Conference noted::equitation

    I cannot give you info on boarding as I have
    my horses at home, but I live in Upton and 
    I would recommend using Lori Tampowski from
    Tufts as a Vet, Wayne Robinson from Millbury
    as your Dentist.  Most of the places in my
    area charge $175 - $250 for board depending 
    on the facility they have.
    
    Lori
    

    You can look around there. There are places all over the area.
    Private, less money, professional barns, more money. What service
    do you want. I stabled in Harvard at Joy Bahnik, Cadense Farm, privat
    for $300. Excellent care, excellent people. There is an Orchard,
    there are paths through the woods, there is a dressage ring, and
    she also has jumps, if you are interested. My horse was the happiest
    there, and he was a "friendly jerk." (17.1 hands)
    There is a barn just below here where you can go use the indoor.
    There are several places around there and this is not far from
    MRO.
    Good luck. Joy has lots of names she can give you.
    Ruth
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    "Poverty is owning a horse!"  
    
    Rough board in most areas is generally $75-100 month (they feed &
    turn-out) you supply food and are resposible for the stalls.  The total
    cost would be about $200+ for average eaters (and poopers ;-).
    
    Full board at a private barn is usually $200-350, depending on how far
    west of rte. 128 plus what amenities are offered.
    
    Full board at a professional barn with a reasonable indoor arena (small
    dressage ring size) is generall $350-god knows what by now.
    
    There are numerous high quality veterinarians available.  Tufts
    Veterinary Hospital is local, and its reputation seems to be improving.
    
    Overall:
    I expect that you will find that board is considerably more expensive
    here than in the midwest.  Also, space is at a premium.  My horse is
    currently boarded at a place where 8 horses share a single turn out
    (which is large enough for 1-2 at a time).  My last place, each horse 
    was turned out individually for 1/2 a day.  Unfortunately, the turnouts 
    were really just "livestock pens" with no grass and no room to run (or
    even trot).   These are not cheap places (my current one is $300/month 
    and is well west of 495, the other is currently $325/month and is on 
    495).
    
    A barn that combines good turnout (i.e. 1/2-full day on grass), indoor,
    jumps, access to trails and good general care will either cost a lot or
    be located in the next state (Western MA ;-).
    
    Mary  

    Maureen,
    
    When do you think you might be relocating to this area,
    and what towns do you think you might look into, have any
    ideas yet.  I can give you a couple of names of some
    small barns that board maybe 6-8 horses with just an
    outdoor ring, even if it is temporary until you get
    to know your way around here....You can send mail to
    NEMAIL::BETZL
    
    Lori

    
    Maureen,
    
    I don't know where in relation to the area you are considering this
    is, but we board our TB in Andover MA. (sorry, I'm not real familiar
    with MA) We pay 300 a month full board, that includes an enormous
    indoor arena, an outdoor ring, two outdoor jump courses, paddocks
    (but no pasture), a round pen, and a state forest directly across
    the street. The horses are fed, hayed, and watered twice daily.
    Stalls cleaned once a day. The place has a lot of disadvantages,
    but if you are not just a weekend rider and are knowledgeable
    enough to realize when things are not as they should be, it is 
    fine. The atmosphere is super, the boarders are a really great
    bunch and are a mixture of show people and just-have-a-big-pet
    people. The instuction offered is pathetic, though, and you
    are not allowed to bring in your own trainer. Depending on your
    needs, it can be a decent place at a pretty good price for the
    facilities you have access to.
    
    

    I would very highly recommend Maplewood Farm in Berlin, MA.  Maplewood,
    owned by Sue Steinhof, is only about 10 minutes from the Marlboro
    facilities.  Board is $400/month - I know this is expensive, but horses
    receive excellent care, are turned out in grassy pastures daily
    (weather permitting), trails are nearby, there is an indoor arena
    (somewhat small - only slightly larger than a small dressage ring).
    There is also an outdoor dressage arena. The place is spotlessly clean,
    and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly, and there is no
    pressure to show if you don't want to.  
    
    Everyone at the facility rides dressage, though there are jumps set
    up in an outdoor area. I boarded there last summer and it was great, I
    would go back in a  minute if I could afford it!  
    
    There is usually a waiting list to get in, as people seldom leave, but
    who knows, its worth a try if you can afford it (and for this area,
    $400 is not expensive!  I have seen a lot of barns which cost just as
    much where the care is not nearly as good).
    
    The phone number for Maplewood is (508) 838-2119.
    
    Other dressage barns in the area (15-25 minutes from Marlboro) are:
    
    	Kathy Connelly, Littleton	approximately $500 +.
    		I've heard good things about this place, and the indoor
    		is larger.  Kathy is gone a lot for shows though...
    
    	The ARK, Harvard	approximately $750-800
    		Owned by Pricilla Hergesheimer.  Training Board only.
    		Sue Blinks teaches here and is very good.
    
