Excellent care, quality feed and indoor is large and not too busy. Outdoor is very nice too. Thankful my horse is safe and receives such good daily care. read more

I have tried to reach them but never get a return call. I wanted to set up lessons for my grandchild.

Disclaimer - I haven't ridden here in over a decade. Location - it's tucked away in the forest preserve between Ogden and 22nd street and 83 and York Rd. Beautiful area with accessible trails. Instruction - When I first started riding there, they had tack classes and let us tack our own horses, but when I went back for a lesson they had changed the policy such that your horse was tacked for you before your lesson and you weren't allowed in the stables (unless you owned/leased a horse there). I'm guessing this change was made for liability reasons, but it means that students miss out on an integral aspect of riding - learning how to deal with a horse on the ground. The teaching was otherwise fine for a beginner. I'm sure they have different instructors now anyhow. Horses - Although they had some friendly horses, there weren't always appropriate ones available for me. They had me riding a pony at some point even though I'm 6 ft tall. My legs nearly touched the ground. They also had me riding a 30+yr old horse who was due for retirement years before. Ownership - shady. They sold me a riding helmet that was not ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) /SEI approved in the upstairs area above the office. When we called them out on it, they denied selling me the helmet at all! Facilities - the stables are nice and relatively well kept. There is an indoor (unheated) arena with mirrors and and outdoor for jumping. There is a "heated viewing room" but it's pretty ghetto and dirty. The entire place is relatively small. read more

I've been riding here for almost 2 years. I ride on Tuesday. the different instructors' different days. Nora is an amazing teacher. its dressage, not hunter-jumper just do you know. Nothing is rushed. I'm at a canter and am learning different easy routines. It's private lessons for a half-hour for $45. It's definitely worth it as you told everything you need to know about each horse and so many different ways and riding techniques. The barn is very big so if a horse ower or two are riding there's more than enough space. Outdoor and indoor barns though were inside mostly. nice viewng room inside the above arena for adults to wait if wanted. For lesson riding there well trained but test people, they don't know. most are hard-working and love to move. read more

I've boarded my horse here for almost 3 years now (owned horses for 20). The horses are well fed and cared for. Turn outs are a little small but horses are out 5-7 days a week for 5+ hours a day. They are very accommodating, boots, blankets, fly spray etc. are put on for turn out and medications or supplements are given when needed. This is primarily a dressage barn, there is no jumping. Suzanne is the instructor I ride with and she's amazing. She's done great things for me and my horse, explains things well and is always positive. It's a small barn with a few friendly boarders. They do lessons 6 days a week but almost all of them are private lessons and easy to ride around. People in lessons are asked to stay out of the barn unless accompanied by an employee or are getting their horse ready which means you don't need to worry about little fingers being fed to your horse. If you're looking for lessons or a quiet place to board your horse, make an appointment and come check it out. read more

I have known the owner, Ed Vendel, for over 10 years and he is one of the kindest, honest men around. This is a first rate stable, one of the finest locations in the area, and has one of the most accomodating owners in the industry. Highly recommended read more

First, though I understand this is an open forum. I don't understand why you would barn bash someplace you haven't ridden in 10 years. Instruction-Nearly impeccable. Yes, they normally have your horse tacked. If you want to tack yourself. ASK! You can arrive early and tack. If you have problems, the stable hands will be more than happy to help you and if you have any questions your instructor will be more than happy to help you in the ring. If you want help the next week. Ask! Your instructor will come back and help you prior to your lesson. It should also be noted that the stable is Dressage now. Nearly all of the lessons are private. The horses are EXCELLENT. They are very appropriate. I know all of the lesson horses there and have ridden almost all of them. I have yet to see a pony, nor any horse over 30. There is one horse around 25, but she is an absolute schoolmaster. We have been working on getting her to do a flying change. We also work on our lateral movements each week we ride together. The other horses range from one they just started to lease up to upper dressage horses. They also have a couple of horses they use for the beginner riders, though I would call most horses there bombproof. FYI they had one horse on free lease and instead of keeping her sent her back simply she wasn't a "good" fit. My instructor has taught me more in two years, than most of my whole riding career put together (I'm 36 and besides law school and a couple years after have been taking lessons at various places since I was 12). She points out so much both what I am doing right and wrong. She points out every single muscle in my body and how it effects the horse, my position, etc. During our walks, she tells me about the barn "news" to keep me up with other things with horses. Every question I ask her about horses she knowledgeably answers. She is wonderful. I have also watched other lessons with her and people with both more and less experience and she seems just as helpful. Ownership-o.k., the guy scares me a bit, but it is only because security is very tight. I have never seen them sell anything there. In fact, I asked about buying new riding gear and my instructor was very helpful of where and what to buy. Even suggested that I keep the stuff I have until I can get what will best fit my body type and riding. Facilities: The stalls are impeccable! Sometimes I joke that the stable hands must follow the horses around with a wheelbarrow. The indoor is very large with mirrors (I don't like to look at myself), but have to say they are important for dressage training. The outdoor is huge. They have built a mounting block platform which is excellent very nice. The barns are always clean and neat. Since I have moved back to Chicago, I have been to about 6 barns regularly (either to volunteer or lessons) and this is by far the cleanest. As for the viewing room, it has a running water bathroom, which I appreciate, which is clean. Yes, the room won't be in Better Homes & Gardens, but it is far from "Ghetto" and not dirty. My only complaint is they are very stringent about keeping your lessons. Not just skipping, but missing when you are sick. However, their waiting list is LONG. read more

I enjoyed riding there a couple of times, however I didn't feel the teacher was committed to teaching me. Also, they rarely have openings. I had taken openings due to the person who regularly rides on that day, at that time was on vacation. I was disappointed with how things are run there. It seems like they don't want new people coming to ride there. I do have to say the ladies who volunteer there are very nice & treat the horses great! read more

Just called to inquire about boarding rates and facilities. The man who answered was so unbelievably rude I was left speechless. I was told he had one stall and asked if I wanted it. When I told him I was still researching and looking at farms for my horse, he told me he didn't care if I came to his farm, that if I didn't want the stall he had a waiting list of people who did, and that if I was concerned about board rates (which I'm not, his rate was within my range, I simply inquired what his rates were) that his farm wasn't for me. I agree. I certainly would not leave my horse in his care nor would I choose to spend time around someone that negative. I have an extensive equine background and have competed all over the country and never have I encountered a man who speaks to potential clients in such a way. There are nicer farms in the area for equal rates with nicer people and even fancier facilities than Oak Brook. I have only written one other Yelp review (which was positive). I am not a typical "reviewer" of businesses. I simply felt compelled to warn folks away from calling this man or taking your horses or children to his farm. His manners speak enough for the type of farm he runs. read more