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Rockin' W Ranch

Added: 03/18/2009 5:32pm. Last updated: 04/16/2009 3:45pm
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General Information
Stable manager/owner: Johnny Higginson
Stable website: http://www.rcknwranch.com
Type of stable: unknown

Address and Contact
Street: 10263 La Canada Way
City: Shadow Hills
State: CA
ZIP Code: 91040
Phone number: 818.352.2166

Property Profile
Approximate size of property: 10 acres
Approximate number of horses on property: 75-99
Approximate age of stalls: 10-25 years old
Types/sizes of stalls: Box stall, Fully covered pipe corral, In and out, Pasture
Number of arenas: 1-5
Type of footing in the arenas: Sand
Number of turnouts: 6-10
Type of turnout: dirt
Access to trails or bridle path: easy to access
Approx. number of vets in service area: 11-15
Approx. number of farriers in service area: more than 21

Trainers
Number of trainers on premises: 2-5
Trainers for which disciplines: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Western Pleasure

Amenities
Disciplines supported: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Western Pleasure, Natural Horsemanship, Trail Riding, Other
Type of feed: Alfalfa hay, Oat hay, Bermuda hay, Timothy hay
Supplemental feeding services: yes
Frequency of stall cleaning: once a day
Horse shows held: no
Indoor or covered arena available: no
Eventing course available: no
Eventing course level: N/A
Race track available: no
Hot walker or Euroxciser available: hot walker
Grooming/care services available: yes
Number of crossties: 11-15
Number of hitching posts: 1-5
Number of washracks: 6-10
Heated water in washracks: yes
Breeding facilities available: no
Trailer parking available: no
Grazing available: yes

Costs
General boarding costs: $400-$600/month, $600-$800/month
Cost of trailer parking: N/A

Other
Other features: See website for additional details and contact information.

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Reviews for Rockin' W Ranch

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Disclaimer: The following reviews are solely the opinions and claimed experiences of the reviewers. Horse Stable Review does not endorse any of the following reviews and cannot attest to the veracity of the statements made by the reviewers.
 
Reviewed by Concerned on 10/17/2011 9:18am
 2 out of 11 people found this review helpful
What I like:
I love the peacefulness of this barn, now that the neurotic boarders that have written the bad reviews have left. The clientele is warm and friendly. The horse care is better than anyplace I have been. I especially LOVE the Therapeutic Riding Program. It is wonderful to see how this barn has cleansed itself of negative energy and has created a warm and friendly environment for all. See for yourself.
What needs improvement:
Better screening of potential boarders. The owners put up with the drama from boarders to a fault. More clear policies and procedures for borders and the therapeutic riding program. The parking needs work. The Jumping arena needs more sand.
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Reviewed by Linda on 08/07/2011 8:54pm
 15 out of 19 people found this review helpful
What I like:
I read the reviews and totally agree with the first 3 reviews. I think the last three reviews were put up by the owners.
What needs improvement:
The owners are very focused on the Therapeutic riding at the expense of the normal Paying boarder. We were expected to cater to all their moods and work around them. I felt like I was walking on eggshells all the time. Stay away if you want a happy horse or happy riding day. We all pay way to much money for our habits we shouldn't have to worry about what we are walking into each day.
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Reviewed by Traumatized Boarder on 08/04/2011 11:20pm
 15 out of 19 people found this review helpful
What I like:
Can't honestly say I liked anything about this stable. The owners are very difficult people who blame others for their own problems and fail to take any responsibility for their actions.

Not only are the boarders and trainers treated with disrespect but so are the workers. I witnessed time and time again both of the owners yelling out of control at trainers, boarders and workers. Many of these incidents occurred during business hours and most resulted in the owners kicking the person(s) out.

It was rarely a nice place to be at where I enjoyed riding my horse. Also, there was very little access to the arenas, especially since the therapeutic riding program began. Everyone else would get kicked out of the arena while the sessions went on and there was no previous warning or schedule posted.

Lots of noises and "improvements" went on during business hours. The leased property next door was constantly being weed-wacked, or tree trimmed, or metal was messed with making loud noises and spooking horses on a regular basis by the owner who didn't care about the spooking of horses. Loose dogs would run through the arena chasing horses and causing riding accidents. One of the dogs was deaf and could not be called off.

Access to trails involved taking a route through another stable and out onto a dangerous narrow street.
What needs improvement:
Regret having moved there and would not recommend it to anyone. This facility needs to be shut down!
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Reviewed by Pat on 08/03/2011 11:59pm
 15 out of 19 people found this review helpful
What I like:
Initially, I found the place to be quaint. Some of the stabling is adequate and the stable hands are, in general, nice guys.
What needs improvement:
The management is horrific!!! Dogs are loose everywhere on the property, including inside the arenas (there are only 2 arenas, by the way). The property has lots of inclines which makes it dangerous, especially when it rains and turns muddy. The so-called pastures are on dirt hills making it difficult for older horses to get around on. The billing changes from month to month at the descretion of the management and you will get over-charged for anything your horse breaks. Many have left, having given notice, and have not been returned their deposits. The management has taken many people to small claims court over minor incidents where they felt entitled to collect monies. Very unprofessional!!! Would not urge anyone to board there!!!
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Reviewed by Former Boarder on 08/03/2011 11:38pm
 17 out of 22 people found this review helpful
What I like:
The full care that is offered, even if you are not in full training, which is provided by Roger the groom, is exceptional. He is knowledgable, pays attention to your horse and detail, and stays in touch. He is talented, compassionate, responsible, and wonderful.
What needs improvement:
When I moved in, I felt so welcome I simply refused to believe the horrror stories I'd heard. Well, it took a few years for my own personal drama to happen, but just as it happens to everyone at some point, it eventually happened to me also.

