Critical issues face horse men and women in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture these challenges include: "loss of areas to ride, zoning laws limiting horse ownership, liability problems of riding stables, and rapid development." Still horses are a way of life for thousands of people in our beautiful State with its rolling hills and inviting terrains. Remember, North Carolina historically has been a horse-loving State, from the sea to the mountains.
So the challenges at hand can be overcome with creative planning and determination, I am told. And knowing my horse-loving clients, I believe that is true. In fact, it seems that there is mounting interest by equestrians from across the nation in our horse-friendly State, so I am expecting more and more interest in sustainable planning.
As a real estate professional specializing in making dreams come true for horse people, I have noticed this interesting trend. It appears that horse-people in significant numbers are relocating to North Carolina. Possibly this is because North Carolinians are a friendly group. Possibly the attraction of a large the number of major (there are over 500 shows held in the state each year), contributes to the migration. Here are a two of my favorite events for example: TRAIL RIDE & SUPER TRAIL HORSE CHALLENGE - May 19-20 a and the SOUTHERN HORSE FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW -December 1-2 .
Possibly the horses whispered the secret 
of beautiful living here in North Carolina to their fanciers.
Trail riders have noticed that North Carolina offers "101 amazing experiences" on incredible trails.
See this list!
"Today, the Tar Heel horse industry is valued at $750 million annually, providing jobs through the many breeding, training, and boarding stables; the equine related fields such as veterinarians, farmers, feed dealers, tack and equestrian wear stores ... " reports the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. There are over "15,000 4-H horse projects here and untold numbers of pleasure riders."
Certainly, many equine educational opportunities exists in our State. North Carolina State University's Animal Equine Studies and large Equine Educational Center, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C.S.U. devote energy to equine work.
And the North Carolina Horse Council serves individual owners, associations, clubs, trail riders, stables, acedemies, therapeutic groups, veterinarians, research groups, 4-H programs, educational facilities and equine related businesses.
Equine therapeutic riding facilities are among my treasured stops as I travel in search of excellent eco-friendly horse properties for my client/investors. I have had the honor of meeting people like Karen Head who offers an intensive four-day Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning(EFEL) workshop designed for any level of rider seeking to improve the quality of their riding experience. "By opening your heart to the wisdom of the horse, you will form a deeper connection to, and enhance the partnership with your horse, " she points out. " The connection with your horse improves as you rely on your inner wisdom and insight to know what both you and your horse need. The intuition of horses is their primary resource for survival; they are fantastic teachers when we can slow down and learn on horse time."
Photos were taken at Karen's Facility near Asheville.
Resources:
North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association
North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association
The North Carolina Horse Council
Mountin' Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center
I never get to be the first to comment on your posts!
My broker is a cutting horse expert, she runs clinics. People come from all over the country to attend her classes. And not being a horse person myself I've learned 2 things.
1)When looking for horse property for a client get you facts straight. There is so much to know, consult an expert. There should be an NAR certifacation for Realtors who specialize in horse property. Or is there a cert?
2) There is no such thing as a horsey.....
Thanks for the post... Great information!
Dena~
Right on! There IS no such thing as "horsey"...It was so much fun to read your comment! Even if you have been around horses all your life, I agree with you, be sure to consult an expert..that could even mean a soil engineer...
Leigh~
As you say! ...one of the most unique horse places in the world!..and right here in North Carolina. I made a quick virtual journey to Love Valley today...
An American Utopia
Conrad Ostwalt
Love Valley is a small town in rural North Carolina. Its genesis in 1954 marked the fulfillment of a dream for founder Andy Barker. Barker cultivated two visions as a young man-he wanted to build a Christian community, and he wanted to be a cowboy. The result of his vision is Barker's utopian experiment.
The town boasts a saloon, general store, hitching posts, and rodeos. Yet, above all of this stands a little church-the heart of what Barker conceived as his Christian utopia. This unique combination has led to more than forty years of philanthropic ventures, controversial events such as the Love Valley Rock Festival, stories and legends, and political ambition. Love Valley: An American Utopiacaptures the history of this town in narrative form while arguing that Love Valley's founders were motivated by utopian goals.
Links
Scale Wind Tunnel Test in
Mooresville, NC
Trendy Hounds
Video Clip UNC TV
Wikipedia Love Valley,_North_Carolina
The Charlotte Observer
It was one of my favorite virtual vacations...so far!
Hi janeAnne,
Great article and informative links for us non "horsey" types. We have recently listed a small gentlemans horse farm on 4 acres, complete with barn, colonial style home, and all right in the center of Wilmington, NC. New Hanover county is not really noted for its vast areas of wide open spaces, and is the second smallest county in NC, however, adjoining counties such as Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus offer some fantastic opportunities for the horse lovers.
We took this listing with the understanding that we would be learning along the way....not my usual style, and the seller clients wanted us to do the marketing, as we were the initial listing agents before it became a gentleman's estate. We have promoted it many, many, places....horse magazines, tack shops, national horse listing internet sites, and with a couple of listing agents that are experts in this field. It looks like I missed you.......so here it is, Old Baymeade and would love to hear your remarks regarding this great home and farm, and of course, any advice as to where we should be marketing and maybe someplaces we may have missed. I will also be posting on Localism, in hopes of attracting others. Thanks!
Dick Beals
Hi Janeanne:
I liked the Love Valley link. Thanks! Good fiends of mine in Florida are horse people. They are incredible animals, but I never realized how fragile they can be.
Dick and Sandy~
THANKS for the heads-up on your horse property listing. We are pretty focused in a 5-county area around Asheville, N.C., but do get folks from time-to time who may be interested in your part of N.C. Your horse property sound fantastic! Happy to send fokls your way if they arrive in the mountains and think they'll go East...
Bill~
This area welcomes horse-people and their trusty fleet-of-foot comanions.