Equestrian Subdivisions: Yea or Neigh?

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The Ranch stone gated entry.

The Ranch at Possum Kingdom

For better or worse, current boarding barn arrangements are often front-and-center on the list of concerns brought to me by virgin horse property buyers. Moving to horse property represents freedom — freedom to feed your horses whatever you’d like, turn them out whenever you’d like, provide as many shavings in their stalls as you want, feed any supplement you want … The list goes on.

Owning horse property is the ultimate freedom to care for your horse(s) at the level of care that you feel is correct. However, for many, the undesirable trade-off is the loss of the boarding barn luxuries they’ve become accustomed to: Being able to leave for vacation on a whim (or, let’s be real, go on vacation at all), not having to clean stalls, feed twice a day, or maintain the fences. Not to mention perks like access to indoor arenas and riding instructors.

Although many clients cite “barn drama” as one of the top reasons they want to buy their own property, I often hear “But I’m afraid I’ll be lonely,” and “I’d miss having people to ride with.” All of which is very valid.

This leaves a lot of potential buyers torn. They have the dream of the horse in the backyard, but it seems so out of reach. Buying horse property would be an enormous life change for them, but with rising boarding costs, often boarding multiple horses becomes impossible to continue. Solution? Equestrian Subdivisions.

Equestrian Subdivisions are scattered all around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and are typically an hour or less to downtown Dallas or Fort Worth. They offer an extremely varied level of amenities, from riding trails at the most basic to covered arenas and full boarding barns at the other end of the spectrum. These communities are typically small acreage lots, between two and five acres, feature gated entry, and are managed by an HOA.

Equestrian Subdivisions are designed to be the “best of both worlds” for horse lovers, allowing them to have the horse in the backyard — or at least at a barn within walking distance — but without sacrificing trails, arenas, or friends to ride with. Many neighborhoods have resident-only group lessons or events several times a month in the common areas, or have a community trail ride weekly. Plus, when all your neighbors have horses, it’s easy to find someone to feed for you if you want to get away for the weekend.

This is by no means an all-inclusive list, but I have included short summaries of several of the local communities that either allow horses on site, and/or feature horse-related amenities of some sort, as well as properties currently available for sale. Uniquely, many of these communities offer a very wide spectrum of price ranges, so there really is something for every potential buyer.

431 Sun Valley

431 Sun Valley – The 505 Ranch

 

Horsemans Ranch in Whitesboro, TX and Morgan Mill, TX  

Probably one of the best known equestrian subdivisions in the area, the Horsemans Ranch features a five acre lot minimum and many amenities, including riding trails, a community center, RV hookups for guests, gated entry, and a 130 foot x 250 foot covered arena. There are two Horsemans Ranch locations convenient to Dallas.

1155 Horsemans Drive in Morgan Mill – $249,000

1155 Horsemans Drive

1155 Horsemans Drive – Horseman’s Ranch

 

Bluebonnet Ridge in Rockwall, TX

This gated equestrian community has a minimum lot size of six acres, and quite a few of the lots are still valued as agricultural (“ag exempt”). This is a fun community with riding trails, neighborhood holiday parties, and special events.

2289 Candice Circle – $470,000

446 English Road – $1,400,000

446 English Road

446 English Road – Bluebonnet Ridge

 

Equestrian Meadows in Rockwall, TX

Small, quiet community in Rockwall ISD, features a community self-care boarding barn and arena for $50/month per horse. Residents are permitted to trail ride around the subdivision roads. HOA fee is currently $400/year per, does not include horse boarding.

654 Equestrian Drive – $349,900

654 Equestrian Drive

654 Equestrian Drive – Equestrian Meadows

The 505 Ranch in Mabank, TX

This stunning, private community of 56 waterfront homesites set over a 505-acre shared ranch with 1 1/2 miles of shoreline on Cedar Creek Lake features luxury amenities, including an owners’ lodge, guesthouse, equestrian center, and full-time staff. Additional amenities such as an ATV course, shooting range, riding arena, equestrian trails, and fishing round out this resort-like paradise in East Texas. And still only an hour to Dallas!

431 Sun Valley – $1,639,000

435 Sun Valley – $1,699,000

101 Sun Valley – $1,899,000

107 Sun Valley – $1,995,000

101 Sun Valley

101 Sun Valley – The 505 Ranch

 

The Ranch at Possum Kingdom Lake

Unsurpassed in luxury, The Ranch at PK is 1,100 private, gated acres for residents to enjoy. State-of-the-art equestrian center, riding trails, sports complex, 24/7 security, sporting clay range, golf course, and the famous “Million Dollar Swimming Hole” round out the lake and water sports.

