I was so blessed to find this amazing barn. The people here are not like other barns. They are all really nice and there is no gossip and mean people. The arenas are very nice even in the winter. The owners are great people and really care for the horses in a way I've not seen in hardly any other barns. read more

Morning Sun Ranch - Turning out my horse Theo in the big arena. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Watsonville, California

I highly recommend Morning Sun Ranch. This is a beautiful place to board your horse. The barns are clean, the stalls are so nice and great feed, great arenas and trails. Gina, who owns the barn, is so great and knowledgeable and everyone who boards there is very friendly. Most of all my horse is happy and well taken care of and I so happy too. read more

I just recently moved my horse to Morning Sun Ranch. I've really been impressed by how friendly and knowledgeable the people here are. The other boarders are very welcoming, they have offered to accompany me on trail rides and made room for my stuff in the tack room. There is a real sense of community at this ranch. My horse settled in right away and already has made friends with the horses on either side of him, within 10 minutes he was grooming the horse next to him! I'm so glad I moved here! read more

Morning Sun is one of the best run stables I've ever dealt with in my 50 year history of owning/boarding horses. They really pay attention to the details: feeding, safety, even horse compatibility. From the horse's perspective, it doesn't get much better than this. From the owner's point of view, you can trust them to have good eyes on your horse morning and night. The boarders also take on this mind set. I've never lost tack, or had my items 'walk away' and the people there are friendly and sensible. Add to that the training opportunities (for the very young right up to older folks like me) and the trail system right out the back door, this is a barn you'll want to stay with. read more

There were no stalls available but this was a beautiful place. I was originally looking at a spot in the pasture until my vet told me my horse wouldn't do well in the pasture due to laminitis. Very picturesque. read more

I started here boarding one of the owner's horses. I was blown away right off the bat how completely consuming they were about the full care of the horse. Emotional, physical, and the bond. They care about the WHOLE of the horse and rider relationship, acknowledging that both members aren't perfect but you work with it. I purchased my own horse and of course boarded him here: all the horse are healthy, fit, and happy. The grounds are well kept, another testament to the great family that they are. My horse was abused prior to purchasing and through training, lessons, and overall care my horse has improved drastically and quickly. They have miles of trails, many arenas, grazing pastures, spacious stalls/paddocks, and most importantly a NO DRAMA barn. Everyone here is laid back and caring towards each other. I highly recommend them as a boarding facility, trainers, and for lessons. read more

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We have been boarding our horse here for just over a year such a great atmosphere. Gina and Mike are awesome owners. The facility is very well maintained. I would highly recommend this facility. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Morning Sun Ranch and the Kindschers. I am a novice rider training with Gina and I have been so impressed with all the aspects of my instruction. Safety is a top priority for me and clearly this is the case for the folks at MSR as well. This special environment has fostered confidence and allowed me to get closer to my goal of horse ownership. Gina takes extra time to share her remarkable horsemanship expertise, imparting lessons that have value both in and out of the arena. I really could not be happier with my riding experience at Morning Sun Ranch. read more

Today marks the one year anniversary of being at Morning Sun Ranch. I had boarded my horses at another local barn for many years, and finally made the change. I'm so glad I did. I have 3 horses, and we couldn't have been more welcomed by Gina and Genae, and the other borders. My horses are well cared for, and are always happy! Genea has one of my horses in training, and she has found and corrected holes in his training that I didn't know were there! She treats him like her own, and makes recommendations for his health and well being that are well thought through, and have turned out to be excellent recommendations. Morning Sun is clean, open, and brings with it a peace of mind. Knowing my horses are well fed, loved and cared for allows me the confidence to leave them there without worry. Gina and Genea have clear communication channels, which keeps me informed of what's going on at the barn. I love that they are kind and giving, and I couldn't imagine a better place for my horses. read more

I've been taking riding lessons from Genae at Morning Sun Ranch for about 9 months now. I'd been on many trail rides since I was young and taken lessons in the past, but never felt like I learned how to properly ride. I decided to try lessons at Morning Sun and have been loving it! Genae knows horses so well and is great at teaching from a fundamental level - including how to saddle a horse, development of my seat, how to use my legs and hands gently to steer, to trot, gallop canter, go around or over obstacles, understanding cues from different horses, etc. We every lesson there's different things to learn; we usually ride in the ring and also go on the beautiful trails around the ranch from time to time. The horses are also great and well cared for - this is a place that really cares about their animals. Really recommend lessons from Genae and the Ranch in general! read more

