I know there have been past posts that asked this very question but they are a few years old so I wanted to get updated responses. I currently board my horse in Mundelein, IL. This is my first horse so I am new to this. I have been trying to research other boarding facilities to see what other options I have. My current place does the trick but there have been a few issues and I would like to find a place with cheaper board (if that is even possible?). When moving barns, my first concern is obviously the safety and reputation of the barn but also the care my horse would receive. However, it is made difficult by my budget restraints. Current board is $700. I need something that not only doesn’t exceed that, but ideally is less than that. I live in Lake Bluff so need a barn in the northern IL suburbs. I can’t drive more than 45 minutes to a barn. When traffic is bad, a 45 minute ride can become 1.5 hours and I’m often going up there during rush hour. Therefore, I need it to be a reasonable distance. I ride hunter/jumper and need a facility that caters to this discipline but is also not snotty. I’m a super laid back person and don’t enjoy being around pretentious people. Thank you in advance for any advice or ideas you could give me!! If you know the monthly board $, please let me know! Because most websites don’t list board prices, it would really help me out if you could share your board price with me. Thank you! 
I was going to suggest Tower Hill or Crosswinds, both in Hampshire. Not sure if that’s too far a drive for you - depends on if you get onto 90 or if you want to take 12 and then go south.
I am going to be moving back to IL soon and will probably board at one or the other of those two places. Board rates are $475 and $480, respectively.
Thanks ybiaw! I have heard good things about both of those places and the board prices are fantastic! Unfortunately, It is just sooooo far from me. Thanks for the replay anyway. Also, just wanted to mention to others out there that while I have shown in the past, I don’t need a “show” barn. Or anything fancy. Just a nice barn that does hunter jumper stuff. I was hoping maybe someone knew of a lesser known, more obscure or private barn that has reasonable rates.
[QUOTE=SeekingOpinions;8832352]
Thanks ybiaw! I have heard good things about both of those places and the board prices are fantastic! Unfortunately, It is just sooooo far from me. Thanks for the replay anyway. Also, just wanted to mention to others out there that while I have shown in the past, I don’t need a “show” barn. Or anything fancy. Just a nice barn that does hunter jumper stuff. I was hoping maybe someone knew of a lesser known, more obscure or private barn that has reasonable rates.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I totally get it. And commuting times are so weird - like you said, it could take 45 minutes, or it could take 2 hours, especially in the winter.
What about Nancy and Amanda’s place? I think they’re in Mundelein/Hawthorn Woods at Creekside Farm/Winter Meadow Farm?
Yeah the commute could get so ugly. I wish farms like Tower Hill and Crosswinds were up north. That’s a good question. I know exactly where Winter Meadow Farm is but someone told me that it was more expensive than my current place, so haven’t explored it. Red Coat is right down the street from Winter Meadow but I am assuming Red Coat must be super expensive. Looks like Foxcreek Stables in Wauconda is $6-something. Does anyone have any experience with them?
Hi!, let’s see… cheaper and close to Lake Bluff?? Try Millgate with Brenda Yost. Her stall board is $550/mo. Horses are turned out in grass all day. Unheated indoor. Zero snobbery. However, it is an event/dressage barn but she does lesson with a hunter trainer.
ETA: She is just north of Gurnee Mills. So maybe 25 min from you?
I feel like you need to look into Wisconsin to get lower board. Lake Co. is so expensive, given we have the highest property tax rate in the nation.
Shadowwood http://shadowoodfarmhorses.com/ is in Mchenry - but that is a hike from Lake Bluff. Board includes lessons, so while the monthly $ is high, the overall package is quite reasonable.
Cliffwood in Richmond is another option. http://www.cliffwoodfarm.com/
This one has been recommended on COTH before in Libertyville: http://stablesonblanmarhills.com/boarding.htm
Hi rennyben,
Thanks so much for the reply. I’ll look into Millgate. Hadn’t heard of that barn before. It doesn’t appear they have a website? Thank you for the lead!
[QUOTE=rennyben;8832370]
Hi!, let’s see… cheaper and close to Lake Bluff?? Try Millgate with Brenda Yost. Her stall board is $550/mo. Horses are turned out in grass all day. Unheated indoor. Zero snobbery. However, it is an event/dressage barn but she does lesson with a hunter trainer.
ETA: She is just north of Gurnee Mills. So maybe 25 min from you?[/QUOTE]
Hi Marcella,
Thank you! The first too may be too far but will look into them. I have come across stables on blanmar too. They look like my most promising option so far. Does anyone have any feedback/information on this farm?? Positives/Negatives?
[QUOTE=Marcella;8832448]
I feel like you need to look into Wisconsin to get lower board. Lake Co. is so expensive, given we have the highest property tax rate in the nation.
Shadowwood http://shadowoodfarmhorses.com/ is in Mchenry - but that is a hike from Lake Bluff. Board includes lessons, so while the monthly $ is high, the overall package is quite reasonable.
Cliffwood in Richmond is another option. http://www.cliffwoodfarm.com/
This one has been recommended on COTH before in Libertyville: http://stablesonblanmarhills.com/boarding.htm[/QUOTE]
Shadowood and Clifwood are GORGEOUS, too.
If I recall correctly, board at Red Coat was around $750ish a couple of years ago, but that was before a lot of the local barns had to institute a price increase due to skyrocketing hay prices.
Double W on Washington in Gurnee. Equidream in Grayslake. I’m pretty sure Fields & Fences is more than $700 now, but it wasn’t years ago when I lived there and rode there often (shows etc)…ummmmmmm Brighton Farms in Antioch might be higher than $700 now too…hmmm what else what else… Tipperary Farm & Stud was originally in Wadsworth, but I think she moved to Wisconsin…probably too far for you as i’m not sure how deep into Wisconsin she moved, but she’s a fantastic trainer. Chris does eventing now but has a great foundation in hunter jumper land and takes all walks of life…DonBar Farm in wadsworth (where Chris moved FROM—they still have a hunter jumper trainer come in I believe) and beautiful prices below $500!!!
Gosh I’ve not been living in NIL for 5 years now and I can’t recall many names, but my goodness there are many. Check out Libertyville area too. I lived in Fox Lake, so not too far from where you’re at now.
