J & A Ranch

And also, regarding complaints of horses not being stalled: during the warm months, horses are on slip-stall boarding. They come in for grain, and go right back out. This is a very popular option in barns, as it maximizes turnout time while still allowing horses to get grain rations. As we all know, maximum turnout is key to a healthy horse. As soon as it gets cold and wintery, or a severe storm rolls through, the horses are kept inside at night. Why would you complain about a healthy, happy horse? more

DO NOT BOARD HERE! This place is terrible. I will not get into detail, but please be cautious. more

KH - I could not have stated it better. People come, people go and someone like you, well you came back. I guess when it comes down to it, J & A is a good place to board a horse or horses. I hope that any new people who are serious about boarding will give J&A Ranch a look. Inspite of negative things people have said about us in the past, we are a nice facility. As you mentioned, if you have little or no experience with horses then by all means ask for a trainer to help you. A horse person can always learn something from another horse person. My oldest horse will be 29 years old in October and the care that John, Terry and Mandy give to him is truly remarkable. They go out of their way to make sure he is well cared for. As far as all other horses to include my preg Mare - well you really need to come look for yourself. Don't believe what others say, come and see J&A for what we really are. A nice boarding facility for you, horses and the family. And for the record -inspite of the bad things that were said about us - we still have horse people here who are RN's, Tax Accountants, Realtors, Teachers, Police Officers, Retired Military, Federal Workers and others who trust the care of the ones they love to J&A Ranch. If nothing else - well that should say something about the boardes who stuck it out and stayed with J & Ranch. Come check us out and see for yourself. more

I boarded 17 yrs ago w/them and have had NO HESITATION to go back now that I got back into horses 4yrs ago. I own an Arabian that I show and am EXTREMELY fussy on her care and safety and John and Terry, as well as their grand-daughter who helps out treat my mare as how I treat her. She is well fed, watched over and respected. If she dorks off while being handled, I would only expect them to reprimand her but in no way have they EVER beat her or created fear and bad habits that she already doesnt have!! I dont want them to get hurt handling her! The facility is clean and kept. The arenas are very good and useable both indoor and out. Stalls are dry and matted. The boarders are fun and great to deal with. Very social. Most of them are very long term...10plus yrs. When you PAY someone to take care of the horse you choose to own BUT DONT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT YOURSELF, then you have NO right to comment on handling skills or general upkeep. If you've NEVER trained a horse, then you need to set yourself with a trainer to LEARN how to do things. John and Terry are very knowledgeable in their 30plus yrs of boarding horses and they are VERY concerned when inexperienced horses run over their even more inexperienced owners. You'd complain if they WEREN't concerned, so you can't have your cake and eat it to! Anyone who has doubts as to the treatment of the horses and quality of their provided services can gladly contact me and meet me out there and I will show you my content show horse and the spoiling she gets from John, Terry and Mandy. I also give lessons and training out there so if you are green and you need to learn, I have many references as to the success of my training. Just remember that if you want your horse to respect you, you need to devote more then 2 hours a week. If you dont have more then 2 hrs a week, horses should NOT be your hobby! I am out there a MINIMUM of 4days a week. If you choose NOT to pay your board bill, the contract states that JA as well as any other facility has a legal right to keep and sell your horse to be reimbursed for back payments. So bologna to your ""they scammed me"". Do you expect ANYONE to feed, house and watch over your horse for free? If horse owners take care of the responsibilities they CHOOSE to get into, they you can't complain and blame others for your default. And there isn't a single horse out there thats ""beat"" except by poor handling skills of their OWNERS! Nor are any lacking any type of feed, hay or water that their owners should be paying for, and even when their owners DON't pay, those horses are fed! Not the pregnant mare due to foal in May, or the many senior horses including John and Terrys 29 yr old stallion who is the sire of the pending foal thru a conscious decision of both John, Terry and the mares owner, And if we get the chance to hash about boarding stables, let me tell you horror stories of other milwaukee area stables that aren't posted out here if you want to hear about overcrowded paddocks, lack of water, management practices, lack of feed or hay....shall we go on? NONE OF THIS HAPPENS AT JA!! more

