Monastery Stables

Title: Significant decline in care and management I boarded my senior horse here for 8 years, but since Boarders and Stewards of the Monastery (BSM) took over operations in 2024, the quality has vanished. Under the previous management by Kitchen Lane Stables (KLS), who operated the barn for over 15 years, the horses were the priority. Now, the atmosphere is toxic and the care is subpar. The Reality: Poor Husbandry: Minimal bedding and dirty/empty water buckets are common. Safety Concerns: My horse's medications were discarded without my knowledge when he didn't finish them immediately. Hostile Management: The manager is inexperienced, unresponsive to texts/calls/emails, and dismissive. I was even told my active, ridden 34-year-old was "old and just going to die" as an excuse for poor service. Hidden Costs: Rates have gone up twice the last year, and there is now a 20-hour/year mandatory "volunteer" requirement. With five people evicted this year based on management's "whims," this is no longer a well run stable or friendly environment. There are much better, more affordable options in the area. Save yourself the stress and go elsewhere.

I used to love coming here to see the horses and the people were so friendly and happy to teach me about their horses. The new management is awful. Very unwelcoming and the managers scream at people for no reason. The barn manager doesn’t seem to know what she is doing and there were horses out of the paddocks in the open field by themselves! That seems incredibly unsafe. I saw some manager yelling at one of the riders and telling her she was the boss, super unprofessional. What a huge loss for the community.

Monastery Stables is a site steeped in history and equestrian tradition. Built in 1747, it stands on the grounds where the Brethren Church in America first began. The stables are part of the historic stone house known as The Monastery, located on Wissahickon Creek at Kitchens Lane. While its monastic connections are more legendary than certain, the area was once home to German mystic Johannes Kelpius. Today, the stables are maintained by a local nonprofit organization, continuing the legacy of horseback riding and care within the lush Wissahickon Valley.

This was the first place I ever went to riding at. They were experienced with helping newcomers in a way that made you not feel stupid. They were great even though we were a large group most first timers. I found out that they even would ride with a inexperienced child. Or even walk leading their very well trained gentle yet beautiful creatures. Unlike many my first time made me fall even more in love

Great place to visit with the kids! People who work there are friendly and you can get pretty close to the horses.

Nice place to visit, people that work there are very friendly.

MONASTERY STABLES, dba Kitchens Lane Stables, is a hidden gem within Phila city limits. It abuts Forbidden Drive and has numerous hiking trails connecting the grounds. The complex which comprises the large barn and surrounding fields horse turnouts and riding arena, the Mansion, and the cottage with another smaller barn behind it located next to the Kitchens Lane public parking lot. The complex is privately leased from Phila by Boarders & Stewards of the Monastery, a non-profit organization responsible for upkeep of the complex. Kitchens Lane Stables, Inc manages the barn which currently houses 21 horses and two miniature donkeys, all privately owned but taken care of by a terrific and devoted paid staff. Hikers are welcome to visit the horses while they're outside during the day, however there is no public parking on the grounds and vehicles are not permitted beyond the Kitchens Lane public lot. There are also no public restrooms available, but there are plenty of trees in the surrounding woods. ***5 years after originally posting this review, I'm so sad to report that starting Jan 2024 and continuing to this day I no longer support this positive narrative. BSM, the master lease holder, decided in Nov 2023 to notify Kitchens Lane Stables, Inc, who subleased the barn and surrounding fields and were charged with managing the barn, its paid staff, maintaining the facilities and all the horses being stabled there, that their sub-lease was being cancelled effective Jan 1, 2024 and BSM would take over running the entire operation. That's when the downward slide began and the formerly pleasant atmosphere deteriorated and I ceased volunteering a large percentage of my time and skills and eventually decided to move my two horses to a nicer facility in Bucks County, this after having spent 14 yrs there, 12 of them being very pleased with the great care rendered by all the staff and fellow boarders and friends. I REALLY miss the beautiful Wissahickon Park and the wonderful facilities formerly offered at Monastery Stables. I still visit the park with my horses and carts by trailering them 20 miles to and from their current home, just not as frequently as we did when we could tack up at the Monastery, ride down the hill, cross over the Wissahickon Creek and be on the 5 miles of Forbidden Drive and its numerous trails.