At a very critical time in my horsemanship life I found Morning Sun Ranch. It met all the standards of my dreams, and then some in meeting high quality care and consideration for the magic of the horse. The world of the horse and horsemanship can be wide, filled with nominal misadventure, inexperienced leadership and uninformed insensitivity toward this animal's amazing intelligence and strength. You will find none of that here. Gina runs a tight, down to earth practical, high-standard, drama free, and welcoming ship for the horse owner looking for clean, well cared for, up-kept, and respectable ranch style boarding. Horse stalls and beings are attended daily by a team of devoted and high integrity ranch hands who keep a close eye over their daily health, instruction, and communication. I have a very critical eye and Ive now witnessed it myself. If you've ever owned a ranch or farm yourself you know how hard it is to keep it running but to keep it running while looking organized, clean, and attended to--that is the magic of Gina. Trails and arenas are beautifully managed and combed by the Kindsher family. The land and surrounding natural areas are up=kept and respected with an eye for the total landscape, not just the need to work The horse areas themselves are maintained with an eye for detail. The gardens and trails are sustained with care for the land. I come from east coast hard work myself and I have never seen anyone work harder than her son and husband in continually attending to demanding small ranch challenges. There is always not just a project going on but a rare relationship toward progressive cultivation. Communication is clear, respectful, honest, straightforward, open, and friendly. Gina and Genae give lessons to the beginner, middle aged, or older person with sensitivity and insight to training level, experience, and personal exposure. Genae her daughter, who has studied with many tried and true horsemanship teachers, new and traditional, runs her own horsemanship training with care, expertise and insight. She is capable of identifying the training and learning needs of your horse while at the same time cultivating your awareness of how to respond to your own trajectory of horsemanship. She is capable of articulating the way in which a horse communicates and responds while at the same time cultivating your awareness of how become more aware of it at the same time. On top of all that, she adds the details of the craft! In other words, she is capable of drawing attention to and building that magical bridge between your horse and yourself that every horse owner so longs for, as well as introducing you to the magic of skill. If you are looking for the true horsemanship experience, with attendance to small detail, dimensional awareness to your horse's health, nutrition, and state of mind, a yearn for true mastery of the horsemanship craft, and an eye for what is true in the horsemanship world, this is your place. My own horse only found true happiness here. I am happy to join him! read more

Morning Sun is the third ranch we've used in the area and it is far, far the best. There are plenty of arenas, some of them quite large, plus a round-pen. Often an arena is setup with very clever "obstacle courses" designed to help you work your horse through various things issues. There has always been an arena available when we go to ride there. The ranch has a network of trails that go around the property so you can trail-ride right on the ranch itself. The trails also lead outside if you want to go adventuring. The setting is beautiful with lots of trees and the weather is usually pretty good (i.e. above the fog). I board a horse at Morning Sun and found the cost to be extremely reasonable. I was actually saving money at Morning Sun versus another ranch on the coast that had seemingly much lower rates but didn't include as much; plus I no longer have to haul hay in my SUV. Our horse is extremely well cared for, the stall is clean, the food is good and it is weighed (not just thrown in by the flake). There is always a helping hand for us less experienced horse owners. Gina Kindscher, the owner and lead trainer, is simply amazing. Her knowledge of horses is remarkable and her attention to detail is unmatched. Yet, she is friendly and approachable and does not have the "stuck up" attitude that some equestrian instructors do. Gina is a natural teacher, knows her stuff, and is incredibly good at explaining the "why" and not just the "what". If you want to know how to have a better working relationship with your horse then Gina is the person to get you there. Gina teaches my 11-year old daughter and my daughter loves it. The amount she picks up even in a single lesson blows my mind. My daughter also rides at another ranch where there are "rescue horses" and she has said that she uses techniques that Gina is teaching on those horses and sees better results with them. Sometimes a problem horse is a problem with the rider and Gina is amazingly good at figuring this out. Our horse had a few issues and in just a couple of sessions, Gina had it all worked out and not by retraining the horse but by retraining us. One key advantage of Morning Sun is that the lessons are individual. My daughter pays more for group lessons at the other place she rides than she does for individual lessons at Morning Sun. One other thing worth mentioning is that Morning Sun is a kid friendly place and not all ranches are like that. I've seen riders at one other ranch we boarded at thunder up to my 7-year old and tell him "Here, horses rule". At the other ranch where my daughter rides, the place is like a cemetery with everyone speaking in whispers, moving slowly, and afraid to laugh out loud or even carry a bottle of soda in their hand. Morning Sun is friendly, active, and open; it's a place where a hearty laugh is welcomed and we even had a little birthday party there with our horse in attendance trying to eat the carrot cake. I can't recommend this place highly enough. read more

