Equestrian Community…read more This reflects my personal experience and opinion. It is shared solely so others can make informed decisions when considering boarding, training, or riding lessons at this facility. Background: I am a multi-horse owner originally from the Bay Area. I purchased my first horse in 1992 and have been riding, training, and competing for over 30 years. I currently own 5 horses. I have competed successfully up to the 1.10m level in show jumping and have won multiple state titles across various disciplines. Over the years, I have boarded and trained at top facilities in Portola Valley and Woodside, and I kept horses on my own property for nearly a decade. Prior to the experiences described below, I had never had a complaint or dispute with any facility and remain in contact with many former barn owners, managers, and trainers. Facility History: I boarded multiple horses at Indian Springs Ranch (ISR) from 2015 to 2025, including after it became Connections Boarding Stables. From 2015 - 2021 - ISR had 2 different barn managers. During that time, I experienced no issues. SPCA and HHK were excellent! July 2021 - October 2025 (Connections Boarding Stables) The following occurred while my horses were boarded at the facility: September 2021 I was required to move two horses from pens they had lived in for five years to smaller pens. The move itself was not my concern. One pen was located directly next to the manure pile, and the other lacked proper base footing and consisted of dirt and manure dumped by staff. I expressed concerns about these conditions. November 1, 2021 One horse housed in the unsanitary pen died following complications that professionals involved indicated were consistent with unsanitary conditions and improper stall cleaning. January 2022 One horse experienced colic that veterinarians attributed to wet, sub-standard hay and being fed outdoors in the rain rather than inside his shelter. At that time, three of my horses had shelters (a stall, a shed, and a covered area). Only one was consistently fed under cover. The other two were fed in the rain, and staff drilled a hole in one of my water buckets and used it as a feeder because it would otherwise fill with water. July 2022 One horse sustained a leg injury due to unsecured fencing in his pen. I had previously requested that this fencing be secured after the pen was reconfigured in 2021. It was not addressed, and I ultimately secured it myself. 2021-2025 My tack locker was damaged multiple times when staff rammed into it with a feed cart. December 2023 One horse whose stall was adjacent to the manure pile contracted pigeon fever. Veterinarians indicated this was consistent with poor manure management and lack of fly control. 2021-2025 (Ongoing Horse Welfare Issues) My horses lost significant weight. One horse lost approximately 200 pounds and four inches in girth. Veterinary evaluations documented that my horses were underweight. Staff refused to increase feed, dismissed both me and my veterinarians, stated my horses were "fat," and further rationed feed after I purchased my own hay to supplement. One horse began chewing holes in his rubber stall mats--behavior he had never exhibited in the 13 years I owned him and has not exhibited since relocating. The hay provided appeared to be low-quality "cow hay." My young horse's growth was visibly stunted from approximately four months to two-and-a-half years of age. Within two months of leaving the facility, he gained over 100 pounds, shed an abnormal matted coat, and grew approximately one hand. March 2025 My 20-month-old horse sustained a fractured tuber coxae after a makeshift pen was attached to his enclosure, allowing another horse access to him. February 2024 - October 2025 (Safety Concerns) I witnessed numerous unsafe situations involving lesson horses, staff, and minor students, both on the property and at local horse shows. At one show, I observed a student fall from the same school horse 3 times over 2 days after the horse exhibited dangerous behavior. I reported this incident to management. After doing so, my relationship with management and staff deteriorated significantly. October 2025 While away at a horse show, I received an eviction notice. Following my eviction, the barn manager sent an email to other boarders containing statements about me that I believe were defamatory and derogatory. I requested a written apology and received no response. I am not sharing this because I wish to return to this facility--I do not. I am sharing because horse welfare and rider safety matter, and in my experience under the facility's current management, both were repeatedly compromised. I have 4 years of documentation supporting my experiences. I will not be sharing that documentation publicly at this time. I encourage anyone considering boarding, training, or lessons to conduct thorough, independent research and to actively advocate for their horses and their own safety

