Whittier Narrows Equestrian

I think of myself as a quiet, content, two-horse owner who has boarded at Whittier Narrows Equestrian Center for the past 14 years. My wife and I have seen the stable improve drastically since the current concessionaire took over back in 2004. My opinion is this stable is the best deal around. Our problem is, we are upset about that the County's constant mismanagement and all the years of broken promises made during public meetings and lack of follow through. There are too many details to mention. I don't think they understand horse owners. \r \r Now these non-equestrian bureaucrats have put the facility up for RFP (Request for Proposal) with a crazy contract that makes no sense. I for one, have read both RFPs and the contract which are posted on the internet, and it is my opinion that the County is really trying to shut our stable down. Our horses and some of our friends will be leaving, depending on Who is running the stable. What a shame! more

I have been boarding my horses at WNEC for many years and the improvements in the last eight years have been many.\r \r We went from a two arena one round pen facility to a four arena six roundpen (with one arena with composite footing for a fee) and actual parking up front. What a difference from before when speeding cars and out of control children were the rule.\r \r Also, I have never had a horse colic here, can it all be luck, I dont think so. The manager has always been helpful as well as his help.\r \r I am lucky to know about this gem of a stable!!! more

Whittier Narrows has one draw back - the guy who Leases the Stables wont abide by his contract. His contract wont be renewed. He is not a Horseman and is not trained in horse-Husbandry - doens't ride horses - doesn't know how to feed correctly or buy quality Hay - or maintain the stalls correctly - putting Dirt that has washed away over the years. He makes you pay for anything he thinks is extra - like Dirt for the stall at $25 a Scoop. Yet he will put dirt in one Boarders stall and not in another for Free. The Environmental Issues -there are Many - as he doen'st know how to Grade or maintain the land. The Fill dirt he put in when he took the land over becomes a Swamp that slowley washes away - along with the Manure - to Polute the grounds! There is No Security at night and things get stollen right out of the parking lot even during the day! At Night it's worse and other things are stollen. No Security in the Pitch Darkness! No sufficient lighting! No Securtiy whatsoever unless the Sherriff drives in occasionally. No one there to check on sick horses at night - they are on thier own! And this year several horses coliced from the Rotten Hay -and h the consessonairre had to be FORCED by the County when they were finally advised of what was going on! There are different prices for different people - depending on who the Leasee likes or doen'st like! Alot more is going on than meets the EYE at this ranch right now and most Boarders Will be glad the Leasee is Outta there and taken over by someone who likes Horses and People Oh -and Dogs! HE has turned the place into a Ghost town with more people leaving all the time because of his Behavior and Buisness Practices - and he doesn't know what to do if the horses get sick either! He has No Supplies to help with Horse problems there at all. The electric water feeders get too hot in the summer and the horses have colliced because they can't drink the water if it gets that hot. The Boarders are respnsible for catchng that as he has never run the water of every stall to get cold water to flow during those hot times, How do I know? I was There! And had to do it myself - unless you grease the guys palm with money to do anything extra or that should be done to begin with! Can't wait for him to leave in less than two years I think - or Sooner! more

I have boarded at this stable for over 9 years which means I remember the old owner and have been with the new owner when he took over. You should see all the new stalls and arenas the owner has put in. What a great change for me and my horse to have someone running the facility that understands horses and their needs. I have had many discussions with the owner and he has always been open, honest and helpful. I really like the new parking area and all the new plants. I just attended a public meeting about the county investing time and money into the stable, approximately ten million dollars. WOW! In this recession, where are they getting this ten million dollars! My feelings are they don't know anything about running a stable of this size. No other stable in the area can compare to all the benefits and the price is still the lowest around. I give it two thumbs up! more

Being a retired court judge, horseowner,and a boarder at WNEC, I speak with fairness and objectivity. Before I brought my steed to Whittier Narrows, naturally I explored the surrounding landscape. Initially I was appalled by what I saw on the South El Monte side of the river. I looked elsewhere, and not in vain because I discovered the ""Hilton for Horses"" not far from the iniquity. \r I, (notably not an anonymous reviewer) concur with ""Thebigmare"" and ""Horseman 2011"", as my horse is safe and happy. And yes, there have been significant improvements on the property with little or no cooperation from the city or county I might add. Judging the concessionaire 's character, I find him to be most certainly an equine savvy individual. A man with vision and respect. Rare qualities indeed. \r Lastly, there is much transparency to the site, a definite positive, and I can apply no price to the serenity and theraputic surroundings offered at this ""hotel for your horse."" \r more

