The best equestrian properties

The ideal home takes many forms. But for an increasing number of people, the dream is a place in the country with stabling, an arena and grazing for several horses.

So powerful is the attraction of such equestrian properties, there are not enough on the market to meet demand, says Louise Harrison, director of Farms, Estates & Equestrian at Savills. A budget of £2 million is the minimum required, but the price of this coveted category of real estate can be far higher.

Several types of buyer approach Harrison for help in their search. There are, for example, families who regard riding primarily as a hobby. Their priority is a property in a tranquil rural location, with accommodation for both parents’ horses and children’s ponies. Good hacking and bridle paths in the area may also be a requirement. Sometimes one parent may be less keen on horsemanship and more interested in the aesthetic of the main house.

For others, horses are a way of life or the means to a livelihood. This category includes those who play polo, compete in dressage, endurance and showjumping events, or own or train racehorses. “For these buyers, convenience counts,” says Harrison. “This means a location somewhere handy for the motorway network of central England.”

Wales is full of beautiful riding trails, as is Suffolk – but they may be seen as too far out of the way. “If you are racing or showjumping and sending horses out, you’ve got to have a place on roads that are suitable for HGVs,” Harrison explains. “Being near a port is a help if you take part in events on the continent.”

Proximity to transport can trump architecture in the equestrian property game. “Occasionally buyers will tell me they are not bothered about how the house looks,” says Harrison. “It can be a bungalow for all they care. They want to know about the stables, the arenas, the hacking and the paddocks.”

There are other, more unusual factors to consider. Whatever the size or appearance of the house, an equestrian property can sometimes extend to 100 acres. Such land is often crisscrossed by footpaths, a feature that can be a disincentive for prospective purchasers concerned about the welfare of their animals. Walkers will often offer treats to a horse, but this kindly impulse may cause an animal a digestive upset – or worse. And it’s always a good idea to check soil quality. Clay creates drainage problems, which can mean wading through mud for several months.

But does the romantic vision of cantering across your own acres and enjoying the company that horses can provide outweigh the thought of any responsibilities? Absolutely, as the demand for equestrian properties illustrates.

Pictures from top: horses are a way of life (unsplash); stables at Redcoats Green in Hertfordshire; horses grazing in the paddock (unsplash); and the stable yard at Hawthorn Lane in Berkshire