From Thoroughbreds to Draft horses, and Appaloosas to Friesians, horse breeds can be as diverse as their owners. Something all horses and owners have in common, however, is the desire for land – and Southeastern Wisconsin has plenty of it. Endless country roads, green pastures and rustic barns, all compose this rural backdrop, which is more accessible than many might think. For those who wish to experience horsemanship, this area provides ample opportunities.
Twenty-five years ago, Kathy and Bob Emery packed up their city life and headed to Southeastern Wisconsin, horses in tow. Thanks to the abundant open acreage, they were able to unfold their dreams in rural Union Grove, less than 30 miles from Lake Geneva.
What had begun as Kathy Emery’s desire to give her own horses the highest quality of care rapidly turned into an opportunity to live the life she was meant to live. Life on the farm suited her, and she soon felt called to care for other horses in a larger capacity. Emery and her husband now own and operate Spring Willow Farm, currently boarding 22 horses on their property.
[metaslider id=”2562″]“When you love your horses, you want to make sure they are well cared for,” says Emery, who owns three thoroughbreds, two warmbloods and one Shetland pony.
As a former English discipline equestrian, Emery knew the importance of being close to her own horses. “I wanted to see them every day. I couldn’t do that when I lived in the city,” she explains.
Like Emery, every good equestrian knows the value of spending quality time with their horse. Frequent riding sessions build trust, increase confidence and cultivate patience. Whether trail riding, driving, practicing dressage or eventing, horses foster a discipline and a poise that is unique to equestrians.
For those who find peace in early-morning feedings, stall cleaning, grooming, and tacking, farm life is a perfect fit. A flawless morning for Emery means waking up with the sunrise at 5:30 a.m. and feeding her cats, her Great Pyrenees and her Corgis. After caring for her in-house furry family, she then enjoys breakfast and a stroll out to the stables to visit or ride her horses on her own property, through her own trails.
“I’m focused on the horse, the feel of the horse and the natural rhythm of life on the farm.”
Kathy Emery
Spring Willow Farm
As a consultant, Emery is able to construct her own schedule, which includes both working from home as well as traveling to Milwaukee, but she makes it a point to walk to the barn most mornings to visit with her staff and to check on the horses. “There is a joy in watching the horses,” Emery says. “There is a cadence and rhythm to the farm that is developed over time – you know the horses, and you can expect a certain horse to come for water around 11:15, for example. It brings comfort to walk the property. I love the subtleties you find when you are paying attention in the moment.”
Being surrounded by the open air and riding her own trails helps Emery to appreciate all that nature has to offer and gives her peace of mind. “I’m focused on the horse, the feel of the horse and the natural rhythm of life on the farm,” she explained. And, she said, it translates into having a more peaceful perspective all around.
She is thankful to have lived with her horses now for almost three decades, but living on a farm is not an option for everyone. Many horse owners’ jobs or locations do not permit them to live with their horses. That is where Southeastern Wisconsin’s sprawling countryside excels.
[metaslider id=”2556″]Farms like Emery’s allow horse owning equestrians to enjoy their horses and still live in more urban areas.
“We have boarders from all over,” Emery explains. “We are open 24-hours a day – that means our boarders who work traditional day jobs can come after work and ride.”
Neighborhoods like Bridlewood Estates in nearby Lake Geneva cater to the equestrian lifestyle where home-owners are able to board their horses in close proximity to a riding facility like the Bridlewood Equestrian Center. Carolyn Ply, owner of Bridlewood Equestrian Center, said many of her boarders live very close to her stable.
“It is the perfect situation, really. You can be close enough to visit your horse sometimes twice a day,” Ply says. “There is nothing like walking into the barn and hearing your horse nicker after hearing your voice, or getting on your own horse, clearing your mind, and just thinking about riding.”
Whether you’re looking for private boarding facilities or riding lessons, Southeastern Wisconsin offers a wide variety of options. Dawson’s Creek Ranch in Elkhorn is a premier horse boarding and equestrian event facility catering to first-time horse owners, pleasure trail riders, and those competing. Similarly, Dover Stables in Waterford is a family friendly facility offering indoor and outdoor boarding on 78 acres, and the Lake Geneva Equestrian Center provides boarding, horse training and riding lessons. There are plentiful ranches and farms for boarding in this region.
“There is nothing like walking into the barn and hearing your horse nicker after hearing your voice, or getting on your own horse, clearing your mind, and just thinking about riding.”
Carolyn Ply
Bridlewood Equestrian Center
Peace of mind, sprawling fields, and the freedom to experience life on horseback are the perfect remedy for a busy life, which is why horse lovers are so drawn to the area. If you are riding for competition, for sport, or for pleasure, the benefits are immeasurable. Southeastern Wisconsin provides plenty of options for those who are just beginning to explore the equestrian lifestyle as well as for more experienced horse-owners, and everyone in between.
Boarding Facilities in Southeastern Wisconsin:
Valley View Stables, LLC
W1195 Valley View Rd
Burlington, WI 53105
Phone: 262.749.8721
Sun Fire Stables
33822 High Dr
East Troy, WI 53120
Phone: 262.514.2797
Spring Willow Farm
2002 200th Ave
Union Grove, WI 53182
Phone: 262.878.2121
Stonehedge Farm LLC
935 172nd Avenue
Union Grove, WI 53182
Phone: 262.859.2853
Dawson’s Creek Ranch
N5090 Bowers Road
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: 262.723.8192
Dover Stables
27435 Washington Ave
Waterford, WI 53185
Phone: 262.492.8116
Lake Geneva Equestrian Center
N3010 Hwy 67
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: 847.651.7693
Bridlewood Equestrian Center
6500 WI-50
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: 262.248.6131
By: Tricia Carzoli
Photography by: Bob Coscarelli