Hello, Any one here who knows of the best places in Illinois or Michigan to keep a horse with access to trails? I’m looking for easy access (without a trailer) with adequate stabling and horse care for retired jumper. Ideally one hour travel to Chicago. Is this impossible? Thanks.
One hour to get from Michigan to a barn in the Chicago suburbs is going to be nigh impossible.
There are barns that back up to the forest preserves but I’ve yet to find one that has good care/safe facilities. The ones that scare me are the ones that are across the street from preserves - a horse unloaded a rider and headed back to the barn, and got killed by a car at a barn nearby.
For S Chicago, I’d look at Palos as the forest preserve you want to hook into. That place is massive, you can do any kind of riding you like out there - a short walk or an all day thing.
1 Like
I may not have been clear. I’m hoping to find a place outside of Chicago (can’t afford to live there) where I can keep a horse with access to trails. The suggestions have been Illinois or Michigan both as being possible to come to Chicago to visit family. Thanks. I will check out your suggestion also.
Consider Indiana.
DH & I boarded in Michigan City while living in Chgo (a block from Wrigley Field).
Commute was ~1h.
That barn is now a theraputic riding ctr, so no boarding.
There may be other barns in the area.
There’s a Dressage trainer with some cred in Hobart: Elizabeth Gagliardi at Excelsior. Barn is near Deep River Park, not sure if there’s trail access.
No boarding, but my Driving Club uses Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Miles of trails maintained for use for free.
Apple Blossom in Crown Point is another place I boarded (20yrs ago). Used to be able to cross 231 & ride several miles along the old RR tracks. They also had a small - 5ac - XC field behind the pastures.
New owners just put up a huge indoor.
In IL, Peotone has an Event-geared barn. They hold unrated Events & rated Dressage shows & have acreage to ride on.
I’ll edit to add the name… IIRC, it was Rainbow?
ETA:
Can’t find them under this name, not sure if they changed owners or???
There are several barns in Peotone.
Maybe someone here can point one out.
1 Like
Rainbow is gone.
Again, I have looked for places that have direct access to nice trails and they are few and far between. The care is questionable and turnout even more so.
Just Horses in Crete IL and Promise Farm up the road from them are adjacent to Plum Creek (Katz Corner), but that’s where I saw the horse get killed coming back across the road.
I forgot about Just Horses 
I rode the trails across the road from there, but from a private barn in Dyer, IN.
Do you know who bought Just Horses?
Joe/Jan sold it a couple years ago.
He was my local GoTo for harness repairs.
I know the road you refer to. That’s a dangerous curve coming to/from 394.
1 Like
Hispanic family, paid in cash. They bought the white Clark barn on Sheffield too.
The access from Indiana has all been cut off due to subdivisions. We used to be able to ride there from Red Oaks Ranch, but no more.
1 Like
Wayne Illinois or Barrington Illinois have the best trails.
1 Like
have you check Wisconsin?
https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/wi-horseback-riding-trails/
1 Like
Agree with you there. I figured OP was looking south based on their mention of Michigan, but Wisconsin/north would be my choice over south.
1 Like
Hahaha, Can you tell I’m midwestern geographically challenged! I actually meant Illinois-Wisconsin. So I guess west and north of Chicago. Sorry folks! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m planning a trip in January to check things out and experience the winter!
1 Like
Oh shoot. Then yes you have lots of options. Look for barns within riding distance of the Barrington Riding Center (or whatever it’s called). Oak Wood? Oak something? Is right across the street, and the trails are great through there.
yeah I was wondering
I have not been back to Chicago since 2004, the company I worked for owned Arlington Downs, in Arlington Heights. They traded it to Churchill Downs to become Churchill’s largest stock holder
1 Like
