Hello all. This is my first post and I’m hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction.
My fiancé and I will be moving to KC this summer from the East Coast and are looking for a good barn at which to board our horse. Does anyone have thoughts on barns to consider (or which ones to avoid)? We are looking for a place with great care, private turnout and access to trails. An indoor would be a nice bonus but isn’t essential.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I am in the KC area. It would be helpful to know what part of town you will be living in? I could then narrow it down for you! Its a big spread out metro area…
[QUOTE=Uncorked;8012735]
I am in the KC area. It would be helpful to know what part of town you will be living in? I could then narrow it down for you! Its a big spread out metro area…[/QUOTE]
Also, any particular discipline?
Will you be on the Kansas or Missouri side of the city?? 435 is the beltway that goes around the city. Most all barns will be on the “outside” of 435. There are many good barns to choose from!
There is a really nice Morgan show barn in Lenexa, KS called Peeper Ranch.
[QUOTE=SaddleUp158;8013107]
There is a really nice Morgan show barn in Lenexa, KS called Peeper Ranch.[/QUOTE]
Actually I’d call Peeper’s the Ritz Carlton of all boarding facilities!!
[QUOTE=Uncorked;8012735]
I am in the KC area. It would be helpful to know what part of town you will be living in? I could then narrow it down for you! Its a big spread out metro area…[/QUOTE]
We’re not totally sure yet but we are thinking Overland Park/Johnson County. Thanks in advance for your help!
[QUOTE=Snugglerug;8013050]
Also, any particular discipline?[/QUOTE]
My fiancé used to compete her in Eventing but hasn’t in several years (we’ve been in school). We’ve mainly been trail riding. My fiancé would love to get back into eventing but that won’t happen until she gets a new horse.
Ok another question. Are you looking for stalls or pasture board? There is a place on the west side of town which is convenient from some of Overland Park. It is called Painted M (www.paintedmranch.com) Now it is a very nice place with a heated barn and indoor arena, they also have outdoor arenas and easy access to trails at Kill Creek Park, they also offer pasture board. The place is up for sale but it could take awhile and I would bet who ever buys it will want to keep the business. I do not board there but a friend of mine does (she does dressage and pasture boards her guy). They do a variety of disciplines there. There is also a place called Freedom Hill Farm in that same area - they also offer stalls and pasture board. No easy access to park trails but it has lots of field riding - sits on nearly 200 acres I think. It is owned by Arlene Rigdon who is a dressage judge. It is not as fancy as Painted M but does have a small indoor and a full size outdoor. I have boarded there and actually worked there in the '80s when it was a premium dressage and Holsteiner breeding operation.
Both of these places are off of Highway 10 between Overland park and Lawrence - western Johnson County.
Now if you end up on the south side of Overland Park/Johnson County there are many places south of town. I don’t know off hand any that really have trail riding right there but if you have a trailer Heritage Park and Hillsdale Lake are not far and there is lots of trails at those places.
Once you really know what area of town you are going to land in I would be happy to give you more places to check out or you can tell me a name and I can say yes or no!
[QUOTE=bettyk;8013310]
Actually I’d call Peeper’s the Ritz Carlton of all boarding facilities!![/QUOTE]
INDEED!!! 
We’ve overnighted several times there in transit to Cavalry Competitions. It’s a really class place run by some very nice folks. I was always afraid to ask their basic board rate. It looks like the kind of place where “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” But their over night rate was very reasonable. Maybe the board rate is, too.
G.
Here is their website. I have never been there myself, but it looks beautiful.
http://www.peeperranch.com/Index.aspx
[QUOTE=Guilherme;8014108]
INDEED!!!
We’ve overnighted several times there in transit to Cavalry Competitions. It’s a really class place run by some very nice folks. I was always afraid to ask their basic board rate. It looks like the kind of place where “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” But their over night rate was very reasonable. Maybe the board rate is, too.
G.[/QUOTE]
Here’s the link to the boarding fees:
http://www.peeperranch.com/Boarding-Fees.aspx
By the time you get through with all the add-ons, the rate can easily exceed $1,000 a month.
[QUOTE=Uncorked;8013985]
Ok another question. Are you looking for stalls or pasture board? There is a place on the west side of town which is convenient from some of Overland Park. It is called Painted M (www.paintedmranch.com) Now it is a very nice place with a heated barn and indoor arena, they also have outdoor arenas and easy access to trails at Kill Creek Park, they also offer pasture board. The place is up for sale but it could take awhile and I would bet who ever buys it will want to keep the business. I do not board there but a friend of mine does (she does dressage and pasture boards her guy). They do a variety of disciplines there. There is also a place called Freedom Hill Farm in that same area - they also offer stalls and pasture board. No easy access to park trails but it has lots of field riding - sits on nearly 200 acres I think. It is owned by Arlene Rigdon who is a dressage judge. It is not as fancy as Painted M but does have a small indoor and a full size outdoor. I have boarded there and actually worked there in the '80s when it was a premium dressage and Holsteiner breeding operation.
