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.

I have been riding with Amanda for almost 4 years now and I couldn't be happier. Amanda knows…read moreexactly how much to push you outside your comfort zone to build confidence without scaring you or making you feel unsafe. She will only push once she knows that you are 100% capable of doing what she is asking, and knows you're capable because she makes sure to instill proper fundamentals and emphasizes a good, secure position over anything else. I found Amanda on Facebook when searching for where to get back in the saddle after an 8 year hiatus. I had never really jumped before, and I'm not sure why I decided that's suddenly what I wanted to do at 30, but in my lessons Amanda made me feel like anything was possible if I'm willing to put in the work. She has the best lesson horses to grow with over time if you stay in her program. She is also great at partnering you with the right horse for clinics, horse shows, etc. Amanda has an adult riding team that is part of the National Capitol Adult Equestrian League, it's run like IHSA in college, and it's a fun, relaxed, way to dip your toe into horse showing. This league is what initially brought me to Amanda and I was so glad I joined! Everyone on the team is so friendly, welcoming, and encouraging. (You are not required to be on the team though). When the time came, of course I purchased my first horse through Amanda. We've been partners for almost 2 years now, and it's been great. Of course it hasn't been without it's ups and downs, no relationship is perfect, but knowing Amanda is there when we need her to help us learn a new skill, or course correct if we get off track, is reassuring. As a barn manager, she has also been a great resource, from feeding questions to make sure Olly is maintaining his weight and staying healthy, to whether he needs supplements, to communicating with the vet and the farrier to make sure he has what he needs. Amenities: *Indoor riding arena *Outdoor riding ring *Cross country field *Trails for hacking *Laundry *Hot and cold wash stall

The barn is very "clique-ish" and if you're not a favored one you definitely feel like you're on…read morethe outside looking in. It's also very expensive considering how out of the way it is. The trainer, Monique, will chat and gossip with other people when she's supposed to be paying attention to you, the client paying for lesson time. To your face, she will be chatty and charming. But as soon as you leave, she will be badmouthing you behind your back. She does it to EVERYONE. Not professional. Drama Barn.

Truly my home away from home. The people there are my second family. Highpoint Farm is a place…read morewhere you can find solitude or get involved as much as you want. Monique teaches all ages with patience and understanding - from young children to active adults. There is no umbrella agenda - ride for leisure or get on the show circuit. Highpoint Farm helps you excel at your own pace, towards your own goals. No drama, no pressure.

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.

I have been here for 2 1/2 years - the Sander's are wonderful, no other way to put it. They have…read morereturned my calls and cared for my old QH like one of their own. They called me tonight to let me know they'd use one of their blankets if they needed if all of mine were wet! Way above and beyond care, wonderful trail access. Thank you so much!

From the owner: Large horse boarding facility adjacent to 5000 acres of bridle trails at Manassas National…read moreBattlefield Park.

We had a fabulous visit to the farm and facilities on August 23rd, 2015. The highlight was seeing…read moreGabriela Hoard exercise Jackpot and several other ponies and horse. There was also a guided ride from the stables earlier in the morning. It was a beautiful day at Epona.

