Buying an Equestrian Property in Oconto WI: Key Points

Picture your horses grazing on healthy pasture, trails just beyond the fence, and a warm, well-planned barn ready for winter. If you are eyeing equestrian property in Oconto, you want more than charm. You need land that works for horses and rules that work for you. In this guide, you will learn how to evaluate acreage, confirm zoning, plan for water and manure, and budget for the seasons in Northeast Wisconsin. Let’s dive in.

Zoning and permitted uses

Buying horse property starts with confirming what you can do on the land. Contact Oconto County Planning and Zoning to verify the parcel’s zoning district, permitted uses, setbacks, and any conditional use permits for commercial activities such as boarding or training. Town-level offices may also require driveway or culvert permits and can advise on local ordinances.

If the property is near rivers, streams, or the Bay of Green Bay, shoreland and floodplain rules can affect building placement and manure handling. Review FEMA flood status and ask Wisconsin DNR about shoreland buffers and wetland protections. For operations with larger animal numbers, explore Wisconsin DATCP guidance and USDA NRCS programs that may apply to nutrient management and conservation.

Land and acreage planning

Usable acres matter more than total acres. As a general guideline, plan for about 1.5 to 3 acres per horse for grazing, then adjust for pasture productivity and your hay program. You will likely supplement hay in winter.

Check soils and topography before you fall in love with a view. USDA NRCS soil surveys can help you understand drainage, fertility, and suitability for pasture, arenas, and septic. Low, poorly drained ground increases mud and reduces where you can place barns, runs, and storage.

Water, wells, and drainage

Horses drink several gallons a day, especially in summer. Verify well yield and recovery rate, and confirm there is enough capacity for household use plus barn needs like wash stalls or heated waterers. Keep proper separation between wells and manure storage or spreading areas.

Flood risk and high-water tables can disrupt access and create runoff concerns. Identify any floodplain or wetland areas so you avoid siting barns, arenas, or manure storage where they can flood. Plan for spring mud season with sacrifice paddocks, gravel, and drainage so you protect pastures and keep gates and drive lanes usable.

Barns, arenas, and infrastructure

Most sport horses do well in 12-by-12 to 12-by-14 stalls, but size and layout depend on your program. If an indoor arena is on your wish list, look for a clear-span design with proper footing, good ventilation, and an orientation that manages wind and seasonal sun. Roofs and structures should be rated for local snow loads.

Safe, efficient operations require the right utilities. Confirm electrical service, lighting, outlet placement, and any heated fixtures. For access, review driveway grades, permits, and culvert sizing, and make sure there is adequate trailer parking and a safe turning radius for visitors and deliveries.

Manure and environmental compliance

Plan a manure system on day one. Dry or covered storage helps control runoff, and you may need a nutrient management plan if your operation grows. Avoid spreading near wells, shorelines, or wetlands, and maintain setbacks from streams and waterways.

To protect water quality, use vegetated buffers along waterways and stabilize any streambanks. NRCS and state programs can offer technical guidance and cost share for pasture improvements, stream crossings, watering systems, and manure management projects.

Operating costs and seasonal realities

Budget for the ongoing costs that keep horses healthy and facilities safe. Major line items include hay and feed, bedding, manure hauling or spreading, utilities, equipment upkeep, fencing and footing maintenance, and veterinary, farrier, and dental care.

Northeast Wisconsin has long, cold winters, so plan for indoor shelter, heated waterers or frost-free hydrants, and ample forage. Spring brings mud, which is easier to manage with sacrifice areas and rotation. In summer, focus on rotational grazing, parasite and fly control, and pasture rest to keep forage productive.

Boarding, training, and business uses

You may be able to run a boarding or training business, but approvals depend on zoning and permitted uses. Commercial activity can also affect traffic, parking, signage, and septic capacity. Factor in staffing and daily management if you plan to offer lessons or boarding.

Insurance changes with business use. Standard homeowners policies often exclude equine-related liability. Discuss farm or ranch policies, commercial equine liability, and professional coverage if you teach or train on-site.

Financing, insurance, and taxes

How you finance depends on the property’s primary use. If the home is primarily residential with private horses, a standard residential mortgage may be possible. If it functions as an agricultural business, lenders may require a farm or agricultural loan, and programs through USDA Rural Development or FSA could be options. Some loan programs limit properties with significant agricultural use, so confirm lender policies early.

Insurance should match your risk profile. Consider farm or ranch coverage for structures and equipment, commercial liability for lessons or boarding, and mortality or major medical for valuable horses. For property taxes, Wisconsin’s use-value assessment programs may reduce taxes for qualifying agricultural or managed forest land. Personal-use horses usually do not qualify, so check with the county assessor about current rules.

Buyer due diligence checklist

Use this quick roadmap to reduce surprises.

• Before you offer
  • Confirm zoning and whether private or commercial equine uses are allowed by right or require a permit.
  • Order a survey and review setbacks, easements, deed restrictions, and any HOA covenants.
  • Review floodplain status and wetland mapping, and understand any shoreland zoning limits near water.
  • Request seller disclosures on past land uses, manure storage sites, and well or septic history.
• Inspections and tests
  • Test well yield and water quality for bacteria and nitrate, and confirm current septic capacity.
  • Inspect barns, roof snow-load rating, arena footing, fencing, gates, and electrical systems.
  • Soil test for pasture fertility and check soil suitability for arenas and septic.
• Operational planning
  • Estimate hay needs and confirm local hay availability and cost.
  • Decide how you will store and handle manure and whether you will spread on-site or haul off-site.
  • Identify local veterinarians, farriers, and emergency response options.
• Permits and post-purchase
  • Apply for required building, driveway, or manure storage permits.
  • If you plan to board or teach, obtain business licenses and update insurance policies.
  • If you want conservation cost share, start NRCS or similar program applications early.

Local resources in Oconto

For parcel-specific answers, contact Oconto County Planning and Zoning, your town clerk for driveway access rules, and the county land records or assessor for maps and tax questions. The Wisconsin DNR and FEMA can clarify shoreland, wetland, and floodplain issues. UW–Madison Division of Extension in Oconto County and USDA NRCS can help with soils, pasture planning, and conservation options.

How we help

Buying an equestrian property is part land evaluation, part facility planning, and part regulatory navigation. You deserve a partner who understands all three. With decades of local experience and equestrian specialization, our team helps you verify zoning, assess usable acres, evaluate barns and arenas, and plan upgrades that fit your goals and budget.

Ready to walk properties with a knowledgeable guide and a clear plan? Request a personalized consultation with the Becky Buckland Collaborative.

FAQs

How many acres per horse in Oconto?

• A common guideline is 1.5 to 3 acres per horse for grazing, adjusted for pasture productivity and whether you practice rotation and feed hay.

Can I build a barn or indoor arena on a new parcel?

• Possibly, but approvals depend on zoning, setbacks, floodplain or shoreland limits, and building permit rules. Verify with county planning before you buy.

Can I run a boarding or training business at home?

• Maybe. Commercial equine uses often need specific zoning or a conditional use permit, and they change insurance, parking, and septic considerations.

What should I check about wells and water?

• Confirm well yield and water quality, and maintain proper setbacks from manure storage or spreading areas to protect water supplies.

How is manure managed on small horse farms?

• Plan for dry or covered storage, avoid spreading near wells or waterways, and follow local setbacks. Larger operations may need a nutrient management plan.

What financing works for horse properties?

• If the use is primarily residential, a standard mortgage may work. Agricultural or commercial uses may require farm loans or USDA programs. Confirm lender requirements early.