Seaton Hackney Stables Reviews

We have been going here for lessons and camp for years. While some things can be better run administratively and I have seen improvements there, my kids couldn't be happier riding there. We are not hard core, my kids want to learn about horses so that is where I come from. I thought the camp originally lacked structure on day 1 but then came to realize how wonderful it was for my kids not to have to go from art to reading to riding and instead spend all day with horses (and a little pool time) and to have some freedom in caring for them. I have found the staff pleasant and the horses are always cared for and happy. We love SHS!

I have been at Seaton Hackney for almost four years and I love it! The volunteer program offers a great way to make riding more affordable. The volunteer program also offers a hands on valuable experience. It is a perfect place for beginners and advanced riders! The horses are very well cared for and certainly get tons of attention from the frequent riders and people who just go to see the horses! The stable is in good condition and the instructors are all fantastic and very encouraging.

Seaton Hackney Stables provided ponies and a horse plus three trainers for a nonprofit event our company hosted. Staff arrived ahead of time, were friendly and professional, great with the children. Staff were careful to clean up after the horses, leaving the location as nice as it was when they came in.

If ever needing ponies or horses again, there is no doubt we will turn to Seaton Hackney.

This barn has great (rubber) footing in the arenas & beautiful jumps that look brand new. The instructors are very good, qualified and friendly people. I am really impressed by the size of this barn and the organization that the staff has to make the riding program run smoothly. The stalls are fully bedded and clean and the horses are turned out as much as possible, which is so important to the horses' health. This barn has a lot of heart. The horses are some of the sweetest I've seen in 17 yrs of riding myself; and are much loved by the kids and adults that ride there. Of course there are a group of people out there that expect perfection; perfect lesson and a perfect 'autopilot' horse; this can't always happen, these people simply do not understand how difficult it is to run a horse business and the hours of labor that goes into it., not to mention how expensive. Horses that autopilot also do not teach you half as much as the horses that don't. Progressing in the sport and becoming a good rider is hard work. You will get dirty. These horses are safe, gentle creatures and are the perfect type to learn how to ride on and progress with. I can tell that the kids really learn how to ride here and ride well. Education like this is very valuable. Not only that, but they grow up with a respect and love for the animals, which is most important

Very nice place, friendly staff. Nice programmes for kids from 3 yrs and older

I rode here for 17 years, through two owners, and have experienced every riding "role" ranging from summer camp only rider, to a boarder. After all this time I still thoroughly believe I would not have loved to ride as much, or have learned as much, if I had ridden at any other lesson barn. This is a great place to learn what it means to ride: there are some excellent instructors and a range of horses (several "saints", great for beginners). There are very few places- private, show, or lesson barn - that follow a routine as successfully as seaton hackney; something that has extreme value in this industry. The horses are fed at the same times daily, they have a turn out schedule, and the horses experience genuine love from kids daily (literally all the girls that ride there have equine instagram handles dedicated to their favorite horses).
It always blows my mind reading overly negative comments about this place: read them carefully, many seem to have misconcieved notions that have nothing to do with the actual establishment. Can every business improve? Yes. However, this one does many of the important things right:)

Seaton Hackney is one of the BEST stables in NJ. They are so much more than just riding. They teach how to properly care for the horse before and after the ride. They have the most patient and calm horses. The instructors make riding fun and relaxing while still challenging. Their volunteer program is top notch!! I have been a volunteer there for almost 2 years and I have grown so much both personally and as an equestrian. I have found most barns to be snobby. Not Seaton Hackney; they attract bright friendly and caring students and instructors. You walk in an you are always greeted with a friendly hello and there is always someone there to help new riders. I cannot praise this barn enough. I LOVE SEATON HACKNEY STABLES!!!

While visiting I got a weird vibe from the staff. I was left off to the side waiting for an instructor. No one came to help or speak to me for about 15 minutes. A Spanish speaking acquaintance of mine tried to book over the phone and was told there were no appointments but when a white male acquaintance called back immediately after an appointment was suddenly available on the same day at the same time. Do not suggest spending your money here!

