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We are moving to NJ this summer. My 7 yo daughter currently takes riding lessons where we live, and wants to continue when we move. We plan to live in either Bernardsville or Westfield. Looking for suggestions for specific farms/stables to look into- thanks!
There are a ton of horse farms in the Bernardsville area with lesson programs. Some horse friendly sites you may want to check is nj-horse.com or njhorse.com
I could give you more information if I knew what your daughters goals were and does she ride English or Western?
Thanks for the reply. I have found a bunch of possibilities, but being new to the area, and not having a network of friends to ask advice, it is hard to narrow down the possibilities.
She rides English, she is young (6.5).
My goal would be to get something close to what she is participating in now. She goes to a fun program, once a week, at the stable in Rock Creek park in DC. It is a 1.5 hour group lesson that includes horse theory (crafts, lessons, games, etc), grooming and tacking and riding (we don't own a horse, she uses their horses). At the end of each semester, there is a horse show, at this age group each girl comes away with a ribbon. It is a fairly low-key, environment.
As my daughter DOES NOT like change, I would love to get her into a stable that would be appropriate if she wanted to continue riding, jumping and showing on a slightly more competitive level as she gets older.
Most of the sites I have seen, seem to offer mostly private lessons. I am afraid she will be disappointed only spending 1/2 hr per week at a stable (yet I will go broke if I need to pay for 1-2 hours of private lessons weekly). So any place that would have a program to give her more time around horses would be a bonus. (She also has some anxiety issues, and we have found the horseback riding to be a really constant and reliable pleasure for her- not exactly therapy rididng- but close.)
The only place that I know of that has a 1/2 day Horsemanship program where the kids do a little bit of everything is Morning Star Farm up in Fredon Township, Sussex County. That would be a bit of a hike for you but perhaps the owner, Judy, knows of a like place in your area. I "think" Liberty Farm in Whitehouse may be a fit for you..........
We are moving to NJ this summer. My 7 yo daughter currently takes riding lessons where we live, and wants to continue when we move. We plan to live in either Bernardsville or Westfield. Looking for suggestions for specific farms/stables to look into- thanks!
My daughters ride at Bedminster Stables. It's a gorgeous facility, tons of trails for riding, indoor ring for the cold/rainy days. The trainers and horses/ponies are really friendly and great with our girls 6,8,10. I've even snuck out a couple times during the day and gone on a few trail rides myself. I would def recommend Bedminster Stables.
Thanks for the reply. I have found a bunch of possibilities, but being new to the area, and not having a network of friends to ask advice, it is hard to narrow down the possibilities.
She rides English, she is young (6.5).
My goal would be to get something close to what she is participating in now. She goes to a fun program, once a week, at the stable in Rock Creek park in DC. It is a 1.5 hour group lesson that includes horse theory (crafts, lessons, games, etc), grooming and tacking and riding (we don't own a horse, she uses their horses). At the end of each semester, there is a horse show, at this age group each girl comes away with a ribbon. It is a fairly low-key, environment.
As my daughter DOES NOT like change, I would love to get her into a stable that would be appropriate if she wanted to continue riding, jumping and showing on a slightly more competitive level as she gets older.
Most of the sites I have seen, seem to offer mostly private lessons. I am afraid she will be disappointed only spending 1/2 hr per week at a stable (yet I will go broke if I need to pay for 1-2 hours of private lessons weekly). So any place that would have a program to give her more time around horses would be a bonus. (She also has some anxiety issues, and we have found the horseback riding to be a really constant and reliable pleasure for her- not exactly therapy rididng- but close.)
I recommend checking out Lord Stirling Stables (part of the Somerset Co park system) located in Basking Ridge. Basking Ridge is located adjacent (north) to Bernardsville, and not that far from Westfield. Great facility, good and patient instructors, reasonable rates. (group lessons as well as private) I know they have done lessons for special needs riders, as well as for some with phobias, so I'm sure they'd be able to handle your daughter's anxiety issues. The facilities are top notch, and riding trails are gorgeous. Lord Stirling Stables also offer a series of classes focused on horse care and management, which sound very much like what you are also seeking for your daughter.
There's also Watchung Stable. It's owned by the county, and they cater to pre-schoolers, seniors and have a lot of different programs. They're located in Mountainside, only a few minutes from Westfield. More important is what are you doing about housing?
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Bedminster Stables
