Country Hill Farm -- Lessons and Boarding

For information regarding Boarding at Country Hill Farm, click here

To view a Testimony about lessons and boarding at Country Hill Farm, click here

For information about Riding Lessons, click here

For more information about Kathy Fremes, click here

Country Hill receives a significant amount of business by word of mouth. As a token of our appreciation, receive $5 off for each referral made to Country Hill.

First Rate Boarding

Country Hill was recently inspected by the Ontario Equestrian Federation team of examiners for the Association of Riding Establishments (ARE). We are the first stable in Ontario who received straight "A"s in the history of this association. The facility is graded on site standards, program standards, and management standards.

ARE has replaced the old system where stables were regulated by the Riding Establishment Act under the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. ARE is the new regulating body for the industry in this province.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Boarding

Q. What is the board?

A. Our board is $575 monthly for a 10 ft x 10 ft stall. Larger box stalls are $625 and they run as large as 20 ft by 10 ft. Outdoor board is $450 monthly including GST. Board for foals is $225 monthly. Day board is $10 per day and overnight board is $25 per day. If the board is not received by the 7th of each month, a $25 late fee will be charged.

Q. Is quarantine board available?

A. Yes, Country Hill Farm now offers quarantine services. Please inquire for pricing.

Q. Are there extra charges for extra services?

A. Our extra charges include: $65 monthly for individual turnout; $35 monthly for semi-private turnout; $65 monthly for blanketing; and $65 monthly for booting horses for turnout. Exercising/Training is $30 per half hour. Lunging is $15 per session. Holding for the vet/farrier is $15. Medicating by an oral syringe is $2 per day ($60 monthly). Medicating by injection is $30, which includes the medication.

Q. Are your premises staffed 24 hours?

A. As there are staff staying on the property day and night�we are virtually on the property at all times. We even have a horse vet on the premises! Occasionally, we'll leave the property to get supplies when the horses are back in the barn.

Q. What do you feed?

A. We are fortunate to get a very good supply of mixed hay, especially this year when weather conditions have been so wet, we secured an ample supply of excellent dry hay. Horses are fed as much hay as is required for proper weight maintenance. We also have grass paddocks in the fair weather and round bales in the winter. There are four types of concentrates to choose from: a 12 per cent sweet feed, "Kentucky Showtime", a 12 per cent complete feed pellet, "Challenger", steamed, crimped oats, and beet pulp. We will feed owners' supplements or medications at no charge.

Q. What is your policy with a sick horse?

A. With a sick horse that requires medical attention, we first put a call into the owner. If it is our opinion that professional help is ungently needed, we will immediately put a call into a vet of the owner's choice.

Q. Who is your blacksmith?

A. Almost every blacksmith who works in this area comes to our barn�chances are yours does too. But if that person doesn't, any blacksmith is welcome.

Q. Who is your vet?

A. Dr Watt. However, if you have a vet whom you prefer using and that person is easily accessible in an emergency, then we will use that vet for your horse.

Q. Do you allow outside coaches?

A. No. The owner of Country Hill is a certified coach and offers private lessons to both boarders and students and we also have an Equine Canada certified instructor who works under Kathy's direction.

Q. How much are lessons?

A. $65 for a fifty minute private lesson, $50 for a half-hour. If the student brings his/her own mount, lessons are $5 less.

Q. Is your stable solvent?

A. With so many equestrian centres in the GTA going under or being sold for housing developments, this is a question we hear often. Although it's impossible to say that any venture is 100 percent secure in these financial times, the stable has been owned and operated for over 15 years and has managed to maintain a high level of service and care throughout that time.

Jak and Mouse

Testimonial for Boarding and Lessons at Country Hill Farm

"It's been over 10 years since Luc and Ari moved to your barn. They're as happy as I've ever seen them, if not happier. They've both come through the winter with a shape, a sheen and an attitude that really tells of the quality of care. I've appreciated your staff's quick intervention at the first sign of illness; the boarders are fun; the facility is good; and the opportunities are endless."

Judy Bracewell

"Hi Kathy, I was telling Carol how much I enjoy taking lessons with you, when I thought how silly it was that I was teling her and not you! So I just wanted to send a brief note to thank you for our Sunday hacks/lessons - it is definitely something that I look forward to all week! See you and Chocolat next week."

Melanie Mainville

"I just want you to know how happy I am (and Dad, and the whole family) that we have come to stay at Country Hill. It makes me sleep better at night knowing that you guys are there to look after our baby Eagle for us. Thank you so much for taking such good care of him and all of the horses at your barn. I really look forward to seeing you and having some lessons when I am back in April!! I hope that you are doing well!"

Laura Shell

"I just want to say thank you for how you've been helping Alexi get over her fears....You've been really great. I know the more mileage she gets, the less it will be an issue, but I bet it wouldn't be going as well if she didn't have such great instruction. Every week I see progress and her confidence is building."