One star is too many. I have boarded there. I attempted to talk to Troy about the amount of hay my…read morehorses were being fed because 4 lbs per feeding is not enough (and yes, I weigh my hay). Troy said my horse was fat and lazy and wasted hay. When I replied that he didn't eat it all because it was the quality of cow hay, he became verbally hostile, and then threatened to "never feed my horses again". He also told me that because I was purchasing my own hay to supplement, he would feed my horses less. I attempted to discuss what my vet recommended and he responded that it did not matter what I wanted nor what my vet recommended, that he would feed what he wanted to. This is after my horse had previously lost a significant amount of weight and his ribs were showing. I had no choice but to supplement his feed to bring him up to proper weight. I have boarded there for over 12 years, through multiple managements, and live half a mile from there. I chose to move my horses and now drive farther to ensure proper care for my horses and peace for myself. I won't stay anywhere that I feel my horses are not being properly cared for or where I can't have a conversation with the person who feeds my horses without them becoming hostile and yelling at me. Sheryl is the manager. She was standing right there for the whole conversation and did nothing to stop Troy from yelling at me or threatening to not feed my horses. At that point it was a wrap for me. No drama, no fuss. Found a new facility, gave my notice, and gone. No regrets, just wish I would have done it sooner!

Nice facility with excellent opportunities to learn at all levels. Great trainer, Kyle, works with…read morekids and adults. He works with patience and enthusiasm to bring along horse and rider. Kyle's crew often participates in local play day events, and several riders have gone on to compete at top levels in Western events.

Cecilia's years of experience are hard to beat in a barn manager. She's resourceful, practical and…read moreapproachable. The barn has a family vibe vs a just a place where your horse lives. Cecilia teaches lessons but also brings in other trainers for clinics and other professionals for informational sessions.

The most magical place in the valley...Such a peaceful atmosphere where both you and your horse can…read moreregenerate and thrive. This barn really is a gem, and so is the community it has created. Paddocks, stalls, multiple wash racks, large turnout, trails, arena, and a round pen offer a fun and safe environment for both people and their horses. The barn manager and staff are both passionate and knowledgeable with what they do; always keeping the horses and their needs as top priorities.

From the owner: Our 50-acre horse ranch in mid-Carmel Valley features a full-size arena and roundpen, as well as…read morevarious boarding accommodations to meet your horse's needs. And we boast perhaps the most recognizable barn in the entire in the entire valley. it's the big silver one across the street from Folktale Winery.

Silvermist Stables is a gem. Michelle runs it with heart, integrity, and deep care for both horses…read moreand humans. The property is peaceful, well-kept, and welcoming. If you're looking for a place where your horse will be safe and truly cared for, this is it.

From the owner: Silvermist Stables offers top-notch boarding services and an exceptional equestrian experience.read more

We camped out on the property and had a wonderful experience. The ground was great for pitching…read moretents, and there is a nice communal kitchen and campfire. FYI... no showers, and there are portapotties. But the camping on the ranch is limited to a small number, so it was quiet and peaceful. The ranch is only 15 minutes from the West Entrance to the National Park. We did several long hikes and covered many different trails. If you are going to Pinnacles there are showers and restrooms there that you can use. Our kids also got the experience of feeding all the animals and a great horseback riding lesson. Tim and Michelle were wonderful. We would recommend them and the ranch to everyone.

We got a large group of friends and their families together and spent a weekend at the Bar SZ…read moreRanch- everyone, adults and kids alike had the most amazing time meeting the animals, swimming in the Ranch House pool, and being out in nature. People are still raving about it months later. Hospitality was outstanding, the Borland family is something else and obviously LOVE what they do and are passionate about teaching and inspiring others. The sunset and stargazing from the Ranch House lawn was EPIC. It is a 10-15 min drive to Pinnacles National Park so many families used the ranch as a base to get to the park early and beat the crowds! We didn't feel like cooking for our group so we had Thyme Catering a local farm to table catering business make dinner for us one night- they catered to folks that were gluten-free, allergic, and were so attentive and most of all delicious! We were provided with a booking link for archery, BB gun lessons, and horseback riding lessons so families could book on their own. The horses were fantastic and well cared for! Also free experiences included helping with animal feeding (There are goats, chickens, a donkey, you name it!), and we got to meet a baby mustang they rescued which was more well behaved than our kids. :) We hired their well-spoken daughter Maddi to teach us a country line dancing lesson and it was a blast!! THANK YOU for providing a unique seriously unforgettable country experience!! It was just 1.5-2 hrs drive from the Bay Area but we felt like we were in another state and another time. We will be back again!

My horse died suddenly in Sept 2025 at C4 from severe dehydration and stones=NEGLECT. Barn mgr…read moreCecelia unwilling to calmly discuss offering grass hay mix to boarders instead of 100% alfalfa. I will not ever return or recommend C4 for this reason alone--too many horses die at C4 every year from unnatural causes: severe dehydration triggering colic, plus stones from alfalfa-only hay--a deadly combo. At the ER vet I learned too late that 100% alfalfa hay causes stones. Cecelia knows this and continues feeding 100% alfalfa. I hope she changes her ways, and stops worrying so much about profit. If one does what's best for horses' nutritional needs (grass hay mix) , it will pay out 10 fold in other ways she will hopefully one day realize.

