CH Equine - Brighton, Colorado

Kathy R.

I can’t say enough about CH Equine – its caring and dedicated owners, its professional and welcoming environment, its amazing boarders and students, its indoor and outdoor riding facilities and first class training opportunities – all these things in one place make CH Equine a wonderful experience for horse and rider.
I have known the owners, Carrie and Cody Harrison, for nine years. I started as a riding student of Cody’s, having not ridden in a number of years, and was immediately inspired by his focus on the relationship between horse and rider. Nine years later, I am still a student of Cody’s and now have my own beautiful quarter horse that I board at CH Equine. Not only did Cody help me achieve my re-introduction to riding and horse ownership, but I am a better, more confident, more relaxed rider than I have ever been. Cody has helped me become so much more aware and appreciative of the need for communication between horse and rider, and the value of balance and lightness in my riding.
Carrie and Cody Harrison provide an environment that centers around the love and respect of our horse partners and family members. They have fostered a boarding and training community that is incredibly friendly, supportive, and welcoming – the uplifting feeling that you get when you visit CH Equine reflects all of that. And so important to me… my horse is happy, healthy, and well cared for. My mind rests at ease that he is under the care of CH Equine.
I strongly encourage anyone who has a desire to further their relationship with their horse in a safe, professional, and welcoming environment to contact CH Equine. You will be very glad you did!

Tracy S.

CH Equine is fantastic!! I just participated in the Cavaletti clinic with Cody Harrison. The experience was loaded with learning, but still very fun. Cody is a kind and patient trainer of both the horse and rider. And I would give CH Equine my highest recommendation! Such a great experience!

Deb S.

I am writing this unsolicited review for CH Equine and Trainer/Clinician Cody Harrison.
I am a boarder and student of Cody Harrison and have been for currently a little over 6 months.
I came to Cody with some very deep rooted fear issues not only in the saddle but also on the ground, and a belief that I may always feel that way. A little embarrassing to admit this in public, yet if I can help one person and their horse with my review, then I am willing to put that out there. Please know that I am not that same person that arrived 6 months ago. It’s a miracle or at least I feel that way!
In a very short time, because of his ability to train to the individual and their horse and not a cookie cutter approach to the training, he has been able to bring out confidence and belief in myself and my abilities. I have had the opportunity in my horse life to ride with many great instructors & trainers yet his knowledge and classical dressage approach to horse and human is like nothing I have had the experience to enjoy. Each positive day, just layers on the other and before you know it, you are doing things with your horse that in your heart, you would never believe possible.
If you have the opportunity to work with Cody, for a single lesson, ride with him at a clinic or any other opportunity, even if you just trailer in, you owe this gift of education to yourself and your horse.
With regards to boarding my horse there, I am nothing but pleased and relaxed about this facility.
The horses are always first, and each and everyone of them has a peaceful relaxed state of mind. The care is first class. The grounds are safe and exceptionally maintained.
Completely drama free, honestly this is the truth. The only thing we all talk about there is horses, horses and more horses. All of the Borders are super supportive of each other and genuinely care about each person and their horses. It is very clean which I just love. A clean barn means happy and healthy horses. I would encourage you to schedule a visit, and come see and feel the peaceful facility for yourself. If you expect excellence for you and your horse you will not be disappointed.

Lauren W.

I have had such positive experiences at CH Equine (I was a boarder in 2017 and have also taken lessons, ridden boarder horses, and attended clinics there too). It is truly rare to find a barn that checks all the boxes - great facilities, a welcoming and friendly environment, competent ownership, and knowledgeable instruction.
Cody and Carrie treat everyone like family. Riders of different levels and backgrounds feel welcome, and the people are all so supportive and friendly. They take good care of the facility, keeping everything clean and well-maintained. The barn has a well-lit indoor arena, lounge, tack room, wash rack, and grooming area. The property also has lots of outdoor areas to ride and lunge.
Cody is a very skilled rider and great instructor. He is a lifelong learner and is always improving and evolving, then passing that knowledge on to his students. Clinics were fun, informative, and very well-organized (stress-free!). Cody ensured that all riders received instruction and had a positive experience, and took the time to thoughtfully answer questions and engage with students.
I revisited the barn this month (on winter break from veterinary school) and it felt like I had never left - just like home 🙂 I would absolutely recommend CH Equine, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds!

Kaitlin W.

CH Equine - Cody and Carrie are exceptional. This is the perfect place to come if you need help with your horse, need to deepen your understanding of horses and become a better rider and horse person in every aspect. Cody is a master horseman and can read both the rider and horse instantly. Whether you come for training, boarding, immersion program, lessons or clinics, you can't go wrong. I have seen countless transformations in horses and riders.

