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March 2024 by Carly Lindgren
Woodloch is by far the best barn I’ve been to. I’ve visited a few different facilities, but nothing beats Woodloch. I started taking lessons a few years ago and immediately noticed how kind and helpful the instructors/lesson helpers are. I was taught so much on proper horse care before and after the ride too, instead of just the riding lesson. I eventually bought my own horse which one of the instructors recommended and everything has worked out very well. The barn owners are very friendly and professional as well. Everyone insures proper care for every horse on site. I feel safe knowing that there is an amazing chore crew to take care of + feed my horse multiple times a day. I currently board and take lessons at Woodloch and would recommend this barn to anyone!
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September 2023 by Tara Patterson
My daughter wanted to do horseback riding. We were recommended Woodloch from a friend of hers. She started with private lessons and she fell in love. She has been doing group lessons for years. Her trainer and lesson helpers are always friendly and have given her confidence. There are plenty of times and days available for us to fit in our schedule.
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September 2023 by Richard Hank
We currently lease our field to Woodloch for hay and couldn't be happier to have run into Bill. It's rare to find such an asset to the community. My wife and I will be building our home soon, but in the meantime we've been cleaning up the land we purchased. Bill and Marcus have taken time out of their busy day to help us plant trees and do other chores around the property. It has been a huge blessing getting to work alongside Bill. I can't speak to the horse side of things, but I'm sure one day our daughter will want to try horse riding. I know where we will take them first ;) Thanks for all you do, Bill and family!
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July 2023 by Amy R.
Wish I would have known about this place sooner. Was looking for a closer horse camp our home and luckily came across Woodloch. My kiddo has attended another horse camp and liked it, but it was just too far to drive daily. Great family horse stables, reasonably priced for 3 days. The kids get their own horses for the day to take care of. Staff is friendly and helpful. Horses are beautiful and my kiddo had a lot of fun. They send out an informational newsletter before camp what to bring etc. We got to meet their horses on the last day and were greeted by the sweetest little pup each day at drop off.Would defintely recommend.
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June 2023 by Leslie Atkins
We board and my daughter takes lessons. Absolutely love her instructor, Sofia!! She does a great job and gives good feedback throughout the lesson.
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January 2023 by crystal hedemann
This place is amazing my daughter boards here with her horse and they have bonded so well cause of the trainers there !
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January 2023 by Tierney Shay
I've really enjoyed taking jump lessons at Woodloch! I've learned a lot and it's been such a great atmosphere to learn in. Instruction has been friendly and encouraging. I'm glad I started taking lessons there.
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January 2023 by Sithly
I've boarded at Woodloch twice (two different horses, with a 10 year gap in between). I've been there about a year and a half with my new horse. They've made a ton of improvements to the facilities, everything from adding covered hay storage areas, improving the paddocks, adding geotextile in the pastures to control mud, and improving fences, adding new arenas and improving footing in the existing arenas, and expanding their beautiful cross country course. It's very clear to me that they care about their facilities and their horses. They are always reinvesting in making the place better, and they have a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to horse care.I am happy with the care my horse has gotten at Woodloch. Hay and grain are excellent quality, the barn is clean, and the staff is diligent about doing blanket changes and supplements. They also notice and communicate when anything is amiss. The other day, I put the wrong weight blanket on my horse's stall, and they texted me to double check, which saved my horse an uncomfortable night.Their lesson program is a great foundation for beginners, and they also have instructors who work with higher level riders, depending on discipline (currently a lot of eventers, although it's not an eventing specific barn). The school horses are appropriate and safe for beginners. Though most of them aren't fancy, they are well trained and well cared for. The Woodloch training/teaching philosophy is centered around how the horse thinks and learns, and those principles can be applied to a variety of disciplines.All that said, no barn is perfect for everyone, so let's talk about the cons.* This is a large barn with a lot of activity at all hours of the day. I personally love the active environment, but if you're looking for a quiet retirement style place, it may not be a good fit for you.* The paddocks are dirt and on the small side. This isn't a problem for me because my horse needs a dry lot, but if you want your horse on grass, you'll probably be happier somewhere else. (This is something you can easily see for yourself when you tour, of course.)* During the winter, the indoor arenas can be crowded around peak lesson times. Not an issue during the summer because there are so many outdoor arenas, but in the winter it's best to plan your rides outside of lesson hours.* There are riders of all ages, so if you prefer an adults-only barn, this isn't it.Hopefully this information is helpful for people who are making a boarding decision. No barn will be a perfect fit for everyone, but I've been really happy with the care at Woodloch. The owners have been so kind and generous with their resources and knowledge. They've helped me out a TON with my green horse. I love being part of the Woodloch family. :)Attached pic is my horse looking the shiniest she's ever been. She was absolutely GLEAMING over the summer.
