Western MAish Trainers?

[eventerchick517]

Hi Everyone,

I promise I did try to use the search function, but per usual it does not quite want to cooperate. :lol:

Any recommendations on trainers near western MA that you would send your horse too? It is looking like I may be having semi-emergency surgery that will keep me out of the saddle for a fair amount of time.

Horse is a 7 year old OTTB that is still fairly green, and very sensitive. Also requires fairly significant amount(5+hrs) of turnout with space to run, otherwise he turns into a bit of a nut. He is easy to get along with and pleasant to ride as long as his turnout needs are meet.

I am looking for someone who has strong dressage skills and puts a great foundation on them. Jumping would be nice, but less important to me. For what its worth, I am not a fan of gadgets and would strongly prefer a trainer with a similar mindset.

Any suggestions? I don’t mind a bit of travel, but would like to keep it under 4 hours(each way) or so.

[hldyrhrses]

I really like Lainey Johnson. She is in Bolton, MA. Her website is laineyjohnson.com and has more information. She has a strong dressage background.

[beowulf]

In terms of the really good trainers, I think your options are limited because lots of people are going south for the winter.

LJ is good but Bolton is not very western-MA ish. Around that area for dressagey trainers you could look into Elysium Farm in Harvard, they do have training board and are a dressage barn.

What about Stephie Baer, OP? Love love love her for the TBs. She has helped me with a few of my own. She still rides and trains I believe, and may be amenable to an arrangement such as your own. She believes in T/O and has a wonderful dressage mindset for TBs. I think she is located at Coursebrook now.

There is, not so western, Scarlet Hill - but they have a wait list an arm’s length… but they believe in lots of TO and Denise has plenty of experience with TBs.

Not a lot of other good TB trainers IMHO, I feel you OP as I am in the same situation - looking for winter board, dressage foundation, for a TB that needs 24/7 TO… I didn’t find much. Here’s a link to my fruitless thread:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?473732-MA-peeps-short-term-winter-training-board

[Sing_Mia_Song]

If OP is in true western Mass (i.e. Stockbridge and not just Springfield), Bolton and Sherborn are a solid 2 hour drive each way. Might be easier to go into NY.

Two thumbs up for Stephie. I did H/J growing up and Stephie leased the other aisle where we were based. She is an excellent teacher and horseman.

[alicen]

Does Torrance Watkins’ Morningfield Farm in Hardwick, Ma have any trainers?

[eventerchick517]

I am located in Amherst, and have no real objections to traveling out of state. I’d like to keep the drive under 4 hours each way though.

Thank you for the ideas! I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately and wasn’t even sure where to start.

[Scissors]

Don’t quote me, but my understanding is that Stephie is going to Florida in February. However, if you’d like to see her teach and have the opportunity to network with other folks that may be helpful, Stephie is teaching a clinic at King Oak Farm on January, 24th. My hacking buddy is riding her TB in the clinic and that might be something worth auditing.

[Halt2]

I know a Dutch Warmblood breeder who has worked with Billy Smith Horsemanship. They seem quite pleased with his work.

[Ruth0552]

Just FYI, Lainey Johnson is at Highland Hill Farm which is in Berlin, MA. I don’t know why Lainey’s website says it’s in Bolton. It is very close to the border, but isn’t in Bolton. Just an FYI for picky GPS’s and all that.

If you want dressage, Harvard, MA is the place to go. I’m local, obviously, and I would say Harvard is at it’s saturation point for dressage trainers. Pick an address and throw a dart, basically.

I have 2 suggestions:

1. Laura McGovern from Dunroven Farm in Harvard, MA. She is also not a fan of gadgets and everybody gets full day turnout. The only drawback there is that I’m not sure she has room.

2. Joe and Patty Forest of Horton’s Farm in Grantham, NH. A good friend of mine has used them for training. It is mostly a training farm- they do a lesson program as well but get a lot of horses in for training. Everyone gets turned out, but not all day- there is a rotation, I believe. They are VERY nice, so you could certainly talk to them about it. This is the part I would emphasize: they are solid horse trainers. They are experienced and put a good foundation on young horses. Your horse will come back going correctly. I know the website looks more H/J than dressage or eventing, but in reality they practice solid horsemanship and horses generally return to owners improved. It also looks like it is about 2 hours from you.

[Hilary]

Try posting on the Area 1 website bulletin board and the facebook page. You might get some leads from that.

[merrygoround]

There is in CT a trainer I would strongly recommend. However he is in the NE corner of CT. He did a great job with a friend’s hot, sensitive, green horse. His name is Richard Wood.

[Halt2]

Adam Cropper (Derry, NH about 1h45-2h00 from Amherst). Great teacher, no gadgets, grand prix rider/trainer/competitor. I think he used to event. Check hime out on FB.

[mg]

If she isn’t going to FL, I echo the suggestion of Stephie!! Lainey is great too, but I think Stephie would be a better pick for a green, sensitive TB.