The best horse boarding in Northern Virginia, and a barn that goes above and beyond…read more I've boarded horses at a number of barns over the years, and Sanders Ranch (Battlefield Equestrian Center) in Centreville is the one I wish I had found sooner. I've been here 8 years, and my horse has thrived. What sets this barn apart is that the Sanders treat every horse as if it were their own. They notice when something is off, they follow up, and they never make you feel like a bother for asking. During a heavy ice storm, there was a horse that was gravely injured and it was too dangerous for a vet to be out in the storm. Kim and Koty did everything in their power, out in the freezing cold, to see that horse survived until a vet could finally get through. That kind of dedication is not something you can put in a boarding contract, and it's why so many of us trust them with our animals. That commitment shows up in the daily details too: attentive full-care board, staff who know each horse's habits, and owners who are present and hands-on. Pictures when you're out of town or working late hours and haven't seen your horse in days. Taking calls and texts while away from the farm, any time of the day or night. Many boarders here are first-time horse owners, and the Sanders are patient, encouraging, and generous with their experience. Then there's the location. The property sits right beside Manassas National Battlefield Park, with miles of bridle trails you can ride out on from the barn. Trail riding this good, this close to Washington, D.C., is rare, and it's a big reason people stay for decades. If you're looking for horse boarding in Centreville, Bull Run, or the greater Fairfax County area, and you want a barn where the horses come first and the owners truly care, I recommend Sanders Ranch without hesitation.

I recommended Sanders Ranch for years and even referred two new boarders there. Unfortunately,…read morebased on what I experienced during my final months at the barn, I can no longer recommend it. There has been a dramatic change in the way disagreements with boarders are handled. In my experience, longtime, paying boarders who have not violated barn rules can suddenly find themselves being told to leave simply because they question or disagree with Kim Sanders. Two boarders were told to leave after they wanted to continue using their own veterinarian--even though the boarding agreement specifically allows boarders to choose their own vet. After more than five years at Sanders Ranch, during which I paid my board, followed the rules, welcomed new boarders, organized activities and tried to contribute positively to the barn community, I was also told to leave. I was never accused of violating a barn rule or failing to meet my obligations under the boarding agreement. Instead, the issue appeared to stem from Kim's feelings about my relationships and interactions with other boarders. More recently, another longtime boarder was told she should find another barn after she simply questioned why approximately 50 boarders had not been informed that the owners were leaving the country for two weeks. People who board horses understand that disagreements occasionally happen at barns. But horse owners also need to feel secure that asking a reasonable question, choosing their own veterinarian when the contract permits it, or simply being an active member of the barn community isn't going to suddenly jeopardize where their horse lives. I truly enjoyed many of my years at Sanders Ranch, particularly the wonderful access to the Battlefield trails, and I made some great friends there. That's why it's disappointing to write this review. But based on what I witnessed and personally experienced toward the end of my time there, I believe prospective boarders should be aware of these issues before deciding whether Sanders Ranch is the right place for them and their horse

My girls have been riding here with Lacy and we love it. Everyone is really nice and helpful as…read morewe've learned our way around the barn. My girls have gotten to ride a variety of horses, and have learned to tack and care for the horses in addition to riding. Their scheduling is very flexible and easy, you schedule/pay for individual lessons not a block of lessons which makes it great for us. The facility is nice with both indoor and outdoor rings and a clean, organized barn. It's been a pleasure to ride here!

Absolutely beautiful facility with trail access and impeccably maintained…read more It has been placed under new management and the care is first rate! The indoor has a misting system, so no dust, and they have guineas to help with pest control. Truly great people and beautiful facility.

Top notch care! Wonderful trails, and fantastic lighted outdoor ring! Everyone is super friendly!…read moreThe perfect barn for my me and my mare!

M&M farm is a nice barn. well kept,clean. Nice grounds & area. very nice and big outdoor ring.but…read moreoutdoor ring isn't covered. an ok boarding price of $ 700 a month. but no indoor ring, one of the big fields needs work with removing rocks. they also charge to much for extra things such as care,stall rest etc.not to much of a training/show barn.so if you like quiet and to be alone most of the time then this is the barn for you.....They do have some added extra charges: stall rest is $15 PER DAY,hoof soak is $15 PER DAY,cold hose $15 PER DAY.holding for the vet/farrier $20 PER DAY....so a few of the extra charges are high priced.they don't really have an on site trainer so you'd have to bring in your own.the owners daughters are cute. little kids are welcomed but should be watched by parents because farm owners can be some what be pushy if kids aren't watched at the time or they are busy with their daughters.all in all an ok place to board.