I look at all these reviews and see all the rage that this place has caused. Although the ""supporters"" have a right to defend their barn, the ""past boarders"" also have the right to say what they want. \r I have refrained from posting my review, I didn't want to add to the fighting. I am a ""past boarder"" and I would never go back. People move on, I did. I'm actually surprised that it has taken this long for people to come forward about this place. I agree with all the people that DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BARN. They need to get out of the horse industry....the 30 or so years they have been in it , didn't teach them anything. more

I am a new boarder with J&A Ranch. I have been here only a few months now and find it hard to understand why people are saying bad things about this place. When I was looking for a horse and to board it too, I visited several places and I liked J&A Ranch the best. My first impresion of this barn was meeting the friendly boarders who stopped what they were doing (riding) to talk with me. Since my arrival with my horse they have been very helpful always lending a hand when needed. John and Terry take good care of my horse and I have not seen any of the negative things which they have been accused of happeing here. My horse is happy and that makes me feel good knowing that I have chosen a good place to board. J&A Ranch is providing quality care for my horse and that's good enough for me. They must be doing something RIGHT to have 3 long term boarders here. Again another warm fuzzy. Bonus. Pros: Friendly Boarders/Nice Owners Cons: None at this time more

This is in regard to the guy and his ""friends"" that are continuely bashing us on the internet. We have been in business taking care of all types of horses for thirty years. I could tell you stories about some of the borders that we have had here in the past that would make your hair stand up. We have never abused or mistreated any animals that have been on our property. We have only tried to help and make well the horses that have come here. If anyone is honestly worried about what is going on and wants to know the truth they need to contact me.\r \r \r These are people who will not be happy regardless of where they are if they can't get away with not following the rules and damaging other peoples property. And those who tried to help and were hurt by there animals (like getting kicked so hard by one there was a horse shoe print on her butt) the owner never even apologized or asked if she was alright.. but that was okay. We are the ones abusing them but this owner rode his 32 year old mare that should have been retired and was told to retire even by a vet rode her so hard that her head hung down to the ground and ears were actually flopped over like a dogs.\r \r \r This is my first time I've said anything to anything that has been posted on these sites. I just want it to stop. I've talked to a lawyer who said if they keep going they can get it for harrassement because there are laws against this. \r \r Again, if anyone really wants to hear the truth please contract us and hear our side. This whole thing is ridiculous and getting out of hand and I'm sure people are sick of seeing all this junk on the internet because I know I am.\r \r Thank you for reading this and I hope you keep an opened mind. I'm not perfect but I'm no where near what these people are putting me out to be. more

First of all they advertise way too much on the web. I'm getting really sick of constantly seeing their advertisments because I am trying to FORGET THEM!!!!! My horse was kept there for about two years and honestly, I'm glad my mare is gone. They talk a good game and hope they have bettered the care for the horses since I have left. What I found unique about this place is that they seem to think that they do no wrong. However People have a right to their own opinoin and I dispise how they treated my mare. I'm glad people are giving their opinions...the opinions of their one long term boarder and the rest of the world who sees them as incapable to properly caring for at least MY HORSE! more

I was there for a party for the boarders,given by the stable's with a freind...i was hoping that John was'nt the weasely little guy that wore the little cowboy boots and hat(funny)that had a 30 something year old horse that couldnt catch it in the field.(Again funny)that rode that poor animal until a sweat and just put back in the field.\r But thank god i was wrong......that was a bonehead that didnt care if his horse kicked anyone,a real unfreindy type.....\r Pros: neat people,throw partys for boarders Cons: traffic on roads,with new houses going up. more

Beware!!!! This place is not healthy for horses or humans. Not a very family friendly boarding place. My horse was not properly fed while I boarded her there. When allowed in the ""outdoor"" arena, they were eating the wood from the picnic bench and fencing. Most of the horses eat grass and get very little hay. Outdoor fields are muddy, be careful if your horse has shoes!!! Horses are exposed to the ""outdoor"" arena, which I had found boards with nails sticking up (easy for a horse to step on). The indoor arena often gets flooded from over watering. They are nice from the get go to get business, but after that it turns dark. If I am paying for stall board prices, I expect my horse to be indoors at night, which never happend!!! This is just a money hungry business, with no care for horses. The ""happy"" boarders are mainly friends they have had for fews who they get drunk with on the property infront of young children and fellow boarders. Since I have moved my horse and I have been much happier, she looks much much healthier and has a completely new attitude.\r Pros: non Cons: everything! more