    	Deershorn Farm, Harvard     priced approximately the same as
    		Maplewood.  I've heard Kris Bobo teaches here, but
    		don't know much about the place.  Can find out more
    		if you're interested.
    
    There are also several hunter facitilies in the area, I can find
    out names and addresses of these if you are interested.
    	
    Hope this helps,
    
    Joan

    You really need to describe how long you are willing to travel, what
    type of board you are interested in, what you are willing to forgo
    given a decrease in board....
    
    Which facility do you plan on working at?
    
    			Cindy
    

    It's official (almost).   Long about the end of May I will be
    a resident of the Greater Maynerd Area!
    
    Now all I've got to is find a barn,  and pack, and sell 2 horses,
    and...
    
    Thanks to evedryone who's sent info.
    
    -maureen
    

    Freudian slip on the spelling of "Maynerd" I presume?

    What me?  have a Freudian slip?
    
    Actuallly the devil and Shirley McLaine took over my mind while
    I was typing.
    
    -maureen_the_nerd_to_be
    

Hi,

I am looking to move my horse, Amazon, closer to my home and job.  I work
in Hudson, MA and live in Northboro, Ma and Amazon is currently boarded
in Newport, RI.  I would like to move her up here closer to me but I have
a few requirements.

   I am looking for a trainer/instructor who is currently
      teaching/competing in cross country events.

   I would like to move to a facility that has a cross country course
      either on premises or within riding distance and also an indoor
      riding ring.

Any information on facilities that might meet these expectations, leads
to trainers, or pointers to people who would be better able to help me
find a new home for my horse would be greatly appreciated.

	Thanks,
		Julie

ps. Currently my commute is 1 hr and 20 min each way.  I ride 3 times a
    week (TUE, THU, and SUN) and that totals to 8 hours of driving each
    week.  If possible, I would like to bring Amazon within a 45 minute
    commute, but I would consider other possibilities.

    
    Julie, you didn't state how much you need to spend on board each
    month.
    
    I also live in Hudson, MA.  There are not alot of outside course
    around us..but if you have a triler, I know of a few you can
    trailer to.
    
    I know of some nice places to board, I don't know if they have
    room.  
    
    Annett Rodier (Sudbury/Marlboro line) 508-481-4747 she is a member
    of the Tennheath Club.. Its a very nice place and Annette is very
    nice also.  She has a large outdoor ring w/ nice jumps
    
    Wachusetts Farm (Sterling, MA) call Pat at 508-422-8419.  This is
    a lovely farm.....they DO have an outdoor course and lots of turn
    out.  There are meny hunter/jumper and everyday people at this farm.
    
    That's about all I can think of.  Most of the farms around here
    are priviate or the are dressge farms.
    
    Good luck!
    
    PS.  I live in Hudson and stable in Berlin.  If your hourse
    moves out this way.. lets ride!  :-)
    
    Louisa

    Terry Buckowitz at Vantage Point Farm in Sutton (Central Pike) has
    a Cross country course on her premisis (I think).  
    
    Terry is a trainer and competes at all the big jumping shows
    (That circuit that shows in FLA all winter).
    
    I don't know Terry well, she boarded at my instructors barn
    one winter for the indoor.  This winter she's at an indoor in Douglas.
    
    She may be a bit farther away, but possibly someone to consider.
    
    	Michele
    

Julie,

Are you looking for combined training (dressage/cross-country/stadium) facilities
or are you looking for hunter-outside course facilities. or for something
else.

How far are you willing to travel, and how much are you willing to pay?

kathy

Thanks for all the replies so far.  Keep the suggestions coming.

What I am looking for is a facility that can offer combined training.  To date
most of my training involved stadium jumping and cross country courses (outdoor
jumps, fixed fences, stone walls, water jumps, coffins, hair pin turns in the
woods, etc).  I know both Amazon and I would improve with more regular dressage
work.  We have done some but mostly just bending exercises to improve Amazon's
right lead and exercises to help her keep collected in canter (yes, she's a
thoroughbred and she raced for 5 years, she loves to gallop)

I am willing to travel (as evidenced by Amazon's current location), but I am
interested in shortening my commute.  As I said, I currently travel 1hr and 20
min (85 miles) each way.  Any distance less than this would be an improvement.

I am looking for full board and daily turnout (weather permitting).  I am
currently paying $300.  I would like to keep board under $400.

I would like to find a barn that has other adult riders and has a friendly
supportive atmosphere.  I like riding aggressively and I favor tough
instructors. 

Thanks in advance for any more suggestions.
Julie

    There is a farm in Sherborn, Mass that caters to hunters/jumpers and
    dressage horses.  I am not sure if they have combined training but they
    would probably know of someone that can help you.
    
    Cindy Brown is the manager there and she can be reached at
    508-655-2323.  She is very good about returning her calls.
    
    Good luck
    

Thanks for the replies.  I have begun making phone calls and hope to set up some
appointments to see barns this weekend. 

/Julie

    I'll have to check the Pedlar or the Journal....she does not appear to
    be in the phone book (at least the one I have).