I cannot speak about the facilities or the programs but from a horse owner of 55 years caring for a varriety of horses. I have a horse that was under the care of Seaton Hackney Stable for about 9 months. This horse came to me in one of the worst conditions I have seen in a long time. He was thin not only in the ribs, chest and neck but was wasting in the head. He had no lights on. He was down a good 200 pounds. The first week he bairly moved and only walked. Now about five weeks later he has put on a good 75 pounds, runs and plays. I would not recommend to do anything at this place if this is the way they treat their animals. RUN the other way.

This place is amazing!! I moved back to New Jersey almost two years ago and finally got around to looking for a place to learn how to ride. Right from the beginning the proprietor (Marc) was very nice and welcoming. I came in for an evaluation lesson within a few days of initially reaching out and was immediately hooked. The staff is very friendly and the horses are loved. In the short time I started riding until now I have gone through the volunteer training and help out as much as I can! (They provide volunteers with barn bucks good towards tack, gear, and up to half the cost of a lesson.) This place does so much from a petting zoo to PEP troops for young new riders to trail rides in the beautiful Loantaka Brook Reservation located adjacent to the stables. From the top down this place, the people, and animals are all amazing. Be warned: this place will suck you in and make you feel like family.

my best friend has been riding here for years and she loves it :)

Nice place to take your children to ride. Young volunteers keep the stables and horses clean, brushed and fed.

I am sure some of you are skeptical about the reviews...some rated this place really high, and some rated this place really low. I (my daughter) have been a regular here since 11/2013. Before that she took the summer camp. We love this place. The staff are very nice and accommodating, the horses and the property are well kept, and the instructors are very kind and professional. You must experience this place yourself to understand. Yes, sometimes the office staff could be a little bit cold, but when you are as busy as they are, you will understand. I highly recommend SHS!

Really bad service and communication. They have very bad booking system and they do not check their requests everyday. I called and confirmed a time for a party, and then I sent my request online and paid deposit. I also called after booking and confirmed they received my payment. However, 10 days later they told me that the time I requested had been booked out. And they blamed me because I did not submit my request online!!! How they could deny? I have the record on my computer! If the time is not available, why they told me it was at the first time? They ruined the party for my daughter. And they said they could do nothing about this... They treat their customers so bad!!! If I could rate zero, I will rate zero on them! Do not trust them! They neglect customers' requests!

I think that Seaton Hackney is a wonderful and educational place. And when I went there I had a wonderful time horseback riding.

Great place for my child to learn, not only has the price been great it also has been a great place for my daughter to learn. We has been attending since 2013-14 and we are still there.

This stables teaches many things including:
- Jumping
-Safety rules on a horse
-Caring and grooming for a horse
-Horsemanship

Also, Seaton Hackney introduces you to show and competitions,as well as hosts some of them.

Calm riding, beautiful area of Jersey with good instructors. Thanks

Great place to learn how to ride a horse and just enjoy the cool any of others riding. Enjoyed my time riding a few horses and getting to know them and be around such an amazing creature of its size and power. Deli across the street if you re wanting to grab a quick bit then head off and enjoy your horseback riding with family or friends! Will be returning in the summer when I can enjoy it with my husband. Thanks

Seaton Hackney does not take proper care of their horses. They are kept in small stalls, with little to no turn out in the pasture. The stalls are filthy and the smell of menuar is overpowering. Any respectable horse facility would not have this issue. The horses are not fed enough, and they are overworked. I cannot begin to discribe all of the incidents that I have seen happen there. Run the other way. It's a semi-abusive situation for the animals... I would not support this buissness... I would suggest going to Lord Sterling for lessons and other activities.

