AJS Farms

AJS Farms is located in South Holland MI, offering farm fresh eggs, locally harvested honey (raw, un-filtered) and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
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Prior to September 1st 2024 AJS Farms had a very active public equestrian program, now a private barn.

10/02/2024

The nights are getting too cool to keep honey out at our farm stand, but we still have plenty available! 🐝

09/07/2024

Excited to see the orchard maturing!

08/31/2024

Fresh, local honey is back in stock! Be on the lookout for our farm stand!

08/30/2024

We would like to do one final post as the doors of the barn come to a close.

AJS Farms has impacted so many people over the years through riding lessons, birthday parties, camps, & more. We would LOVE to hear your favorite memories from the barn and see your favorite pictures!!

While we are sad to see the end of our riding program, we cannot be more grateful for the past five years with our barn family!

08/28/2024

“Wisdom”
This word holds a lot of meaning. For each person it can look different. I’m writing about this word because I have had to make a really hard decision. One that took a lot of thought and seeking the wise counsel of others. In the end, I am making wisest decision for my family!

My husband and I are having are first baby in December!!! This baby has been long awaited for and we honestly never thought we would get to experience the blessing of being parents to our own children.

AJS farms has given me so many beautiful children and teens to love on and many I’d claim as my own. That being said, I have made the hard decision to close down the riding program at AJS farms for the foreseeable future. This has probably been one of the biggest hardest decisions I’ve had to make as it affects not just me but many people.

I want the full experience of being a mostly stay at home mom and I want to cherish every second I will get with my beautiful baby boy (who is on his way in 3+ months!). For my husband and I, this is the wisest decision. I want to be 100% in with my family. Trying to run a full time business with over a 100 clients and being the kind of mother I want to be, will make being good at either job very difficult.

I love to people-please and I know many people do as well. But what I can encourage you to do is to seek wisdom. Ask the Lord about things in your life and follow his leading. It might not be the best thing for everyone around, but I’m called to serve my family first as a wife and now as a mother. In this season it requires sacrifices that affect others.

I love all the friends and families I’ve met and made over these last five years. And I’m so thankful for our time together! Just because the farm is closing, doesn’t mean I don’t still have an open door and I love visitors!!!!

Much love,
Ruthann Steere
Program Director and Head Trainer

08/26/2024

Happy Monday!

This past weekend, AJS Farms went camping with the Leadership Crew! We brought many of our horses and enjoyed time on the trails. It was a great weekend of spending quality time together (no electricity or cell service)!!

Here are some pictures of the fun!

08/23/2024

Happy Farm Friends Friday!

Today we are doing an update on Madi E.!

Madi has worked for the barn over the years as a substitute instructor and assistant vaulting coach. This summer, she has been working in Idaho on Red Horse Mountain Ranch!

Madi has been taking guests out on trail rides and having all sorts of adventures! Here are a few pictures to show what she’s been up to!

08/21/2024

Happy Wisdom Wednesday!

Today’s topic is about herd instincts!

As prey animals, horses have natural instincts to help them protect themselves and the herd from potential danger.

Horses rely heavily on their hearing to watch out for predators. If you have ever taken a trail ride, you may have noticed the horse’s ears! The lead horse with have their ears pointed forward, as their job is to observe what is up ahead. The middle horses will have their ears turned out to the sides, as they listen to the right and the left. The last horse will have his ears pointed backwards to watch out from behind.

No matter what group of horses you have (whether they are friends or not), they will always do this with their ears! Horses are amazing animals and have incredible instincts to protect the herd from all sides.

The next time you ride on the trails, watch your horse’s ears!

*Pictured is one of our staff members, Maddy, tailing a trail ride in Colorado*

08/19/2024

Happy Monday!

Last week a few of the girls on the competition team went to Nationals! We are so proud of these girls!

08/15/2024

Happy Wisdom Wednesday!

Today we are resharing a post from Blair’s Barn, called “Make Them Carry Their Saddle”!

