Winward Natural Equine Center

I have two Tennessee Walkers at this stable and have always been treated like family. I just got the second one and have been accommodated beyond belief. There is always someone to ask questions if you have them but nobody is «in your business» uncomfortably. Most of the borders practice Natural Horsemanship meaning every horse is treated well and with kindness. I wouldn’t think of boarding anywhere else or keeping my horses at home even though we have ten acres.
Several of us have trailers and try to help out those that don’t when we want to go for a trail ride somewhere. A few trail rides are arranged each year with consideration for all levels of riding ability. There is never any pressure to go but all are welcome. I just can’t say enough about Winward and Sandy-​Jean the owner.

Not only are my wife’s and I horses well taken care of, so are we ourselves. Every single person that comes out is very nice, and always willing to help. Whether it’s help on advice, or helping us with our horses. There is plenty to do at the ranch, it’s never a dull moment. There’s plenty of room, very well taken care of arenas, a huge open grazing pasture, and even a play pin for you and your horse. I learn something new every time I’m out there. A great family environment, with plenty to do! Don’t miss out on a great experience, and wonderful home for your horse!

I originally came to this barn two years ago with the intent of leasing a horse and then ended up buying my first horse and now board him here. I could not be happier! I have been around horses all my life but was clueless and terrified about ownership. Sandy Winward and the boarders here have helped me so much along the way and have made me a confident and knowledgeable horse owner!
I sought out Winward Natural Equine Center because of it’s focus on Natural Horsemanship. Here, the relationship between horse and human is paramount, and the safety, health & happiness of the horse is always put first. Not everyone here does ‘natural horsemanship’, but we all focus on relationship, and we have a wonderful community where we support and look out for each other and each other’s horses. I have learned more about being a good horsewoman here than I have at all of the barns I have ever ridden at collectively.
There is a wide variety of riding/​horsemanship that happens here, so there is always opportunity to learn new things and to get involved if you want. People here ride English, Western, go trail riding, go to clinics, go to shows, work on the ground, do cattle sorting (off site) and more! There are many organized barn trips and activities throughout the year including trips to Pt. Reyes, Horse Camping, Running I, Deangelis Ranch, and we have play days here at the ranch monthly where you get to try new things with your horse!
As for the facility — you couldn’t ask for more. There are two people that live one site (that work and board their horses here) in addition to the ranch owner so there is always someone here looking out for your horse. There are 2 covered arenas, 2 open arenas and a small round pen, wash racks, pasture boarding, a beautiful turn-​out pasture, and an annex full of fun obstacles like bridges to help de-​sensitize your horse. There are trees everywhere so it is well-​shaded in the summer, and there is a pond & picnic area where we often have ranch bbq’s. The stalls/​paddocks are spacious, covered with outside runs and are kept clean by people who board their horses here. Everything is priced very reasonably considering all the amenities you get for the price. Lessons and leases are also available here.
This barn is more than just a barn to me — it’s a family. My horse is healthy & happy, he has a social life with many of the other horses here, and I feel like I can rely on any of the other boarders or the owner in a pinch if I need to. I would recommend this barn to anyone who is looking for a meaningful experience with their horse and in the community!

Finding this barn was the answer to my prayers! I put down a deposit on a filly in August of 2013 and started my search for the perfect place to board shortly after. In September I put down my deposit for a spot at Winward Natural Equine Center, and I have not regretted it!
When I brought my filly home from Idaho in November 2013, she settled in easily to her huge paddock and 3-​sided stall. She has so much room to run and she loves her neighbors. The back of her paddock backs up to a small side street, and I have no worries about her safety.
There are many options as far as arenas and training opportunities go. There is a smaller covered arena (works for ground work for me, others ride in it also), a large covered arena (standard size is covered, the back half is uncovered– feels like two arenas!), a large square uncovered arena, a round pen, an obstacle course, a turnout pasture with obstacles, a large arena with a solid log jump, and a perimeter trail around the property.
There are small stalls with large paddocks, large stalls with large paddocks, huge paddocks with 3 sided stalls, and a pasture. There is a large locked tack room, smaller tack rooms throughout the property, and plenty of space in front of stalls and pastures for your boxes and storage.
The owners are proactive, dedicated, and have decades of horse experience. If something breaks, they usually have it fixed within a week, sooner if it is a danger to person or animal. Horses are fed twice daily with grassy alfalfa (⁸⁰⁄₂₀ mix) or straight alfalfa, in any mix of the two you wish. Feeders also feed your pre-​bagged supplements morning and night as you request.
There is no better facility in the regional area. You get more for your money in peace of mind, care, and function than at any other barn around here. The trees are lush (rare for this part of the valley), the property stays relatively cool, and you can work your horse rain or shine. The boarders in general are natural horsemanship-​minded but as long as you are kind, gentle, and patient with your horse (read: non-​abusive), you will have no problem fitting in.
I drive 45 miles roundtrip to see my horse, and while there are closer places nearby my home, none match the caliber of Winward Natural Equine Center.

My ten year old daughter and I leased a horse and got lessons here to start. That was a fun and safe experience so we bought a horse and received training for him and lessons for us.
Since I’ve had children in this sport for over 15 years who also showed, I have experienced a few different facilities from Andover, MA to Las Vegas, NV. This facility offers the best of all those facilities put together, and operated by a professional with safety and progress in mind.
The property is quite and comfortable with hundreds of shade trees, a pasture, trail, covered arena, wash racks, corral, clean areas for the horses, and constant opportunities to learn through clinics, trainers, play days, and the friendliest group of boarders any barn could ask for.
If you are a pro with one horse or ten, just getting into the sport, or looking for quality training and beautiful facility, this is the place to be.

I can’t say enough great things about this stable. I have ridden at quite a few stables in the area and this place is amazing. I board my 6 y/​o thoroughbred mare there and I couldn’t be any happier. The majority of the boarders use natural horsemanship, predominantly Parelli but quite a few Clinton Anderson followers as well, and are the greatest bunch you will ever meet. They are laid back and it shows in the horses as well. You have a choice of pasture board, smaller stall (even those have runs, like mare motel size), and larger stalls and the rates are very reasonable. There is a secure group tack room and several small, private ones that you can rent out as well. Trailer parking is free. The hay is very nice quality and they will feed any supplements you supply for free. All of the feeders/​cleaners are either other boarders or lesson students so everyone interacting with you horse is horse savvy, caring, and has a vested interest in keeping the stable a nice place for everyone, not just some kid who wants spending money but hates horses. The owner lives on property so there is always someone to look over your horse. There are 5 very nice areas, one fully covered and one half covered, a very large grass turnout, annex with obstacle course, pond area for picnics, tree covered grooming/​bathing area, and even a small roof covered grooming area for in the rain.
One of the neatest things they do here is host «play days». Sometimes these consist of desensitization obstacles or even group games with all of the boarders and their horses. It is absolutely free and a really great time. They also organize offsite rides to places like Point Reyes. I haven’t been on them with my mare yet because she isn’t ready, but there are also trails that you can ride to from the property, no trailer required.
Although they don’t do the typical horse training here they do offer lessons WITH your horse to work on any issues you may be having. It’s great because you are essentially training your own horse but have a professional trainer to guide you. It goes so far beyone the traditional «riding lessons» and really teaches you to be a horseman (or horsewoman!). They also offer this type of lesson if you don’t have your own horse, you just use one of the stable’s great horses. They have horses for lease as well.
I would avidly recommend this place to any of my friends and that says quite a bit becasue when it comes to my pets I am very picky! No hesitation in rating this place 5 stars!