Not every property listed as a horse farm actually functions like one. The difference is usually in the details — the stall size, the turnout setup, the acreage layout, and whether the infrastructure was built by someone who actually keeps horses or someone who thought it looked good on paper.
This Shaw Farms listing in Alachua County is the real version.
What Is Shaw Farms and Where Is It Located?
Shaw Farms is an established equestrian community in Alachua County, situated between Downtown Alachua and the Town of Tioga. It is a quiet, well-regarded address for horse owners who want acreage without being far from services.
What sets this community apart geographically is its proximity to San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park — one of the largest preserved natural hammocks in Florida with dedicated equestrian riding trails. For buyers who prioritize outdoor riding as part of their daily routine, that kind of access is difficult to find anywhere in North Central Florida.
What Equestrian Infrastructure Does This Property Include?
This is where the property earns its price. On 6.28 acres, you have a jumping course, a dressage arena, paddocks, and a 6-stall barn built for a working operation.
The barn has 12x12 stalls with automatic waterers and attached 12x12 individual turnouts. One stall converts to a double for a mare and foal. Two tack and storage rooms. Three separate barn entries with high ceilings throughout. Already plumbed for a future bathroom and laundry — the rough-in is done whenever you are ready to finish it.
Most horse properties I show buyers have one or two of these elements. A property with a jumping course and a dressage arena on-site, combined with trail access next door, is rare in this county at any price point.
The barn was designed by someone who understands how a working equestrian operation needs to flow. The individual turnouts attached to each stall, the automatic waterers, the separate tack rooms, the three entries — these are functional decisions that save time every single day.
What About the Home Itself?
The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home sits at the top of the hill on the property. From both the front and back porch, you have clear sightlines to the jumping course, dressage arena, and paddocks. If keeping an eye on your horses from the house matters to you — and it does for most serious horse owners — this layout delivers.
Inside, AquaGuard Performance Flooring runs throughout the home. It is waterproof, pet-proof, and kid-proof — the kind of flooring that makes sense for the way people who live with horses and animals actually live. Soaring ceilings with exposed hardwood beams give the great room warmth without feeling heavy. The kitchen is built for real use — SMEG stainless steel appliances, generous counter space, and windows that frame the property on every side.
The primary suite occupies its own wing with an oversized walk-in closet and a marble bath. Both guest bedrooms have private en-suite baths, each finished with marble floors, marble counters, and clean white tile. The backyard is no-climb fenced, keeping dogs safely separated from the paddocks without compromising the flow of the property.
Where Is This Property Located?
Shaw Farms sits in Alachua County between Downtown Alachua and the Town of Tioga — both just minutes away for everyday needs. Gainesville is a short drive, giving you access to the University of Florida Health system, North Florida Regional Medical Center, and the Gainesville VA Medical Center when you need it. The property is 52 miles from the World Equestrian Center in Ocala — close enough to compete regularly without living in Marion County.
For buyers relocating from out of state, Alachua County offers a combination of infrastructure and rural character that is genuinely hard to find. Gainesville's airport, medical facilities, and university presence give it a level of amenity that most rural equestrian communities do not have nearby.
Is This the Right Horse Property for You?
If you are a serious horse owner looking for a property in Alachua County where the equestrian infrastructure is already in place, the riding is accessible, and the home is finished — this listing covers the list. Properties with this combination of on-site riding facilities, San Felasco trail access, and a turnkey home on 6.28 acres do not come back around often in this market.
If you have questions about this property, about Shaw Farms, or about what else is available in the Gainesville and Ocala equestrian market, I am glad to help. Reach out directly and let's talk through what you are looking for.
Looking for horse property near Ocala or Gainesville? Anson Properties has the local knowledge and connections to find the right acreage for you and your horses. Let's talk.
Talk to Stephanie Phone: 352-443-5700
Website: ansonproperties.com/gainesville-homes-for-sale
