Winter 2026–27 · The Sandhills of North Carolina
The Horse You Show in March Starts Training Now.
A Sandhills winter program for show and performance horses from New England, the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Mild days, real footing, professional training rides and an Aqua Pacer underwater treadmill, closer and calmer than Florida, minutes from the Carolina Horse Park.
Join the Winter 2026–27 ListNow accepting interest for Winter 2026–27. Spaces confirmed once the facility opens.
Save Your Horse a Winter Spot
March is decided in December. Here's what that winter will look like.
The season doesn't stop
Mild days and sandy ground that drains well and rarely freezes. Your horse will stay in work from arrival to departure, not standing in a snowy paddock waiting for a thaw.
A shorter haul than Florida
Close enough that the trip doesn't eat a week of the season. Your horse arrives fresh, not fried.
A horse town, not a farm town
North Carolina's Sandhills runs on horses. The Carolina Horse Park is minutes away, with schooling, clinics and the spring season right here.
Fit when your horse gets home
Individual conditioning, turnout and care built around what your horse needs. Your horse will come back ready to show, not ready to start over.
You'll know how your horse is doing
Regular updates, photos and straight answers for owners and trainers who are home for the winter.
More Than a Place to Spend the Winter
Every horse will have an individual winter plan built with you and your trainer, using equipment most winter barns don't have.
Professional training rides
Your horse will be ridden by a professional trainer on a schedule built around your goals, so he stays fit, supple and schooled all winter, not just exercised.
Aqua Pacer underwater treadmill
Low-impact strength and cardio conditioning that builds fitness without pounding joints.
Incline treadmill
Hind-end strength, topline and stamina, in any weather.
Theraplate
Circulation and muscle recovery before and after work.
Solarium
Dries and warms muscles after work and bathing, especially valuable on cold winter days.
Cold saltwater leg spa
Recovery for legs after work, and a smart routine for horses coming back from time off.
Class IV laser therapy
Support for soft-tissue comfort and recovery.
Shockwave therapy
Veterinary-directed treatment for specific soundness needs.
Hot walker
Controlled, consistent daily movement.
Turnout and daily care
Managed turnout, attentive daily checks and care built around your horse.
Modalities are used based on each horse's needs and veterinary guidance. Some therapies are provided under veterinary direction.
“March doesn't care what December looked like.”
We'll connect you with experienced professional shippers who haul regularly along the East Coast and from Texas.
EQUESTRIA was founded by Trish Dixon, a lifelong horsewoman with more than 20 years leading healthcare organizations. Trish is pursuing her veterinary technician credential and equine rehabilitation certification, and is building a team of Sandhills veterinarians and horse professionals. She reads every inquiry herself, and you'll hear from her directly.
Join the Winter 2026–27 List
Tell us about your horse and your dates.
Trish reads every one herself.
More than a winter home
EQUESTRIA is also building year-round prehabilitation, rehabilitation, conditioning and medical retirement programs for performance horses.
Explore our programs