Horse boarding near Mt Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel: chapel, school, college)

[jhprentiss]

Hi

I'm moving to Mt Lebanon and I need to find a place to board my two horses that's fairly close, not too expensive, with good care. I am an experienced barn manager/breeding manager and a vet tech, so I'd love to trade some work for board. But if that's not available, something close by would be great.

Anybody know where I should start looking?

Even a tack shop where I can check a bulletin board?

Thanks.

Jen

[guylocke]

Upper St Claire perhaps

[tommygoat]

WPCTA Western PA Horse-Related Information

[Teno]

Jen,

I just graduated from UDel with an animal sci degree and i'm working in a vet office now. I'd really like to become an experienced barn manager- specifically a breeding manager and I was wondering where you started out? I'm kind of lost. I'm thinking I need to get out of Delaware and move to western PA to work on a horse farm and in a vet hospital for awhile to build experience. I do have some from college. Did you find any horse country areas of PA during your search?

[jhprentiss]

Actually, Teno, I haven't found a place to board my horses near Mt Lebanon. I'm still looking. They are currently boarded about 20 minutes northeast of Fox Chapel in a place called Slate Lick. The horse community in Pittsburgh is kind of nonexistent in comparison to other places I've lived.

There are several programs you can attend to get a certification in barn management and artificial insemination (I have a biology degree, and then went to Moorpark College Equine Program in southern California, which I believe is no longer doing a horse program, only exotics). To be an experienced manager, you have to get a job first! I ran a large (600 acre) thoroughbred breeding ranch in Malibu when I was there, sort of lucked into the job by knowing the right people (the only way to get a job in Malibu!). From there I managed a grand prix jumper's barn and since have worked with vets.

There are lots of areas with more horses than Pittsburgh. I just moved from the Boston area, which has a lot of horses, but nobody wants to spend any money on them. California is good, great weather for it and lots of money around. I assume Kentucky has a lot of racehorses as well. Really, you may want to pursue being a vet tech, as there are a lot more jobs for them than there are vet techs. I was able to work as one without the certification because of my experience. Because there are so few qualified techs most hospitals are willing to train. It's a good "in" with horse people. Techs don't get paid well in Pittsburgh (as far as I've seen in my research). I was an overnight tech in MA and made $17/hr. and here they make more like $9/hr. Ouch!

If you have any more specific questions, let me know.

Jen

[Teno]

Hi, I do have another specific question. I'd be immensely interested in a certification in AI, but I cannot even find the topic of equine AI training online anywhere. I figured you had to be a vet to do AI. Do you have any suggestions on where to look? I'd be willing to go back to school for that!

[rd620]

Originally Posted by jhprentiss

Actually, Teno, I haven't found a place to board my horses near Mt Lebanon. I'm still looking. They are currently boarded about 20 minutes northeast of Fox Chapel in a place called Slate Lick. The horse community in Pittsburgh is kind of nonexistent in comparison to other places I've lived.

There are several programs you can attend to get a certification in barn management and artificial insemination (I have a biology degree, and then went to Moorpark College Equine Program in southern California, which I believe is no longer doing a horse program, only exotics). To be an experienced manager, you have to get a job first! I ran a large (600 acre) thoroughbred breeding ranch in Malibu when I was there, sort of lucked into the job by knowing the right people (the only way to get a job in Malibu!). From there I managed a grand prix jumper's barn and since have worked with vets.

There are lots of areas with more horses than Pittsburgh. I just moved from the Boston area, which has a lot of horses, but nobody wants to spend any money on them. California is good, great weather for it and lots of money around. I assume Kentucky has a lot of racehorses as well. Really, you may want to pursue being a vet tech, as there are a lot more jobs for them than there are vet techs. I was able to work as one without the certification because of my experience. Because there are so few qualified techs most hospitals are willing to train. It's a good "in" with horse people. Techs don't get paid well in Pittsburgh (as far as I've seen in my research). I was an overnight tech in MA and made $17/hr. and here they make more like $9/hr. Ouch!

If you have any more specific questions, let me know.

Jen

Have you tried these?

Welcome to Rolling Hills Ranch Online: Boarding

MORNING STAR STABLES, 412-655-9793

Horse Boarding

all three are in Bridgeville/S. Fayette area ... 10 minutes from Mt. Lebabnon

[5stones]

Look into Peters township, and south stabane township as well.

this site has boarding listed by city
http://http://www.polocenter.com/stable/stableuspa.htm (broken link)

[Alicarr]

Are you still looking for quality boarding? Are you dicipline sprecific, and how far are you willing to travel? I may have some suggestions!

[jhprentiss]

Yes, I'm still looking.

I have two horses, a 19-year old thoroughbred mare who I've used for dressage. No need for anything fancy though. She and I have taken some time off to have our babies. I also have her 2-year old half-dutch gelding son, who I'd like to start soon.

Ideally I'd like a place with an indoor, an outdoor, a round pen and access to some trails. I'm the mother of two young kids, so I need to know they are well taken care of when i can't get out there. They both need turnout every day. They are boarded in a great place up in Slate Lick (about 20 minutes north of Fox Chapel) for $250 each with all of that, and I'd like to stick to that amount. It's just way too far from Mt Lebanon. I don't get to spend any time with them!

Also, I'm a vet tech and an experience barn manager/breeding manager. I'd love to help out for a break on board, if it's possible.

I'd love any more help that you could give!