I took a 35 year break from riding and Denise & her team are helping me get back in the saddle…read moreagain with confidence. I appreciate the back to basics training and re-learning how to do things safely and correctly. Ground work classes help build a foundation in a fun environment and I enjoy my group riding classes with other ladies my age. I look forward to my classes each week.

This trainer is best for working with young people and beginners. Good review of the basics…read moreincluding horse care along with riding lessons. Works mostly with her own lesson horses. Indoor and outdoor rings are OK. Barn comfortable.

You're absolutely right that I did not check on Khol during his stay with you which is why I am…read moreadvising people to do so. And you're absolutely right that you gave Khol some extra vet care in the beginning which I knew about. It's also true that some horses thrive very nicely at your place. Khol IS in his mid-20s which is a typical age for a retiree. My objection isn't an overpromise of the care I believed I was paying for, and in fact I do appreciate the extra care that you gave Khol when he had a problem in the beginning. My hindsight wish is not only that I would have visited him within the first 4 to 6 months to see with my own eyes, but also that I would have been given a call to say that Khol was not thriving. He was seen by a vet when he arrived at his new farm and was clinically diagnosed with a body condition of 2 on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 is complete starvation. He weighed 1200 pounds vs his healthy 16.3 warmblood weight of 1600 pounds. His blood work came back fine which indicates that his poor condition was due strictly to starvation. I'll tell you what broke MY heart was your statement when Khol left that you were going to miss "those big sad eyes of his." From the time I had bought him in April 1998 until the day I saw him leave, Khol had not spent one day sad. When he got to where he is currently ---without my even mentioning it --- the caretaker said to me "I don't know how to say this but I have never seen such a sad look on horses face." Khol is where he should be now, and I'm sure many of your herd will live out the rest of their days happy and fat at your place. For those owners whose horses thrive, your farm is the right choice. I would just urge you the next time you have a horse go downhill as drastically as Khol did, that you please alert the owner and give them the opportunity to rethink their choice. And to any owner considering your farm, I will again implore you to do as I say and not as I did, and be sure to visit your horse in the first 4-6 months.

My horse, Sugar, has been living at Welbourne Farm for almost two months. I just visited her,…read moreagain, this past week and she looks great and has become part of a very sweet, small herd of about 10 horses that tend to stay near the main house. She has also found a mate, Cody, and the two of them are inseparable. From the very beginning phone calls, months ago, to Sugar's arrival and since, Josh, Nat, and Amanda have all been very attentive to Sugar's needs and I am happy to say that two months in, she is happy, thriving, and healthy and has taken to living life like a horse in the wild beautifully. These horses sleep under the stars and anyone who knows horses knows that is about as good as it gets for a horse. Josh and his family all take the responsibility of caring for these retired horses very seriously. They really do know every horse by name and all of the horses are checked on daily ... This is the perfect retirement home for a horse ... Lynne

Found THRS in November of '14 via a Facebook group for Virginia horse folk, BEST thing ever!!…read moreYvonne is Amazing with children. Kind soul, firm voice, level headed, and easy to get along with. I was ecstatic when my 4 yr old said he wanted his own Pony so he could ride like Mommie did. I have a riding buddy for life, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Yvonne is instilling in him the love of not just 'riding', but the work that comes along with the joys of riding. Yvonne started him out on grooming tools, explaining each one in a way he was able to grasp and retain the knowledge. I was floored when we were out at TS and he brought me a curry comb and told me what it as and how to use it. :D His first lesson, he was on the Pony named Lyric, who has fast become his favorite and he talks about her all the time, before we even realized it. He knew which foot to use and where it needed to go. He was able to hold the reins perfectly the first time and I think he's a natural, but then I'm Mom. ;) Yvonne is a consistent, firm, and compassionate. I can't think of a better temperament for a teacher working with children. She's a gem!

I grew up riding and always knew I would introduce my son to riding as well. That was almost 2…read moreyears ago and the progress he has made has just blown me away. He absolutely loves riding and Yvonne knows exactly how to get him to understand what she needs him to learn. I tell everyone I drive 45 mins each way for my son to ride cause it's worth it.

Horse back riding at it's finest. From beginners to advanced riders, the lessons are great for all…read morelevels. You will find that the instructions and the people at this barn are all friendly and knowledgeable. There are also summer camps for all level riders. Make sure to check out Jennifer Lee Jumpers.