Sue and Dean had the place for sale since the late 90’s. I don’t know where they went, but I’m doubtful that they have more then a few of their own horses.
Welcome OP…I’ve lived in Berks County for 8 years now…in Bernville…not too far from Birdsboro! I have my own barn and do the hunters …I used to ride with Sandy Ferrell when she was on Irish Creek Road in Bernville…she’s not there anymore, a girl named Katelyn Hess is there and does hunters and jumpers, as is Patty Stovel …my local feed store is either Reifsnyders, Mountain View Supply, or Leids Saddlery! Equine Exchange is also another great tack/feed store …as far as other boarding situations…I know of Leigh Berman at Two Bit in Pottstown, Linda Furchass at Foxtale in Oley, and Tobey McWilliams at Valley Mist -also in Oley, also Kelly Ebert of Rocking Horse Stables in New Tripoli is excellent too! I get my hay from Heidel Hollow Farm in Slatington, Pa …not far from Leids
[QUOTE=Secret Dove;7691476]
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.[/QUOTE]
I have a young horse in training with Nick right now and he’s doing a great job with her! But I’m not local to the area, so can’t help out with any other info 
Thanks for all of the information, guys!
Unfortunately, I actually am a trainer, so unless Leigh needs someone to work FOR her, all of the glowing recommendations do me no good. 
However, it is nice to see people complimenting a trainer so much! I’ve always liked her so it’s nice to see people speak well of her.
I moved to Temple, just off of Pricetown Road/12, so I’m quite close to a few of you. A lot of the towns you guys live in are towns we were shopping in since we needed to stay within a reasonable distance of Reading for my SO’s job.
Does anyone know anything about VonDohren Stables - other than what can be read on a website?
It’s nice to know there ARE some horse people out here!
They are constantly advertising for barn help, boarders and trainers. My impression is a high turn-over.
I ran into one person that used to board there. She felt the care was substandard. I didn’t know her well enough to know if her standards were reasonable or not.
Ten or more years ago a mushroom house along Mt Laurel Ave, was converted into barn. As I recall, the stalls and barn set up was fairly nice. The area around the barn was cement. I don’t know if they had a ring and turnout was limited. I think they had some success filling the stalls, but the business failed because the owner had no experience with horses.
Might be a workable situation, if you choose to hang out your own shingle.
There was also one or two private farms (TB or Sporthorse types) in the Oley area, looking for someone to ride young horses.
[QUOTE=SonnysMom;7713436]
They are constantly advertising for barn help, boarders and trainers. My impression is a high turn-over.
I ran into one person that used to board there. She felt the care was substandard. I didn’t know her well enough to know if her standards were reasonable or not.[/QUOTE]
I went and met with them this week. They have close to 50 stalls so I can see how they’d always be looking for more boarders and they have no trainer there at all. The owner was very nice, the place was spotless, and the horses were fat and shiny, but I too was concerned with the level of advertising and am not sure if it’s a good option for “hanging out a shingle”. I was curious about their reputation in case I become more interested. It’s a neat place but nothing fancy, has an indoor and outdoor ring as well as the general conveniences, but I worry that your typical H/J person would be too turned off by some aspects (chopped straw bedding used lightly, they shut off hot water to wash stall in winter, little access to individual turnout, no lights on outdoor ring/rings on smaller side) to consider coming there.
Appdream, do you know who was looking for riders?
I have personal experience, you have a message coming OP.