Yes I have something new to say. We do get it. The only Drama is the Drama caused by past upset boarders who left J&A Ranch. From what I have read it would appear that this entire Drama was caused by those upset boarders who left this place. If you look real close at the negative posting about J&A Ranch one can also say its coming for the same people. 5 years ago I boarded my horse at J&A Ranch. During those 5 years my horse had it made. She had a clean stall, plenty of water, good hay and feed, a herd to go her own, great pastures, some mud when it rained and good care while we were there. Did I always get along with the boarders or the owners at this barn? Not always but when you have a business you give money too one has to take the ups with the downs. That?s life and reality. Does everyone always get along with everyone? THAT would be NO!. You see I'm real hard headed and set in my ways when it comes to my horse and what's best for her. During my 5 years with J&A Ranch I learned how to communicate with John and Terry and the boarders there. It was not easy but I managed. So my views and theirs were different but the one thing for sure was the fact that my horse was well cared for. In spite of our differences I found J&A Ranch to be a good boarding stable when it came to the care of my horse. I left J&A Ranch when my job transferred to Indiana. It took months for my horse to adjust to her new place. I must confess that if my job had not gone to Indiana I would still be boarding at J&A Ranch. Yea I know call me crazy because you are more then likely thinking that about me. All in All when it came to the care of my horse J&A Ranch is a nice place to board. After all it should be about the care given to your horse not about how you get along or not with people. The care and love she received at J&A Ranch is top notch in my book. Pros: Nice pastures, Good In Door and Out Door Arenas, Price, Good Care for a Horse more

I want people to KNOW that I like this place. J&A is a ""nice and friendly barn"". It has been that way since day one for me. My stall is being cleaned daily. Not every boarding stable is going to be 100% perfect so you have to take the good (Awesome indoor/outdoor, Heated lounge, In the summer 3 huge Green pastures for the horses to eat, great feeding program, wonderful boarders who are willing to help out with anything and private pens if needed) with the bad (Some mud when it rains a lot). Then again what stable does not have a mud when it rains? I find J&A Ranch to be a nice place to board my horse and if you are looking for a place to board, please give them a try. I am not sure where the deep mud statement is coming from but I can assure you that this was not the case last year. The horse area was cleaned and scraped and new dirt and gravel was brought in. I guess you have to be a current boarder to see this and not a past boarder(s) who have nothing else better to do then cause trouble and make untrue statements about J&A RANCH. Your statement about ""your horse lying down maybe from exhaustion you think so"" is an accurate statement, however what your not telling people is that it was because you rode the living heck out of it. NOT BECAUSE OF ANY MUD. Get your stories correct. If I was a horse and you rode me that way you bet your button I would be laying down too. I really feel sorry for your horse. J&A RANCH DOES PROVIDE QUALITY CARE FOR ALL HORSES. A true equine person will always check things out for themselves before making a decision to board their horse. After all it's about the best care you can find for your horse that matters. J&A Ranch is that place for me. more

If you want the truth about J&A Ranch contact the owners. There are always 2 sides to every story. A true equine person will always check things out for themselves before making a decision to board their horse. After all it's about the best care you can find for your horse that matters. J&A Ranch is that place for me. J&A Ranch is a wonderful and kind place to board your horse or horses. Boarders like me have been there for a long time and I have positive things to say about this stable. The horses at J&A Ranch to include mine are healthy and very happy. Shocked you may be. BUT SOME PEOPLE DO LIKE J&A RANCH. What kinds of MEDS are you on? Grain is kept in barrels with lockable lids. The hay is not old and yellow. My tack is cleaned weekly and I have never experienced critter po po on it. I say J&A RANCH IS DOING AN AWESOME JOB RUNNING THEIR BUSINESS its people like you that give it a bad name. Those of us who are currently boarding here like it and that's why we stay. Our horse?s needs are met in everyway. There is more than 1 owner and several others in the family that help to keep J&A Ranch operating. To make your statement of ""And if the owner get too drunk, your horse will only get fed if the neighbors come to help."" IS NOT TRUE. The horses under the care of J&A RANCH have always been feed. Your MEDS must be working overtime. You felt gossiped against - OMG you got to be kidding me. You were treating like the rest of us. Like family. Why can't you recall this? Selective memory or what? We went above and beyond to help you when you were here. AGAIN - J&A Ranch is a wonderful and kind place to board your horse or horses. Please check them out and make your own decision. Thank you. more