The barn owners here are volatile, paranoid, and judgmental. No matter how close you are, no matter how responsibly you behave, they will turn on you like they never knew you at all. It will be as if your friendship and efforts to be a good boarder and friend never existed. They expect everyone to 'let them down' at some point, and their expectations are so unreasonable, emotionally based, and non professional, it is inevitable that everyone eventually 'disappoints' them.


Deposits are rarely returned. There is always some reason they find to avoid returning it, reasons which at other barns fall under normal wear and tear. Also, keep an eye on your bill. I know more than one former boarder who was overcharged.

I should also mention that boarding customers are now their last priority since starting the therapeutic riding program. I am all for doing a good thing for people, but unless you are willing to show up and find the arena is randomly closed/unavailable, and unless your horse is immune to yelling/running/impulsive autistic children, deaf dogs that blunder under your horse's tail when you least expect it, and big celebrations featuring balloons and constant hullaballoo and construction, you're better off boarding somewhere quieter that actually values the sanity and solitude, peace and quiet, and the safety of it's horses and boarders. (multiple requests to control the deaf dog that regularly spooked my horse were ignored).

Also the arena footing is terrible and rarely upgraded.

So overall, your horse should not only be bombproof, but made of steel also. That is if you can run the gauntlet of the owner's paranoia to even last that long.

The name Rockin Drama Ranch is well earned.
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Reviewed by Horselover on 08/03/2011 9:32pm
 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful
This review has been removed due to a violation of our review guidelines or terms of use.
 
 
Reviewed by Honestly Folks on 08/02/2011 11:31pm
 17 out of 21 people found this review helpful
What I like:
There are various boarding scenarios, barns, pipe corrals, pastures. There is a round pen, 2 arenas, designated for jumping & dressage. The owner of part of the property (that RWR leases from) is constantly fixing fences and making improvements to his property. There is good access to a variety of trails in the area/hansen dam.
What needs improvement:
The worst management I have ever witnessed. Finally after being overcharged, for hay, and things that would qualify as "normal wear and tear" and inflated bills and compound interest, insults and defamation of character basically, I was forced to leave. Now that I have moved on I have heard about 400 similar stories, about the deposits that were never returned to so many boarders its unbelievable, I wonder how I lasted this long.
"Rockin' Drama Ranch" has earned it's alias.
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Reviewed by Previous Boarder on 03/31/2010 2:06pm
 103 out of 120 people found this review helpful
What I like:
Nice facility overall. Feed well. Stalls in good shape for the most part. Footing can get hard but for the most part is decent. Jumps in good shape. Stable help is polite. Trail access is decent for Los Angeles.
What needs improvement:
If your horse damages anything (small or big) you'll have to pay to replace it. There are loose dogs that frequently run through the arenas and up behind the horses so hold onto your hats if you have a horse that is a little spooky about dogs. They bark a lot too. Box stalls could use more bedding but pipe stalls are okay. Pipe stalls are nice if your horse is friendly, but if he/she likes to play or kick, you'd be best off sticking him/her in a box stall to avoid the cost of having to pay to replace a damaged pipe panel when you leave.
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Reviewed by Chi Chi on 07/07/2009 8:28pm
 17 out of 34 people found this review helpful
What I like:
The owners are knowledgeable horsemen who are on the property 24/7 and have their eye on everything that is going on and are on top of the care and well being of every animal on the property. They are friendly and helpful and involved and they seem to attract great boarders who possess many of the same qualities. The facility provides arenas for dressage, jumping, roundpen, hotwalker and miles of trails through hanson dam. There are trainers on staff if you desire lessons and the arenas are never crowded. It's a great ranch!
What needs improvement:
They are constantly making improvements by upgrading stalls, arenas and tack rooms. If they could make some of the dirt go away that would be great, but it's a ranch so what would you expect? :-)
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Reviewed by Martha on 04/03/2009 3:06am
 13 out of 54 people found this review helpful
What I like:
Aside from good service, good feed, attractive setting, clean stalls the atmosphere between the clients and the trainers is friendly and inviting. The cross training interest is high and the general horsemanship is very good. We are out of the norm for the dressage, jumpers and western people who are there as we train and show Paso Finos and we have been welcomed with open arms.
What needs improvement:
Some of the stalls and paddocks are older but are all undergoing constant improvements. The upkeep and care is excellent.
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Reviewed by Kris on 03/20/2009 1:27pm
 25 out of 56 people found this review helpful
What I like:
I love: the peace & quiet, professionalism and friendliness of the owners, the attention to detail, truly expert care of the horses, customizable services, the fact that you can have full care (supplements, blanketing, turnout, longing) without being with a trainer,
I love that the horses can see each other over the partitions in the stalls. It is truly a facility made for horses, by people who truly know horses.
What needs improvement:
Not a thing! It's paradise.
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Reviewed by Valerie on 03/18/2009 5:40pm
 24 out of 57 people found this review helpful
What I like:
Out of all the stable Teddy has lived at, and there have been quite a few, this is my favorite by far. The atmosphere is awesome with gorgeous landscaping and great people. Teddy loves it here, and will take his last dying breath here...he is almost 30...
What needs improvement:
I honestly can't think of any improvements, I love the place that much!!!!!
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