We are so happy to have found Cadence! It is an English-style barn and the perfect mix of skilled…read moretraining, great horse care, and a easy going and fun group of riders! Diane is an accomplished equestrian herself and an excellent instructor. I have ridden at amateur barns throughout the country and really appreciate her skill. She has tips about technique that I have not seen before and really work for me. She is a good instructor for everything from pure pleasure riding to competing in rated shows. The focus is on eventing at this barn but there are opportunities for pure dressage to combined training to eventing at every level. Hunters and jumpers are also welcomed. As important as the instructor are the horses. The horses are happy here. There is plenty of space for them to graze and they are cared for by loving people. Finally, and most importantly, the social vibe is fun and supportive. There is a vibrant group of adult amateurs, and ages span from just under 16 to over 60. Even when competing, the focus is on fun rather than on ribbons. Cadence stables is an all-around-great place to ride. We considered more than 20 barns before landing here.

Cadence is one of those special stables that truly values what's important - top notch horse care,…read morecultivating a positive and welcoming community, and providing great coaching. Diane is an accomplished rider and trainer and very collaborative. She not only helps me progress with my riding, but is also generous with her time providing knowledge and advice on horse care. I've become a more informed and educated rider and horse caretaker under her guidance. The people at this barn are dedicated and friendly, and ultimately the horses come first. There's an indoor, and outdoor, and ample outdoor space and grass to ride on. I also used to be intimidated by shows to the point where they weren't fun for me, and Diane and the community here have provided the encouragement I needed to make competing fun. Whether you're just starting out or taking your horse to the next level; looking to enjoy the outdoors or want to compete; want a lesson horse or are looking to board your own; Cadence is a wonderful place to ride.

One of the best barn out there! Instructors are understanding,firm, and kind. They take such good…read morecare of their horses. So much land, so many opportunities and such a fun barn for shows! Always supporting each other! If your looking for a kid-friendly (and adult) barn this is the place!

Excellent barn that can take riders from a weekly lesson program through horse ownership. Great…read moreplace to get started in our sport and not have the need to immediately outgrow the program. Thumbs up. Good people.

It's right off of Rt. 50 where the two lanes merge to one. Barn Manger, Holly, lives right on the…read moreproperty so there is always someone there to watch the horses 24/7. Fields are incredibly spacious, open, and offer plenty of space for horses and ponies to run and graze. It is great for horses that need to release some of that pent up energy. However, there is also smaller fields available for horses that need to be turned out alone. Also, for ponies and horses that need it, there is "Fat Field" for equines that need restricted grazing. The main back field is a mixed herd. Ample shade is provided by a section of forest that the horses can go to. There is also a lake there. This is mainly a field boarding place so if you're looking for a large (we're talking HUGE) field for your horse, you need to check out this place. The people and atmosphere is nice and a really big plus. I have been to many barns in the area and have found this barn to be the friendliest and most inclusive. Everyone is welcomed, everyone is friendly towards one another, everyone is like family. There is little to no drama. There are no show-off know-it-all Dressage Queens. There are no flashy, snobby Hunter princesses. There are helpful equestrians of all disciplines (about equal numbers of Western and English riders) that truly love and care for all of the horses here. It's a diverse barn that has everyone from trail riders and gaited horse riders to Hunters and Jumpers and everyone in between. Everyone is welcome!! It's a diverse group! Lessons, leases, boarding, and showing are definitely affordable! Holly is a knowledgeable horsewoman and her students develop into well-rounded equestrians. She does not push you to show if you do not want to and teaches all ages and all levels. She works with you and breaks everything down for you so that you understand the "why's" of riding. She has a wide selection of ponies and horses for all abilities and offers flexible scheduling. She teaches both western and english lessons. If you are interested in showing, Holly runs a successful show team made up of both leasors and lesson students. It is a supportive, helpful group that makes showing a fun and low-stress experience for everyone. Some of the amenities include an outdoor ring, outdoor cemented wash stall, large fields, numerous small fields, trails, and ample space for tack storage! Join the CCF family! You won't regret it! They have a facebook page as their website. Search for "Croney's Corner Farm" to see pictures!

I watched a horse literally almost starved to death. I called animal control multiple times on…read morethem. The whole neighborhood is frustrated with them and the horses getting loose from broken fences. If you love your horses I'd look around . I saw one of their personal horses literally barely stand should have been put down but they made it suffer. Call animal control of Prince William and see how many times this farm has been called in

I can wholeheartedly recommend Claddagh Farm for all their services. The owner and staff have…read moredecades of experience providing excellent care of horses and safe riding lessons. The health and well-being of the horse always comes first at Claddagh Farm. They specialize in providing life-long care to horses into their senior years and retirement, as well as riding lessons that give riders a solid foundation in equitation and horsemanship. If I lived in this area, this is where I'd be riding and boarding!

