Our Boarding Philosophy

Our horses live in large, individual paddocks enclosed with electric tape. Within the paddocks, we utilize rotational grazing to ensure the grass remains well maintained and nutritionally beneficial to our horses. Each paddock is equipped with a matted shed, blanket hooks for ease of access to blankets, and automatic waterers. 

We believe in horses having a voice in their care- how they interact with us tells us valuable information about how safe and comfortable they feel. Our assessment of their demeanor is based in research about equine behavior, neurology, and learning, not just on normalizing commonly observed  stress behaviors.  Applying this pedagogy means that daily tasks take longer, especially when horses are new and still learning that we will respect their opinion

Each boarder is given a large, floor to ceiling locker to store their belongings. It has two saddle racks, six bridle hooks, and multiple shelves that neatly fit blanket bags or saddle pads. The big barn boasts a restroom and heated viewing room for comfort of spectators. We have plenty of adirondak chairs for lounging near (or sometimes in) paddocks as well as a kitchenette if guests want to enjoy lunch with a horsey view. 

All horses are fed a forage-first diet. They have 24/7 access to tested quality local first cut hay fed in a full-bale slow feeder. Most boarders have "meals" 2x/day of alfalfa pellets top dressed with Vermont Blend and owner provided supplements, though we do provide Triple Crown Senior Gold for those horses in need of more calories. We find that even the hardest keepers thrive when they are fed in alignment with the needs of their digestive system. 

Our little barn is equipped with a well-lit matted aisle, three emergency stalls, and an outdoor wash stall. In addition to our very large outdoor arena, we have a modest indoor arena, two hacking paths on the property, and very easy access to miles and miles of trails in the 207 acre Lena Reserve. Because our maximum boarder occupancy is 10, the space is generally quiet and arena space is easy to come by. Bring your own insured trainer with no ring fee. 

Though our horses live in individual paddocks to preserve our land and ensure individual health care needs are attended to, we know horses need direct contact with other horses to be fulfilled. Horses regularly play over the fence and can enjoy the track system in small herds for social benefit with owner permission.