We did a Girl Scout trip here and it was a big hit! The girls got to ride and this was an award for them after an awesome cookie selling season! What a fun way for them to celebrate. The instructors were great and patient. Each girl got a good bit of riding time. And, got to learn how to brush and take care of the horses too. The location of this place is a little odd - you think you're driving through a cul de sac but lo and behold, this place shows up at the end. I'd recommend this to other scouts -- we got a fun patch out of it too! read more

See all

We have been going to Windkist since June 1st of 2022. Our now eight year old daughter has advanced to her next level of riding lessons. Windkist held a St. Patrick's Day show recently. It was our daughters first show. It was very organized and everyone had a wonderful time. Due to the hard work and determination of the barn owner Tish and all of the instructors (Robin, Paula, Megan, Kat) each time we are there it is a wonderful experience. Our daughter took home three show ribbons. We couldn't be more pround to be a part of the Windkist family. We are very excited to have our daughter join the ZO Windkist riding team in two years. This staff works tremendously hard to maintain the health horses of their horses, clean stalls, water buckets, turn outs, indoor area. The overall barn is very clean and organized. Our daughter works with instructors Robin and Kat! They are extremely patient, wonderful teaching kids responsibility and proper barn etiquette. I could write so much more. If you have a child or an adult we highly recommend Windkist Farm. read more

Generally disappointing. The staff appear very casual with little concern for both fun and professionalism. It is difficult to understand what the lesson plan focuses on and the staff could improve on general equestrian etiquette. The arena is open and spacious; however, the "carpet" fibers used for the floor shavings can billow up and I wonder how safe it is to breathe. The potential is there and a great opportunity for children to learn about themselves and how they relate to horses and life. read more

I am so disappointed with our experience here. My children (6 and 8) were attending a week long camp. On the morning of the 2nd day, no one was there to greet the children or tell them what to do. I waited and within minutes my daughter had been approached, bitten and scratched by a cat while in the barn. No one was able to provide me with appropriate first aid supplies (I initially used water and toilet paper to attempt to clean the wound- in the filthy bathroom in the barn, ultimately after 3 attempts, they found hydrogen peroxide) and still no one was in charge checking on my daughter or available to help. I asked to speak to the owner. She did not have any information on where the camp counselor was. Not one single member of the staff showed any compassion for what had happened and the owner was generally put off with my concern that my children were unsupervised or that my daughter had been hurt. When i asked what would happen if it was a real emergency, she responded "we just called 911 a few days ago" for someone who was really hurt. I explained that i didn't feel my children were safe, we were leaving and i wanted a refund for the balance of the week, she refused and became incredibly hostile at me. When a business is offering a camp, then you need to ensure adequate supervision and safety for the children (and supplies available to clean a wound). When there is an issue with a customer, you should speak civilly and show some compassion for a 6 year old who was so upset that she had been hurt. I truly hope she treats the animals with more compassion than she did me and my children. I truly hope no one has to experience this treatment ever. read more

See all

I also did the living social deal. Contacting them was confusing but I set up a time. I have riding experience so this was just to check out the barn. The lesson was fine, but I really did not like the horse that was chosen for me. The next week I was given a different horse. When I took him out of his stall I noticed that he was significantly underfed, and it looked like he hadn't been riden in months. I fell in love with his personality and decided to lease him. My experience leasing at Windkist was awful. The horses are mistreated and the staff is rude and does not communicate with each other well. It is obvious that they are under paid and under staffed. Half the time it was students between the ages of 11-18 doing the work. Then months after I had broken the lease with the barn they sent me a bill for what I had left to pay?! I paid everything on time, so that is completely random and a perfect example of their staff's lack of communication. My advice is to steer clear! read more

The current owners and teachers really care about the horses AND the students. The lessons start promptly and if there is a delay, the lessons are extended by the delayed amount. We go on Sunday mornings and my daughter loves Molly, Megan and Cass! read more

Do NOT give this establishment your business. The owner told us (in front of 10 other parents) that our daughter has "SEVERE ISSUES" and should be progressing much further and needs to go somewhere else. This was in front of my child who cried & cried after. The lady then refused to give us a refund for the last week of lessons and when we persisted she said "OK I WILL GET HER OFF THE HORSE RIGHT NOW". My daughter is 6 years old. The woman (owner) had no problem taking $800 from us over 2 months before blowing up. She then was telling families still there that my child was "Disabled" and could not go there. I remained calm, and told her it is 2020 you cannot do this while other parents agreed. DO NOT GIVE THIS WOMAN YOUR MONEY. Who treats a 6 year old like this? No matter her rebuttal or if she replies, she did this 100%. Search local North Andover/Andover mom groups on Facebook and you'll see similar reports. read more

