Moving to Bedminster Co. NJ, seeking all the info

[ladyj79]

I’m relocating to Pottersville NJ in August, in my continuing journey to live in every state.

I will be bringing a fat green four year old I’ve yet to sit on, he will likely head there in September to give me time to actually look at the barns that cost more than my rent :lol::lol:

Seeking any and all insight into the area, from barns to trainers to farriers to tack shops to best coffee and hair dresser who does good fake blonde :yes:

I’ve compiled a tentative list of barns, I’ll paste below, feel free to pm comments if you prefer the down low, and would love to hear any adds as well

Hart farm
Hunts End farm, generally full
Windemere farm
Fox feather farm
Dapple hill farm
Red tail farm
Carousel farms
True heart
River edge farm
hidden brook farm
Blue heron-Liz gallen requires weekly lesson, in contact
Liberty farm
Alderaan Indoor??
Pleasant meadow farm possibly sold??
Heronwood is full.

[hairystockings]

I have a couple friends who board at Liberty Farm. They’ve been there for years and loved it, all the horses I’ve seen in pictures have always looked fat happy and shiny. That one is worth checking out and meeting the trainer in person.

[awaywego]

Following because I’ve been looking at jobs in that area too. Also really nervous about the increased cost from southeastern PA

[mh97]

Welcome! North Jersey is really lovely.

My trainer freelances, and she teaches/rides at Liberty. Gorgeous farm, well maintained and managed. Lisa, who also teaches and rides at Liberty, is great as well.

Two that are not on your list:

Elite Equestrian in Bedminster. I bought a horse from Anna last year and stayed in touch, it’s a stunning piece of property and well managed.

Centenary in Long Valley. Another beautiful, top notch facility with great care. Lots of college students as it’s the university equestrian center, not sure if that’s the environment you’re looking for, but might be worth looking into. Horse shows hosted on property as well.

[ladyj79]

@awaywego

Following because I’ve been looking at jobs in that area too. Also really nervous about the increased cost from southeastern PA

It would be unthinkable but for on campus faculty housing :lol::lol:

Thank you guys for the suggestions, keep them coming!

[173north]

Come join us at Ithilien Stables in Whitehouse. Great care, impeccable training, very laid-back vibe.

If you are looking for an eventing trainer, a friend just sent a young horse to Meg Kepferle and had a good experience.

As for vets: Furlong! Accept no substitutes!

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

@ladyj79 I’m from New Jersey, and first and foremost, welcome to the state! I’ve followed your fascinating experiences on COTH for many years and if you ever wanted to do an interview (I’m a writer), I’d love to take you out for coffee!

I think you mentioned an interest in dressage at some point, and Lauren Chumley is in Pittstown and Bridget Hay is in the Ringoes area, to add to your list of barns to perhaps visit for a lesson or two, even if you’re specializing in h/j. (Lauren advertised on FB that she was looking for a paid working student and she also does some eventing FWIW).

[ladyj79]

@Impractical Horsewoman

@ladyj79 I’m from New Jersey, and first and foremost, welcome to the state! I’ve followed your fascinating experiences on COTH for many years and if you ever wanted to do an interview (I’m a writer), I’d love to take you out for coffee!

I think you mentioned an interest in dressage at some point, and Lauren Chumley is in Pittstown and Bridget Hay is in the Ringoes area, to add to your list of barns to perhaps visit for a lesson or two, even if you’re specializing in h/j. (Lauren advertised on FB that she was looking for a paid working student and she also does some eventing FWIW).

Thank you! and I’m really boring haha but love coffee I am most personally interested in dressage (and by that I mean I enjoy feeding cookies, body clipping, and riding around in circles haha), I considered cross posting, but figured I would get the most responses here.

Also I have a toddler, he’ll be at the barn at times, and hj barns tend to have more kids, and a more at least moderately tolerant kid friendly atmosphere. I don’t want to become a coth thread hahaha I mean I have no issue becoming a coth thread, but not my poor child.

And I have no interest in showing at present because I’m woefully out of shape with the aforementioned fat green four year old. I’m gonna be doing a lot of dawdling :lol::lol: that’s my new specialty! But I’ve contacted an eventing barn, and will absolutely contact dressage barns as well. I am looking more for atmosphere than a particular program these days.

[SnicklefritzG]

Making my appearance here to tell you everything you’d like to know about the area. :lol"

Send me a PM and I can provide details on most of the ones on your list.

[AliCat]

You let me know when you are ready for a bra fitting, I’ve got you covered!!

I’m now riding at The Ridge in Tewkesbury, and absolutely loving it (as a pathetic, out of shape 30 something). It’s not dressage based, but a wonderful place if you want to venture out for a lesson.

