Calypso Bay Stables

Want to see what Calypso Bay Stables is all about? Check out the website at calypsobaystabledotcom. Pros: Too many to list more

Some of the negative posts here are completely without merit. But then again some people only see the world through a lifetime of horse muck and negativity. Here is my honest observations and experience. Looking to get back into more equine enjoyment I searched around Pinellas County. Pinellas has a wonderful horse community and the people I have met and the stables I have seen make you realize that horse people are the best. I stopped by Calypso one day to check out the facilities and was immediately greeted by Patty and Rhonda, both of whom could not have been nicer. After showing me around they encourage me to hang out even after knowing that I had no horse of my own and no immediate plans to board a horse. My wife and I came back and were encouraged to stop by anytime and even feed apples and carrots to Patty's horses. We signed up for lessons and were encouraged to come back anytime to just enjoy the company of her horses. Well, for us non horse owners the ability to just come groom and pet horses made our world complete. Now months later we are leasing ""our"" horse from Calypso. Are there better stables out there? I imagine that people who want to bolster their choices will tell you so. From our perspective we could not have been treated better, have not once seen any of the negative examples given, and even though we enjoy meeting the people from other stables we are committed to Calypso because of the owners, manager and friendly boarders there. One more example comes to my mind. Shortly after we started visiting we observed one of the horses receiving medical care. The vet service recommended that someone stay with the horse all night. Patty, the manager, told the owner not to fret and not to pay the high cost of having a vet stay with the horse. Patty reassured the owner that she herself would not go home that night and she would stay at the stable with the horse and take care of it. That kind of committment and caring are priceless. Pros: The owners and manager. more

This facility makes great use of the limited space available in the Largo area. Grounds are immaculate and horses are cared for. I have been at many top ""A"" show barns and this one could give them a run for their money on services, cleanliness, and competive pricing. This is a family barn that is developing a ""show"" side as well. The current trainers are very knowledgable, have worked/trained with many big names and even posses equine degrees, local judging experience, and extensive show knowledge. Their current barn manager/western trainer keeps a tight ship to make the facility safe and clean for everyone, not to mention she has a keen horse sense and true love for the horses. The new( as of Febuary 2008) huntseat/dressage trainer is currently sponsored and showing the ""A: circuit in both jumpers/hunters/ and dressage, judges locally in FL and has had years of training from other renown trainers. Great farm, very agreeable prices in todays struggling economic situation...making it possible for many people to enjoy horses affordably and safely. Pros: Safe, reliable, quality care more

Is your horse without personality or energy? Is your horse perfectly behaved? Does your horse just stand in the turnout instead of trotting about? Trotting or cantering within the $35.00 extra 1-2 hour turn-out time is forbidden because, of course, it will trample the grass. Do you clean your stall daily (even though you are paying for full board)? Do you have the personality that strokes the ego of a 23 year old manager? Do you have the desire to follow the direction of staff at the detriment of your horse? Are you ready to feed horses or do other chores around the barn to help a verbally abusive assistant manager? Do you have an extra hundred bucks a month lying around for club dues? There are a few boarders who have been there for a while. These people fit the criteria. Check out the constant exodus and turnover in the barn. If then you are still impressed, then, this is the barn for you! Pros: Very clean Cons: Horses must be dead-headed more

Nothing like listening to the ""Barn Manager and Assistant manager"" yell at your horse for being a horse and then remind you to be a better owner. Yup, Calypso is about stroking the staff. It has little to do with the horses. Have a problem with your horse? Want something extra? Oh, you WILL be told YOU need to spend more time with your horse....or buy some product......even if you are there everyday! The STAFF certainly cannot be expected to help. These people JUST DON'T WANT TO WORK AND DO THEIR JOB!!!!!! Talking and sitting while someone is tacking up or down is not WORKING! And then.....we are asked to help them......And even though I pay on the club house, I really don't want to sit in the little box. Caring about my horse?????? No, they care about who is paying club dues. Pros: 2 STORY WEIRD ""CLUB HOUSE"" Cons: 2 STORY WEIRD CLUB HOUSE DUES $100/month or we don't like you..... more

We are a FAMILY barn. We ALL chip in to do the chores 7 days a week. That is what a FAMILY does. The workers really don't make that much money. A family helps one another. The owners work hard at making this the best barn in the area and even care enough about ALL of their borders to supply a smoking area. Yes, there are lots of rules. Horses can be dangerous. There have to be rules to protect everyone. I'm happy they don't tolerate bad horses. I don't want my horse around a bad horse. Horses learn from one another. Good riddens to people who have left! No one needs to deal with their horses. I'd rather have the manager spending her time with good horses. Board is only $510/month with 2 hours daily turn out on grass offered for only $35 extra. You can bring your own hay if you want night hay too! The place is always open! The club is fun and for everyone and only $100/month extra each month. All together $610 a month is not much to pay to build a great stable and a lifetime of friends. If you don't like it, you can leave. And by the way, some people do deserve to be yelled at. Pros: FAMILY HELPS WITH CHORES BECAUSE WE CARE Cons: BAD PEOPLE with bad horses posting bad comments more

Calypso is a great place to board for trail riders, especially those who believe in natural horsemanship! No, they don't have a trainer on staff..... A TRAINER is defined as someone who can teach a HORSE equitation and halter a foal, break a horse...... Tell me, who really needs that??? They do have people with personal experience....I love Calypso, they don't tolerate uppity show people and their needy hyper ill behaved horses. Who needs the attitude? A caring horse owner cleans her stall anytime she sees manure because it is for the horse. And you see a lot of that at Calypso because people just love their horses. As for those who don't like it here.......leave. Pros: Loving natural horsemanship No show horses! Cons: turn out just long enough to clean stall and then back in more