Morning Sun is a well respected owner operated boarding ranch with multiple facilities and frequent activities open to the local community. Highly recommended. read more

In 2013, my husband and I were introduced to Morning Sun Ranch through a mutual animal lover friend who knew of our desires to learn how to ride. We were told that owner Gina Kindscher would make sure we were safe, well educated, and that we'd have an enjoyable experience. These words don't begin to describe this incredible facility. Gina's knowledge and experience is beyond compare. She not only fits us with horses that are at our ability levels, but she has a teaching technique that is clear, concise and engaging. You leave feeling like you were born to ride. As an elementary teacher, I leave every lesson feeling like I have not only learned about riding and the horse as an animal, but that I have also learned something about myself. If you are looking for an extraordinary experience and a confidence boost for yourself or family, Morning Sun Ranch is the place to go. read more

The worst. Every time my daughter of 10 made the circle in the arena, Gina would give a correction...every single time and it was not ever the same correction. My wife pushed to get my daughter to go for lessons and Gina quickly destroyed any motivation the girl initially had. I've never seen anyone less suited to to teaching of any sort. read more

My 15 yr. old daughter has taken lessons from four different ranches and none of them can compare to Morning Sun Ranch. Gina and Genae are knowledgeable, skilled and talented. Every horse is so well-cared for. Kira has gone from taking a weekly lesson to being a working student, which helps her to take lessons and pay for leasing a horse. The ranch is her paradise and she goes at least four times a week. Horsemanship has become her passion, thanks to Morning Sun, and this is reflected in her joy, self-esteem, confidence, and school performance. read more

Morning Sun Ranch is not only a paradise for horses but also for horse owners and horse lovers. I started coming to Morning Sun Ranch in Feb. 2008. I began taking lessons with my daughter and then just spending time at the ranch. I am now a horse owner as well as a student. The ranch is a beautiful respite from a busy life. The owner Gina Kindscher is a great resource from caring for horses to riding them at all levels and styles. This is a community of horse lovers who all share their knowledge and love of horses. Lessons are offered to children and adults of all abilities. Gina's first priority is always safety first and this is greatly appreciated. If you are looking for a place to board your horse or to have you or your children take lessons Morning Sun Ranch is simply the BEST place to come to. read more

I have boarded my horse at upscale barns in Woodside and Portola Valley, but neither came close to delivering the knowledgeable, personalized, loving care he receives from Gina and her team at Morning Sun Ranch. The Morning Sun community has made us feel welcome and at home here. The three arenas (one huge with jumps) are never crowded and there's direct access to miles of well-groomed trails through the idyllic Larkin Valley Hills. Best of all, we're getting truly exceptional training with Genae, who has a solid background in "Horsemanship," as well as English and Western riding disciplines -- I've ridden since I was a young child, but have never learned so much about truly partnering with my horse. read more

I began my journey with horses at Morning Sun Ranch in February, 2010. This past year has been a dream come true for me as I am now a first time horse owner! I am increasing my knowledge of horses by leaps and bounds under the guidance of the ranch owner Gina Kindscher. One of my favorite things about Morning Sun is the fabulous friendships that I have made. I was welcomed with open arms by everyone and being so new in the horse world I was made to feel comfortable and supported by everyone. The facility couldn't be in a better location and has multiple arena's, trails and a safe warm home for my horse. Gina's knowledge and experience is something that I believe is of upmost importance when choosing a place to board a horse or take lessons. She can spot a problem from a mile away and is quick to direct you towards a solution to any horse related issue. Safety is a top concern. This is a family run ranch and the owners live on site. They have owned horses all of their lives and are experts in every discipline. You couldn't choose a better place for you and your horse! read more