My farm in Westminster, MD recently sold thanks to my real estate agent Laura Lee Jones.
In todays market selling a horse farm can be a tricky endeavor, so I hope that you find these tips from Laura helpful.
” Selling a farm, to some degree, is similar to selling a horse. When they look good and are well taken care of the buyer wants to learn more.
The first thing that your potential buyer sees is the farm entrance, so make sure that looks as good as possible. Well groomed fields, maintained fence lines, animal safe and ready is ideal. Any large debris or manure piles should be removed. All excess tack, blankets, etc.. should be stored neatly. Clean and organize any feed or tack rooms. Remove old or unusable hay. If your barn needs a new coat of paint, it is your best return on investment for the least amount of money. If you have a ring, keep it dragged, free of weeds/ debris.
In the house make sure that the entrance is neat, tidy, and clean. Keep clutter to a minimum in the house. If something is old and worn it’s best to take it out. For example, a broken set of blinds is better removed then left hanging.
When you have a potential buyer scheduled to come to your farm turn all of the lights on in your house and open any blinds or shades. Also, if you have any pets or if you smoke, try to keep the house smelling as neutral as possible, refrain from strong smelling room deodorizers.
Remember that the condition of your property is a direct relation to value, So, if you want top dollar than you have to have top condition.”
I hope that you find these tips helpful and forward them to anyone you know looking to sell a horse farm. I found it very beneficial to the sale of my horse property to have an agent that is a horse person. Her web site is myhomesdb.com\myhomenow.

I wanted to share with everyone the latest solution that is in this months Dressage Today Magazine. In many of the lessons that I teach I keep telling students to “sit up”. I found that the analogy of the parachute works well, because not only do you have to sit up, but you also have to lift your abs. This visual reference is a great way to lift your middle and keep your shoulders tall. Remember to breath and relax as well. Let me know how this works for you.

With Spring fast approaching I was wondering who had plans for breeding this year? I know that many people over the last few years have decided to stop breeding, but I was wondering who still is and on what kind of scale?
For myself, I am a bit concerned about the quality of horses that I will be able to find in five years. The price of high quality horses I am sure will be thru the roof, because the law of supply and demand is sure to catch up. I have been contemplating breeding one of my mares. What are your thoughts? Would enjoy feedback on this topic. Here is a pic of the dutch mare that I am thinking of breeding, any dressage stallion suggestions?

Happy New Year everyone, I hope that it is off to a great start for you! I wanted to put this out as a challenge to you for 2012, this New Year keep a training journal on one or more of your horses. If you don’t have a horse, but take lessons on someone else’s, keep a journal of your progress.
Many times in training we don’t realize how far we have come until we look back over what we have been working on. The training process can feel slow at times, and a journal is a great way to track your progress. It is also a great tool for remembering tips that you have gotten from your trainer, or heard at a clinic.
Has anybody ever tried this? I have done it on a few horses that I have broke and trained up the levels, it is a wonderful tool. Keep me posted on how it goes!

Happy New Year 2012!