Horse Stables for boarding/lessons in Lake/Cook County (Elgin: how much, buy)

[big mean bear]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if there are any forumers on here who board their horse at a stable or take lessons at a stable. If so, where do you go? I was wondering, as a friend of mine in Long Grove wanted to get his daughter started with lessons and eventually buy her a horse of her own, and board it at the same stable.

If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it...

Thanks!

[knitgirl]

What a lucky kid! I started riding as an adult and I am in awe of the kids who started young. I ride in Kane Co, so don't know the Long Grove horse scene at all, but a good place to start would be this SaddlersRow | Stable Directory and this Horse Stables - Midwest Horse Stables Directory - Midwest, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana

[big mean bear]

Great help, thanks! Anywhere I can get reviews of these barns?

[AnimalLover]

My daughter has been riding for 13 years - I highly recommend the Arab breed. She got her first Arab when she was 9 - and informed me 'if he was a man, I'd marry him'. They've been in love ever since. Most kids give it up when they go to college - but she just took her horses (we have 4 now) with her. I would recommend this site:
Home of the Arabian Horse Association

I know there is a trainer in northern Illinois - John White I believe who shows at a lot of the same shows we're at. I would recommend him. Wish I could give you more specific information but I'm sure you can get is from AHA or USEF websites.

Horses are great for kids. They learn more than just riding - they learn trust, accountability, responsibility, teamwork and self-esteem.

[knitgirl]

They might want to go to Saddler's Row in Palatine or Barrington Saddlery and ask people there. I started riding through my Park District and that barn has been a pretty good choice for the first few years, but it's in Elgin. I know Palatine has a Park District owned stable. I don't know if they have considered style of riding, but that will certainly make a difference. I ride hunt seat which is the one where you learn to jump. When you do it right, it feels like flying. There's also dressage, western, saddleseat, etc. There is a barn in Barrington called Flying Dutchman which teaches dressage, which is really the core of all the english riding disciplines. I met a woman who teaches there named Christy and really liked her philosophy. She seems like she'd be a great teacher, so you could check with her.

[big mean bear]

Good info. Anywhere I can get ratings?

[knitgirl]

Not that I've seen and I have looked. I really think they'd be best off at this point visiting a few that teach the style of riding she is interested in and watching some lessons to see if she clicks with the trainer.

[AnimalLover]

It's a good idea to go visit the stables. Also good to try to find one that has several other kids in the same age group for his daughter to pal around the barn with. The atmosphere at 'the barn' will have a lot to do with how much she enjoys hanging out there. If she likes it and gets into the horse show scene - it's important which barn you're from and great to have your own little support group when you're in the show ring.