It is constant learning and progress with a family friendly and supportive atomsphere where the well-being of the horse comes first. I am so grateful to have found a second family and home at CH Equine! Thank you Cody and Carrie!

Karen W.

In February 2019 I purchased my current horse. I've owned many horses previously, so am quite experienced. This horse was always on edge. Anxious and fearful. Even in the safety and security of his stall he could be a hot mess of nervous, fearful behavior. No trainer I had worked with knew how to help him, until Cody at CH Equine. I put my horse in Cody's hands for full time training July 2020. It is now mid January as I write this review. Under Cody's training and care, my horse is happy and relaxed. He is cantering well, whereas before his right lead was a hot, unbalanced mess and he didn't even have a left lead which we now have. I, myself, have gained so much in working with Cody. My confidence, which took a severe hit, has returned and I've made more progress in 6 months than I think I did in the last five years. Oh, I did not mention that my horse is a Missouri Fox Trotter. Cody is knowledgeable and great with the gaited breeds. I board there now, take lessons, do clinics and feel I'm in a really good place. I highly recommend Cody and CH Equine.

S S.

LOVE this place! CH Equine has become my sanctuary. Happy horses in a small, quiet, beautiful setting with absolutely NO DRAMA! No matter your age, experience or discipline, Cody can help you build a better partnership with your horse.

Amy V. C.

I boarded at CH Equine for 2.5 years and left a week ago. Here are my observations:

Pros
* Cody is an excellent clinician and instructor and a decent trainer.
* The facility is less than five years old and still in relatively good condition.
* The community of owner/boarders is excellent. Most people are kind, supportive, respectful and caring of both their horses and other people.

Cons
About four months ago, the facility took a dramatic shift. First one good employee left, then their best employee left. Care for the horses degraded significantly. Until this point in time, I had very few concerns about the care my horses were receiving. I was outspoken with praise, even posting a glowing review on Facebook (now deleted). Since then:
* Boarders are required to pay in cash. No checks, no online payments of any sort. Cash only for boarding. For numerous reasons, this is a terrible, potentially unethical and dangerous idea — just ask any reputable equine professional and/or an accountant. When asked about it, the response from Carrie (Cody’s wife and the operations manager) was “I hate bookkeeping.”
* Two excellent, knowledgable full time employees were replaced by two people who either don’t know about or aren’t interested in caring for horses. They are not well supervised.
* The outdoor runs with sheds are no longer cleaned regularly or thoroughly. Horses are left standing in filth. When asked about this, the response is “you can’t clean the runs when it’s cold” or “The employee who does that was gone for several days. He’s catching up.” Several boarders have taken to cleaning their horses’ runs themselves.
* Boarders who pay extra for additional hay find their horses with little or none.
* Horses were once fed at 7am and 7pm. Now they’re fed at 8am and 3:15pm, meaning they go upwards of 18 hours with nothing to eat and no one checking on them. I asked about this change. The reply: “We aren’t going to pay someone to stay later to feed.”
* Water troughs are often very low and very dirty. In the rare times when they are cleaned, the employees dump them into the runs, where the horses then stand in ankle-deep water to eat and drink.
* Outdoor rings and arena are rarely groomed. They used to be well cared for.
* When concerns are voiced, the response is “We don’t make any money on boarding.” Perhaps this is meant to make everything okay. It doesn’t.
* Since the beginning of my experience at CH, Cody’s response to an owner experiencing a lame horse has consistently been “He’ll warm up out of it.” The first time I heard this, my horse was actively foundering (thankfully, he’s fully recovered now, as I caught it early). The second time, the horse was suffering from an old stifle injury that needed extensive treatment (ongoing care, now mostly recovered). The third time, the horse had stepped on something sharp, injured her frog and then stood in a filthy run for four months (while in training with Cody), resulting in half of the frog becoming necrotic (still recovering). The “he’ll warm out of it” approach has been used on at least two other horses who were found to have serious injuries.

Riders interested in instruction should consider hauling to CH for lessons or clinics. Knowing how things have changed, I wouldn’t recommend boarding there until/unless several improvements have been made. Also, it’s important to say that I don’t believe Cody and Carrie are bad people. I think they’re good people who are in over their heads with a failing business. They would do well to sell the boarding operation and focus on what Cody loves most and does best: being an instructor and clinician. From my experience, it’s clear that funds are tight and the novelty of owning and operating a horse care business has worn off.