Louw Stables, Van Meter

Louw Stables’ 30 acres of rolling hills, dotted with trees and lined by fences, paint a picturesque backdrop for warm-weather riding lessons. But it’s the way owners Louis and Jennifer Louw have prepared for the winter months—when snow generally blankets these pastures—that sets their facility apart from the rest. To accommodate riding year-round, they built an expansive indoor arena that, along with a 30-stall stable, is heated so that lessons and trainings can go on through winter without interruption.

Jennifer and her team draw on over 60 years of experience teaching children and adults the art of horsemanship. Her 15 trained lesson horses are all steady-tempered and work with novice riders and advanced equestrians alike. She also oversees an open barn each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, during which students can help with chores around the stable, including brushing horses and tacking and untacking them.