training program

McIntosh Stables is a full-service barn that takes an active role in the care and welfare of the horses under our charge.
 
We believe that regular and consistent movement contributes greatly to the horse's mental health and body condition, thus each horse in our training program gets out twice a day. On their day off they get extra long turnout time in our large turnout, and a free lunge if needed.
 
We utilize our large and medium-sized turnouts, free lunging and lunging with a Pessoa rig, training rides and lessons to create a custom program for each horse. There is a trainer at the barn 7 days per week. Our program consists of two lessons per week, in addition to professional rides. Since there is no static formula that can be applied when dealing with horses, we customize each horse's program depending on horse ability and client goals.

Most importantly, there are always highly-trained eyes on your horse. We perform morning and evening checks on the horses every day. In this way we can constantly assess and maintain each horse's physical health and disposition.

Head trainers Colin and Toni McIntosh oversee the entire program, with a specialized focus on those riders preparing for competition. McIntosh Stables is supported by a talented and highly experienced team of assistant trainers, who assist with coaching and handle training and barn management in Colin and Toni's absence. The team of head coaches and assistants work hand in hand and take pride in their solid training and coaching abilities. Our team is such that you can expect the same high quality level of coaching and training while Colin and Toni are away competing, as you will when they are home.

Special Services
Professional rides, lessons, grooming, tacking up and untacking, bathing, blanketing, wraps, basic first aid, grain/supplement feeding, and leg and face clipping are all included in our monthly training cost. Body clipping is charged as an additional fee. We have our own custom rig for long hauls, and split hauling costs by horse to keep traveling expenses as reasonable as possible.

Facility
Our training business is located within a larger facility called The Portola Valley Training Center. The facility features several riding arenas, a ½ mile galloping track, a large covered arena and many turnout paddocks. Stalls are deeply bedded in shavings and cleaned twice a day, seven days a week.

Feed
Our horses are fed alfalfa pellets at 7 am, alfalfa or oat hay at 10 am, grain/supplements at midday, and another feeding of hay at 4 pm. We manage each horse's feed program, including grain and supplements, and customize it depending on the horse's condition and training program. We use SmartPak supplements which are paid for separately by the client. Every Sunday all the horses are given a bran mash. If a horse requires additional hay, we provide grass hay for an additional charge.

Shoeing
We manage your horseshoeing schedule and work with an experienced farrier who is well educated in the demands of shoeing sporthorses.

Veterinary Care
Our barn uses the services of Dr. Wayne Browning of Bayhill Equine for 90% of our veterinary needs. Dr. Browning specializes in sporthorse medicine and rehabilitation and is regarded as the top lameness vet in the area. For emergency services, Peninsula Equine Medical Center sits only steps away from our barn and is a multi-vet practice with full emergency and surgical services. Peninsula Equine also meets all of our routine veterinary needs, such as vaccinations and worming. Such proximity has proven invaluable, not only in keeping costs down for our clients, but for the health of our horses, who can be seen almost immediately should an issue arise.