First Rate Boarding

Country Hill is the recipient of the "Just Add Horses Environmental Award." This award recognizes the OEF horse facilities member who demonstrates an active approach to conserving the environment. Big congratulations to Kathy Fremes who is always active in making Country Hill such a wonderful and "green" place to ride and raise horses. Kathy is invited to the OEF Conference to accept this prestigous award.

Country Hill was inspected by the Ontario Equestrian Federation's team of examiners and was the first stable in Ontario who received straight "A"s in the history of this association. The facility is graded on site standards, program standards, and management standards.

  Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Boarding

What is the board?
Our board is $645 monthly for a 10 ft x 10 ft stall.  Larger box stalls are $700 and they run as large as 20 ft by 10 ft.  Outdoor board is $510 monthly including GST.  Day board is $20 per day and overnight board is $40 per day.  If the board is not received by the 7th of each month, a $40 late fee will be charged.
See our rates. All rates quoted include HST.

Is quarantine board available?
Yes, Country Hill Farm now offers quarantine services.  Please inquire for pricing.

Are there extra charges for extra services?
Our extra charges include: $80 monthly for individual turnout; $43 monthly for semi-private turnout; $75 monthly for blanketing; and $75 monthly for booting horses for turnout or $3 daily.  Exercising/Training is $55 per half hour session with Jess or Kathy, Exercising is $40 per half hour session.  Lunging is $22 per session. Holding for the vet/farrier is $22.  Medicating by an oral syringe is $4.50 per day ($100 monthly). Medicating by injection is $40, which includes the medication.
See our rates.

Are your premises staffed 24 hours?
As there are staff staying on the property day and night, we are virtually on the property at all times.  We even have a horse vet on the premises! Occasionally, we'll leave the property to get supplies when the horses are back in the barn.

What do you feed?
We are fortunate to grow our own hay and use no chemical fertilizers.  We also have grass paddocks in the fair weather, and large square bales in specially designed basket feeders that are used outdoors when grass is not available.  This system is superior to round bales for two reasons: large square bales do not have the mold and dust that many round bales contain; and secondly, the large basket feeders aerate the hay and it is dust free.  There are three types of concentrates to choose from: a 12 percent complete feed pellet, "Challenger", a 16 percent complete feed pellet, "Krunch", and beet pulp. We will feed owners' supplements or medications at no charge.  Should your horse require a special diet/grain that we do not offer, it will be at the horse owner’s expense. An additional charge may be applied if CHF has to pick up the product from the feed store.

What is your policy with a sick horse?
With a sick horse that requires medical attention, we first put a call in to the owner.  If it is our opinion that professional help is ungently needed, we will immediately put a call in to a vet of the owner's choice.

Who is your blacksmith?
Bob Hancott and Dave Dawson are at Country Hill regularly. If you prefer to use your own blacksmith, that person is welcome as long as he/she has insurance and is a licensed farrier.

Who is your vet?
Dr Watt and Dr. Maggie Turner.  However, if you have a vet whom you prefer using and that person is easily accessible in an emergency, then we will use that vet for your horse.

Do you allow outside coaches?
No.  The owner of Country Hill is a certified coach and so is the barn manager. Both offer private lessons to both boarders and students and we also have an Equine Canada instructor candidate who works under our direction.

How much are lessons?
$80 for a one hour private lesson, $60 for a half-hour.  If the student brings his/her own mount, lessons are $5 less.
See our rates.

Is your stable solvent?
With so many equestrian centres in the GTA going under or being sold for housing developments, this is a question we hear often.  Although it's impossible to say that any venture is 100 percent secure in these financial times, the stable has been owned and operated for over 20 years and has managed to maintain a highlevel of service and care throughout that time.

  Testimonial

"If you're thinking of coming to Country Hill, I can only ask - how soon can you get here? Your horses will think they have died and gone to heaven. Let me give you a few examples of the care at the farm - and it's not just one person being nice, it's the entire staff - the culture that is oriented to doing the best for the horses.
   "I have a 26 year old gelding who foundered badly last year. We found he was insulin resistant and required hay soaked to remove the sugars, until the hay could be tested and a feed regimen could be developed. Well, that little guy had all the hay he could eat, all the attention he could want and he has recovered to the point where he is being ridden again. He is on an individual feed regimen and the staff gladly gets it ready for him.
   "I also have an off-track injured mare (badly bowed tendon) who was on stall rest at another location for a year. Kathy agreed to take her and used special fencing that could gradually increase her turnout area until we knew she wouldn't endanger herself. She was in that paddock for months and months and has done so well she is now on 24 hour turnout. She has settled from nut-case to intelligently alert.
   "And oh yes, a rescue horse - I got a Tennessee Walking Horse from Heaven Can Wait - "20 years old, looks like Cushings". Well, he went on the insulin resistance diet and is now a normal horse and the esteemed partner of the mare mentioned above.
   "Other horses I've brought to Kathy's who needed some weight - they are now so round I may need to buy larger girths (but it's not an unhealthy weight - and there's a diet paddock if necessary).
   "Compared to many other locations, CHF has a lot of advantages - open 7 days a week (no off day); all sorts of safety precautions in place that address various conditions including my worst nightmare - hay stored over the stable and no page wire fencing. For years Kathy has practised common sense but ultimately worry-free safety; riding on and off the property; good turnout and great quality hay; employees who enjoy working there; long-term relationships (people who were kids when they started are in and beyond university, but keep coming back); regular clinics and get-togethers."

  Jude Bracewell



 
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