Christopher Hilkene

"Hi Kathy, I had a wonderful ride today. Things really came together today, and I felt really comfortable with Chocolat. She worked really hard for me. I wanted to thank you for the lessons and the riding. Country Hill Farm has got to be the best run barn I've been at, and I really enjoy riding there. Thanks for making it such a safe and fun place to be."

Dr. Christina Lawrence

"I haven't mentioned it recently, but I've really been enjoying the horse riding a lot. Its great to put my head in a completely other space and I can't tell you how much difference its made to me over the last (nearly a) year - health wise, outlook wise. Its been really rewarding, just so you know."

J.

"My entire focus right now and for the rest of the year is becoming a better rider for the sake of my two horses. I really cannot thank you enough Kathy for your wonderful instruction and most of all your patience (when I can't seem quite to get it)!"

T.

"You shared your extensive knowledge of horses and the horse business with me, and I know you genuinely cared about my learning and my time here. I've gained so many opportunities and experiences that I never would have gained otherwise. You took me under your wing and helped me blossom - I'm a better rider and a better horse person for everything that you've taught me. I wouldn't change these last months for anything. Thank you for giving me a truly life-changing experience."

Holly McGill, Co-op Student

"Yesterday was great, and I had a lot of fun on the hack. I also wanted to thank you for all the advice you've given me, and the great lessons. Even though I've only been at Country Hill for a month, I've learned a ton, and Sundance and I are both improving. It's also great to know that Sundance is getting the royal treatment."

Maddie

"Thanks for taking the time to teach Jenna on Monday, your one day off. Jenna felt very privileged. She is just loving Axel and your lessons. Thanks so much."

Margaret Doherty

Margaret

Kathy and a student at a dressage clinic with Walter Zettl WIDTH=

Information Regarding Lessons at Country Hill Farm

Country Hill is a full-facility equestrian centre, yet quiet and relaxed. Attention is individual. Students are allowed to proceed at their own pace. And horses used are privately-owned and school masters, cooperative and ideal for learning to ride properly.

Private lessons are 50 minutes in length and are $65 (tax included). 30 minute private lessons are $50, while semi-private lessons are $50 hourly. Please note that a firm 24-hour cancellation policy is in place.

Jess, Axel and Kathy

Horses and tack are provided, of course, but the rider is expected to bring her own safety-approved riding helmet and boots. We provide safety stirrups on school saddles. Breeches are advisable, but jeans or stretchy pants will do.

Earl Gray and Kathy

Kathy Fremes is a certified coach through the Canadian Equestrian Federation (CEF) and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) level 2 and has recently qualified to mentor other coaching candidates.

Show

She has owned and operated this 30-horse facility for over 15 years and taught riding since she was 17. Kathy has been involved in the equestrian industry for over 25 years, first as a rider and three-day event competitor, and later as an instructor and stable manager, caring for 50 horses for over 7 years. She believes that the relationship with a horse starts on the ground and places an emphasis on good animal husbandry. Kathy wants her students not just to be good riders, but good horse people too.

Lorne

At Country Hill lessons are fun for students of all ages and stages. Unlike most environments, we specialize in individual or semi-private lessons that are ideal for learning with certified coaches and horses that are school masters. Also, we offer schooling outside the confines of our indoor and outdoor rings--students can take advantage of the cross-country course or grass dressage ring or the network of trails in our beautiful "Green Belt" farm--far away from high rises, highways and subdivisions--but only 30 minutes from Toronto.

Annick cuddles with pony "The Couch" before heading out on a hack with coach Kathy Fremes.

Kathy Fremes

As appeared in the October 2005 issue of, Whoa!, the Ontario Equestrian Federation Official Newsletter - "Meet the Directors":

Kathy Fremes has owned and operated Country Hill Equestrian Centre in Stouffville, Ontario for over 15 years. She is a coach, trainer, and breeder of Canadian WB and Hanoverians. She teaches in all English disciplines and enjoys the sport of driving as well. Recently, Country Hill has hosted rider retreats, customized clinics with overnight accommodation for riders and has added Country Hill Cooks!, monthly cooking courses to the menu of on-going activities at her farm.

In addition to running the 30-acre, 30 horse facility, Kathy has sat on the Board of Directors of the Stouffville Cooperative for over 10 years, ensuring the needs and feeds of the horse community are met in the York and Durham Regions. She has also worked on a volunteer basis with disabled riders. As both an OEF Director and a member of the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario (ARE-ONT), Kathy was involved in the lobby of government, which resulted in the elimination of commercial taxes for riding stables.

Kathy's professional background, apart from the horse world, includes over 25 years in newspaper and magazine publishing as a writer and editor.

"Dear Kathy,

On behalf of everyone at the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) I want to thank you for joining us as a Session Speaker. Throughout the entire weekend, we received positive response on the excellent speakers. Thank you for being part of the Conference and lending your expertise to the delegates.

Thank you again,"

Andrea McGill, Conference Coordinator Ontario Equestrian Federation

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