I have boarded at this facility on and off for about 10 years (continuos for the last 4) and am amazed at the improvements that have been made. While the trails have always been good we have more arenas, 6 more roundpens, parking and much cleaner grounds.\r \r I formerly boarded next door at the old Sports Arena property for 15 years and while it started out great my last few years there were a nightmare. (stolen horses, stolen property, arenas with fencing falling down, bad feed and many other problems)\r \r Whenever I have a concern or request of management I always get a quick response.\r \r I have owned, bred and trained many horses and know what is involved in running a stable and am very happy.\r \r I have looked at many of the surrounding facilities and none come close to this and I have even commented to the manager that I don't know how he can stay in business at these rates. (not that I want to pay more) This facility is less expensive than any that I have found and has more to offer.\r \r Thank you for the great job done at Whittier Narrows!! more

Read em and weep. The last 3-4 speak volumes. One is attack laden and the others speak for themselves. more

I moved my horses to Whittier because I used to stable them @ IEC the sister barn and was very satisfied with my horses' care there.And I knew their care would be the same @ Whittier. The owners care about their boaders . The Hay Quality is great. Not huge stems (cattle feed) , Just the right amount of flowers medium stems and green. My mustangs have flourished at both stables. The reason i moved is because I am a trailrider.My Horses and I just love the owners!!!!!! more

The hay is soo aweful. Everyone I know has to buy extras to keep weight on their horses. Has poor drainage when it rains. There's a dog leash law, and no one there obeys it, it is unsafe to have dogs loose--the owner doesn't do anything about it. There's no security, every man for themselves. A homeless guy is suppose to watch the horses at night, but all he does is sleep in his van. No other stables to go to these days, have to grin and bare it. Pros: trails Cons: poor quality hay, dogs loose all the time more

I am surprised that Animal control and vector control isn't all over this place. A government agency desperately needs to get involved in correcting this place. I saw water dispensers in stalls not working so these horses had no water. Standing water where bacteria and mosquitoes can grow. Horses neglected with serious health issues and obviously in pain. Cons: badly maintained, horses negeleted, standing water and mud. more

Owner seems more interested in monthly revenue than the wlefare of the horses. Thankfully some onwers visit daily and take care of the lack of attention. The barn staff are helpful and friendly and willing to lend a hand. Owners help each other out where possible. Pros: You can ride the riverbeds all the way to Montebello Cons: Stalls not well maintained, no quarantine or birthing stalls more

The trails are the only reason I board there, the hay quality if awful as noted by bales of hay all over the place because people need to supplement. Also the new stalls are poorly designed and the drainage is terrible, horses are left to stand in flooded stalls. Also when your horse has an emergency, the caretaker doesn't contact you. The owner has very little knowledge of horses. Also people pay different rates for the same type of stalls. The boarding rates have increased $100.00 per month in the last four years. Rates are always increasing. Also stallions are boarded there. The county leases the property to the business owner so any complaints need to be addressed to the LA County Parks & Rec. Pros: great trails Cons: poorly managed, poor feed, charges for trailer parking, no lights in the arenas for evening riding more

This newly renovated Equestrian Center is soon to have all the details of a Horse lovers dream. There are new trainers who seem to be very capable and talented. They are freindly too..The new barn is very nice and all the horses are well fed. The river is right out side the back and the trails are sure pretty and relaxing. They have a lot of people there working on all the new improvements. The owner is very business like and tries to attend to everyones needs. Pros: They just need to water the grounds a little more Cons: Traffic getting any place is a bear.. more

This stables is undergoing a lot of changes for the better. The owner is a very nice man. All new pipe stalls are going up along with new locker/tack rooms. There will soon be rental horses and a petting zoo. this all takes time. I have horses there and being located next to the riverbed is very convenient for trail riding. Check it Out! more

I love these ""wonderful"" reviews published as of late. How much kick back ya getting from Joel to write this crap. NO SECURITY / NO ONE ON DUTY DURING THE DAY / Manure piles all over the place / loose dogs on property / NO LIGHTING for the evenings...shall I go on? CRAP for hay...Go somewhere else?? There IS nowhere else, we are all stuck in this craptrap. Now who do you all call if you need help ASAP when you are on WNEC property...there is no one to call. \r The trails are nice.....Hopefully when Joels contract is up this year-thank the lord, the county will kick his butt out the door fast.......\r Pros: The trails are right out the door. Cons: Dirty, underfed horses,loose dogs roam property, no lights,staff downright nasty. more

I had not been to Whittier Narrows Equestrian Center in many years so was pleased to see that old owner was gone. The giant weeds and falling down stalls were gone and there was a brand new pipe stall on premises. What I was not pleased with was the discourteousness of the owner. He was abrupt and downright rude. Apparently this is his demeanor on a regular basis and he treats all of the people there in the same manner. If you can deal with his issues the place is okay. It's not great but it's an improvement and since there aren't many options not so bad. Trail access is great and there is a community arena next door. People there seem okay but not real educated on horses...saw some lack of horse sense going on in a number of different situations. Pros: trail access; new stalls Cons: owner rude and hay poor quality more