I’m new to the Berks County, PA area… It seems to be a very quiet around here! Can anyone recommend H/J boarding facilities, feed stores, tack stores, anything good in the horse scene out this way? Does anyone know any farms looking for an instructor/rider in this area? Feel free to PM me also.
Leigh Berman in Boyertown is lovely and talented. Two Bit Farm. Her info is on her website.
It’s quiet but definitely horsey! I feel like Berks County has a good mix of barns, everything from low-key to some nice show barns. Two Bit Farm, Foxtale Farm, and Valley Mist Farm are some nice places off the top of my head. Windy Mansion Equestrian Center is also wonderful and has a few options for trainers. There really are good barns nestled all over depending on what you’re looking for and where you’re located.
If you need a vet…Premier Equine/Dr. Jake Clements…he’s super. Crossroads Tack Shop is nice, Reifsnyder’s Ag Center, Equine Exchange.
I live in Birdsboro. I keep my horse at Wyndsor Farm in Elverson. I think that is technically in Chester County but I love it. Carolyn Desfor is who I ride with. I moved there after WEF this spring.
Leid Saddlery in Kutztown is Mennonite owned. Decent selection of the essentials and cheap leather repairs. Ontelaunee Reservoir is a very nice place to hack out. Mostly wide fire roads. Beware, there’s another Windsor Farm in Berks that caters to the younger camp kids set with mostly Arabian lesson horses.
Oh and there’s a cool help yourself hay barn in Kempton if you just need a few bales of anything.
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I live in Birdsboro. [/QUOTE]
I do too! Hi!!!
Berks is just quietly awesome, we are right next to all of the really horsey areas, while still being affordable! Chester county is just a sneeze away, Devon is right around the corner.
H/J barns have been covered, I believe Leigh at Two Bit Farm, to be the best in the county.
Tack stores - where in Berks, are you? Equine Exchange is amazing, large amount of new and consignment.
There’s a feed mill Browns, in Birdsboro. Also all of the tack stores sell, but at a higher price.
There’s a premium of trail rides, if that interests you with the Horseshoe trail in French Creek State park, in St. Peter’s area, and others. If that interests you, message me. I can give you more info.
Can I get some info on the hay place in Kempton? That would be perfect for me - sometimes I just need like 10-20 bales.
There’s also a nice hay auction in Kutztown every Saturday. Lots of nice hay for sale, and it includes delivery within 15-20 miles (you pay by the mile after that). Sometimes it can lead to a long-term delivery thing if you like the hay. I’ve only gotten “eh” hay from there once. Prices are really good too, if you are good at the auction thing.
Leid’s is awesome. I go there for the atmosphere, the amazing prices, and the really great owners. They are extremely helpful and they have lots of selection of essentials (halters, bridles, health care supplies). They don’t have clothes, though.
Has anyone shown at the Two Bit “Horsin Around” series? I’m looking for a low key show to just get out and have fun.
Take 737 N from the Krumsville exit on I 78. Follow it 1.6 miles. You’ll see a red barn/pole building on the right as you get to the bottom of a hill just alongside the road with a sign for hay/firewood. I haven’t been there in about 10 years so hopefully it’s still there. You just help yourself and leave cash or a check in the box.
I live in Lancaster County, so we’re neighbors 
no suggestions though, I’m newish to the horse scene in this area. I will say that there is more in the Central PA area than meets the eye at first - I’ve found out quite a few things (barns, tack shops, shows) via word of mouth.
spacytracy, I’m tentatively planning on going to the “Horsin Around” series - well, just the September show to feel it out. My one friend said she always had a good experience with the series. I’d be interested to hear other perspectives!
Another vote for Leigh, she’s fantastic. I haven’t ridden with her personally but I have watched her teach and compete locally for years. She is a quiet, skilled rider and always a professional demeanor at the shows. Equine Exchange is also in Chester County but a great place. Where in Berks are you?
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Another vote for Leigh, she’s fantastic. I haven’t ridden with her personally but I have watched her teach and compete locally for years. She is a quiet, skilled rider and always a professional demeanor at the shows. Equine Exchange is also in Chester County but a great place. Where in Berks are you?[/QUOTE]
I so agree. I have been at horseshoes where she rode and coached her students. She is a lovely rider and human being. Her students always do well. The horses in her barn receive excellent care. She is well respected and drama free.
She would be my choice if I lived in Berks County. Website: www.twobitfarm.org
Her phone number is 610-369-0537.
I currently ride with Leigh and cannot say enough good things about her and Two Bit Farm. Always encouraging, professional and a lot of fun.
The Horsin Around shows are well run with beautiful jumps and are great shows if you are just starting or just want some hunter show mileage.
Welcome to Berks OP!! I moved here 7 years ago with intentions of only staying for 3…whoops!
I’ve only boarded at Magic Hill Farm, but my trainer’s focus is primarily young horses on the line. Leigh Berman at Two Bit Farm did some training rides on my mare a few years back and she was great. I can’t speak to boarding anywhere else.
Oley Valley Feed does carry some horsey essentials, and the Equine Exchange is a consignment shop just outside of Pottstown. I often go to Malvern Saddlery or Rick’s Heritage Saddlery for things I really need.
I lived in Berks County for 14 years and am familiar with most of the farms in the area. When I owned my horse I boarded at several barns in the county and surrounding counties (mostly Lancaster and Chester). Most of the OPs mentioned most of the farms I know of in the area. The only other farm I would add to the list is Hidden Pearl Farm, owned by Nick Edmunds. He’s in Bethel, off 419. He does both Hunters and Jumpers and does both local and away shows. His farm was one of the best barns I’ve been too and ridden at. I really enjoyed riding with him and learned a lot.
Here’s his website http://www.hiddenpearlfarm.com/
As far as tack shops go I used to go to Rick’s Heritage Saddlery in Pottstown off RT 100 and Horse Connection, which is now Equine Exchange, also in Pottstown off RT 23.
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As far as tack shops go I used to go to Rick’s Heritage Saddlery in Pottstown off RT 100 and Horse Connection, which is now Equine Exchange, also in Pottstown off RT 23.[/QUOTE]
Equine Exchange is actually right on Rt 23 near Warwick.
Bit of Heaven Tack Shop is who had bought Horse & Pony Connection, then closed it, before going out of business itself.
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You just help yourself and leave cash or a check in the box.[/QUOTE]
Wow that would never work in NY, some junkie would just steal the money. It sounds like a great place for horse people to live.
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Wow that would never work in NY, some junkie would just steal the money. It sounds like a great place for horse people to live.[/QUOTE]
Kempton/Krumsville is veerrrry rural but there’s usually someone in one of the two houses right across the street who comes out to help you load the hay… at least 3/4 of the time.
Windsor Farm in Windsor Castle was sold a few years ago. It was purchased by clients of Irish Creek Stables and is now a AQHA barn. I am very local and have not heard anything good or bad about them.
OP if you are located along the Rt 61 corridor in the north of the county or heading east on I78, Quakertown Vet has Dr Susie Lutz in the area. She is super!
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Windsor Farm in Windsor Castle was sold a few years ago. It was purchased by clients of Irish Creek Stables and is now a AQHA barn. I am very local and have not heard anything good or bad about them.
OP if you are located along the Rt 61 corridor in the north of the county or heading east on I78, Quakertown Vet has Dr Susie Lutz in the area. She is super![/QUOTE]
Sue and Dean sold the farm? I boarded there when they owned it. Do you know why they sold it? Did they buy another farm?
