Horsey information (Framingham, Salem, Beverly: for sale, lease, how much)

[starr1258]

Hi people,
I am new to this particular thread but am taking it all in as I start a hunt for the perfect place to call home.
I've decided on the Salem area, although I have my eye on a home in Rockport.
My problem is that we own a horse and will need to board him somewhere. I have family in Charleston, FL and friends in NY and PA, so roadtrips are a part of our existence and having my dopey palomino to care for on our 6 acres now is really restricting. Horse babysitters are not easy to come by. Since realizing that we'd now like to board, we had a choice of places to live and Salem topped our list.
I'm looking for an equestrian facility that trains both horse (he's only 4) and rider in proper equitation etc. My daughter played 3 seasons of polo in FL and has been a horsey person since she was 5. She doesn't play polo anymore but still needs her english lessons. She's a jumper now and loves drill team (which is group ballet if you will) She's lonely for other horsey friends. We're in rural SC now and her trainer only gives private lessons.
If I never see another cow again I wouldn't mind. I want to be in an ocean community and hopefully not have to drive more than 1/2 hour to stables 4xs a week.
Any help guys would be so greatly appreciated.
Please, please can anyone on the posts help me with names of facilities
It's funny how the house listings for sale will say stables under ammenities but when you ask people they really don't know anything about the stables so I'm getting no help from googling or the realtors.
Thanks again in advance

[starr1258]

Hi
I neglected to add some crucial info like how much I can afford..... No more than $450 for full board. I found Hillside farms charge $700/ month. I just cannot afford that. I'm a single mom who truly sacrifices so my daughter can ride but I know my limits.
Thanks much

[Valerie C]

Hi there
I wish I could answer with a direct referral, but my knowledge of stables is restricted to the place where my son took therapeutic riding. However, one of the agents in my office may be able to help you. She grew up in nearby Danvers, and is still riding to this day. Do you mind if I send you a PM with some info? Here are some of the places I can think of off the top of my head:

Chrislar Horse Farm riding lessons, horse boarding, training, showing located in Rowley MA on the north shore (I used to groom the owners two Afghan Hounds...)

Here's an alphabetized (by town) list of boarding stables in Mass:
Massachusetts - Horse Boarding Stables indexed by City + County - A to G

If I can help in any with your search, feel free to send me a PM
If you find a farm that has Friesians that I could look at and drool, let me know... The beauty and temperment of these horses is just unbelievable...

[litlux]

The fact that you have settled on the North Shore is ideal. There are lots of places, especially in and around Beverly Farms. I think you may want to visit the operations to decide of course.

I am in the Berkshires now, but I understnad they still play Polo every Sunday in Beverly Farms.

[momoffive]

Evenstride - out of Byfield, MA

[NY'er lost in MA]

There are no horse farms in Salem. Maybe in neighboring towns- north. The north shore doesn't strike me as horse friendly- not many open spaces or trails really. We lived in Salem for 4 years and just moved out to Ashland. Farms galore!!! Many horse stables too.

Keep in mind, Salem is not very rural- it is quite urban in many ways. We moved there thinking about the ocean too and maybe saw it 3-4 times in the 4 years.

But if you are dead set on the North Shore, then I would go inland a little- Wenham, Hamilton, Ipswich etc.

Good luck!

[Sue Landry]

Hi,

Ironically, I am searching for the same thing in the same area. I have just relocated to Ocala, FL with my daughter and my horse. We moved in May from Cape Cod, MA. I have lived in Mass all my life and my daughter and I wanted to see what it would be like to live in Florida. Ocala is a dream come true - it's like paradise here to me. However there is one small glitch - my son and daughter-in-law just had my first grandchild - a beautiful little girl - 3 weeks ago. We went up to see her last week and I cried all the way home. I have always been a very family-oriented person and now it just seems too far away from my family. My son and his wife are settled in Salem, MA since she grew up in Salem. As much as I am a country girl at heart, my daughter and I have decided to head to the Salem area next May when my lease is up on our home. I have had my horse for 13 years and want to bring him back to MA with me. I'm trying to find a boarding stables fairly close to Salem, although I fear it may difficult. If you have any luck, could you let me know? Good luck hunting.

[Sue Landry]

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies! I will start searching. I too have limitations as to how much I can and will pay for board. On the Cape I was paying $400/month and that included everything. In Florida I'm paying $300/month and I have to buy my grain and hay when it's needed. The beauty of down here is that my horse is free to enter and leave his stall and he has 5 acres of pasture that he shares with 3 other horses. I want him to have pasture wherever he ends up. On the Cape we had mostly dirt turnouts. I began riding English when I was 8 years old and just 5 years ago I converted to Western. I don't ride in circles anymore, just the open trails for Sam and me. I actually cannot believe that I'm concidering moving back to Mass after being here in the horse capital of the world, but I'm afraid that being so far from my granddaughter will pull me back. Again, thanks for all of the great info!

[Sue Landry]

I see that you are from Ashland, MA. I was born in Auburn, MA, moved to Natick when I was 9, then lived in the Natick/Framingham/Wellesley area until 1992. Sold my home in Natick and moved to Cape Cod. Oldest son just relocated from the Cape to Monroe, NY to be closer to his fiance's family. My #2 son attended Salem State college and has lived in Salem for 8 years. I can now walk through Salem with my eyes closed! I would much rather move someplace outside of Salem where it is more rural, but prices of houses in that area are so high. I'll just have to do a lot of research to see if I find the right situation.

[Hellsfury31]

Hello Sue, I hope everything goes well for you, and about your horse if your relocating back to MA and your son is there maybe he can look in the phone book and make some calls on your behalf or get some ideas for you so when you go back to MA your set, I am from Ocala also. near the Dunnellon line and I am also making arrangements to move back to MA, I have been here 2 years and when i first got here It was a dream for me but things have changed and I need to go back home cause thats where my heart his, I wish you luck and a safe journey back home..