where seven USGA championships and two PGA championships were held. The club features a championship 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole par three golf course. It also has a lap pool and eight tennis courts. Cherry Hills Village is also a great place to raise a family because it has some of the most prestigious schools in the country. These include St. Mary’s Academy, Kent Denver School, and the Cherry Hills Village Elementary School.

Cherry Hills Village

8 Cherry Hills Park Dr, Cherry Hills Village

Considerable cheaper than the Gateway Canyons Resort, this horse property is a steal at $19,750,000. “Words do not adequately describe the splendor of this incredible property. Amazing entertainment options in a resort setting. Although grand in scale it is also a home for family and friends to comfortably share life and love.

Also, it has tiled rug and skylight in the gathering room imported from Italy and England. Conservatory imported from England; Awesome great room surrounded by walls of doors opening to pool and entertaining courtyards; wine grotto boasts cigar lounge; Beautiful secondary bedroom suites appointed with sitting areas and fireplaces; professional wellness studio includes racquet ball court; two lane regulation bowling plus golf simulator; Gardens and grounds are nothing less than phenomenal with multiple fountains and waterfalls; changing rooms off pool; Two bed/four bath guest cottage. Visit www.8CherryHillsParkDrive.com.”
Listing By: Listed by Sandy Weigand, KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC.

Horse Properties in Aurora Colorado

Aurora Colorado

Moving is one of the most stressful things that you can do in your lifetime. Moving with horses is exponentially harder. There aren’t many realtors out there that know the ins and outs of buying/selling a horse property. That’s why Colorado Horse Properties has horse-people realtors that can help. One of the most spacious and beautiful areas in Colorado to own a horse property is in the city of Aurora. Also, Aurora is the third most populous city is Colorado. Aurora has a lot to offer anyone looking for a place to settle down in their very own horse property. The City’s slogan is “worth discovering.” There are so many places to go and things to see you couldn’t do them all in a day.

Aurora Colorado

Aurora is the home of the Aurora Fox Arts Center. This is an award winning professional theater company operated by the city of Aurora’s Cultural Services Division. Aurora was originally built in 1946. Also, Aurora is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, Small Professional Theater Tier One. Aurora is the home of the Aurora Symphony Orchestra. Also, The Aurora Symphony offers a myriad of musical opportunities for children of all ages in their young musicians program. All the members of the orchestra have a strong commitment to arts education in the community. Through this they hope to develop better citizens and a life-long love of music. Also, Aurora Colorado is the proud home of the Aurora University.

Otherwise known as the University of Colorado in Aurora, this unit of higher education is unmatched to other schools in the area. The following is a statement on the university’s website. The University of Colorado is a public research university with multiple campuses serving Colorado, the nation, and the world through. There is a focus on leadership in education, professional training, public service, advancing research and knowledge, and health care.

Horse Properties in Strasburg CO

Strasburg CO

Homes For Sale in Strasburg CO

If you are looking to relocate to a small quiet town with your horses, Strasburg CO could be the right place for you. Strasburg is between the city of Denver and the high plains of Adams County. This agricultural community is rightfully cherished. Its 1,400 townspeople appreciate open fields, a simpler lifestyle, good schools and caring neighbors. Enjoy the comforts of living within driving distance of the city, with less noise, traffic, and bustle at home.

There are many developed areas in and around Strasburg where you may find available horse properties. These include Wolf Creek Farms and Coyote Ridge, and houses for sale in areas such as Strasburg East, Autumn Ridge, TC Estates, Comanche Crossing, Hutton Estate and Headlight Mile Road Estates. With so many options, Colorado Horse Property is here to show you what is actually available at any given time. If you need help in your search, contact one of our horse-person realtors today.

Strasburg CO

Besides its beautiful countryside, Strasburg is an important part of American history. Strasburg CO is the place where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans Continental Railroad. There is still a railroad depot in Strasburg as a reminder of the past. The depot is part of the Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum. The Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum also includes an old school, period house and additional display buildings.

Even though the town is small, Strasburg features a few shops, some casual sit-down restaurants, and beautiful parks. Denver isn’t the only thing within a short drive. There are several recreational facilities outside of town, including Barr Lake State Park. Barr Lake State Park is ideal for boating, fishing, bird watching and camping. You could also go to the Aurora Reservoir. The Aurora Reservoir includes a scuba-diving area, where a sunken twin-engine airplane can be viewed.

WZ Ranch and Colorado Horse Boarding

Horse Boarding

Colorado Horse Boarders

Looking for a home is not easy. Finding the perfect area for you and your family will depend on many factors. Add a few horses into the mix and that search just got a lot harder. Finding the property with the right stable and pasture spaces can be difficult. Your friends at Colorado Horse Property suggest the best way to see if an area is suited for your horses is to bring them into the area. When searching for a new house, don’t you like to take a look at it first? Well, the same can be said for your horses. For a lot of horse owners, this could be an impossible task. Searching for a new home is hard enough for you and your family. Having to worry about hauling your horses up and down the state of Colorado puts stress on you and your horses. This is where a specialized horse boarding facility can benefit you.

There are many options for horse boarding services in Colorado. When choosing where to board your horse, ask yourself “what is important to me when looking for horse boarding near me?” Does your horse like to graze? Do you and your horse need ample trail riding nearby? Do you need access to a round pen or arena for training? If you said yes to these questions, then WZ Ranch is the overnight and short-term boarding facility you’ve been looking for.

WZ Ranch

WZ Ranch, a unique boarding facility accommodating traveling and relocating horsemen, is run by Tom and Phyllis Ellis. If regular overnight horse boarding facilities are horse hotels, WZ Ranch is the horse Hilton! Located just off of I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver, WZ Ranch has everything you and your horses need. The ranch boasts grand indoor stalls, paddocks with loafing sheds, indoor and outdoor runs, a round pen, a large indoor arena, and several grazing pastures as well.

The Ellis team moved to the Palmer Divide from Texas with the dream of offering spacious, clean, and safe spaces for horses traveling through Colorado. You will definitely want to pick their brains, since they have thirty years of experience with horses and the rodeo circuit. They can also connect you with the best clinicians, veterinarians, and farriers in the area. To make things more convenient for you while looking for your Colorado horse property, WZ Ranch offers LQ-RV pads with hookups so you don’t need to be away from your horses while searching for the perfect Colorado horse property. The Spruce Meadows and Greenland Open Space equestrian trailheads are only a few minutes away. For more details, visit the WZ Ranch website. If you need help looking for a horse property for sale, contact one of our horse-person realtors today. Also, check out our local resources page for more information on the horse services that Colorado has to offer.

WZ Ranch Photos

Taken by Colorado Horse Property with permission from Tom and Phyllis Ellis of WZ Ranch.