Stud Farms


We have a strong pedigree in the sale of stud farms across southern and central England.

Whilst many of our stud farms for sale are advertised online and in international press, we frequently have properties available privately where owners prefer to market their properties with discretion.

How to start a stud farm

Setting up a stud farm can be an exciting prospect but many factors must be taken into account in order to ensure that the business flourishes. Horses should be a passion of yours as normal office hours do not apply when caring for and managing equestrian enterprises.

Is this an enterprise you wish to be involved in?

Challenges within the equestrian industry inevitably will crop up but being prepared to deal with these issues is the important factor to remember. If you have previously owned horses you will be aware of problems that may occur. However, if you have no experience of owning horses but your dream is to start a stud, gaining some experience either owning horses or within a stud environment is essential to ensure that potential problems can be solved swiftly.

Owning a stud farm can be extremely rewarding as you would be immersed within a business that you love. If the stud farm holds onto young stock and breaks them in opportunities to ride may occur. Caring for foals can be enjoyable as watching something you have bred flourish from birth to a successful competing youngster can be fulfilling.

Selling horses for large amounts of money can be an enticing reason for some people to start a stud farm but in reality this may not always occur. Within racing, yearling prep yards can generate a high turnover but in the sport horse business generally yearlings do not sell for great sums of money.

Within the sport horse industry if the young stock are broken in and produced for a competition career, generally this generates more income than if the horse were to be sold as a yearling. Consequently the type of stud looking to be started must be considered in terms of facilities that need to be created.

Location of the Stud Farm

The location of the stud farm is important as good transport links and surrounding infrastructure make everyday life easier. Feed and bedding deliveries need to be able to access the farm. Construction lorries need to be able to gain site access if facilities need to be added to the property.

If visiting mares and stallions are intending to use the facilities then lorry access needs to be available.

The acreage of the property under consideration must be appropriate for the number of horses intended to be on the property. Facilities must be accounted for if no outbuildings are already present. The BHS guide for acreage per horse is 1-1.5 acres per horse; this should be adhered to to avoid poaching of the land.

The mares and foals will need large, safe paddocks to roam completely separate from the young stock and stallions. Stallions must have separate paddocks and not be able to touch for safety reasons.

Water supply, electricity and preferably a barn on site would be the minimum requirements when looking for a potential stud farm site as this would give maximum potential use for the future with regard to planning permission.

The land should be suitable for horses with the correct ley growing in order to maximise the growth of the young stock while minimising the input costs. A mixed ley consisting of mainly perennial ryegrass, meadow fescue, and timothy would be the ideal pasture for permanent equine pasture. Toxic plants would need to be recognised and removed as these can be potentially fatal if ingested.

Business essentials

Naturally placed trees in paddock corners should be noted within properties wished to be purchased as a stud farm as tree cover is an ideal shady area for horses to gain relief from all weathers. Shelter such as trees or man-made constructions, must face north to shield the horses from the prevailing winds.

Fences and trees need protection from potential chewing horses in order to ensure the horses do not become injured and the fences do not become unsightly.

Fencing is very important to ensure all stock is safe and secure and when dealing with horses, post and rail fencing is the best option to help avoid injuries and potential costly vets bills.

Feed and bedding suppliers should be consulted as to available delivery areas and any bulk discounts. Local farmers can be helpful as they often will provide hay and straw cheaper than a large equestrian retailer. Sometimes they can provide muck removal which can be extremely useful with a large enterprise.

Purchasing horses

If you do not own any horses, they must be purchased. It must be decided which area the stud is going to pursue, be it racing or sports horse breeding. Good stock should be bought, either through word of mouth or through dispersing stud sales. Stallions need to be either incorporated into the stud or left to stand at different studs and used as visiting stallions. Stock can also be bought from sales such as Tattersalls, Goresbridge and Brightwells.

Grooms/Riders

As a stud farm would inevitably be large, help should be sourced either through word of mouth or through placing adverts in magazines such as Horse and Hound or online through companies such as Yard and Groom. Grooms and or riders will be needed to help with the day to day running of the stud. Potential employees should have relevant BHS/Pony Club/NVQ qualifications but if these are not available relevant work experience and good references will suffice.

Marketing the business

Today social media and the internet are so vital in a start-up enterprise. In order that the public know about the new stud a web presence must exist.

Purchasing a stud farm can be a financially and emotionally rewarding endeavour combining a passion for horses with day to day life. Talk to the team today for advice with buying land suitable for a stud farm or with regard to an existing property that may be converted into an equestrian stud farm. We would be delighted to help you.