Mane attraction for horse lovers

WHILE every whim of golf lovers is more than catered for in all the main holiday home hotspots, what if you prefer riding to teeing off? We take a look at the cream of the crop when it comes to finding the perfect home for horse lovers – from equestrian businesses to low budget homes with stables and a paddock.

BARBADOS: Polo development

WHAT: For those who want to soak up the ritzier side of horsey life, without all that mucking out and grooming, Lion Castle Polo Estate is definitely aiming itself at the upper end of the market. Covering a 64-acre site near the capital Bridgetown, the development will be made up of 34 houses centred around a 13-acre polo field and clubhouse. No doubt they are hoping that Jodie Kidd and her polo-playing friends will frequent the resort once it is finished.
WHERE: Near Bridgetown on the west coast of the island
HOW MUCH? Prices vary between £340,000 and £1m, depending on plot size - from one to two and a half acres.
INFO: Hamptons International: 020 7589 8844 or the website below

FRANCE: Farmhouse with stables in Burgundy

WHAT: This Colombage farmhouse has been fully renovated and ticks all the right boxes for the seriously passionate horse lover. While not riding you can relax in the two bedroom house which boasts exposed beams, laundry room, wine cellar and an attic that could provide a further two bedrooms and a bathroom if converted. But more importantly the house comes with outbuildings that include a saddle room and stabling for six to eight horses, as well as 21 acres of land to ride on covering a spring and two hectares of woodland.
WHERE: Near Chalon sur Saone, in the Saone et Loire region of Burgundy, central France.
HOW MUCH? £226,000
INFO: Latitudes: 020 8951 5155 or the website below

FRANCE: Restored house with land in Aquitane

WHAT: A restored stone house with garage, outbuildings and four acres of land set in open woodland. The house itself has three bedrooms, one bathroom, dressing room, terrace and a large sitting room with an open fireplace. Outside there are two sizeable barns and 50 square metres of stabling.
WHERE: In the Gironde region of Aquitaine in South West France, this property is 12km from the cathedral town of Bazas and 70km north west of Bordeaux, with its airport.
HOW MUCH? £164,000
INFO: Latitudes: 020 8951 5155 or the website below

PORTUGAL: Country estate near the beach

WHAT: A six bedroom modern villa on an enclosed two and a half acre plot with stabling and guest cottage. An ideal permanent residence, all the bedrooms in the main house are ensuite. As well as all the usual dining rooms, utility rooms and lounges there is also a wine cellar, sauna and garaging for six cars. There is also a separate guest cottage. A modern stable block, accommodating four horses, has been built on site, with workshops nearby. While the property is fenced in with security gate there are plenty of bridleways in the surrounding countryside to explore. And the beach is just 2km away.
WHERE: Between the beach resorts of Foz do Arelho and Caldas de Rainha in the Leiria region, roughly 50kms from Lisbon.
HOW MUCH? £523,000
INFO: European Villa Solutions: 01223 514241 or the website below

PORTUGAL: Modern villa with land and stables

WHAT: This four bedroom, four bathroom villa with pool is only eight years old, so there is no danger of any work needing to be done on it. The main attraction for horse fans would definitely be the acre and a half of land that comes with it, currently laid mostly to paddock with stabling for several horses.
WHERE: Another plus with this one has to be the location. Whilst the villa itself is in a rural location, close to the village of Odiaxere it is only a ten minute drive from Lagos and Faro airport is only 50 minutes away by car.
HOW MUCH? £236,000
INFO: Hamptons International: 020 7589 8844 or the website below

SPAIN: Ranch on the Costa Del Sol

WHAT: A bone-fide ranch covering a whopping 62 acres on the Costa del Sol which the current owners use to breed pure-bred 'Cartujano' Spanish thoroughbreds. This one is for the serious horse entrepreneur. The ranch is made up of three residential units and the horse centre. The main house has five beds and one bathroom; there is a second three bedroom, two-bathroom guesthouse and another flat for employees. In the yard there are stables with 18 boxes arranged around a patio, an exhibition hall, barns for hay, covered paddocks and two riding arenas.
WHERE: A few kilometres out of Ronda city, an hour from Marbella.
HOW MUCH? £1.3m – not cheap, but then again, ranches never are.
INFO: Savills 020 7824 9030 or the website below

SPAIN: Horse stud on the Costa Del Sol

WHAT: The perfect proposition for someone looking to set up an equestrian business in the sun, without giving up easy access to the high life. This property comprises a five bedroom, two-bathroom main house with office, pool and BBQ and a further one-bed cottage for guests. If you wanted to expand the accommodation to take more visitors or paying guests then the foundations of another bungalow and pool have already been built. Next to the main house is a block of six stables with lunging ring and on site there are several fenced paddocks with covered feeding areas.
WHERE: The stud is near Coin, just 30 minutes drive from both Malaga and Marbella.
HOW MUCH? £885,000.
INFO: Savills 020 7824 9030 or the website below.

US: Kentucky manor house with equine business

WHAT: A vast country manor house with fully functioning on-site equine business. The house has four beds, four baths, numerous other grand sounding rooms including a 'Great Room', formal dining room, music room, two kitchens and a pool. The business side offers an indoor and outdoor riding area, five barns incorporating 16 horse stalls, an equipment barn, tack room, hay barn, offices and an apartments. A few mins down the road is the Ellis Thoroughbred Horse Racing Park.
WHERE: Two and a half hours north west of Nashville, in Western Kentucky.
HOW MUCH? £1m to include the house with all furniture and the business, ready to operate.
INFO: The owners are selling direct – see website below.

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