Excellent care of horses with wonderful trainers. The manager is always there to help you with your horse or any questions. Beautiful grounds with a large grazing area and grass turnouts. My horse couldn't be happier! more

Lots of opinions, ridiculous rules and no knowledge. 22 year old barn manager is the resident self-proclaimed trainer. Boarders who clean their own stalls leaving little for the ""manager"" to clean up are popular. Lots of gossip regarding horse owners. Oh another way to popularity.......give money toward owner's projects OR smoke. One big cat fight fueled by owner's statements to boarders. They do love to write nasty statements on the bulliten board regarding ""your gossip"". Gotta love it. Pros: Nice round pen Cons: no true trainer on staff more

Why someone is putting such malicious postings on this site about this stable is beyond me. This person keeps threatening to leave, so why don't you just leave the stable? If you are so miserable, why are you staying at the barn and posting cowardly remarks. There ARE excellent trainers available to us at Calypso Bay. You can also bring in your own trainer, so I really cannot understand why the comment about trainers keeps coming up. No one has ever said to me, nor have I ever heard anyone complain about manure left anywhere. The owners are nice people who want a nice barn. Talk about being petty and bored . . . posting evil, hateful remarks is being immature and cowardly. Grow up. I board my horse at Calypso and it is a wonderful place to board your horse. I hope anyone considering boarding at Calypso Bay will look beyond these truly petty people and come see for yourself. Some people fail to realize it is a boarding facility, as the horse owner you are still responsible for the care and well being of your own horse. You are responsible for following whatever rules your barn has posted. It's common sense. It's for safety for yourself and others and for the animals. I am happy to be at Calypso Bay, and I am not alone. Horses are such peaceful and kind creatures, why can't we learn from them? more

We looked at a lot of stables in Pinellas county and this was by far the best. It's well-maintained, with friendly, professional staff and owners. You are not forced to show if you don't want to, and you have access to your horses 24-7-365. The manager and owners are always willing to listen when a boarder has a concern or questions, you just have to bring it to their attention. We know our horses will be well taken care of at all times, which gives great peace of mind if we should happen to be out of town. I guess the only ""perfect"" stable is the one where you can keep your own horses on your own land; until that happens, my horses will be at Calypso Bay. Pros: Everything except shortage of land/turnouts Cons: Shortage of land/turnouts more

We at Calypso need to reflect on what we say and do to people. No wonder people are angry with us. Our overall attitude is ""our way or the highway"". Live and let live I say. Too many picky rules and tearing others apart trying to appear concerned about other issues. Could be a nice place but I'm losing faith and am looking for another barn. Pros: Nice main barn Cons: No so nice people more

I board at Calypso Bay stables and I can not agree with the people who wrote negative comments.I think that it is the best barn that I have ever boarded at.Thanks to the staff, my horse gets treated very well.I think that Calypso is a great place to board and it is a loving and safe stable for my child. Thank You owners and staff!! Pros: Clean and safe Cons: Limited parking more

It is hard to understand the negative postings, but then are are always some bad apples. You get what you give and personally I have had a great experience. All aspirations are welcome, but poor horse care is not tolerated. The barn manager is thoughtful and works long hours putting the needs of the horses above her own. You could not ask for a more helpful group of people to care for your animals. The clubhouse is a gift to the boarders and yes donations were solicited, but it is a shared amenity no matter what kind of car the owners drive. Pros: Lovely safe facility more

I currently board my horse at Calypso Bay. It is clean s s Pros: Nice all around facility more

I board at Calypso Bay Stables and find the management and staff show great concern for the horses. My horse gets the best care I could possibly ask for! This Stable is not a show barn and has not claimed to be one but boarders can show if they wish and they do. There are many show horses at this stable. The present barn manager has more horse knowledge and experience than the majority of the boarders could ever wish for. I am a full boarder and my stall is cleaned daily and the horse is fed by the staff. No one has ever been asked to clean stalls at night and the only manure that needs picked up is when the horse goes on the stable grounds. The management has always treated me with respect and has given my horse great care. The stable grounds are always clean and well taken care of by the staff. It is truly a FAMILY STABLE where adults and children are welcome. For the boarders who have nothing better to do than GOSSIP, why don't you leave and let the rest of the boarders who love it at Calypso enjoy the stable in peace! Thank You Calypso Bay, trainers and staff for providing such a wonderful facility!!! Pros: Clean stable with wonderful service more

OWNERS Ask for Donations for a clubhouse. It is funny. Drive in in their Jaguar. A for-profit business.... Management now complaining to boarders that boarders didn't give enough money toward the half-built clubhouse while owner is in the construction business and this improves their property value! Pros: No West Nile Cons: Owners solicit money from boarders. more

Staff is lazy and self centered. Your horse is the least of their focus. Manager's focus: MAKE THIS A SHOW BARN.....Right. No actual show horses on the premises. Start by cleaning the stalls! Staff will actually put dry shavings on top of wet. more

PAID FOR FULL BOARD as you can' t come by and clean up after your horse every night? Forget it at Calypso. Actually on two bulliten boards is a reminder to ALL boarders (about 90 % are full boarders) to pick up manure in their stalls quickly as it is fly season again. ..... NICE. Get ready for sneers and nasty comments from staff if you can't clean after your horse......or pitch in to feed the horses.....although you are paying for the service. more