🐎 Quick Summary: Your 6-Point Property Checklist

1. Check Your Property Size & Zoning: You need enough space. Most counties in Colorado have rules about acreage per horse. A good rule of thumb is 1 to 2 acres of open land per horse.
2. Set Up a Safe Pasture: Your horse needs room to graze and move. This space must be enclosed by proper fencing, separate from your barn and feed areas.
3. Construct a Solid Shelter: Horses need protection from Colorado sun, wind, and snow. A three sided run in shed is the minimum, and a barn with well ventilated stalls is ideal.
4. Establish a Reliable Water Source: A horse can drink 5 to 10 plus gallons of water per day. You need a dedicated, frost proof water source, not just a hose from the house.
5. Plan for a Riding Area: Even a flat, level patch of ground works. You need safe footing and drainage.
6. Install Proper Fencing: Fencing must be strong, highly visible, and horse safe, with no barbed wire.

1. Consider Your Property Size and the Law

Before anything else, make sure you have enough space and that it is legal to keep horses. A common guideline is one half to two acres of open, usable pasture per horse.

Confirm local zoning. Your property must be zoned for horses. Jefferson County may have different rules than Adams County, and an HOA can be stricter than both. Always look up your county animal unit rules first.

2. Set Up a Safe Pasture

Your horse needs a dedicated area to graze, roll, and move. This should be a pasture, not the general backyard.

• Rotational grazing: On a five acre property, section the pasture into smaller areas so you can rotate and let grass recover. This reduces overgrazing and mud.
• Good soil: Soil quality affects pasture health. Better soil helps you maintain durable grass cover.

3. Construct a Stable or Shelter

Colorado weather is intense. Horses need a place to get out of sun, wind, and snow.

• Three sided shed: A solid run in or loafing shed lets a horse shelter freely.
• Barn and stalls: A full barn with stalls, for example 10 by 12 feet, provides a dry, contained space for feeding, grooming, and care. In winter, ensure the roof is rated for snow loads and ventilation is adequate.

4. Establish a Reliable Water Source

A horse may drink 5 to 10 gallons a day, and hauling buckets is not realistic. Install a frost free hydrant near the barn or pasture. Many owners use heated automatic waterers to prevent ice in winter and algae in summer.

If you are buying land, verify that the well permit allows livestock water, not just household use.

5. Create a Suitable Riding Arena

You do not need an indoor arena. A well planned outdoor space can work if it is safe and drains well. Grade the area with a compacted clay base and add suitable footing, such as sand with fines. Without a base and drainage, the surface turns to mud after rain.

6. Design Proper Fencing

Fencing is a safety system. It must be sturdy and highly visible, typically at least five feet tall for full sized horses. Board fencing, high quality PVC, or horse safe wire are good options. Avoid barbed wire. Many owners add a single interior electric strand to discourage leaning and chewing.

Let Us Help You Find a Horse Ready Property

Feeling overwhelmed is normal. Finding land that truly checks these boxes is hard, and building everything from scratch is a big project. We specialize in horse ready and build ready properties. We know how to verify well permits, interpret zoning, and spot a safe barn versus a money pit. Tell us about your goals, and we will help you find a property that is ready for you and your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Horse Property Features