Board on Ligonier/Latrobe/Greensburg PA area?

[butiwantedapony]

We are considering moving to this area. Currently I keep my horses at home. Ideally we will find our own horse property in this area but so far I have seen nothing remotely promising, so have decided to start familiarizing myself with board options.

I will need to downsize the number of horses I have if I have to board, it will likely just be my mare and her foal (due in May). some must-haves:

• turnout, lots of it (24/7 weather allowing), preferably on grass in the summer.
• decent place to ride with good footing. Indoor isn’t necessarily prudent, but would be nice.
• free choice hay

Any suggestions welcome!

[copper1]

Braemar Farm in Ligonier, Ford Acres in New Florence, Keystone Equestrian center off 22 Greensburg area. Darby Down in Irwin, Hi Acres in New Alexandria. These are all on theother side of the mountain from me and I really don’t know what they are like but I have heard of them at least so may be a place for you to start. Some of them may have websites. If I think of anything else I will post again.

[msj]

What about Rolling Rock? It’s a hunt club so I don’t know if they take in boarders or not but they USED to have lovely grounds and stables. Admittedly I haven’t really been in the area since the 60’s and I do know that things have changed considerably.

PS. The mountains are beautiful and I admit to missing them so please do enjoy.

[butiwantedapony]

Thank you!

I dont think Rolling Rock has boarders, but it IS beautiful! They do have shows and such going on sometimes when we are visiting.

[msj]

[QUOTE=butiwantedapony;8327995]
Thank you!

I dont think Rolling Rock has boarders, but it IS beautiful! They do have shows and such going on sometimes when we are visiting.[/QUOTE]

Glad to hear it’s still beautiful.

[copper1]

Rolling Rock is still beautiful but not as horse orientated as it was back in the 60’s. Only members of the hunt can board there. Mountains are beautiful and starting to get the colors of fall. Lots of trails in the Gamelands and state forest as well as rails to trails.

[msj]

The last thing I’d heard about Rolling Rock was that cattle were taking over where the horses used to be.

Ah copper1, now you can probably understand why I don’t come back to Johnstown to visit. I think the last time I was there was 1980 when Mom was moving permanently to FL, and only then for a couple of days. With so many changes and not too much the same, I’d probably be as lost as I was when I first moved here to western NY.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

I lived in Ligonier and boarded at Braemar Farm for a year, then Patusan Farm in Clarksburg for another two before I moved down here. Highly recommend either for the care, facilities and professionalism.

BTW - I have a lovely house with 5 mostly grass acres (no horse facilities) for sale, one mile from the Rolling Rock grounds.

[butiwantedapony]

Melissa - sending you a PM!

My in-laws live nearly across the street from Rolling Rock. There are few horses to be seen there anymore, but I’ve never seen cattle there either.

[copper1]

No cows on RR but lots of pheasants! They raise them then turn them loose on the old race course for the shooters.

[msj]

I take it that they no longer have the steeplechase races then.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

[QUOTE=msj;8332878]
I take it that they no longer have the steeplechase races then. :([/QUOTE]

The Rolling Rock Steeplechase ended in the mid-80s.

[MissMilly]

Part of the racetrack is now an evening course, and the hunt still uses it as part of thier territory. But the races are long gone. For a while there were a bunch of polo players in the area, and a charity polo match replaced the races as the big horsey social event, but that is beginning to fade as well.

[copper1]

It is sad that this once majestic mecca of hunting and racing has gone down since RK Mellon died. His children are not interested in persuing horses though his granddaughter and a couple of grand spouses do ride and hunt. The place is still beautiful but most of the barns are empty and lots of empty pastures as well. Still well maintained of course but just mostly just ghosts galloping around!

[msj]

copper1, I agree totally. While Rolling Rock may never have been as great as, say Saratoga Springs, NY, it represented a truly beautiful location equestrian spot in SW PA.

I’ve gone once to the hunt races here in western NY at the Genesee Valley Hunt, but the beauty and activity that I remembered from the RR hunt races just wasn’t there. Never wasted a day going back. But up until this year, due to the rain in June, I’ve always attended the GVH horse trials as they had the best viewing of the X-C and stadium in the area.

[eventer267]

I board at Keystone Equestrian Center and I love it! You can PM me if you have specific questions about it

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Yes to Keystone and they have a website. Eran is a real sweetheart! I know there is a new place opening in Derry but the name is escaping me at the moment. Let me see if I can find it.

eta: Stone Wall Stables in Latrobe is the place I was thinking of. They are on facebook.

Braemar is gorgeous and I have contact info if you’re interested. Patti Minter’s place (Patusan) is great too! Great care there and you have the option of 24/7 with a shelter and free choice hay.

[butiwantedapony]

Bumping this as we ARE moving to Ligonier and I need to find a facility to board my 2 horses by the end of the month. Just in case anyone has any new or additional suggestions!