We are looking for a stall on Long Island for our lovely, older gelding. Any recommendations on farms close-ish (within an hours drive or LIRR) from/to Brooklyn and/or the Long Island Expressway would be much appreciated! Looking for more of a full care facility (stalls done, turn in/turn out, all feedings) with all day individual dry lot turnout. An indoor and/or lighted outdoor arena would be pluses, as would some trails and a stall with an in-and-out option attached. Looking for a low-key non-show barn atmosphere. Any suggestions would be much appreciated, as we will be new to the area this summer. Thanks! I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this thread (sorry, new to using the Forum!).
All day turnout is really hard to find within an hour of Brooklyn since land is at a premium. As you head further east there are more options.
You may find a small private barn that offers what you’re seeking, otherwise I’d turn an eye towards New Jersey. I know the drive seems daunting from Brooklyn but the traffic is not nearly as bad as the LIE so it’s typically a much easier/faster drive.
Thanks for the feedback! Good to know about the new jersey vs LIE commute – we have no idea what to expect in terms of traffic!
Do you have a car to travel, or are you looking for something easy and accessible from LIRR? How far are you willing to travel? What is your budget for board? I can help you a bit further from there 
Check out Hillcrest Stable in Riverhead. I’ve had my horses there for 9+ years and couldn’t be more pleased. It’s on 40 acres, so there’s plenty of room for trail riding. We have 2 indoors, a large jump ring and dressage ring, plus two huge grass fields. Horses get all day (8:30A-4P) turnout 7 days a week. The owner lives on site and is super accommodating to any special needs. It’s mostly a hunter jumper barn, but we have a few dressage riders and plenty of riders who just ride for pleasure and don’t show. Everyone is really great and I think you’d like it. I know it’s far out east, but I don’t think you’re going to find all day turnout or this much space anywhere closer (for a reasonable price anyway).
thanks to you both!
@lknocker, I’ll check out Hillcrest - sounds great! Yes, all day turnout and that much space is sounding more and more unrealistic as I learn more about the area!
@linday.anne, I do have a car, and am willing to travel about an hour (or so) for the right farm. We’ll be living right near a LIRR stop in Brooklyn, though, so would be kind of great to find a farm that’s accessible via the LIRR instead of having to drive! I’m not sure how realistic that is, though. Budget for board is between 600$-900$ (seems like everything I’ve found so far is on the upper end of that, if not higher, though, especially closer to the city). Let me know if you have any ideas!
Riverhead is roughly 1.5 hours from Brooklyn if there is no traffic. Coming into the summer you can make that easily two if not more as you are going to run into lots of city folk making their weekly pilgrimage to the hamptons. You’ll find a lot of places much closer. It really wouldn’t be logistically do-able.
I don’t know of anything under $1000 with turnout included within an hour of the city. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist, but it is a tall order.
If it does exist I’d love to hear about it!
Interesting post with perfect timing. We just had an inquiry from someone on Long Island looking to lease our Champion 2’6" mare for the summer season. (We declined as she is only available for a full year lease) but I was surprised to know that there are horse farms there. I had no idea…next time I visit New York I am going to head out and take a nice drive around the area.
[QUOTE=cherham;8100610]
Interesting post with perfect timing. We just had an inquiry from someone on Long Island looking to lease our Champion 2’6" mare for the summer season. (We declined as she is only available for a full year lease) but I was surprised to know that there are horse farms there. I had no idea…next time I visit New York I am going to head out and take a nice drive around the area.[/QUOTE]
BTW - you might get a years worth of lease money in 3 months if your mare is that good. Hamptons summer leases can be very lucrative
To be accessible from the LIRR is Knoll Farm. Used to be very dressage based, but is turning a new leaf over there. You do have to pay extra for turnout everyday, but you can still maintain full board on grass for under $1,000-- thats a miracle. Indoor and 3 outdoor ring, no trails there. For a trainer there, I highly recommend Laura Hagan.
Seems like you may fit in a well at a “backyard barn”, they’re generally anywhere from $600-$800, small & quiet – just a few horses here or there, but without an indoor. Theres two major areas with backyard barns, Islip and Smithtown-- Smithtown being the nicer area. Islip has Connequot Park while Smithtown has Blydenburg.
I know that there are a few people from the city who board at Stanhope Stables. To me, this stable is the best bang for your buck. Turnout for a few hours everyday (grass option extra), groom that is fantastic with your horse & your requests, outdoor rings, indoor, hill to hack on, trails are up the road. This is a busy, active barn though - lot of horses, lot of riders. This barn is in Huntington, and very easily accessible from the LIE. (May be a waiting list to get in).
I will PM you with another option- although it would be my last resort kind of place.
Sarcam02 I just sent you a PM.
@Lindsay.ann - thank you for the ideas! yes, I think a small-ish, less busy farm would be more our style at this point in my riding career as well as my horse’s. We’re past our showing days, and really enjoy trails and some light dressage work in the ring. I’ll check out Islip and Smithtown. It does seem a little daunting to not have an indoor for the winter months, though - I’ve been spoiled and have always had one over the last 20 years of riding!
There are lots of backyard barns that would fit all your requirements, except an indoor, which I consider essential if you want to ride on a regular basis throughout the winter. You might also want to consider Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center in Caumsett Historic Park in Huntington, a bit closer than Islip or Smithtown although further north. The care is only adequate, very skimpy bedding and hay, and the grooms are not great but the property is outstanding. Its 1,500 acres of open fields and wooded trails, you can ride right down to the Long Island Sound, there are a couple of hunter paces each year in the park. The barn has an indoor, a dressage ring, a large jumping ring and a big field with permanent (small) jumps and you can ride right out onto the trails or directly onto the “polo field” which is a large open area big enough for many polo fields. Turnout at Caumsett depends on which barn you choose, the cedar barn has 2-3 hours daily and the brick barn gets at least 4 hours.
I’m at The Red Barn in Old Brookville. Not all day turnout, but 4-5 hours per day. There are a few stalls that do have in/out option…not sure if any are available now. It is off exit 39 of the LIE and also accessible via LIRR (quick 5 min cab ride from train station to barn).
I am looking for a h/j barn too for my girlfriend and I to ride at too. I am very tall so finding an adequate lesson horse has been difficult. We are willing to travel however as I live on the east end and she lives in Manhattan. We have both ridden before so if anyone has any suggestions shoot me a PM.
