Amstel Acres LLC

05/20/2024

* * Position filled, thanks everyone! **

*Trade board for chores, message if interested *

We have one pasture board spot opening up for someone who would like to trade board for chores. We are a small (15 horses) training barn located in Perry, MI.

- Time commitment: one AM and two PM shifts OR two AM shifts per week. AM takes about 3 hours, PM about 1-1.5.
- Availability on the weekends (especially Saturday PM) required, otherwise flexible.
- Tasks include feeding, turn out/in, cleaning 5 stalls (the rest of the horses are outside)
- Must be comfortable/skilled at handling/leading horses and have basic knowledge of care/management/what to do in an emergency/etc.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- This is a small barn with a supportive atmosphere. If you bring drama, truth be told you won't last 🙂

Amenities include 60 x 120 indoor arena, 100 x 200 grass outdoor, hay fed 3x daily, grain 2x (we provide or owner provides), individual tack lockers, owner lives on site. 10 acres of pasture, daily turnout. No extra charge for holding for farrier/vet, blanketing, giving supplements/meds (all of these within reason).

There is a requirement to take at least two lessons per month (negotiable for the right fit). No outside trainers allowed (non-negotiable).

05/11/2024

Northern lights at the Acres!

05/05/2024

First day of pasture! Everyone was happy to get out of the paddocks 🐎

12/24/2023

Merry Christmas! 🎄

'Not to be opened until Christmas'
Christmas greetings from Thelwell

11/23/2023

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

10/15/2023

Good morning 🍁🍂🧡

09/30/2023

2’ jump off winning round, congratulations again Jessica Tirado and Utah!

09/30/2023

Had an amazing time at today’s Revel Run Fall Jumper Series event. Congratulations to Jessica Tirado and Utah on clean rounds in the 2’ division and in the jump off, taking home a 1st and a 4th place! So proud of this hardworking combination ❤️💪🏼

08/11/2023

SOLD

Tucker River Plantation saddle for sale. 18.5" seat, wide tree, color black. Made in 2013. Well maintained saddle, has a few blemishes (belt buckle scratches from dismounting, small mark on the cantle) but overall in very good shape. Tucker Trail Glide stirrups and (no brand) synthetic + felt girth included. Asking $800.- OBO. Located in mid-Michigan, will ship at buyer's cost. PayPal or cash.

06/30/2023

** SASHA HAS FOUND A PERSON, THANK YOU ❤️ **

Available for on-site free lease at Amstel Acres: Sasha, 15yo beginner safe draft cross mare, 16hh.

The owner's current work schedule does not allow enough time for Sasha, so she has decided to offer her up for free lease to the right person. Sasha is a kind, confident beginner safe mare and perfect for someone looking to improve their riding skills and/or get more time in the saddle, but is not looking to commit to purchasing a horse just yet. Available for full-time or part-time free lease, schedule is negotiable/flexible.

There is a requirement to take one lesson per week ($45.-/hr) while leasing Sasha.

Restrictions: Sasha must stay at Amstel Acres, no off-site leases. Sasha is suitable for flatwork only, no jumping.

If interested or for more information, message Amstel Acres or contact Jessica Fry (trainer) at five 1 7 5 one 5 9 7 three 2.

06/30/2023

*PENDING*

Eisha, 14yo Dutch Harness Horse mare, is still looking for her perfect new pasture!

Since we posted her first ad we have had the time to work with her a bit more and can now confidently say she rides (trail/arena) AND drives, and will even hop over a small jump when asked. Just a nice, all-around mare. Driving video in post, and jumping video in comments.

Please message Amstel Acres or call Jessica (trainer) at five 1 7 5 one 5 9 7 three 2 if interested.

Below is her original ad:

Eisha, Dutch Harness Horse mare (no papers), approx. 14yo and 14.3hh. Former Amish kids' driving horse, broke to ride and drive. Has mainly been used for trail rides since leaving the Amish and is currently learning the basics of dressage. She has not been driven in the last 2 years so will need a refresher.

Eisha is safe, sound, sane, and very personable once she gets to know you. Absolutely no bite, kick, buck, or rear. Great for farrier and vet. Minimal maintenance required: will need front shoes for trail riding but currently does well barefoot. Has been kept UTD on vet and farrier and sees a chiropractor regularly.

Eisha can be a bit opinionated/sassy (like a former kids' horse can be) but is not mare-ish. Can be wary of strangers but warms up quickly once she discovers you are friendly and then she is in your pocket. She will need a firm yet kind hand, someone who will take the time to bond with her is a must. A lot of work has gone into teaching Eisha to trust people and it is important that she goes to a home that appreciates that and maintains the progress she has made.

This mare has a BIG trot with a nice amount of suspension and would likely do well at lower level Dressage. Given how she moves, she would not be suitable for most Western disciplines and beginner riders will have trouble sitting her trot without interfering with her movement. Currently no workable canter yet (driving horse) but she is starting to offer it at liberty and it is being worked on undersaddle.

On the trail Eisha is upbeat, confident, and very forward: once you are in the saddle she is ready to go at a powerwalk (so you'd better be ready as well). We have encountered people riding their bicycles, walking their dogs, etc. on the trail without issue. A home that will take her out on the trail occasionally is a MUST, I don't think she would be happy exclusively as an arena horse.

For Eisha we are looking for a forever home with (at minimum) an intermediate rider who hopefully would be interested in developing Eisha's skills in the arena. She would be a lot of fun for perhaps a younger rider who is interested in training a green horse in basic dressage but doesn't necessarily want to deal with the shenanigans of a youngster or a retraining project. She is not suitable for young children, teenagers about 14yo and up should be fine.

Priced in the lower four figures starting with a TWO. PPE welcome at buyer's expense. As her trainer I would love to stay in touch with her new owners and retain right of first refusal if she needs to be rehomed.