If you are taking the time to read this review, it probably means that you either own a horse or…read morelove horses. In my case both are true. Virginia has more than 300,000 horses and, in part, as a result, countless places for you to board your horse, take lessons and compete. You can choose according to your budget, your discipline, the level of care, prestige, whether the stable offers lessons, what level of horse shows they compete in - you name it, there is something for everyone and everything. The "horse world" is often competitive, brutal and even dishonest, which is a shame given that owning, caring, and showing a horse is already an activity that is not for the financially weak of heart. However, there is one place that can check so many of the boxes that you need to consider when you are looking for boarding a horse, taking lessons and competing, and that place is Epona Farm, LLC. Located on Gordonsville Road in Keswick in the heart of one of the "horsiest" parts of Virginia, if you are within 1 hour of this location, then you are in luck. Owned by Rebecca West and her husband Marty Hoard, Epona Farm is a multi-discipline "A" level show barn. Epona Farm is managed by Jaime Andrews-Feola, a distinguished trainer and rider across disciplines. Whether you are interested in the Jumpers, EQ, or Hunters, Jaime is the trainer for you. She has competed at the national level to great success in all three disciplines. Sitting and chatting with Jaime quickly makes you understand that she was practically born in the saddle. Daughter of a renowned "Chef d'Equipe" and nationally recognized trainer, Becky Andrews, Jaime was raised to ride. Jaime's training was also shaped at an early age by the internationally recognized trainer, rider and master horseman, George Morris (http://www.equestriancoachworld.com/coach/?tid=1942). Jaime's long experience included being a trusted rider for many horses owned by Hyperion Stud, the internationally recognized breeder and sales operation for jumpers from Europe http://www.hyperionstud.com. Despite her many, many distinctions, Jaime remains down to earth and approachable. As a trainer, her depth and breadth of knowledge will identify and correct issues with your riding that you may have been grappling with for ages. She will equally identify problems that you did not even know you have. As a result, you will notice immediate improvements in your riding, and if you like to compete, and Jaime does and will encourage you to compete, the improvement will translate into accolades for you personally. And, it will be not be just you who will benefit from Jaime's attention. Your horse(s) will be cared for by a team that Jaime has personally selected, keeping in mind at all times the health and comfort of your horse. Your horse will benefit from the daily maintenance of impeccable stalls, appropriate food and water, excellent grooming, well grassed turn out, and a watchful eye. If life takes you away from your horses for whatever reason or whatever length of time, you can rest at ease knowing that they will be in excellent hands. I have two horses at Epona and neither they nor I could be happier or ask for more. Neither has taken a lame step since they have been there and both have never been more fit and healthy. This is due not only to the excellent care and healthful conditions at the barn, but also the quality and excellent footing of both the indoor and outdoor rings - an added bonus that allows you to ride comfortably year round and in any weather. Epona Farm's rates are competitive and fair especially since you are saving in health care and vet bills given the maintenance and upkeep of your horse. I have boarded horses at other places and by far Epona Farm not only offers the best services, but also offers the greatest opportunities for your horse and you as a rider. Moreover, and finally, the attitude and the friendliness of the staff, owners and other riders make it a pleasure to spend your time at the barn.

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.

I have boarded at Westwood since they first opened; been about 13 years I estimate. I have kept…read moreseveral horses there and would not consider boarding anywhere else. Eve treats your horse as if it is one of her own. She knows more about your horse than even you do. She keeps an eagle eye out for their welfare and well-being. You can rest assure that your horse will be cared for in excellent fashion.

As a current boarder of two, happy and thriving horses, I can attest this is the best place to…read moreboard horses in Fredericksburg. Eve has worn many hats during my 4 years at Westwood, including trainer, coach, barn manager and even seller. She has always been kind and honest, putting your horse first. Westwood understands the individual needs of each horse; going above and beyond to provide excellent care. Farrier visits regularly, making schedules easy to maintain, especially for those of us with demanding work hours. Her relationships with our community vets also make arranging vet care simple. You absolutely cannot find a better facility and crew to care for your horse.

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.

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

It's funny this guy is trying to say we never went when we did - I'd love to see what evidence he…read morehas considering during our entire time there he never once asked for our names or checked that we even had a reservation. He also never redeemed our Groupon. He has repeatedly messaged me and begged me to remove this review and has even reported it to Yelp to try to get it removed. Not only do I stand by my review but this Steven Strasburg owner has proved himself to not only be completely unprofessional but also desperate and dishonest. My advice: TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY for your business instead of accusing people of posting fake reviews or saying "it must've been another place". This is the ONLY time where an owner has not only not apologized but tried to say I'm posting for the wrong Castle Strasburg. How many Castle Strasburg horseriding places are there in Midland, VA? SHAME ON YOU!