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January 2023 by Lin123176
Today (11/1/22) marks 14 years since we brought our horses to Woodloch. We had toured prospective boarding facilities and when we went to Woodloch, we were blown away by all of the amenities they had (2 indoor arenas, 2 outdoor arenas, a 1-mile track, lots of trails, and an eventing course in its planning stages (now a beautiful course)). Everyone we saw was super friendly and welcoming. It was a no brainer after that visit where we’d be moving our horses to. The facility we were coming from was not feeding our horses and they were severely underweight. It didn’t take long for them to get to a healthy weight once they were at Woodloch. We thoroughly enjoy our time every time we’re at Woodloch.In reading the comments below, yes there are muddy times in spring and fall because of all the rain. But guess what? Pretty much every other stable has the same thing. Use your logic people…rain + horse hooves digging into soil = mud. Many of the stables we visited prior to finding Woodloch had mud over the knees. There’s a simple fix to muddy season….boots. Get them and use them.I’d also like to address the other comments that say the horses are all skinny. These horses are either senior horses, thoroughbreds, or Arabs….all are notorious for being hard keepers. As the owner, you are the one responsible for the extra feed and/or supplements they need. If you don’t want to take responsibility for that, then you need to realize pushing this chore off on someone else comes with a fee since it’s over and above the standard. Don’t expect to throw your underweight thoroughbred in pasture boarding and then complain that your horse isn’t gaining weight.Finally, I find it interesting that some of the people who are complaining that the lesson horses aren’t in good shape are often the same people who continue taking lessons and riding the lesson horses in fun shows. Clearly the horses aren't lame if they continue riding them.In the end, before you pass on this amazing facility just because someone left a negative review (often because they have an ax to grind), I’d encourage you to go there and judge the facility for yourself. We love Woodloch Stable and I hope you will too.
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January 2023 by Tatum Gray
The most amazing place.I have been at Woodloch for most of my life. I have known the family well and been involved in all aspects of the farm.The chore crew takes immaculate care of the horses.There’s three outdoor arenas and two indoor arena.As well as a mile long track and a cross country course with banks, ditches, and water features.We are open to boarders of all disciplines and horses of all ages, breed, and needs.The hay is homegrown and beautiful. Often complimented on and has been purchased by several higher names in the horse industry.There’s a fantastic lesson program with a herd of wonderful lesson horses.I have traveled around to hundreds of barns in the country and have seen very few I’d rather be at.I’ve purchased two home bred horses and they have been the most well mannered and easiest horses.I cannot recommend Woodloch Stable enough.
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January 2023 by Cypress
Do not recommend boarding or lessons here. I have worked a ridden here for most of my life an honestly I wish I was some where else for that time. I loved that this place flued my love for horses but God it gave me problems. Everyone is really judgy, you can't get anywhere unless you have money or are really liked by the barn owner. You will constantly be judged and people will talk bad about you behind your back. I never knew who was my firend or who was faking it and spreading rumors about me behind my back. Not to mention the horse care is awful. Muddly pastures year around, broken fences that they don't care to fix, pices of the stall sticking out so your horse would easily cut themselves, moldy hay, rude staff, and the staff will not feed horses correctly unless it's super simple. The hay quality is so bad that you need to feed your horse mountains of grain just to keep them at a healthy weight. I have found plastic, and Velcro in side the hay. There is twine everywhere and they don't care about the upkeep of anything unless a show or clinic if going to happen. The way they treat their school horses is awful. They trim their hooves only once a year, I have never seen aschool horse get it's teeth done, they don't care about the cuts they get or if they are soar, and they ride them even when lame. They also over work them they get ridden at least 3 times a day for an hour each lesson and sometimes those lessons are jump lessons. Many horses have died unnatural deaths and one was worked to death. I could go on for days it just sucks there.
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January 2023 by Olivia Meline
I love this place it’s like a family with everyone I love the trainers to there soo friendly plus the schoolies are amazing too!
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January 2022 by Chelsea Hauner
I ride there and everyone is nice. So welcoming and they help you with your horse and everything that they need!
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January 2022 by Brooklyn Combs
Great place to start riding horses!!!!!
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January 2022 by Mark Otto
Sent my daughter here for a round of jumping lessons. I was very disappointed with the amount of time actually spent jumping. Lesson started at 6. Enter jumping arena at 6:13 warmed up horses until 6:19, 6:27 first jump, 6:34 its pitch black outside the outdoor jumping arena is not lit. The horses are approaching the gates cautiously because they can't see. 6:41 second jump, 6:46 moved to indoor arena, 7:03 3rd jump, 7:09 4th jump. So for a 60 minute lesson she spent 4 minutes jumping most of her time was spent sitting on a horse. In between each jump the instructor would announce who wants to go next, its a group of 5 young girls all scared so nobody volunteered. The instructor would just wait and then after a minute or two she would pick somebody to go. She did this every jump! If you see you have a bunch of nervous girls, don't wait for somebody to volunteer. Why can't two horses be jumping at the same time. Stables looked nice the young girls were very helpful with my daughter, but we're not going back. $60/hour to jump for 4 minutes is not worth it.