After my 5 years of riding here at SHS I have learned so many things. Things that most stables don't tell you. As in, how to groom a horse, how to tack up a horse, and how to jump on a horse with no saddle!(bareback)
I have learned some of the most valuable lessons here. As you read the reviews other people have left and question whether to come here or not please consider the fact that Seaton Hackney is not perfect. No stable in the world is perfect. It only exists in fairy tales. Of course there is going to be flies, that's how it is! What other stable offers free leases, a chance to pet a real zebra at a birthday and a chance to learn about real horsemanship?
I am a volunteer here and I love to groom horses, muck stalls and do whatever I need to do. I love seeing the kid's smiles as they ride ponies. I have been riding here since I was 6 and I have been a volunteer since I was 10. I have met amazing friends who are even nicer then my school friends.
I had a birthday there when I was about 3 and it was one of the only birthdays I remember. I had so much fun. I rode ponies and horses the whole time all while staying completely safe. I loved it. I had another birthday party after that when I was 7. It was a trail ride with an amazing horse Kit Kat.
I have formed an incredible bond with one of the horses there. She is an amazing horse and tolerates almost anything. Your child or you can fall in love with these incredible animals.
Please consider coming to SHS and ride or have a birthday party/trail ride. I give it a

I went to camp here for Idk like four years when I was younger, and I don't know why I returned each year, probably cause the horses I liked, but other then that, I hated this camp. I don't know about the owner or such, but the instructors I was with were really not nice at all and not patient. At the time I was only a beginning rider and they left me alone and didn't help me at all. (only one instructor did which I really liked, but then she left and I was sad.). They even pressured me to do stuff I was uncomfortable with such as trotting, and in order to make me trot they literally held my feet together and ran next to the horse while I was on it.
I almost fell off the horse once because they didn't tighten the girth and the saddle literally was falling sideways and I was trotting on top of that because it was a relay race. I was scared, and no one seemed to be helpful at all. Also the stables are in poor conditions, the stables look like they are never really clean thoroughly.
I also had a bad experience with one of the campers, she was rude and she even thrown a helmet at me! And the counselors said it was because she was challenged or what ever and used that as a excuse. But I was crying and very upset, and yet they didn't do anything to solve the situation and said "oh just let it be" like I don't want to feel unsafe, but I did.
They also made us ride in rain before on the trail ride. I was literally soaked it looked like I jumped in a pool I was that soaked. They have you put your lunchboxes where flies were, and was gross. I ride at a different place now, EEC, and they are much better at attending to each riders need and level and I love it there (i can trot now! because of that place). But I had a terrible experience at Seaton Hackney. And felt really unsafe, deffintly not a good camp if you are a beginer rider, they won't help. sorry.

We love Seaton Hackney Stables! We visited twice over the summer and both times we had great experiences: the first time, my daughter's Girl Scout troop had a class lesson and we really appreciated the care that was put in each individual training and the friendliness of the instructors. The horses were mild mannered and visibly happy, the facilities are comfortable and - if you're there with younger children - the corral with a few farm animals is a bonus. We returned a few weeks later for a family class and we liked it even better. Our instructor, Frank, was outstanding and so personable. At the end of our lesson, we felt energized and with a greater love for both horses and riding than when we started (most of us are beginners). A plus, Seaton Hackney Stables makes riding more affordable with the variety of plans offered, for adults and children alike.

Thoughtful, friendly, and responsive staff. Our daughter has had summer camp here for 2 years and is already asking to return.

I came to Seaton Hackney as a beginner rider. I didn't even know how to trot! Now I know how to do cross rails and how to canter. I love the staff there and I have made lots of friends! They offer a very helpful volunteer program where you can volunteer and earn barn bucks. You can use those barns bucks to pay for up to half of most of the activities at the barn. I have taken advantage of that opportunity and use barn bucks to pay for my lessons. The horses there are friendly and adorable, and I highly reccomend Seaton Hackney to anybody who is looking for a stables. I will have ridden there for a year this summer, and I haven't had a horrible experience yet!

Meet Our 2nd Home. We feel in love with SHS 6 years ago. From Lessons, to troop, Volunteering, to IEA Team, to full Equishare. Starting at 8yrs old to forever. Seaton has taught my girls how to love, ride, show and own. There is so much to love here. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, Trainers are excellent, grounds are well kept, beautiful trails and riding rings, horses for of all kinds Seaton is for all levels and pleasures. Its a forever home and my 2 girls are so very happy here. If You love horses as much as we do, you need to come to Seaton Hackney. There is something for everyone.