The best riding and boarding facility in the county! I'd recommend C4 Stables to anyone who's…read morelooking to board their horse or learn how to ride. Cecilia is an amazing instructor.

Paula has an amazing and beautiful property set against the eastern hills of Hollister's mountain…read morevista. The boarding facility is super clean, very friendly and the owners are extremely knowledgeable about horses. My horses boarding time there spanned many years and was filled with wonderful care, special memories and I made life-long friends. I highly recommend Legacy if you're looking to board at a facility that cares about your animal's well-being 24/7, 365 days a year and especially when you can't be there. I trust them inexplicably with my horse's lives. The only reason I left this beautiful facility was to move my horses to acreage on my own property. Otherwise, I'd still be there.

From the owner: We specialize in Personalized Care for your Horse with Safety and your Needs in Mind…read more Stalls,Paddocks. Cleaned 7 days a week. Covered arena.

Patience is a wonderful person- you can really just tell. The horses are kept very well. And the…read moreproperty is small but nice. I can also tell she is tried and true a deeply knowledgable horse person. It's unquestionable. My favorite thing she said "even the experts should have trainers for themselves." She enjoys having her own trainer very much.

From the owner: At Glynnsong Farms we believe in dreams. Dreams of turning your horse into the champion you always…read moredreamed it could be. Dreams of you becoming a better rider and winning blues ribbons. Dreams of dancing with your horse and becoming a true partner. Glynnsong Farms a tranquil place for harmonious training of beautiful horses. Training-lessons -sales. Boarding and overnight stabling available.

FHS and trainer Stephanie Walker are the best. She has created an exceptional environment where the…read morehorses' comfort and happiness are always the priority. She helps all levels of riders realize their full potential in a very unintimidating way. I would highly recommend this barn for boarding, leasing, training, and lessons.

Stephanie Walker at Free Heart Stables is a true horseman. She understands the equine holistically…read moreand teaches her clients from where the horse is at physically and mentally, and always for the good of the horse. My daughter entered into the horse world via typical horseback lesson experience. She received excellent instruction in rider form at a top riding school but she became bored with just jumping on a horse for the purpose of getting through the transitions and jumps while looking good. She craved a deeper bond with her equine partners. So, being a brand new horse person myself, and only to support my daughter from afar, I found Stephanie in a Google search. I figured some horseback lessons that simulated actual horse ownership would cure the bug. I also decided that since this experience would be more than just tacking up the horse and riding, I decided to take lessons too so I could supervise my daughter from the ground. When my daughter first started riding, I wouldn't even pet the horses, and I was the least likely candidate to be a horse owner, that's how resistant I was to this whole horse fever she caught. I thought for sure these true "horsemanship" lessons would end this nonsense. Well, Stephanie didn't cure the horse bug. She made it worse, it was contagious, and I caught it. She stirred a new passion in my daughter and I that opened up a whole new world where horses are now more than a hobby, we have a new lifestyle. Fast forward to today, we are the humble owners of a beautiful, dramatic, and sensitive thoroughbred gelding and Stephanie is our trainer. Forget thinking that this is your typical trainer situation where the expert does the hard work of training your horse and you come out only to ride and experience the fruit of that labor. Stephanie is teaching US how to train our horse. Her lessons involve us in every part of the equine from the how the horse thinks to how the horse moves - on good days and bad days. Some of our best lessons, even when we first started, have been in (and continue to be in) imperfect conditions where we were making mistakes and Stephanie patiently taught us what was going on with the horse mentally, how we created the situation, and how to correct it. She will not do it for you, and she will make you take it slow to do things right. You can do things fast, or you can do them right. Thankfully, she has the patience and calm demeanor of a saint with kids and nervous, newbie, somewhat resistant, older adults. Stephanie just has something special to offer people that is vitally lacking in our fast paced, over tech'd, and over-achieving culture. The character qualities that are being instilled in my daughter (and myself) through this journey is not something the fanciest training barn or most expensive private school could ever teach. It is hard work that teaches you how to slow down, be present, and be teachable. Though the word has lost its meaning, Stephanie is a true natural horseman and she will teach you how to understand and communicate with the horse from the moment you make contact. If you want a truly fulfilling equine partnership that is unlike anything offered at training and lesson barns, contact Stephanie. Your horse will thank you.