If you have specific questions about the area, feel free to reach out. I hope to meet you one day, I love your posts.

[skip99]

Definitely plenty of options here. I am fortunate to board at a laid back place in Hillsborough for far less than the going rate in the area for a facility with an indoor and outdoor (and they allow outside trainers). Now we’re in the process of closing on a farmette in Califon so I can redirect money into the mortgage :lol:. I’m solo/not part of any program and event so don’t have any personal knowledge of the facilities you’ve listed. Pleasant Meadow definitely sold. I do lesson with Meg Kep periodically and she is great. Several other options out toward Pittstown which won’t hurt a budget quite as much as Bedminster does (check out Topline Farm).

This area has fantastic food and Somerville has a few good salons and a cute downtown area - no recommendations on who does blonde well though, I’m brunette . Horsemen’s Outlet is about 30 minutes from Bedminster, Dover is right in Branchburg, Coach Stop is on 206. We’ve got great vets, all local. I’ve struggled a little bit with farriers, but my horse is a little complicated so YMMV.

I definitely recommend joining some of the local Facebook groups. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the area!

[gg4918]

Go to Liberty Farm. It will be the best decision you’ve ever made.

[GetSpotted]

For Farrier, I highly recommend Bob Pethick of Bedminster Forge.

[ladyj79]

@AliCat definitely!

Is that Nona garson’s place?
​​do they offer boarding? I have no problem being at a barn everyone leaves in the winter haha

Wil add topline to my stalker list, although I am trying to stay pretty close to home because a) toddler and b) snow. Three miles in dodgy weather is so much better than twenty! But I do have to factor in my poverty haha

For the number of people recommending Liberty, is it possible to be in the main barn w/o full service grooming board and/or how far are the small barns from the main barn?

[OneTwoMany]

Rolph and Jenny Bauersachs have a lovely facility in Frenchtown, NJ it is called Spring Hill Farm. Amanda Steege is in Bedminster and her farm is Ashmeadow. Emil Spadone is in Califon. His farm is Redfield. The area is populated with lots of H/J barns. You won’t be short on great talent.

I second B.W. Furlong as a vet. They are super great.

[AliCat]

@ladyj79

@AliCat definitely!

Is that Nona garson’s place?
​​do they offer boarding? I have no problem being at a barn everyone leaves in the winter haha

Wil add topline to my stalker list, although I am trying to stay pretty close to home because a) toddler and b) snow. Three miles in dodgy weather is so much better than twenty! But I do have to factor in my poverty haha

For the number of people recommending Liberty, is it possible to be in the main barn w/o full service grooming board and/or how far are the small barns from the main barn?

It is indeed Nona’s place and they do offer boarding… such a laid back, but lovely, high quality environment. PM me if you want to know more.

[ladyj79]

@OneTwoMany the only great shortage of talent is my own :lol::lol::lol:

A friend of mine rode for Emil for a few years, I didn’t even think of that…possibly because yeah there are so many barns!

Alicat will definitely pm for more info

[vxf111]

I tried a horse at Liberty. Gorgeous facility. Welcome to the garden state

[Ponyboy]

@skip99

Definitely plenty of options here. I am fortunate to board at a laid back place in Hillsborough for far less than the going rate in the area for a facility with an indoor and outdoor (and they allow outside trainers). Now we’re in the process of closing on a farmette in Califon so I can redirect money into the mortgage :lol:. I’m solo/not part of any program and event so don’t have any personal knowledge of the facilities you’ve listed. Pleasant Meadow definitely sold. I do lesson with Meg Kep periodically and she is great. Several other options out toward Pittstown which won’t hurt a budget quite as much as Bedminster does (check out Topline Farm).

This area has fantastic food and Somerville has a few good salons and a cute downtown area - no recommendations on who does blonde well though, I’m brunette . Horsemen’s Outlet is about 30 minutes from Bedminster, Dover is right in Branchburg, Coach Stop is on 206. We’ve got great vets, all local. I’ve struggled a little bit with farriers, but my horse is a little complicated so YMMV.

I definitely recommend joining some of the local Facebook groups. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the area!

Hah! I also ride/board at a laid back place in Hillsborough, owned/run/staffed by Centenary alums. If it is the same place, I highly recommend.

[skip99]

@Ponyboy

Hah! I also ride/board at a laid back place in Hillsborough, owned/run/staffed by Centenary alums. If it is the same place, I highly recommend.

I’m on the non-Brookside side of the facility with my two horses (totally giving away my identity haha). Brookside would meet all of @ladyj79 's needs minus the dressage aspect, I’m good friends with everyone over there