There is no way of knowing how a bording place is until you get there until now, I think that this is a great way for people to really get an understanding of how these people operate. I was shocked at the idea that people really like this place. I didn't and I know others that don't too. The extra grain is kept in the tack room where critters can get to it. Not all of it is kept in bins with lids. I had critter residue all in my tack and horse blankets. Lord knows that they ate through the grain bags and now your horse is eating it. Gross to me, but thats not as bad as the old yellow moldy hay. The cats were always all over it. Now cat dodo. I am a firm believer in cleanliness, I shouldn't have to clean out my own horses water bucket. I also will not be told that A WHIP DOESN'T HURT A HORSE. I feel like the horse will always feel a whip when smacked. Its like prison the way they are brought in to feed. If they move the wrong way... pop! And if the owner get too drunk, your horse will only get fed if the nieghbors come to help. I didn't go there to be apart of a social group and to drink. I came to ride and spend time with my horse. I felt gossiped about all the time because I didn't join in the drinking. I enjoy a beer every now and then but they are supposed to be running a BUSINESS and I didn't think they were doing a good job. They have to keep some people happy otherwise they couldn't pay the bills! Keep that in mind too! more

I wanted to let people know that I din't like this place. All this talk about a ""nice and friendly barn"", well - all blogna! They might appear this way at first, just like how I thought all the stalls were cleaned all the time. Because the horses weren't even in long enough to dirty them. Objectivly speeking, when I pay for a stall, I want my horse to be able to use it. I found my horse shivering and when I asked to have it brought in on a regular basis,I was told that it would cost me. LOL. Thats crazy!! The horses are kept in mud, deep mud in the winter and spring months, and the one time they are brought in for grain a day, I found my horse lying down. Maybe from exhaustion!!??? I think so! Anyway, to each their own and good luck to anyone who chooses this place. more

J&A RANCH IS A GOOD PLACE TO BOARD YOUR HORSE. \r \r For NY1978 - No need to explain. If you left J&A Ranch to get better quality of care for your horse somewhere else and peace of mind then that was your choice. Your comment about ""The people that are ""Long Term Boarders"" are either blind to the abuse or don't think that what goes on there is wrong with the conditions there."" IS TOTALLY OUT OF LINE AND NOT TRUE. Gee's what color is the sky in your sick and troubled little world? I have been boarding at J&A RANCH a long time and I have never seen J&A Ranch, John or Terry abuse or mistreat any horse in their care. HOWEVER I have seen past boarders who abused their horses and they were told to leave because J&A Ranch DOES NOT PUT UP WITH THAT STUFF. IT?S THAT SIMPLE. In my opinion it looks like we are a better place since you have left. You also say ""This barn also has a lot of long term boarders that drink together and have a good time, if they are all friends maybe their judgment might be clouded a bit"". I can assure you my judgment has never been clouded when it comes to the care of my horses. AND FYI HORSE Friends do stick together. If they choose to drink or not to drink that's their choice it DOES NOT MEAN they have clouded judgment. Grow UP will you. I do not have to remove my horses in order for them to have shinier coats or fatter bellies. They have that at J&A RANCH. My horses and others at J&A RANCH get quality care, the best of feed & hay and water. When I leave my horses after spending time with them I have a peace of mind that they will be very WELL CARED FOR. If you are a true EQUINE person then you need to check us out. REMEMBER that they are always 2 sides to every story and some boarders will never be happy no matter where they board and chances are when they leave their current boarding place they will say bad things about them as well. AGAIN J&A RANCH IS A GOOD PLACE TO BOARD YOUR HORSE. Pros: Great Location, Long Term and Friendly Boarders, Great In/Out Door Arenas Cons: Spreading False Statements about J&A Ranch more

