Academy Stables Stands Out as an Unsurpassed Facility

I spent the better part of a month touring many of the barns in Northern Colorado. Basically a region from as far North as Fort Collins down to the Arvada area especially boarding facilities off of Indiana Street near Broomfield. Most barns were different in what they offered as far as Amenities (Grass or Dirt Pastures, Hot Walkers, Indoor Bathing areas, Lounges, etc.), Special Events (Lesson Shows, Competitive Shows, Summer Camps, Riding Instruction, Horse Training, Birthday Parties, etc.) and, of course, Boarding rates.

With the aforementioned in mind, It was my personal conclusion that Academy Stables, Inc. (located in Lafayette, CO off of Highway 287 approximately ten miles South of Longmont) stood out as far and away the most beautiful, well managed facility with a multitude of Special Events including Summer Camps, Riding Instruction, Horse Training, All-Inclusive Boarding, Birthday Parties and more. The Barn Manager, Jeffrey Seale, was kind enough to take time off from his "main occupation" as the co-owner of a software development corporation located in Boulder to speak to me about his facility and others in the area. Following is the transcript of our interview.

Myself (DLA): "How long have you been the manager at Academy Stables, Inc.?"
Mr. Seale (JAS): "Approximately 2 and a half years."

DLA: "And how many horses are currently on the facility?"
JAS: "Right now, I believe we are at 44 with two additional boarders coming in June."

DLA: "So you are filling up fast?"
JAS: "Yes, I think with the economy and the fact that several barns have had to close due to financial reasons, more boarders are looking for a new facility."

DLA: "And is the economy affecting your business?"
JAS: "Actually it is affecting my software company more than the stables [he jokes]. I think that because we are almost full and because we have a large number of birthday parties, a great lesson program that is thriving and our summer camps; we are able to maintain a profitable status even in this difficult economy."

DLA: "And when looking around the facility I noticed that things have changed quite a bit since I was here a few years ago."
JAS: "Yes, we have basically tried to just clean up the entire facility, take out anything that looked worn out or 'ugly' and try to present the facility as being a very clean and enjoyable place to spend an afternoon. Most of the fences have been re-positioned and restructured to allow us to maintain five seperate pastures so that a proper rotation of herds can be performed. This allows us to maintain full grass pastures all summer as opposed to only having a single grass pasture for a couple of months."

DLA: "I have to admit, when visiting various facilities I heard some negative comments about Academy Stables and also the staff. What would you say to this."
JAS: "I just think it is unfortunate. I have dealt with negativity in the business world for over twenty years so it's 'water off a duck's back' to me. I really do not know if negative things are said because of a facility trying to convince a boarder to not leave or to go to their barn and not ours or what... I have also heard the negative statements and many just make me laugh because they are so incorrect and just plain not true. In the end, false statements about any facility only hurts the potential boarder in them trying to find the right barn for them and their horse or horses."

DLA: "And you also train most of the horses out at your facility."
JAS: "Well, I train or 'break' the horses for boarders that inquire and I also work with my own horses on a regular basis and some of our school horses as well. I am kinda the 'crash test dummy' when it comes to riding out there. When we get a new horse in for our lesson program I am normally the first one on the horse and also the first one off [again he laughs]."

DLA: "Well I really have nothing but good things to say about what I have not only see and witnessed but what I have heard from the boarders at Academy Stables that I was able to speak with. I wish you and your staff continued success."
JAS: "Thank you, Diane."


So if you are a horse owner looking for a boarding facility that is clean, managed by a very competant staff with over 60 years of combined horse care experience at very competitive boarding rates, I strongly suggest you contact Academy Stables, Inc. I would be shocked if you were the least bit dissapointed with any aspect of their extensive services and amenities. Their website is www.academystables.com.

Diane A.