Moving - Looking for boarding near Boston/Bridgewater MA

Hi everyone!

I may be moving to the area for a job at Bridgewater State - I am looking for a place to keep my 11 yr old warmblood mare. She is currently living outside here in Arkansas so good turnout is a must.

Trainer recommendations are also welcome - preferably someone that is actively showing and takes students to USDF shows. The trainer doesn’t have to be at the same place as the boarding, but that would be icing on the cake.

All that to say, all recommendations are welcome!

Thank you! :slight_smile:

There are a lot of trainers in the area, but I would need more information before I can recommend anybody. How long are you willing to drive? What level are you training? Do you do your own riding? Where are you planning on living as far as city/town?

Patty Montana is on Facebook, look her up. She travels to different barns and takes students to shows.

Look at Beland Stables in Lakeville. A lovely facility, mostly Dressage. I think several choices of on site trainers, and a great schooling show series. Don’t know about turnout, but very nice folks.

Grey

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Another vote for Patty Montana!! She is wonderful and if she cant offer what you are looking for Im sure she could recommend someone.

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What is your budget? I warn everyone who comes this way from the south, prepare for sticker shock. The dressage barns in that area run from $1100-2000 which does not include training/instruction packages, which are usually required in these barns.

Where you live and whether you have your own transportation matters. Don’t believe Google Maps on distance and time; after 2pm on weekdays the major highways (Rt 2, 95, 3, 93) all turn into parking lots and it will take you an hour just to drive 10 miles.

Other than that, there’s a lot of fantastic trainers in this area but most of the very good ones go south for the winter.

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The barns in SE Massachusetts are generally under 1k without training. I can only think of a couple that are over that. Regardless, I bought my mare in Arkansas, and yes, the prices are probably triple around here, if not more.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I appreciate the price warning, but I’m very aware of the price difference. I’m not from Arkansas, just here because of a job. I’m originally from New Jersey.

Mare is currently showing 1st schooling 2nd. Max I’ve ever competed on any horse is 2nd, but I’m wanting to move up the levels.

I don’t have the final details of an offer salary wise at this point so don’t factor cost into the equation, as I can figure out what’s in my budget or not later once I have that info. I’d rather just compile a good list. Again, I don’t have to be necessarily at a dressage barn specifically, can do just a boarding facility also and trailer in for lessons if the person allows it. So recommendations for boarding facilities is also welcome.

Will probably live within 30 min of the university which is in Bridgewater. We may also decide to live closer to the barn and just commute to work since I can work from home some and I’ll go to the barn more often than work. So let’s say 45 minutes to an hour from Bridgewater?

Hope this helps!

Jane Hannigan is in Concord
Rita Brown is in Scituate

Both are FEI trainers and take clients to rated shows. Both barns are beautiful and well run.

I sent you a PM!

Rita Brown is lovely. So is Ellie Coletti in Norwell.

Seconding Ellie Coletti! She has a great touch with the horses. Very patient, consistent, and kind. She’s also a hoot. :slight_smile:

Patty Montana is great just based on the years I’ve ‘known’ her through the welsh cob community and dressage. Her students love her and she does to a very good job transforming her students and their mounts. I have found her to be very supportive, from afar LOL but I’ll take it :wink:

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You are spot on about Patty!