1040 Sunset Circle – $2,950,000

2020 The Ranch Road – $2,100,000

2020 The Ranch Road

2020 The Ranch Road – The Ranch at PK

 

The Harbor at Possum Kingdom Lake

The Harbor is another stunning, resort-style Hill Countryesque community, featuring both townhomes and single-family residences. The amenities include a restaurant, club house, spa, marina and Equestrian Center.

2010 Vista View Drive – $350,000

1037 Chapel Ridge Road – $399,900

1170 Falls Creek Drive – $868,000

The Harbour Equestrian Center

The Harbor Equestrian Center

 

Sportsmans World at Possum Kingdom Lake

Home to the famed “Hell’s Gate,” Sportsmans World is known for it’s full-service marina for water-sports and fishing. The community also features an airstrip, disc golf course, pavilion, and stables.

1048 Bluff Creek Drive – $450,000

6161 W. Hells Gate Drive – $499,000

6161 W Hells Gate

6161 W. Hells Gate – Sportsman’s World

 

Bridlewood Farms in Flower Mound, TX

Bridlewood Farms is an extensive master-planned community that is more like an east coast resort than a permanent home. The community features a golf course, sports courts, fitness center, trails, pool, and of course, the gorgeous Bridlewood Equestrian Center, featuring Hunter/Jumper equestrian training, elegant stables for 45, and a covered arena.

5117 Balmoral – $560,000 *Pending*

4408 Chilton Lane – $750,000

4408 Chilton

4408 Chilton – Bridlewood Farms

 

Saddlebrook Estates in Bartonville, TX

Saddlebrook Estates features small lots with riding trails throughout. Saddlebrook Equestrian Center is nearby, however not included with the HOA dues.

1200 Fox Run – $799,000

911 Noble Champions Way – $880,000

1360 Saddlebrook Court – $1,069,000

1360 Saddlebrook Ct

1360 Saddlebrook Court – Saddlebrook Estates

Fossil Creek Estates in Fort Worth, TX

A gated, equestrian community with small acreage lots, Fossil Creek offers riding trails and a shared outdoor arena for residents.

*No homes currently for sale

10216 Round Hill RD

10216 Round Hill Road – Fossil Creek Estates *SOLD*

Pecan Plantation in Granbury, TX 

Exactly as it sounds, this still-operating pecan orchard on the Brazos River offers every outdoor amenity imaginable, from two golf courses, stunning Gone-With-The-Wind-style clubhouse, air strip, archery, boating, swimming and horse stables. Available across a variety of price ranges.

8910 Bellechase Road – 239,000

6508 Concord Court – $264,900

10020 Flight Plan Drive – $469,000

7304 Ravenswood Road – $585,000

7402 Hanover Court – $649,900

6410 Westover Drive – $699,000

7406 Hanover Court – $719,000

7406 Hanover Ct

7406 Hanover Court – Pecan Plantation

7-R Ranch in Gordon, TX

A private, gated community built out of the Ruff Family ranch, this community is unique in its combination of lakes, hills, and horse properties for the ultimate in seclusion. The ranch features a community stable, riding trails, and clubhouse.

1323 Prickly Pear Trail – $280,500

550 Post Oak Road – $750,000

1514 Stagecoach Trail – $1,340,000

550 Post Oak

550 Post Oak Road – 7R Ranch

 

Steeplechase in Midlothian, TX

Located just 30 minutes south of Dallas, Steeplechase offers homeowners exclusive use of hiking and biking trails, a four-acre stocked lake, and an equestrian center with stall rental and riding trails.

2311 Walnut Grove Road – $649,900

2311 Walnut Grove RD

2311 Walnut Grove Road – Steeplechase

 

Welcome to the country, y’all.

As always, contact me to schedule any private showings, or visit my website CondosToCountry.com to check out even more properties!

Texas Equestrian Properties

Kathryn Roan 1Kathryn Roan is a Keller Williams Realtor focusing on farms, ranches, and equestrian properties. Kathryn lives on a 55-acre working ranch in Wills Point, TX with her eleven horses…. and counting. Contact Kathryn at Kathryn@TexasEquestrianProperties.com

Kathryn Roan

Kathryn Roan

1 Comment

  1. Joanne Crockett on April 11, 2019 at 10:06 am

    Small home and not over $300.000