From the owner: Claddagh Farm offers premium Retirement Board for elderly or infirm equines. Our full care++…read moreinclusive package provides a safe, permanent retirement option for horse owners to ensure their beloved equine partner has the care and TLC they deserve, and all for a flat monthly fee. Owner and manager possess a combined 50 years of senior horse care experience and live on site. A few of the many included services are: feeding 2x daily with quality grain, free choice hay/pasture, water cleaned frequently (heated in winter), 12'x12' matted stall-cleaned daily, grooming, regular hoof trims, fecal egg count and targeted deworming, dental float, vaccines, and much more.

My daughter has been riding for over 12 years now. She's been with Scattered Acres for over a year…read moreand we cannot imagine a better place for our horse boarding and eventing training! A+++

Summary: an Introduction to Horsemanship lesson for three of my grandkids; it was simply, superbly,…read moreexcellent! In early April l contacted Scattered Acres about getting an introduction to horses lesson for some of my grandkids. Autumn promptly returned my call, asked relevant questions (ages, sizes, personalities) and worked with both myself and the boy's mother to set up a time and plan. The lesson itself lasted over two hours and included both Autumn and Lisa from the farm to guide the boys through a load of great learning; horse safety, riding safety, care of the horse, getting them saddled, mounting, gentleness but presence (confidence); it was just excellent. I was also very impressed with the way Autumn and Lisa divided up the instruction. The youngest boy can be a bit timid and Lisa was great about encouraging him and helping him along while still making sure he was really doing what was needed. It was a great example of nurturing a student along but not just doing it for them. Despite the occasional rain, the time flew by and all 3 kids had a great time and kept talking about how "cool" it was and how nice Autumn and Lisa were. As it happened both the Vet and Farrier were there that day and as a group we also took time to observe what they were doing. I could not have asked for a better introduction to the world of equines than the kids had that day. Just as important, both the boy's mom and myself (who can be adventurous but always extremely safety conscious) felt that everyone (including the animals) were always being handled in a safe manner. Whenever even a potential safety issue was seen the boy(s) were called out and constructively corrected. I had contacted six farms in the area, quickly narrowed it to three, and honestly feel Autumn and Scattered Acres was the ideal choice and stood well above the others. I have no hesitation totally recommending the farm, Autumn and Lisa.

This is like nothing else. Going there is like visiting an old friend--the experience is extremely…read morecausal, laid back, and organic. It's almost like Steven has created a start-up farm immersion experience. At Steven's request, we started considerably later than expected on the horses so they wouldn't be exposed to extreme heat--which would be a potential disaster for me as a super-busy, over-scheduled DC person, but Steven was very polite about it and neither my party or the couple we met there were in any hurry. We also had the opportunity to Kayak in the lake near the main house, which was fun and relaxing, and Steven entertained us with engaging conversation. The actual horse-back riding vastly exceeded my expectations for excitement and interest. The animals were glorious and had distinct and entertaining personalities and idiosyncrasies, all well known to Steven. If you like speed, Spirit is a great horse for you; others prefer to take it much slower. You will get involved in every aspect of the horse's care--if you'd like--from swatting horse flies, feeding them, taking down saddles, and giving them a bath with a bucket, and you will get the best pictures you've ever seen for free, thanks to Steven. If you have a free day or evening, and you want a taste of what it would be like to live on a farm and raise horses, just go. Unless you own your own horses, it will probably be the best horse experience of your life. It will inevitably be fun, unscripted, and pleasantly unexpected.

Seems like they're on Groupon all the time. Our horseback ride started about 1.5hours late. I…read morewasn't happy about this at all. Not simply because he was running late, but because the house (castle/waiting room/party room) was absolutely filthy. I was really taken aback by a business looking like this, even if it's a business that works w/ animals. When we got there, the owner and assistant were on a ride w/ another group. Then the group we were supposed to be riding with were an hour late, so we had to wait for them. It was just annoying, although Steven (owner) was friendly. When we walked into the empty house it looked like a construction space, a hen was walking around the inside and I even saw it poop IN THE KITCHEN! Things finally turned around when I hopped on Sherman (my white horse w/ black spots). He was a greedy little thing and ate up all the grass but he was a great horse. Steven immediately put ppl on the horses and taught us while we were riding. He was a straight to it teacher and I liked that. He definitely knows what he's doing when it comes to animals. He took a bunch of pictures and videos and sent them to everyone in the group. I'm thankful to have such awesome pictures that didn't cost us extra. I'm giving 4 stars despite the filth because Steven was friendly, welcoming, and I enjoyed the experience. Tip: -don't eat there if germs bug u -don't arrive early, there's no point -yes, you're in the right spot, even though it looks a little funky on the outside