San Diego Barn Search

[crimsonrose]

I just relocated San Diego area and I am in need of barn/trainer recommendations. I’ve perused older posts, but since most of the posts are 3+ years and things may change, I wanted to seek recommendations.

I’m a working adult located and I am located near Central SD (Hillcrest, Qualcomm areas). Historically, I’ve been a hands-on owner who is involved in horses care & decisions, would ride 5-6 days a week, & spend time at the barn before/after riding. I do not have $$$ to spend. I may attend a couple shows a year (county or rated, doesn’t matter), but showing is not a top priority due to budget. Previously a solid 3’6-3’9 rider, but coming back from a career break; my horse and I are solid at 3’ (horse is green).

Must Haves:
-Be a 45 minute commute from central SD (including traffic time) or less
-Have arena lights or covered arena. Some days I work until 4/4:30, so once winter sets in, I will need lights in order to ride during the winter on weekdays.
-Allow clients to tack/untack horses. I’ve contacted several barns that said grooming was mandatory & I could not tack up my own horse. That’s a dealbreaker for me.
-Consistent care & an instructor who can teach riders at 3’6 level.
-Some form of turnout, walkers, and/or round pin. I am aware of SoCal “turnout”.
-Friendly environment
-A trainer who will work with a client who likes to be hands on & supportive of owner riding 4-5 days a week (usually 5 with the rare 4). A trainer who will work with a client who doesn’t have $$$ to spend.

Ideal Scenario:
-Detailed, technical instruction capable of teaching riders beyond 3’6 (I realize I could be priced out of these programs)
-Assistant or someone at home to teach when main trainer is at show
-Turnout and walker

[paw]

It’s going to be hard without $$$($) to spend, but it’s doable. Have you looked at Mirriam Doddridge (http://www.toplinefarmsdelmar.com/)? Not fathe fanciest of places, but Miriam knows what she’s about. Not sure about arena lights, though - that might be harder to find.

[Absolut_Equestrian]

Welcome to San Diego! Here’s a good reference for H/J trainers in the area. Not my primary discipline, but shoot me a PM if you’d like to chat more.

https://gsdhja.org/wp3/find-a-trainer-2/

[FieldMack]

I would contact Kristy Fowler in San Marcos. Board includes turnout and walker, you are not required to buy lesson packages. It’s not fancy but you won’t find better care or training. There’s also a large grass area for hand grazing. It is more jumper-focused though.

[crimsonrose]

Thank you for the recommendation. Does her facility have lights? I’m trying to stay within 45 minutes (with traffic) of central SD; without lights, I think it will be too far of a commute sadly.

[jumplj]

Hi! Your situation sounds extremely similar to mine. Would you mind shooting me a DM with where you ended up?

[MyDarkPassenger]

I volunteer for a San Diego based nonprofit. We’ve had horses at a couple of the area barns and Rancho El Camino in Del Mar fits many of your must haves. You can shoot me a pm with specifics or questions!

ETA that California boarding fees are invoiced much differently than any other area that I’ve owned horses in (CO, NC, IL, IA). Most of the less expensive options include what is often called “self care” but is considered base board. Additional services such as tack storage (usually garden sheds), turnout, stall mats, shavings, and hay surcharge.

[Training_Cupid]

I have boarded at several barns in California and have never been charged separate for mats, shavings, or hay. . But CA is a big state and I’m up further north.

[MyDarkPassenger]

The 3 self-care barns I’ve had direct contact with, mats are either left there from previous tenants or provided by the owner. We have a northern branch of our non-profit and the boarding barns there provide much more as basic board. Shavings are charged monthly or some owners buy their own elsewhere. This is in the $600-900 price range within 25 minutes of downtown San Diego.

[BellaFortuna]

Every barn is different, but it’s pretty common in this area to find a la carte pricing for services that I found to be included in board (or training fees) in other states. For example, grain, blanketing, turnout, medication administration, and/or hay. It seems to be increasingly the norm that hay is not always included in board, whether there is a limit on how many flakes per a day, how many feedings are included, or types included in board (timothy and alfalfa seem to always be extra). I was shocked when I looked at several places to find that the price of board, which seemed reasonable comparable to the quality of the facility, was for a “dry stall” only and did not include shavings. These expenses add up very quickly.