Since my last posting I have been a share boarder at J&A Ranch for 7 months now. Nothing has changed. J&A Ranch is still a great place to have a horse. John and Terry are still very supportative and helpful while I am learning the basic joys of horse riding. I see that stipid people (upset past boarders I'm sure) are once again saying bad things about this farm. Can't you folks get a life? Come on now. Enough is enough. HORSE boarders if you are looking to board, please check us out. Make the decision for yourself. DO NOT rely on others who post negative things. Come check us out yourself. I think you will be most surprized at what you will find. J&A Ranch has opened its arms to me and I have been treated very nicely. I find J&A Ranch to be an EXCELLENT horse boarding facility. In my short tme as a boarder I have seen the care that John and Terry give to these horses. I guess people are entitled to the opinions and so am I. J&A Ranch is an excellent place to be with your horse. They really do care and try their best to make J&A Ranch a good horse boarding facility. Pros: Great Boarders, Nice Owners, Wonderful Horse Atmosphere, Great In/Out Door Arena Cons: Stupid People Spreading Lies more

I am a boarder at J&A Ranch and just wanted everyone to know that my horse and I like it here very much. I have been here for 3 years now and I am really shocked to hear the negative comments being made about this nice boarding place. Since I have been here I have not witnessed J&A RANCH, John or Terry doing any bad things to my horse or other horses that are here. Since I have been here my horse has gained weight, her coat is very shiny and she is healthy. When I brought her to J&A Ranch our problem was keeping the weight on her. Terry knew exactly what to do to put weight on her. Within 6 months oh my lord you could see the difference. Her attitude changed, she has more energy than normal and even the Vet made a comment about her disposition. I cannot thank Terry enough for the wonderful care she has given to my horse and her friendship as well. Not every boarding stable is going to be 100% perfect so you have to take the good (Awesome indoor/outdoor, Heated lounge, In the summer 3 huge Green pastures for the horses to eat, great feeding program, wonderful boarders who are willing to help out with anything and private pens if needed) with the bad (Some mud when it rains a lot). Then again what stable does not have a mud when it rains? I find J&A Ranch to be a nice place to board my horse and if you are looking for a place to board, please give them a try. There are always 2 sides to every story. A true equine person will always check things out for themselves before making a decision to board their horse. After all it's about the best care you can find for your horse that matters. I say J&A Ranch is that place. My horse is living testimony that the owners know what it takes to keep me and my horse happy. I stand behind J&A Ranch. Pros: Great Boarding Facility. Awesome boarders and nice owners Cons: Negative comments being made about this barn more

I have owned horses for over 25 years and just now have had the oppourtunity to care for them myself. I boarded with this barn about 11 years ago and decided to move my horse( at the time) shortly after I got there. After reading all the thing posted I found that things are generally still the same there. I left under bad terms because I felt cheated and they were not willing to change. I would like to caution people about this barn. Its real funny to me that people can say that the owners care deeply about the horses there. That particular boarder must be new. Everyone who puts horses there will find out the hard way. The owners are ignorant and I don't want my horse treated like cattle. more

I am a fairly new boarder to J&A ranch, since October of 2008. My horse is well cared for and treated. Anyone who truly knows the industry and the type of people that have operated a boarding business as long as the owners at J&A have, know that you don't do it for the money! It is a love of horses that keeps you in the boarding industry -- it has to be to deal with all the b.s. and lies that I see come along with it. The owners of J&A Ranch truly love animals and take good care of all the animals there and do not offer boarding as a way to make money. Do you people who are spreading these lies have any idea what it truly costs to care for your animal? Not just monetarily, but physically and emotionally as well? Grab hold of reality for a second.\r \r I came from a place where the barn manager treated horses terribly, that's another story . . . but I am truly grateful and at ease to know that my horse is being well cared for and taken care of at J&A Ranch. She is healthy, happy and content. \r \r This is a great place to have your horse(s). I trust the care provided and competence of the owners completely.\r \r Don't let negative comments and false accusations prevent you from being part of a great boarding stable. There are two sides to everything. Find out for yourself. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Negative attitudes more