Horse Community
Encyclopedia
A horse community or equestrian community is a planned real estate development
or community where people live with their horse
s on their property or at a facility within the rural
or suburban development, with a shared trails network for pleasure riding
. There are usually a number of deeded restrictions that can include specific rules concerning the use of the property, deeded community horse trail
s, the number of horses allowed per lot, and restrictions on commercial use of the horse trails. Many of these communities are gated
and/or guarded, implying wealthy residents, but not all are. These Equestrian
communities sometimes have a centralized barn
with arenas where all of the horses are stalled, otherwise the horses are kept on the individual property owners' lots. In the United States, these communities are located throughout the country and are diverse in both price and size. These communities appear to be growing in popularity as the availability of riding trails decreases and urban sprawl
increases.
and riding. Since the mid 1970s, this particular sector of amenity community development has become an increasing trend. This study was designed to take a look at the way these communities are designed; where they are located; how they are managed; and, to whom they are marketed. Designing equestrian communities requires knowledge of how these communities are designed, where the land comes from, why people are buying into them and who those people are. Case study methodology was used to gather data on 22 communities across the US. Data sources included review of the marketing websites belonging to the communities; a literature review; and, interviews conducted with individuals responsible for the design and sales of the communities' lots or the management of the equestrian facilities. Statistics and images of the communities, including plats where available, were compiled into community "cut sheets" which are single-page synopses of each community. Master's thesis.
Federation recently commissioned a study on the horse industry. They have concluded that as much as $102 billion dollars are either directly or indirectly contributed to the American economy with over 2 million horse owners throughout the country. There are horses in every state, even Hawaii (8,037). California (698,345), Texas (978,822) and Florida are the three largest populations for horses.
Equestrian properties are in a niche real estate
market devoted to serving the interests of horse riders. Equestrian properties tend to be near horse riding stables or near to good locations for horse riding. Owners benefit from proximity to neighbors with equestrian
interests, equestrian facilities such as tack shop
s, veterinarian
s, and farrier
s, as well as riding trails and tracks.
New town
A new town is a specific type of a planned community, or planned city, that was carefully planned from its inception and is typically constructed in a previously undeveloped area. This contrasts with settlements that evolve in a more ad hoc fashion. Land use conflicts are uncommon in new...
or community where people live with their horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s on their property or at a facility within the rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
or suburban development, with a shared trails network for pleasure riding
Pleasure riding
Pleasure riding is a form of equestrianism that encompasses many forms of recreational riding for personal enjoyment, absent elements of competition. Pleasure riding is called "hacking" in British English, and in parts of the eastern United States and Canada...
. There are usually a number of deeded restrictions that can include specific rules concerning the use of the property, deeded community horse trail
Bridle path
A bridle path is a thoroughfare originally made for horses, but which these days serves a wide range of interests, including hikers, walkers and cyclists as well as equestrians. The laws relating to permissions vary from country to country...
s, the number of horses allowed per lot, and restrictions on commercial use of the horse trails. Many of these communities are gated
Gated community
In its modern form, a gated community is a form of residential community or housing estate containing strictly-controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, and often characterized by a closed perimeter of walls and fences. Gated communities usually consist of small residential...
and/or guarded, implying wealthy residents, but not all are. These Equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
communities sometimes have a centralized barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
with arenas where all of the horses are stalled, otherwise the horses are kept on the individual property owners' lots. In the United States, these communities are located throughout the country and are diverse in both price and size. These communities appear to be growing in popularity as the availability of riding trails decreases and urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
increases.
Developments
Equestrian Communities are platted housing developments that include amenities suited for horse boardingLivery yard
A livery yard or livery stable , or boarding stable is a stable where horse owners pay a weekly or monthly fee to keep their horses. A livery or boarding yard is not usually a riding school and the horses are not normally for hire...
and riding. Since the mid 1970s, this particular sector of amenity community development has become an increasing trend. This study was designed to take a look at the way these communities are designed; where they are located; how they are managed; and, to whom they are marketed. Designing equestrian communities requires knowledge of how these communities are designed, where the land comes from, why people are buying into them and who those people are. Case study methodology was used to gather data on 22 communities across the US. Data sources included review of the marketing websites belonging to the communities; a literature review; and, interviews conducted with individuals responsible for the design and sales of the communities' lots or the management of the equestrian facilities. Statistics and images of the communities, including plats where available, were compiled into community "cut sheets" which are single-page synopses of each community. Master's thesis.
Equestrian market
The American Horse CouncilAmerican Horse Council
The American Horse Council is a trade organization in Washington, DC representing the horse industry. It lobbies before Congress and Federal agencies for the interests of the horse industry, and serves as a unified voice for the horse industry....
Federation recently commissioned a study on the horse industry. They have concluded that as much as $102 billion dollars are either directly or indirectly contributed to the American economy with over 2 million horse owners throughout the country. There are horses in every state, even Hawaii (8,037). California (698,345), Texas (978,822) and Florida are the three largest populations for horses.
Equestrian properties are in a niche real estate
Niche real estate
A niche is specialized sector of the property market. Examples include income property, garden real estate, condos, equestrian property, vacation property, farm property, golf property, waterfront homes, beach houses and luxury homes. These are often categories in which potential buyers think...
market devoted to serving the interests of horse riders. Equestrian properties tend to be near horse riding stables or near to good locations for horse riding. Owners benefit from proximity to neighbors with equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
interests, equestrian facilities such as tack shop
Tack shop
A tack shop is an equestrian supply store. Buyers may purchase various pieces of riding equipment and training aids, as well as boots and riding apparel, stable equipment, horse care products, grooming supplies, horse blankets and sheets, model horses, and equine books, magazines, and videos...
s, veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
s, and farrier
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
s, as well as riding trails and tracks.