Lilac Thyme Stables

"I wish it was possible to leave less stars for the new ownership of this place...It used to be a well decorated lesson facility but the new owner has absolutely no accolades at all as a trainer let alone a rider...Cindy used to run a great program and I now fear that this place will go down hill at a very fast rate! don't be fooled by the new owners ability to please at first...there is a crazy side that may appear and get hostile in some situations. Ive witnessed it myself and to call them melt downs would not do them justice! RIDER BEWARE!!"

"I have been riding at Lilac for years, and its excellence continues with the transition to the new owners. The lesson horses are so patient and kind and the instructors are wonderful. I have continued to learn so much and my confidence has continuously increased due to their support. I have ridden here for years, and I keep coming back because it is a great place to leave the world behind and have fun. This is a great place to start or continue riding for all ages. I couldn't ask for more."

"Martine Sam and Blair are amazing instructors and amazing mentors. I learn something new every lesson questions are encouraged and new opportunities are encouraged. The horses are fantastic. I can't wait for show season to start"

"Great facility! All of the horses are well taken care of and I feel as though I can really trust the people to take care of my horse when I’m away. Turn out all day long! My horse is so much happier now that we have moved here, and everyone here is so nice and welcoming! I love all of the people here and it’s just such a warm environment!"

"I waited on posting my review for Lilac Thymes because I do not like adding drama into the already existing dramatic horse community. I went to this barn last year (2022) around March/April and only stayed there until about June. I was desperate for a place since my barn’s roof had just collapsed due to a huge snow storm in February. I boarded my stereotypical red throughbred mare there and it was obvious many people did not like her breed. I felt unwelcome by almost everyone despite a few older women who also boarded there who I was able to make acquaintances with. I felt extremely judged, awkward, and uncomfortable when I would take lessons at this facility. (They do not allow outside trainers and they do not usually let people board there but i agreed to take lessons every weekend to be able to stay there.) They only did stalls every 2-3 days (at least for my horses stall) yet the horses were in their stalls almost 24/7. People called my horse crazy because she would get excited and run on the lunge line after not being allowed outside which could happen to any horse, but since she was a throughbred... Cindy refused to let the horses outside (keep in mind I was here around spring time) because she did not want to “ruin the grass” which could be understandable to a degree, but my horse never got turned out once. My horse was used to going outside every day and started losing her fur and color because of not getting sunlight or nutrients from the grass for months. I would try to hand graze her and would get yelled at where on multiple occasions I would start crying over frustration. Also I was told that they do not do jumping because it is “abusive” and “wrong” yet they are now jumping and posting about it. With all the lessons going on it was hard to get any time to yourself and ride. On another occasion I went away for spring break vacation and asked three of the junior instructors to groom and lunge my horse since that was the only exercise she could get. I even offered to pay them. I came back and she was coated in sweat and had cuts all over her. (Why???) This is not okay and I can only imagine what they do to their lesson horses, although I have never seen the people that work/volunteer there do anything bad to them besides denying them access to outside turn out. Lesson horses seem nice and healthy also so nothing bad about them I had great rides with the horses Ozzy, Chick, and Max. They ruined me and my horses’ confidence and also made my horse horribly sick. She was worried and spooky even though she is a very good minded horse with no bad habits. I had a few good days and it’s a beautiful place with good potential but my horse and I did not deserve that treatment. I am also a teenager so why are these people being so mean to a kid? I don’t have the best pictures but whatever. Me and my horse are extremely happy now and safe. That’s all I have to say about this place."