Lord Stirling Stables, Basking Ridge

I started riding as an adult, wanting to be able to go riding on vacation with my wife without being sore for the rest of the vacation. I found Lord Stirling Stable. I've taken lessons with almost all of the instructors now. While some matched my learning style better than others, I've learned and progressed with each of them. And as I speak with other students, different people have different preferences in the instructors, so there seems to be a good mix. Group lessons are limited to eight students (and often have fewer). Private lessons are also available. My budget doesn't run to learning privately, but they make a nice supplement when I'm stuck on a particular point. Commenting on some of the prior reviews, looking at Google Maps and doing some measurements, I'd estimate the lower pasture at about 4 acres (minus a bit of space for the rings) and the upper pasture at 8 acres. I've watched the horses eating the grass and have also seen the hay deliveries. I've also taken the workshop and seen the (mostly) young women working hard at tending the horses. Don't get in the way at stall mucking time! You'll get run over since they are moving so fast to get everything cleaned out. Each of them that I've talked to seems to work there because they love horses and want to spend more time with them. Overall, I've really enjoyed the time I spend at LSS.

I like the stable for the way safety for horses and riders is a #1 concern. The Stable offers indoor and outdoor riding all year around. The staff are friendly and caring. I have made GREAT friends and riding buddies there. Who have ridden around the world with me and no matter where I have ridden - fellow riders seem impressed with Lord Stirling Stabe.

I grew up riding at a variety of well-respected private and public riding stables across Northern New Jersey and New England. As an adult, I have been fortunate enough to ride at Lord Stirling Stable for the past 20 years. Over the course of those two decades I have found nothing but deep dedication to safety and excellence in riding, horse care and overall horsemanship on the part of barn staff, instructors and management. Lord Stirling Stable has given me countless happy memories of wonderful, beloved horses; joyful rides with friends and family; and terrific instructors who know their stuff backwards and forwards, and who care deeply about both horses and riders. I am profoundly grateful for the fantastic programs, people, and horses I have found there! Ironically, the very dedication LSS shows to the health and safety of both horse and rider can, on occasion, offend those few riders who are used to push-button ponies and who wish to “progress” to activities that would not be safe for them or their horse because they are not ready for them. This small minority can become resentful and angry when they have to work hard and spend more time practicing skills than they think reasonable (riding is like everything else--it takes practice!). It saddens me that the sour grapes of these few can be broadcast in this manner. The best way to judge the superb quality of LSS’ staff, horses and facilities is to try a ride there yourself! I hope prospective riders will come and enjoy Lord Stirling’s caring, family-friendly programs and judge for themselves. I have every confidence they will be glad that they did!

I've been riding at Lord Stirling for a long time as well as ridden at other barns and it's the only place I've really liked. The facility is amazing, especially the trails, and the instructors are very knowledgeable and can cater to the needs of the different horses and riders very well. The barn staff is great and works very hard to ensure that the horses are well taken care of and given a lot of love. The horses are amazing and are so much fun to ride. If you're in the area, definitely check it out. There are a lot of beginner rides and intro rides that people who have never been on a horse or haven't ridden in a while can do.

I started taking lessons at Lord Stirling five years ago at the age of 62 with the goal of riding trails in foreign countries on all breeds of horses. I have had lessons with all the instructors and tell you that each one has something to give someone who is willing to listen and make an effort. The horses are really well taken care of. They never work more than 3 hours a day and have the attention of stable staff and an excellent veterinarian. They do get muddy when they roll in the fields but, unlike some stables, Lord Stirling horses actually get to pasture most ofthe year. I have ridden in Mongolia, Iran, New Zealand, Peru, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Madagascar. Lord Stirling's instruction and beautiful trails have made my dreams come true.

I have been riding at Lord Stirling Stable for 29 years. I am flabergasted at the person who said the instructors were uncaring. I hear many, many stories of their efforts to try to help and engage their students. The statement that a student "may never learn to ride" is a fact of life! No one can do everything - we all have our limitations. They instructors have never told their students to "sign up" again so they can take their money. That is ridiculous. It is all about "saddle time" as far as the learning experience is concerned, and whatever the level you are riding - you ARE riding - that is the important thing. The horse only does three gaits, you can keep doing them and learning to improve your skills at whatever level you achieve. Sorry would be the teacher who "pushed a student" upward to keep the student happy - only to have them ride a horse which they were unskilled to handle. THAT is a poor instructor. They all want to make sure a child is able to handle the horses that are presented at the different levels. It is unfortunate that parents are all about "THE LEVEL" and not about the fun the child is having on a horse, no matter what the level. Even the T.R.A.I.L.S. classes have fun and they will never "progress." I am sorry that child had a bad experience, my instinct tells me it is the parent's fault for making the progress, or lack thereof, so important. We are not all born horsepersons, some of us work at it very hard but will never achieve competitive level - that is not the point. We all hope to be competent enough to enjoy a trail ride. It is unfortunate that one person's porr attitude can potentially warn off someone who might really enjoy learning - at whatever pace.

Cons- Horses are not very well taken care of at all. Whenever i go here the horses are flithy because of lack of grooming, the stalls are not well maintained, and facility is not clean. Riders are not challenged by their trainers. Not a good place for a rider who wants to progress. Lessons are cheap and not very good. Pros- Great hunter paces are held here. Very inexpensive and good for locals. Overall, i do not reccomend Lord Stirling Stables. People who ride there think it is quality instruction because they haven't had a taste of what real training is. There are many other excellent stables in the area.

The horses here are not taken care of almost all of them have huge cracks in there hooves and they are barely groomed. The trainers have no idea what they are talking about and think they are better then everyone else. I have been around horses all my life and Ive trained a couple as well. The horses are turned out in a little field without grass. When i was ridding one of there horses Elvis he pulled up lame 15 mins into the hack. I am a responsible rider so i got off and told the trainer....she said he was fine and to get back on. i have never felt a horse limp that badly when i was riding and i only stayed on forabout5 more mins. This place is absolutely horrible and i strongly recommend to stay away from it. the people there are arrogant the horses aren't taken care of and the trainers don't know what they are talking about. DO NOT GO TO LORD STERLING YOU WILL BE WASTING YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!

I have been riding at LSS for 3 years now and i have learned alot. When people say there are a lot of kids in the class there joking! 8 is the max and its never that much.. all the classes i've taken have 3,4 or 5 maybe 6. The horses are well loved and cared for. The instructors are great and it's so inexpensive. Safety is their #1 concern... which i great. I reccomend this barn to anyone wanting to learn to ride!

I have been riding at LSS for 3 years and i've learned alot. The only thing is you progress slowly but it's good because at other barns they teach you to jump way before you should. LSS is a very friendly envirment and all the staff and teachers are kind and caring. You don't really learn how to tack and groom unless you do the summer workshops, but their so much fun. All the people that say LSS doesn't care for the horses, thats wrong beacuse every staff member cares for every horse and each horse is cared for extramely well! LSS is a great Stable!