Hillside Training Stables

After over a decade of not riding (I hurt myself badly falling off my own horse in 2001) I met Kathy and her crew as a part of checking out a riding program for my husband, who has never ridden in his life. Fast forward a few visits, I decided to TRY to take a lesson for the first time in years again today after years away from riding and a number of surgeries behind me. I just love this place! Fabulous people, as my confidence was frail. I can’t wait to TRY again — I had a very good lesson on their lovely mare today, Midnight (just what I needed, not a push button horse but a kind babysitter horse that will teach you) Cant say enough good things other than assuming my back comes back a bit, I will be back. Thank you for running such a great place! Perfect for first timers or old people like me and everything inbetween!

My niece visited from out of town and she asked to ride horses. So I took my niece there for a lesson. What a great place! Kathy is so friendly and was able to accommodate a one time lesson. The trainer was Soo great with my niece. They are all very friendly and knowledgeable. We will definitely go back again!

I’ve had a great experience with this stable; Kathy is very knowledgeable & is ready & willing to answer any & all questions I have. I am currently earning my lessons & riding time by cleaning stables & their system is very fair & thorough. I’m glad to say they take very good care of the horses; they are happy & well-​trained horses.
I appreciate learning how to properly/​efficiently take care of the horses & understanding how to communicate with the horses effectively. I’ve been around horses my entire life, always rode western & no one has taught me how a horse’s mind works in quite this way before. In a short time I have learned quite a bit & have done away with old habits that weren’t making my life any easier. (Haha) Kathy has also been teaching me English riding & it is quite different than what I’m used to but I’m getting the hang of it & am free to learn at my own pace.
I can’t imagine how much more I’ll be learning in the future!

We did a 2 hour birthday party for our daughter’s 8^th birthday. It was great! We had 8 kids total, everyone got a chance to ride both horses after they spent some time grooming. The girls that worked the party were friendly and made sure the kids had fun. I suggest bringing some small activities for the kids to do while they wait their turn. There is a nice park across the street for cake and presents.

This review below was left by another Unilocaler and I felt like I was writing it– it is under the «not recommended» reviews but this was my same experience. I went there to set up lessons because no one answered my phone calls and I felt so awkward arriving at someone’s house and no office or even a sign for what to do that I left and went home. Eventually I got lessons for mommy and me and I wasn’t ever told what to bring or what to expect. It rained the day before and the muddy ring didn’t drain. I have been riding before and they took us on a nice trail around the lake — here we rode in small muddy circles — so odd! I also arrived and stood around awkwardly until someone asked if I was there for a lesson. The girl made us clean a filthy muddy horse which my 4 yr old nor I did not want to do. Do I speak up at that point? All in all the communication is completely lacking in the preparation part. The instruction is spot on but the location of the riding is awful. Won’t go back.
«» The owners are really nice. They are polite, friendly, and accommodating. They are really nice. I am saying this a lot because I want to get it across that this is not a bad review. Unfortunately, I found their «customer service» needed a new approach. It seemed like they assumed everyone knew what to do when you get there. Do you go to their front door? Do you head to the stables? Why is no one around? I felt more like a trespasser than a client/​customer. It was very awkward. I followed one of the nice ladies around for a good five minutes until she told me everything was done and I could go. I felt bad, and there is a lot of confusion when you don’t know what to expect. I do plan on coming back, but maybe not for a while. I can still feel the awkwardness.””

I love this barn. It is mainly run from 9065 Oak Avenue now, and is wonderful. Great place for beginners, awesome facilities, and caters to those who are eager to learn.