June 18, 2025 | Rural

What to Know About Buying a Horse Farm

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Looking to buy a horse farm? This post is dedicated to explaining everything you need to know and be prepared for in the process!

Guelph is the perfect place to find horse properties for sale! It offers a unique blend of rural properties just outside the heart of the city. Located just an hour outside of the west side of Toronto, Guelph provides a short commute for those working in the GTA.

Many of Guelph’s surrounding areas are the perfect places for rural and equestrian properties – some of which include: Puslinch, Rockwood and Erin, which are next-door neighbourhoods to Guelph, while still giving you the land, freedom and space you are in search of!

Acreage & Land Quality

When it comes to horse farms, the size of your property does matter because it will determine how many horses you should have on that property. Ideally, studies show that you want anywhere from 1.5-2 acres of land per horse so that they have lots of space to play, feed and grow. It is important to make sure that you can provide a place where your animals have a high quality of life.

Look out for things like:

• Soil quality
• Drainage patterns
• Topography

If you are planning on building on vacant land and extending the operations of a previous farm, with all things considered, you will want to map this out ahead of time to ensure that the property is able to fit all your needs but also, your animals too!

Thinking about buying a hobby farm or rural home? Explore these related blogs for more helpful info.

• What to Consider Before Buying a Rural Property
• Where Can I Buy a Hobby Farm Near Toronto?
• Questions To Ask When Buying An Older Home

Existing Infrastructure

With that said, here are some features to look out for when you are viewing a property that has already been operated with similar use:

Barns & Stables

• How many barns and stables are on the property?
• Are the barns and stables up to code?
• Have they been updated and maintained properly?
• Are they structurally sound?
• Did they host animals, and if so, when was the last time they hosted animals?

Tackle Rooms

• Are they good places to store your set of equipment?
• Are they dry and properly waterproofed?
• Are they able to fit your animal in the room to gear up?
• How much extra space do you need, if you need any?

Indoor & Outdoor Areas

• Are these transitional spaces?
• Are they adequate for all four seasons?
• Are there issues with the flow of the spaces?
• Are you able to fit small machines and tools in and out of these spaces?
• Are there paddocks and existing fencing, and are they properly maintained?
• When was it installed?
• What is the quality– who installed it?
• Is it structurally sound?
• If it needs to be replaced, how much would this cost?
• Is additional fencing needed?

Access to Water

• What is the vantage point for this?
• What is the water quality?
• How old is the plumbing that supplies the water?
• Is it common for the pipes to freeze?
• How reliable is the water heater, how regularly is it serviced and how old is it?

Looking for more advice related to buying a rural home? Check out these related resources!

• What Does a Home Inspector Look for in a Rural Property?
• Tips For Transitioning to Rural Living
• What is the Right Size of Acreage?

Zoning & By-Laws For Horse Properties

Before you fall in love with a horse property, it is important to take into account how the property has been zoned so that you ensure that it will not be a later issue. Not every rural property is automatically zoned for agricultural use or equestrian use.

Here are some key details to confirm before you close the deal:

• Are you allowed to keep horses?
• How many animals are permitted?
• Are there restrictions on building new barns or riding areas?

Wellington County and Puslinch both have bylaws that can vary from property to property – this is where our rural real estate experts can help you out!

Proximity to Amenities

There are so many benefits to having space to grow and play in the country– however, something to consider is how close your new horse property puts you to the amenities you reach for on a regular basis! Ideally, your horse farm should be within a reasonable driving distance of:

• Feed and tack stores
• Veterinary services
• Farriers
• Trail systems or show tracks
• Schools, shops, doctors, pharmacies and other daily conveniences

Fortunately, the majority of rural areas surrounding Guelph and Wellington Country are within a 15-minute drive to the majority of these conveniences, making it easy for you to get comfortable in your new lifestyle!

Utilities & Services

Running a Horse Farm often means allocating a larger budget for utilities due to their higher demand. Here are some important questions that you should ask even before you purchase your property:

• How strong is the water pressure on your property and will it be strong enough?
• Where is the main power supply for the barn and are the breakers easy to access and use?
• Is the barn heated for the colder months and if so, how new is the heating system?
• Does the barn have a sufficient supply of hot water?
• What are the pre-existing septic and waste management systems used, if there are any?

Though the majority of these things are easier fixes/upgrades, when you get into larger conversations about things like hot water, septic systems and CAC, it can quickly become an expense! Ensuring that the barn is in good pre-existing condition either through an entrusted Realtor or a professional home inspector’s opinion is always the best way to go before you buy your dream horse farm.

Future Plans

Though this may seem more obvious, it is important to think about your long-term goals and if the land will support this! If your plans change, for example, you might look into horse boarding services or begin running lessons or competing in competitions, you will want to make sure the equestrian property you are choosing has the potential and space to suit all of these considerations.

We recommend writing out/mapping out a list of some of the more long-term plans for your property and then comparing these plans to the logistics of the property, such as the: size, price, use of land, land zoning, utilities, location and needed renovations.

Work with an Agent that Specializes in Rural Properties

Finally, make sure that you are working with someone who understands the logistics of rural properties and has all the knowledge to ask all of these questions. Buying a horse farm is not the same as buying a house– you need to have a Realtor who understands that and takes all the precautions to ensure that you are receiving the best opportunity for your needs.

As experts in rural real estate, with agents that have degrees in agriculture and have successfully bought and sold large and small-scale farms for their clients of various kinds, we understand rural living.

Ready to start your search for the perfect equestrian property for sale? We’ll help you find a place where you and your horses can truly thrive. Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.