Disappointing Care and Poor Infrastructure Given the Cost
Convenience & Trails: The location is highly convenient--only one mile from my house--and provides great access to trails and rideable areas during nice weather.
Hardworking Staff: The barn employees work very hard, though a language barrier (Spanish-speaking) can make direct communication about care adjustments challenging.
Absent Owners: The barn owners (Jen and her mother Linda) are very hands off. I think I saw Linda 3 times? Jen is only there for lessons. I saw her lead horses in once between Nov '25 and Jun '26. I NEVER saw her help with barn chores. I was there every single day checking on my senior because text messages were often not responded to at all or took a while to get a response. I don't believe there was ever a night check since I was also there between 8-10pm many nights to feed my guy a third meal and there was no one ever there except maybe one other boarder who was also checking on their horse.
Facility Condition & Safety:
Driveway: The main driveway is in severe disrepair with deep potholes. Temporary stone fixes do not last. Driving even 2-4 mph causes extreme vehicle rocking.
Property Grounds: The overall property is rough. It has a lot of potential but an old collapsed barn sits near the entrance. There are many trees and plants growing into some of the unused buildings such as the one that was a tack shop years ago under prior ownership.
Feed & Hay Storage: Grain is stored in a wheelbarrow covered only by a bag, which attracts flies even though it's in a feed room. Hay bales are kept in a three-sided shed directly on the ground where the bottom layer absorbs moisture. New hay deliveries occasionally sit uncovered in the rain or snow for a day or two before being moved.
Horse Care & Management:
Feeding Issues: Basic board includes low-fat feed ($12/bag, 3% fat), which was insufficient for my senior horse. Upgrading to higher-quality Sentinel feed cost an extra $65/month. I frequently had to contact the owner regarding missed meals, missed supplements, or incorrect feedings.
Winter Water: During this past severe winter, frozen water sources were broken only in the morning and quickly froze over again. Horses resorted to eating snow. I had to visit every afternoon to bring my horse inside to ensure he could drink water and eat hay.
Blanketing: Blanketing is not included in the monthly board. Owners must manage all blanketing themselves, requiring constant weather tracking.
Forage Quality & Weight Loss: Pasture grass was sparse in the pasture my horse spent time in during the day. Despite the board agreement stating hay would be provided, the hay left out was moldy. When I provided photographic proof of the moldy hay and asked for it to be removed, the owner ignored the messages. My senior horse began losing weight, forcing me to move him for his own health and safety.
Final Verdict (As of June 2026):At $795 a month (plus extra feed fees), the cost does not align with the quality of care or facility maintenance. Adding trail access and proximity were great benefits, which makes moving a massive disappointment, but it was necessary for my horse's health. read more