We bought the LivingSocial deal: 1hr ride for 2. We were there for a little over an hour, spent an hour grooming and about ~20min riding.. -_- Disappointed to say the least. We were the first appointment of the day and we were told to be there 15min before riding time. Our appointment was at 9am so we arrived at 8:30 just incase we needed half an hour to set up and then a full hour to ride. The instructor wasn't even there yet! She arrived right at 9 on the dot. We then spent the next hour grooming our horses, which was fine because we learned a lot about our horses and about horses in general. However, we didn't start riding until 10am and we were done by 10:20ish. The heck! The woman who came after us, who was also there for a riding lesson, got on the horse as soon as I got off. After the lesson, we spent another 10-15min grooming our horses.. again.. for another person to ride it. If the deal was for an hour of grooming horses and 20min of riding, I wouldn't be complaining. The 20min that we did spend riding the horses was pretty cool. It was our first time and I wish I had the full hour experience. The farm itself seems pretty well kept. They had a decent amount of horses and it seems like they had many kids taking riding lessons there. I probably wouldn't go back unless there's another deal and I'll make sure I won't be the first appointment of the day.. read more

Called there to inquire about bringing my daughter and was greeted very rudely by a Patricia Lambert in our brief verbal exchange I was obviously I an interruption of her time. First time I ever posted anything anywhere but worth the 2 minutes to bring this to future potential customers as well as ownership. read more

I have had my horse here for one week now and boarded here previously (moved him because I moved over an hour away but now am back!). He is older with special dietary needs and Catherine and Tish have been absolutely excellent about taking care of them. He is generally bottom of the pecking order and we have found him a group of friends (a mini and donkeys) he gets along well with! I am happy things worked out the way they did and I know he is in careful, loving hands when I cannot be around. Also, for those who had made comments regarding not getting responses or not feeling as though expectations were met, the barn is now being run by the actual owners (there was a different manager at the time of the other posts' incidents) and I would definitely recommend giving them another shot! Email is the best way of contact for them! :) read more

This is a very kid-friendly riding stable. My 8 year-old granddaughter has been riding there since she was six and loves it. She would move in and sleep there if she could! The atmosphere is relaxed and the stable is clean and the riding arena large and airy. The instructors are helpful and encouraging. When the opportunity arises, before or in-between lessons, kids can take part in grooming and learning how to tack up a horse. The school horses and ponies are treated well and have appropriate temperaments for beginners and intermediate riders. My granddaughter has her favorites of course, and some are easier to ride than others, but each horse she rides in a lesson teaches her something new about horsemanship and improves her skills. As she has gained experience we have also begun to lease one of the ponies for an hour and a half each week in addition to a weekly hour lesson. I could see immediately how this has helped her with her confidence and competency. Now, under supervision, she is also helping with feeding, watering and barn work. I am extremely happy with the overall horse experience she is getting at Windkist and I can see us here for many years to come. read more

Worst experience ever. Called to schedule three times. No call back. Finally received e-mail. Spent weeks trying to schedule lesson. Several days each time to get a response. Very limited times to schedule a lesson. Finally had lesson scheduled for1:00 on Sunday. When we arrived they wouldn't let my 10 &11 year old ride as they were in long boy shorts even though the 10 kids in the ring we're wearing short shorts, one even wearing a dress. When asked they states we might sue! What me. Kids just wanted a riding lesson omg! read more

Having been involved in equestrian sports for many years, I have ridden at a number of facilities ranging from small backyard barns to large equestrian centers. I have to say this is one of the best barns I have ridden at. The staff members are so kind and down to earth and the instructors are very knowledgeable. The staff are true animal lovers and the horses are very well taken care of. While the facilities are older, they have been kept up and safe. I really enjoy having the spacious indoor arena in the winter. Since the change in management, there have been great new additions to the barn including clinics, a show team, and a drill team among other things. While there are certainly some nitpicky things that could be improved, it is that way at barn. This really is a great place to ride. I'd encourage people of any riding level to check it out. read more

My daughter started riding here about a year ago. Horses are very friendly and taken care of, clean facility, great indoor, and extremely friendly staff. Management changed about 6 months ago. I have only been pleased to see the positive changes in which have taken affect. would certainly recommend this place. read more

I came to Windkist after a 16 year riding career, looking for a place that would support my ability to ride while I began my first job. The trainers at Windkist are very open to tailoring programs to fit specific needs, and have been very helpful to me as I try to figure out my complex schedule. The working students are enthusiastic and happy. Experienced riders may have difficulty joining group lessons with others at their level, but I have been catered to very well. I feel that I am getting exactly what I wanted from a barn. I am having fun, meeting people, riding, and continuing to learn. If you want a relaxed barn atmosphere with no cat fights or nasty competitive spirit, this is the place for you! It is a little small, but that helps keep everyone there grounded and close. The trails are beautiful, and the small XC course is an added bonus! They're trying to expand their numbers of horses, and while there are many old school horses great for kids and some young green horses that are fun projects for an advanced rider, there isn't much in between. That should be changing soon though! read more