This is a great place to go to begin your riding i started here when I was 8 and it feels like home. I volunteer and you get to spend your day with the horses and have fun i go there because it is like my zen place everyone is sooooo nice.

Wow I'm here it's such much fun the best service and friendly to everyone you going to be very happy to come here I recommended you to come here if you want to be happy

The horses are really nice. It was a good experience.

Great experience, Jen was an awesome instructor. Definitely will be returning thank you.

Such a great place ! As a young at heart yet quite rusty rider I was not sure what to expect but from my first phone call and email I was welcomed and supported. Office and barn staff consistently helpful and friendly. Going 1-2 x weekly for lessons since Oct, I have seen very happy and comfortable horses, instructors who clearly care about the welfare of the horses and,love what they do. Great instructor who knows each horse, safety conscious for both myself and horses and careful to pair us to best achieve individualized lesson objectives for the day.Trail rides are beautiful .Saw the winter campers having a great time learning horse care and enjoying hot cocoa. All around wonderful place to either get back to riding or get started.

The instructors at SHS are very experienced. Especially my daughter's experience with Frank is he gives very good instructions and so she can get it and see her improvement right away.

The instructors were wonderful. It was a great experience for my kids. I diffently recommend going here. I can't wait to do it again.

I've been at SHS for 5 yrs now and I love it! The volunter program offers a more affordable option for riding and the instructors and staff are all very helpful and friendly. The horses are very well taken care of and you can tell they love their jobs! I've tried 6 different barns in NJ and SHS has been by far the best of them all.

Seaton hackney stables rundown dishonest trainers barn is in horrible condition girls don't ride at seaton hackney the trainers lie to your face there nasty rude they don't like military families and the horses don't even get taken care of I moved my horse to heritage stables in Randolph NJ EVERYONE GO CHECKOUT HERITAGE STABLES FYI ESSEX EQUESTRIAN CENTER BAD TRAINERS AND DISHONEST TRAINERS PLEASE CHECKOUT HERITAGE STABLES seaton hackney stables are rude dishonest trainers and they won't even let you jump or compete or be on the team and yes there stuck up they should be out of business they can't even take care of the horses or anything

Started here years ago on a Living Social voucher, and had such a wonderful experience that I haven't left. Friendly barn staff, trainers, and horses. With 24 years of experience, I was skeptical if the school horses could keep me challenged, but they offer great horses for every level - I learn something new from Frank, my excellent trainer, every lesson! Though I haven't been able to ride lately, I still often come by after work to hang out with the gang and get in some 'equine therapy.' I always feel welcomed whenever I mosey on in, despite just being a lesson student. Can't wait to get back in the saddle!

I have been riding and volunteering at SHS for 4 years, and it is an amazing place. For one, the second you walk into the doors, you are greeted and you know you will definitely feel always welcome. A PEP troop is provided for the little ones to learn how to ride a horse and slowly building up more experience. I came to SHS as a beginner rider, just a girl who loved horses and wanting to learn how to handle them, feed, muck, tack etc. they teach you all of that if you are planning to volunteer as well. and if you are also a rider they teach you to tack or you can watch one of the volunteers do it. The horses are well taken care of, fed and watered on time by following a schedule the stable has. They are kept clean as well. The barn is a friendly environment with amazing instructors and staff who will help you with any questions you have. The rings have rubber footing and they are also well kept. Beautiful scenery if you go on the trail rides as well (rivers, surrounded by trees, the sun reflecting off of everything, its beautiful). The horses are extremely sweet and well trained, and you will progress in your riding if you go here. I haven't had one bad experience :)

Seaton Hackney is a wonderful stable filled with passionate experienced trainers. My 2 daughters have been riding here for 3 yrs now. Shs has become their second home. This stable is by far one of the best stables we have been riding at. I have recommended many of my friends here and would tell you to make this your first choice. The horses are well cared for and have a loving environment. The trainers are knowledgeable and enjoy teaching. It shows in their riders. My girls are experienced riders because of Shs and love every minute they spend at the barn. As a mother I feel completely comfortable and know they are safe. Seaton Hackney is family. There's no place like it.

