Granby
by Lisa Peterson
Farm Feature
Strain Family Horse Farm
T
Lisa Peterson
a boarding facility that offers a relaxed “We look for ones that can walk, oday Bill Strain Jr., his brother, family trail-riding atmosphere. In 1998, trot, and canter, ones that can back up David Strain, and their children and aren’t cranky, not teeth grinding, keep the family business thriving. Bill and his wife, Christina, started a boarding and lesson barn, the Strain and not ear pinning. It all sounds simThe Strain Family Horse Farm, started Family Equestrian Center, in Southwick, ple, but it’s very important,” Bill says. in Granby by the late Bill Strain Sr. and Massachusetts, which boasts two barns, The horses they offer for sale are his wife, Sandy, almost a half century ample outdoor and indoor riding rings, used for pleasure riding, local showing, ago, each year sells hundreds of quality and large grass paddocks for their 20and lessons. They even sell to the riding horses. They’ve been in the busiplus boarders. Hartford and Bridgeport police departness of selling horses for so long that On most days you’ll see two, if not ments, among others, which adhere to they now have some three-generation three, generations of Strains at the sales the old military cavalry tradition of only customers. geldings and solid colors As you enter the sales of bays, blacks, and chestbarn, you’re in the presence nuts. of dozens and dozens of When newly acquired framed color photographs horses arrive at Strain’s of happy owners showing off farm, they’re cleaned and their horses winning silver clipped and their manes trophies, relaxing on the are pulled. They’re shod, trails, or taking small chiland dewormed and have a dren for pony rides. A Coggins test. “Then it’s photo of the actress lots of riding!” David says. Katherine Heigl, aboard a “It’s important to make pretty Paint, stands out. sure that the horse’s story In 1968 their parents matches the horse.” With bought a five-acre dairy many hours in the saddle, barn on Sakrison Road. Bill they can make sure a senior’s father, who came horse crosses water, goes from Ireland, was a horsequietly on the trails, and man: he worked with Yale’s isn’t afraid of traffic, for polo team and managed example. Once they’re satthe Farmington Polo Club. Garrett Strain with his dad, David Strain (center), and uncle Bill Strain, Jr. isfied that a horse is suitBill senior started out in the able for purchase, they’re ready to show barn in Granby. The family pride themhorse business as a blacksmith and sold it to clients. selves on having a good supply of qualhorses on the side. With sales success, they expanded the property to 10 acres. ity horses — from 30 to 40 — to show people on any given day. Horse Shopping Bill senior, who passed away in 2012, “Horses aren’t like cars; they’re not Bill Strain Sr. — and his ability to match a eventually transitioned from farrier Chevys or Fords. Every horse is a live rider to just the right horse — was legwork to a full-time sales barn, horse product, unique and individual, just as endary. “He was well known, had a strong transportation, and a tack shop. With personality, and always shared his opinlong hours spent in the barn and lots of every person’s situation is unique and individual,” Bill says. “A horse may be ion,” Bill says. “People didn’t always like horseback riding, Bill junior and David considered too fast for one rider, too it, didn’t want to hear it, but at the end of grew up on the farm and learned the slow for another.” the day he was almost always right.” family business. “There’s a saddle for every seat,” His sons say they’re more laid back “It’s all we’ve ever done,” Bill says. David says. “We just have to find the in their personalities than was their “Every day we live and breathe this. father, but their abilities to match the We’re New England’s largest quality sales right saddle for your seat. We’re like matchmakers.” perfect horse for a rider’s needs are secstable. I don’t think there’s anybody else Bill and David work with 19 agents ond to none. And they’ve continued the like us.” across the Midwest and Canada to find system, developed by their father, that When the Strain brothers moved quiet and safe horses for a variety of helps them find that horse. out of their parents’ home, each set up purposes, from hunter/jumpers and It all begins when one of the Strains his own riding and boarding facility. western pleasure to family trail riding interviews a buyer. He’ll ask about ridNow the family manage three locations and lead-line ponies. Specializing in ing experience, plans for the horse, and and operate a fleet of trailers for shipthe budget. Then it’s time to take a walk Quarter Horses, Paints, warmbloods, ping horses, both locally and long disin the sales barn. The 200-foot-long, 40and draft crosses, the brothers look for tance. In addition to daily duties at the sales barn, David and his family manage horses that are more than five years old, stall barn, with a dirt aisle wide enough to ride in during inclement weather, the Western Connection, in Granby. It’s mostly geldings and already trained. 16
January/February 2016