Looking for haul-in covered arena in N Kitsap County (Poulsbo, Kingston, Bainbridge Island)

[PonyRiderMom]

I know this is kind of a long shot but I thought I’d ask. I’m looking for somewhere with a covered arena where I could haul in my horses to ride. It could either be lesson-based or just me hauling in and riding. If it were lesson based, my history is jumping but I’d be interested in doing anything except dressage, western pleasure, or barrel racing.

I’ve searched google, yelp, equine now, and facebook. What’s frustrating is that I know there are more places than what I’m finding in my searches, because I personally know at least a couple of places that haven’t shown up on any searches. So I thought I’d ask to see if there’s anyone in the area who might know more.

This is the list I’ve assembled so far. It’s just a list of places that have a covered arena. I’ve already reached out to several of them about haul-ins, and I’ve heard back from exactly zero of them. So I’m hoping to find some more, and that eventually someone will say yes.

Note that I’m not a high level rider and I’m not really interested in showing. I just want to keep riding and slowly improving.

Tanzen Willow
(Jake Olsen)
blue herom
Trinity Ranch
Painted Valley
Woodside stables
breidablik farm

[trubandloki]

@PonyRiderMom

I’ve searched google, yelp, equine now, and facebook

What do you mean by searched on Facebook?

Where I live, it is impressive the places that answer when someone posts in the local horse riding facebook group asking about indoors available.
Are there any facebook groups in your area about horses/riding?

[PonyRiderMom]

Hmm yes there is one, I suppose I could post and see what happens. Thank you!

[PonyRiderMom]

I wonder if I could just pay to board a horse but he wouldn’t actually live there. It would only be for the winter months. Board can be in the 400-500 range here. It might be worth it to have somewhere to ride, and maybe if I was paying that much it would encourage me to actually use it.

We just moved up here last summer, and I didn’t ride at all last winter because I have no good place to ride on my property when it’s wet, plus I’m a wimp and don’t want to get rained on. But I’d like to try to keep riding this winter.

[exvet]

This is what I did when I lived in an area that I considered inhospitable during the winter time. I found someone who was had a private facility and an indoor arena. I started developing a relationship with her and told her from the beginning my desire to find a place where I could ‘rent’ a stall for the entire winter for the purpose of bringing a horse, any horse (I had anywhere from 7-14 at any one time) to school in her indoor arena. I would not board in the sense that no feed would be needed, no stall cleaning because I would clean up anything and everything that my horses left behind, also offered pet sitting and for this individual who was a breeder - foal watch. It took only a couple of months for her to accept that I was the real deal and an arrangement that was good for both of us was struck. Networking is key. I had the benefit that I’m a vet and her ‘vet’ vouched for me.

[PNWjumper]

I think your best bet would be Sandamar Farm (Poulsbo). They are probably the friendliest on the h/j side of things (but do a little of everything and are stepping back from showing in general). Woodside has a lovely indoor, and the people that are in their old facility in Kingston might be open to haul-ins as well.

Where are you hauling from? Meaning, what would be closest for you? There are others in Gig Harbor and on Bainbridge and some other spots that might be worth considering too, but it just depends on what the ideal spot is for you.

[PonyRiderMom]

I am in Kingston proper. It’s half an hour’s drive from my place to Bainbridge Island Saddle Club, for instance. Which I don’t mind at all. I think up to forty minutes would probably be acceptable, at least once a week.

I did go and talk to the guy who runs the place that’s where Woodside used to be, since that’s just down the street from me. He said he used to allow general haul ins but it was more hassle than it was worth. He did say he’d be open to doing a haul-in lesson, but there isn’t a lot of overlap between what he does (colt starting; western pleasure) and what I want to do. He did say he could maybe do ranch riding lessons, and he was building some obstacles, so I think I will follow up with him.

Is Woodside stables not a bit… um… fancy? Like, aren’t they a really high-end show barn? That’s the impression I got from going to meet them a few years ago. But someone I met told me that they are actually pretty laid back, so maybe I just got a wrong impression.

I’m sure I must have reached out to Sandamar, but if you’re personally recommending them I will reach out again, and more aggressively. I can always go and just show up, too.

Thank you!

[PonyRiderMom]

Update: I actually hadn’t contacted Sandamar. I don’t know why. Maybe because they don’t have a website. I did email her just now, and I’ll follow up over the phone if I don’t hear back. Thank you again!

[Libera]

Did you reach out to Blue Heron farm? They do haul ins and have a ginormous indoor with jumps, as well as a lesson program… There’s also a bunch of places in Port Orchard that will allow haul ins. Not sure if that is too far for you

[PonyRiderMom]

Port Orchard is a bit far to go on a regular basis (I’m in Kingston) but I will look into that if I can’t find anyone closer.

You don’t happen to know the best way to get in touch with Blue Heron, do you? I emailed them at blueheronfarmllc@gmail.com and never heard back.

Thank you!

[Alterwho]

It might be a bit too far for you but you could try Anchor Valley Ranch in Seabeck. I hauled my horse there a few times but that was 5+ years ago. I don’t know if that is still an option but it would be worth an inquiry. It’s a small, private barn but has a nice covered arena and the owner is wonderful.

The Stables @ Seabeck is another barn with a covered arena. I rode my horse there a couple of times years ago but the facility has changed hands since then. Last I heard they were renting it for parties/weddings but were still boarding and allowing haul-ins.

Foxglove Farm, also in Seabeck, might be worth contacting. I’ve never been there and don’t know if they’re still open but I believe they are dressage focused.

Boblets Lone Eagle Ranch is in Poulsbo so closer to you and has an indoor. I don’t know if they do haul-ins but they have a large indoor so it might be worth asking. I haven’t hauled my horse there but have a friend who used to board there and have been there a few times.

[PonyRiderMom]

I did try Boblets Lone Eagle Ranch but they said they don’t do haul ins.

They were one of the few places that even responded.

[Alterwho]

Well, darn it! That would have been a convenient location for you too.

[Libera]

You can try their facebook page? If that doesn’t work I can send you a PM!

[PonyRiderMom]

Would you mind PM’ing me? I joined FB (again) just to be able to look up horse stuff near me. And I got kicked off (again) for “violating community standards” which I am 100% sure I didn’t do, but FB doesn’t care. They allow Russian bot farms, but not someone just trying to get in touch with local horse people. I hate them LOL.

Point being, I can’t contact people over FB.

[PonyRiderMom]

Sandamar got back to me! I will see what I can work out with her.