06/22/2023

Me: *hangs 4 hay nets*

The girls:

05/27/2023

*PENDING*

✨ Offering for a client who is getting out of horses ✨

Please read the entire ad before responding! Private message preferred, it's easier to keep track of messages than comments.
Good match with a forever home is more important than a quick s@le! No dealers or flippers please.

Videos in comments.

Eisha, Dutch Harness Horse mare (no papers), approx. 14yo and 14.3hh. Former Amish kids' driving horse, broke to ride and drive. Has mainly been used for trail rides since leaving the Amish and is currently learning the basics of dressage. She has not been driven in the last 2 years so will need a refresher.

Eisha is safe, sound, sane, and very personable once she gets to know you. Absolutely no bite, kick, buck, or rear. Great for farrier and vet. Minimal maintenance required: will need front shoes for trail riding but currently does well barefoot. Has been kept UTD on vet and farrier and sees a chiropractor regularly.

Eisha can be a bit opinionated/sassy (like a former kids' horse can be) but is not mare-ish. Can be wary of strangers but warms up quickly once she discovers you are friendly and then she is in your pocket. She will need a firm yet kind hand, someone who will take the time to bond with her is a must. A lot of work has gone into teaching Eisha to trust people and it is important that she goes to a home that appreciates that and maintains the progress she has made.

This mare has a BIG trot with a nice amount of suspension and would likely do well at lower level Dressage. Given how she moves, she would not be suitable for most Western disciplines and beginner riders will have trouble sitting her trot without interfering with her movement. Currently no workable canter yet (driving horse) but she is starting to offer it at liberty and it is being worked on undersaddle.

On the trail Eisha is upbeat, confident, and very forward: once you are in the saddle she is ready to go at a powerwalk (so you'd better be ready as well). We have encountered people riding their bicycles, walking their dogs, etc. on the trail without issue. A home that will take her out on the trail occasionally is a MUST, I don't think she would be happy exclusively as an arena horse.

For Eisha we are looking for a forever home with (at minimum) an intermediate rider who hopefully would be interested in developing Eisha's skills in the arena. She would be a lot of fun for perhaps a younger rider who is interested in training a green horse in basic dressage but doesn't necessarily want to deal with the shenanigans of a youngster or a retraining project. She is not suitable for young children, teenagers about 14yo and up should be fine.

Priced in the lower four figures starting with a TWO. PPE welcome at buyer's expense. As her trainer I would love to stay in touch with her new owners and retain right of first refusal if she needs to be rehomed.

As stated above, private message if interested or for more information.

04/11/2023

*PENDING*

✨ Offering for a client who is getting out of horses ✨

Please read the entire ad before responding! Private message preferred, it's easier to keep track of messages than comments.

Good match with a forever home is more important than a quick s@le! No dealers or flippers please.

Videos in comments.

Eisha, Dutch Harness Horse mare (no papers), approx. 14yo and 14.3hh. Former Amish kids' driving horse, broke to ride and drive. Has mainly been used for trail rides since leaving the Amish and is currently learning the basics of dressage. She has not been driven in the last 2 years so will need a refresher.

Eisha is safe, sound, sane, and very personable once she gets to know you. Absolutely no bite, kick, buck, or rear. Great for farrier and vet. Minimal maintenance required: will need front shoes for trail riding but currently does well barefoot. Has been kept UTD on vet and farrier and sees a chiropractor regularly.

Eisha can be a bit opinionated/sassy (like a former kids' horse can be) but is not mare-ish. Can be wary of strangers but warms up quickly once she discovers you are friendly and then she is in your pocket. She will need a firm yet kind hand, someone who will take the time to bond with her is a must. A lot of work has gone into teaching Eisha to trust people and it is important that she goes to a home that appreciates that and maintains the progress she has made.

This mare has a BIG trot with a nice amount of suspension and would likely do well at lower level Dressage. Given how she moves, she would not be suitable for most Western disciplines and beginner riders will have trouble sitting her trot without interfering with her movement. Currently no workable canter yet (driving horse) but she is starting to offer it at liberty and it is being worked on undersaddle.

On the trail Eisha is upbeat, confident, and very forward: once you are in the saddle she is ready to go at a powerwalk (so you'd better be ready as well). We have encountered people riding their bicycles, walking their dogs, etc. on the trail without issue. A home that will take her out on the trail occasionally is a MUST, I don't think she would be happy exclusively as an arena horse.

For Eisha we are looking for a forever home with (at minimum) an intermediate rider who hopefully would be interested in developing Eisha's skills in the arena. She would be a lot of fun for perhaps a younger rider who is interested in training a green horse in basic dressage but doesn't necessarily want to deal with the shenanigans of a youngster or a retraining project. She is not suitable for young children, teenagers about 14yo and up should be fine.

Priced in the lower four figures starting with a TWO. PPE welcome at buyer's expense. As her trainer I would love to stay in touch with her new owners and retain right of first refusal if she needs to be rehomed.

As stated above, private message if interested or for more information.

03/02/2023

This. 🙌

Klaus Balkenhol works with a young horse in the Classical German system…
“If the horse is very up in front and not relaxed in the back and not swinging, and the hind leg is a little slower than the front one, the rhythm of the walk is broken, or the back is so tight that the walk is always short, they should mark down these things, but the big problem is that they do not. When you see horses working like this, then later when they are six or seven years old, they end up in the veterinary clinic.”https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2017/06/klaus-balkenhol-and-the-correct-way-of-training-a-horse/

12/24/2022

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄❄️🎁❤️

11/07/2022

Lunch in the sun 🌞

09/25/2022

Fall 🍂🍁

04/28/2022

It’s finally dry enough! First pasture turnout of the season, happy ponies ❤️