This is the only local stable I could find that has a program for little ones. I signed my daughter up for the fall PEP classes and she absolutely loves it. She knows all the tack and how to groom the horses. She was given real instruction on the ponies also. She cannot wait for winter to be over so she can go back. I've also become more comfortable and have learned a lot. I am very happy with the program.

My daughter has been riding at SHS since she was 5 years old. She has grown and matured into such a responsible young lady who loves horses and riding because of her experiences here. The volunteer program and learning opportunities have been nothing short of wonderful and engaging for her. She has met many girls her age that she shares a common interest with, which keeps her grounded and focused. I love the fact that as she moves up levels, there are always new opportunities for growth. Marc and Shelly continuously offer opportunities for the riders to grow and develop their strengths and skills. All of my daughter's learning experiences have always been in a positive nurturing environment which also pushes her to reach her fullest riding potential.

The horses seemed to be cared for and the staff is professional. My daughter has enjoyed her lessons.

Very unprofessional in requesting more money after a voucher was purchased for a designated amount. My efforts to seek clarification was met with rudeness. Unlike Groupon which supports their customers, the yelp representative advised leaving a negative review. This does not help a customer that is being forced to pay extra after a purchase is made for a requested item. This will be my last time dealing with Seaton Hackney stables and Yelp. We hope to find honest businesses in this area since we recently relocated from South Carolina where businesses did not scam their customers. We have always been treated fairly by businesses that advertise on Groupon and yelp. This is not fair taking advantage of customers.

The summer camp is a huge disappointment. I can get over the dilapidated structures and grounds, but there's way too much standing around for the kids. I'm at the "parent visiting day" now and it's clear the problem is the camp is run by kids. No adult supervision. Super potential but I would not come back here again nor could I recommend it.

The staff are very experienced, within my first half hour lesson with jamiah I learned very much. He relayed information to me in a way I could grasp. I was purposely given an experienced horse which I did very much appreciate, for my next lesson he is giving me a another specific horse to accommodate my need for cantering experience.
I wish this place was closer to me in Westfield but I will always travel for the well trained horses and personable, experienced and professional staff.

This place is a mess.

Everything is disorganised, particularly the summer camps and PEP program. The horse are clearly overworked, underfed and because of this are quite clearly unhappy. They keep them in tiny stalls that are absolutely filthy. Most of all though, the owner, Marc, is awful. He is rude, unprofessional and arrogant. Some of the staff are nice though and are clearly trying to do the best they can considering their circumstances. Overall though, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

In response to what these other two "reviewers" have posted:
I have worked in various barns over the years. The horses here are well cared for AND much loved by everyone, employees and volunteers alike. Not one of the horses works for more than 3 hours a day, so there is NO WAY the tack could be used more frequently. Every horse has his/her own saddle and bridle- well used, yes, have you ever ridden in a new saddle? Incredibly painful.
The stalls are the correct size for each horse, and as clean as possible- if you've never had or taken care of a horse, please don't comment. Furthermore, the horses only spend time in their stalls during the day while they are working, at night they are turned out to graze. Most school barns keep their horses in day and night.
I have not seen anyone "frowning". The people who work here do so because they love horses, and go out of their way to accommodate every clients' REASONABLE request.

Had a 14 and an 8 year old take a lesson, they loved it.

My daughters have been riding at SHS since 2008. The instructors and all the staff are amazing. The friendships they have formed with other riders and staff alike is invaluable and the opportunities that they are offered to improve on their riding are incredible. My girls are there every week and I have to say almost every day, they are committed to those horses as is anyone working there. Love it and recommend it!!

Seaton Hackney provides a great affordable way to enjoy horseback riding to people of all ages and skill level. I have been riding there for about a year and have loved all my experiences there. Recently had to take some time off, but can't wait to get started again!