Both of these places are off of Highway 10 between Overland park and Lawrence - western Johnson County.
Now if you end up on the south side of Overland Park/Johnson County there are many places south of town. I don’t know off hand any that really have trail riding right there but if you have a trailer Heritage Park and Hillsdale Lake are not far and there is lots of trails at those places.
Once you really know what area of town you are going to land in I would be happy to give you more places to check out or you can tell me a name and I can say yes or no![/QUOTE]
Thanks again for the reply and all the helpful information. We are looking for a stall with a runout if possible (our horse isn’t at all spoiled I swear ) I will let you know once we have decided exactly where we are going to land (although our decision may be influenced by the location of our barn of choice).
Do you have any contact info for Freedom Hill? And do you have any thoughts on Twin Mill Farm? Thanks again!
Nina Fricke owns High Point Farm which is located north of Paola, KS. Dressage riders gather there but there are also many pleasure riders. Stalls have attached runs, nice indoor and outdoor arena and she is located about 3 miles from Hillsdale Lake which has miles and miles of horse trails. Hers is a small, well run farm.
The phone number for Freedom Hill is 913-856-5268.
Would also second the recommendation for High Point Farm.
I would second Nina’s place: High Point
Nice thing there to is for jumping you are close to other barns for jumping lessons…lots of hunter/jumper type barns on the south side of town.
Oh and Painted M also has stalls with runs attached.
There is another place too on the northwest edge: Stoney Meadows I don’t think there are trails very close but there are parks fairly close that do. She has a small indoor, some stalls with runs, and hosts a variety of clinics including jumping/eventing. www.stoneymeadows.com
As far as Twin Mills goes - I used to board there many moons ago but it has changed hands and I don’t know how things are going there…it is right next to Shawnee Mission Park so lots of trails there…it is pretty darn convientently located if the level of care is good…easy access from I-435 on the west side of town. I live about 2 miles from there and being close to I-435 gives me an easy drive into the city on I-70, easy access to the airport up I-435, and easy access to I-35 too. Shawnee Mission Park also has an awesome off leash dog park complete with swimming beach!
You should also keep in mind the drive…some areas are an easier drive in and out of the city and some are just a nightmare. This may determine where you want your barn to be and/or if you want to live close to the barn or closer to work.
[QUOTE=EyeVeeL;8015379]
And do you have any thoughts on Twin Mill Farm? Thanks again![/QUOTE]
I board at twin mill. I love it… I do wish there was an indoor, but for the price and my horse’s needs, I’m not willing to drive an extra half hour each way when twin mill is so convenient and more than adequate 90% of the year. The trails are amazing. There is a huge contingent (hardly any kids around lately 
) of adult ammy’s, we do twice yearly trips down to the lake to camp with the horses and trail ride together. There is a horsemaster’s group as well. No trainer on site, but there is usually at least one a week that comes up for lessons. There was an adult drill team going last summer too.
It sounds like it would actually fit you pretty perfectly… private turnout, cross country jumps (and a water complex!.. although I’ve never seen water in it), and loads of trails. pm me any questions!
Thanks all for the helpful information. We definitely have some ideas of where to look.
As a matter of interest, how does the boarding situation on the Missouri side compare to the Kansas side with respect to conditions, availability and price?
Lots more in Kansas than Missouri. Didn’t you have this in Eventing forum? Check out Carlie Beisel at Settler’s Acre. No indoor but an outdoor with jumps. The only thing I would say is think about your commute. Where will you be working/living? Most of the barns are way out south. Traffic on 435 is beastly. But it is all relative. Coming from LA? It will be a snap. I am in Independence. It was always a 45 minute drive from home to the barn. Just something else to consider.
There are some places on the East and South side in MO but not many. There are several on the North side between downtown and the airport. The pricing is really the same on both sides of the state line. I live in KS and work in MO and have kept my guy on both sides of the state line. I will say that for human living MO is cheaper tax wise than KS…gas is nearly 10 cents cheaper in MO, state income tax, and alcohol is also cheaper. If I had a choice I would move to MO and get out of KS! You really want to avoid any commute that takes you I-70/I-470 on the east side in MO and I-435 on the South side in KS…also 71hwy/I-49 south side in MO isn’t much fun either!
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
