First off, do you know what part of Omaha you’ll be working in? Like any city, knowing that and where you’d like to board will probably help narrow down your best housing options.
I spent six years in Omaha (Bellevue, specifically) after coming from NoVA. I moved back to DC in 2014. You’d be surprised about the winters - sure, they’re worse than Virginia (it’s the temps and windchill that are the worst), but I had waaaaaay worse in Central NY. Snow was hit or miss - some years you’d get dumped on a few times, other years you’d have a dusting here and there. Just cold. Yes, an indoor is a must for consistent work throughout the winter.
If you’re looking for a QH barn or info on the QH community, I can’t help you. There is one for sure, and plenty of stock breed barns, but I never ventured out of my quiet, non-showing H/J circle so I never got familiar with the other barns in the area. I used Nebraska Equine (http://nebraskaequine.com/) for all my veterinary stuff - I recommend giving them a call, and seeing if they also have any recommendations. In general, I think some of the better options are on the northern side/northwest side of Omaha in terms of easier access to better riding/boarding options.
If you’re looking to stick with hunter/jumper, I’d recommend Quail Run Horse Center (http://quailrunhorsecentre.com/) first. I didn’t venture out a ton, but it was the best facility I saw, with lots of turnout, lovely barn and indoor, lots of trails, hacking, etc. I tried a horse up there once and enjoyed the experience. All of the riders/horses out of that barn always seemed the most poised/prepared in the area. They also did hunt clinics and lots of other non-show related fun things. They have a lesson program. Call them first and go visit when you’re out there.
Next suggestion might be Ponca Hills Farm (http://poncahillsfarm.com/facilities). I never got to do anything with them, but their facility looks nice according to their website. Indoor, board fencing in their grass pastures, 50 stalls, etc. No comment on their lessons or teaching. They have lots of trails that made them the “go to” destination for anyone looking to go out and trail ride, XC school, etc. Definitely worth going out to look at them.
A friend of mine boarded her horse at The Farm at Butterflat Creek (http://thefarmatbutterflatcreek.com/services/boarding/) …I went and rode out there once and it was fine. They have a nice sized outdoor, smallish indoor, big hay field with a track around it (that’s fun). Turnouts seemed small and I don’t remember what they had for fencing. They are a hunter/jumper barn that also does a lot of fox hunting with North Hills.
I rode/boarded at Phoenix Equestrian Center in Bellevue, south of Omaha. It was five minutes from my house and at the time I wanted my new OTTB close so I could work with him. That said, the facility itself is not the best in the area. No grass turnout. The options were either small group turnout (part of the day), or all-day turn out in the giant herd in the bigger turnout. Mostly wire fencing. Horses always had hay in front of them so that was good, but again - if you’re looking for awesome turnout, Phoenix won’t be an option. Barn (stalls) was good, big indoor, and large outdoor. Very limited hacking, no real trails that I knew of. We ended up doing our hacking down the country roads. Board was perfectly reasonable and came with two lessons/month with Janine. Janine is a brilliant, beautiful rider, but it’s my opinion you need to know how to ride a little bit already, and have a decent feel to get the most out of riding with her.
All that said, if I came back, I’d be looking at Quail Run first, Ponca second. Again, give Nebraska Equine a call to see if they know of any other places for your to look that never made it on my (limited) radar. There was one tack shop in town when I was there - The Paddock is located in Omaha, and owned by Phoenix. You can try stopping in and/or calling them for suggestions, but I don’t know how much of a non-biased opinion you’d get.
I visited this spring for a week for World Cup…and when I got there I knew I’d move back in a heartbeat if the right opportunity came along. I loved the people. The sanest, friendliest people I’ve been around in a long time. Yes, the cost of living is great, and the general convenience of Omaha without the big city problems is lovely. It’s an unbeatable part of the country for families and schools. The horse people were great, and I hope that a lot more people realized how great Omaha really is now that the World Cup was such a success out there. Best of luck, I’m jealous that you’re headed that way!! I wish I was. PM if you have any additional questions!