“A father of a darling girl and I were talking last year and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal”

08/12/2024

Happy New Move Monday!

Today we are demonstrating a press rolling on to the neck. Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting move!

08/09/2024

Happy Farm Friends Friday!

Today we are doing another update on Clare!

Clare is finishing up farrier school in Missouri. She finished an internship in Texas and even competed in RMFA Colorado Classic (a farrier competition hosted by the Rocky Mountain Farrier Association)! Clare has been hard at work creating all kinds of horseshoes. We are so proud of Clare!

08/06/2024

Happy New Move Monday!

This week we are demonstrating a roll! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting move!

07/31/2024

We just wrapped up our pony camps! We had a blast riding in the arena and on the trails!

07/29/2024

Happy New Move Monday!

Today we are demonstrating a transition move, the roll to the neck! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting move!

Address

6473 145th Avenue
Holland, MI
49423

Telephone

+18592301710

Website

https://www.ajs-farms.com/

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We would like to do one final post as the doors of the barn come to a close. AJS Farms has impacted so many people over the years through riding lessons, birthday parties, camps, & more. We would LOVE to hear your favorite memories from the barn and see your favorite pictures!! While we are sad to see the end of our riding program, we cannot be more grateful for the past five years with our barn family!

Happy Wisdom Wednesday! Today we are resharing a post from Blair’s Barn, called “Make Them Carry Their Saddle”! “A father of a darling girl and I were talking last year and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained. Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.) When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core. When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core. When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work. Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals. When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise. After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced. Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back. Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations. Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride. I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you. Hannah Campbell Zapletal”

Happy Wisdom Wednesday! Today we are sharing a post from Woldgate Trekking and Livery Centre!! We are incredibly blessed at AJS Farms to have a fantastic group of lesson horses!! “They are never just RIDING SCHOOL PONIES❤️🐴 One day you may move onto bigger, fancier horses, but never forget the school horse who made you, as without them, you wouldn’t be able to ride anything at all. The patient soul that tolerated your bouncing while you figured out how to sit the trot. The kind mare that didn’t walk off when you stumbled up the mounting block, trying to get your foot in the stirrup. The sweet gelding that picked up the trot even though your body was telling him to do the exact opposite. The saintly angel that never spooked, which was a dam good thing because your balance was precarious at best. Too often we forget where we came from. We move on to the next chapter in our lives and say, “Oh my gosh, I’m learning so much! I’m going so far! I could never do this kind of thing on that old school horse!” But infact you could, you were just not ready to do all these things back then. But that school horse gave you the confidence to move forward. That school horse took care of you in all respects and allowed you to take the time you needed to find your way. You couldn’t have become the rider you are today without that riding school horse, always remember to love them unconditionally for our riding school horses are what help start your dream, make dreams come true and get you ready for those bigger dreams 🐴”

Happy New Move Monday! Today we are demonstrating a pair move, Special K with a flyer! Stay tuned next week for another freestyle move!

Happy Monday! A big thank your to everyone who attended our vaulting fundraiser and recital last weekend! Here are some of the highlights!!

Happy Monday! The competition vaulting team made a promo video to show off all they have been working on! Don’t miss out on supporting Beachside vaulters this Saturday from 4-5:30 for the dinner fundraiser and vaulting recital from 5:30-7!!

Happy New Move Monday! Today we are demonstrating a pair move that Reagan likes to call, the “swingy thingy”! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting freestyle move!

Happy New Move Monday! Today we are demonstrating a mount to the outside shoulder! Stay tuned next week to learn another freestyle vaulting moves!

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A Fun, Professional and Relaxed Barn Experience

Your home for Private or Group Riding Lessons, Mommy and Me, Vaulting, Team Building, Summer Camps and more!

AJS Farms desires to engage individuals and families of all backgrounds through self-motivation, strength, confidence, and teamwork in an authentic environment utilizing horses, the great outdoors, and various farm activities!