What a great place. Wednesday afternoon no crowd of people are there. I got a groupon for a private 30 min lesson. It was my first time here but certainly not my last. Liz was my walker and she was an excellent instructor. I learned so much in that short time. I will definitely come back for the trail riding lesson.

Awesome horses. Be sure to say hi to my man Larkin.

Budget wise factoring in quality & condition of horses and the plantation.

My daughter Haley participates in their troop program. She enjoys it very much and has learned a lot. Well organized and fun program.

Such a great place great service the staff are so helpful

Every time I bring my daughter here to ride it is chaos and nobody knows what is going on. She is in the PEP program yet when we show up the employees there are not sure which class she should be in - whether it is PEP troop or PEP program (with the ponies) who the instructor is, if there are enough volunteers, what horses to use etc. I understand this at the first class but not each time. She does not even get onto a horse 20 minutes into the class (because the instructors are arguing about what is going on and the kids are standing there confused) and it is a one hour class. If my daughter did not love riding I would stop coming here but she is only 7 and not old enough for other nearby stables. I will stick it out as long as possible. I would have voiced my concerns to someone at the office but I can never find anyone.

Office staff was unclear and rude and horses were kept in small stalls and overall the place is very unorganized. I recommend red oak farm instead of this place.

I can not believe that it will be 10 years since I started to come to Seaton Hackney as a beginner rider. I fell in love with the place....the instructors, the office, the riders and the horses all become part of a village that nurture your heart and soul. You can get as involved as much as you want. Volunteer to clean stalls or groom a horse. Socialize with the women and men that stop in to see their favorite horse or pony. This barn is what YOU make of it. The horses are loved...the students are well taken care of and the trail rides just make you smile. Come and say hello to my favorite boy at the barn Larkin..

This was a birthday gift class for my daughter. Needless to say it was a hit. The animals appeared to be well cared for (something that's important to me) staff were friendly and the experience was great. Gonna have to put aside a "horse fund" cuz we will be back lol. Pricey as it is, it is understandable because of the care the animals need. Masks enforced. Highly recommend.

I had a B-Day party for my 5 years old there and it was a disgrace. They did not provide what was agreed. They had provided only 16 juice boxes for 28 kids on a hot day, although I had specifically informed them in writing how many kids are coming. When I have asked the office for more drinks the answer was "there aren't any more". When I complained to the manager, who was in the office after the party, he said: "You could get drinks from the machine outside". There weren't plates for the pizza and no knife to cut the cake. The staff was unfriendly towards the kids. One of them was just standing near the pony ignoring kids requests to take a ride.
Stay away from that place!

I was looking for adult private training for horse riding class and seaton is the closest and most convenient for me. Kids running around and petting horses so despite look disorganized, it seems perfect for kids since it s not intimating them (or me). My wonderful trainer frank is very patient and if it s not because of him, I d probably gave up horse riding already... thank you seaton

We live in the neighborhood behind Seaton Hackney Stables and love to listen to the horses just beyond our yard. We often take our 2 1/2 year old son Finn to say hello and the staff are always very welcoming. Just stop on by.

Looked at many Stables in our area. Seaton Hackeny Stables offered us the most. My girls are in troop, lessons and have the ability to go on trail rides.
They also just completed their Volunteer Program.
They can now Volunteer on the Weekends and enjoy more time at the Stable. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this Stable to anyone who is looking to ride. Whether it's your first time on a horse or you have been riding a lifetime.

Worst place ever!!! I've taken my daughter and niece here once, technically twice... and hoped we've never came!! The first time was just ok. The staff were ok, the instructors were ok. So we scheduled for next time, since the girls did like it there at first. However, when we went the second time as scheduled, the girl at their office told me that we were actually scheduled for the week after!! Just like what the heck? when we scheduled, I clarified the day, the date, and the time serval time to make sure, and now after 40 min drive, she just told us, sorry, come back next week if you like. NO HELL NO will I come back next week or ever again! her attitude was the worst you could find on a front desk person and on a 16,17yrs old girl! Where are your manners!! DO NO GO here! They treat you like trash!!