https://www.mmsgraytn.com/home daily 1.0 2020-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605814648658-K9XTGA8Y4RFGXMHJUGF4/20160305_105123_55433-1.jpg Home - Riding Lessons Private riding lessons specializing in natural horsemanship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605814342876-JLS5NK14JICHMTPQ065N/20160813_065646.jpg Home - Boarding Full-service stall boarding with daily turnout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605816617513-1CHNPQE0S6916CU3VU5G/20191003_185114.jpg Home - Photoshoots Unicorn photoshoots, horse photoshoots, and site rental. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606245306024-S14N542P8S69IBAACPIY/123440792_3193519730777774_508454934831493147_o.jpg Home - Birthday Parties Horseback riding parties (unicorn and regular horse). https://www.mmsgraytn.com/about daily 0.75 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605823662022-8UJEP96LVQSMIJ54MG2A/20201025_182048.jpg About MMS - MMS has been operating in its current capacity as a horse boarding facility since 2008. It is owned and operated by Nicole Morefield, who also serves as the riding instructor and handler for all parties and photoshoots. What’s in a name…? The first “M” in our name stands for “Misty”, the namesake of our stables. Misty (pictured left) was Nicole’s dream horse, bought for her as a green broke 3 year old when Nicole was just 13 years old. Her registered name is “Gold and Pearls”, and she is a beautiful golden palomino Tennessee Walking horse. She is a special mare who so touches the lives of everyone she meets we decided to name the facilities after her. The “Mountain” in our name refers to the beautiful backdrop of mountains you can see from our riding ring, which we lovingly refer to as “Misty’s mountains.” https://www.mmsgraytn.com/mms-services daily 0.75 2024-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605822461190-R8QMGR6NHUNPHHYR6EB9/20190710_130657.jpg Boarding - Stall Boarding Our primary service here at MMS is our full-service stall boarding. We accept all breeds and ages of geldings and mares, NO stallions. Our board rate includes: feed 2x daily hay (both in a manger in the stall year round and in feeders in the field through the cold weather months) daily stall cleaning and shavings daily turnout blanketing during winter months (you must provide your own blanket) application/removal of fly masks (you must provide your own fly mask) *Proof of current negative Coggins required before a new horse can enter the facility Our facilities feature a modern cinderblock barn with eighteen 12x12 stalls (photo shown is one of these stalls) and one 12x20 oversized nursery stall, a locked tack room, grooming area with wash bay, large outdoor riding ring, and permanent large round pen for ground work. Both of our large turnout pastures have a run-in shed for shelter. See gallery below for more images of our facilities. We do not offer pasture board or self-care options. RATES: We require a $250 refundable security deposit upon entry to the barn. Should you ever sell your horse, move, etc., you will get all of this deposit refunded to you (provided it hasn’t been used to cover any unpaid fees/bills) within 7-10 business days of leaving the facility. Monthly board rate is currently $400 per month per horse. Should you come in part way through the month, we will pro-rate the board charge for the remaining days in the month. Board is due on the 1st of every month, even if you come in on a partial month initially. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606244834482-XY3W87C5LW9V0JOVE1DZ/65755881_2085073984955693_4416599670311092224_o.jpg Boarding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606237054019-JWORKQP399RMKTDYGVV5/15781136_1040905529372549_8258574778058264445_n.jpg Boarding Overhead view of our barn and grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825408825-U1SM9I4RN4SCRQBOEGDJ/20171022_114352.jpg Boarding Our lower pasture turnout field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606237133607-MQLLW1ULTANJ95GXS7TQ/117805313_2969149859881430_3756030862522546164_o.jpg Boarding Upper pasture pond and run in shed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825336287-98PCJB8NK5WX63RP2D36/20180610_112033.jpg Boarding We have large water troughs in our turnout pastures that we keep clean and filled. Tank heaters are used in the cold weather months to insure water stays thawed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825193944-PLH9UV1GCLA047CVVSM5/20161125_184234.jpg Boarding Our hay loft has drops directly down to the mangers in every stall. We feed locally sourced mixed grass hay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606066853341-7MMNY3G3JT88LA8ELQAT/20200820_182108.jpg Boarding Large outdoor riding ring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825279160-4L9S3IYH3G9LMD9DJVPZ/20190516_180809.jpg Boarding Our spacious round pen is ideal for ground sessions at liberty or light riding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606067026951-US30G6BIEC5LSG6MH80W/20200819_120942.jpg Boarding Barn hall and entrance to our grooming area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825223956-J8OLBVWNNQ8XVS2RY8ZK/wash_bay.jpg Boarding Grooming area with wash bay (hot and cold water). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825361018-430IDGJDCH2EPHIQ9UYN/20200516_132315.jpg Boarding Our oversized 12x20 nursery stall. Currently occupied by Misty to give her more space to help with her arthritis, this stall can be rented (provided we have availability) for a slightly higher rate than our regular stalls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605826129367-I2EEYGMIQ0F7A7L8ZJ5A/20171013_174607.jpg Boarding Another angle of a 12x12 stall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605825989932-BEQ4XPC6KCSIGJR9IWME/20191103_105949.jpg Boarding Photo of one of our round bale feeders. This is part of our upper pasture turn out field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606237132347-INDNGL07DPILPT5KZPDS/47683279_1790201644442930_5452523521290797056_o.jpg Boarding Should it snow so much we can't get the tractor to our round bale feeders, we carry square bales for the horses before turnout. https://www.mmsgraytn.com/scheduling daily 0.75 2020-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605983358568-WJHIPU99KGBYO6QMZ9OG/riding_lesson.jpg Scheduling - Riding Lessons Riding lesson slots are limited and may not always be available. Because most of the horses in our care are privately owned, we only have one lesson horse available. We try to limit how many lessons we schedule so that our lesson horse can get a break and just be a horse! We do offer a waiting list if you are interested in lessons but we don’t have a spot open. Lessons are pay-as-you-go, you do not need to pay any kind of deposits or pay for lessons in advance. Cancelation Policy: We understand that life happens, and sometimes things come up unexpectedly that can conflict with your lesson time. In case of illness, vacation, car trouble etc., we ask that you please let us know ASAP that you will need to miss your scheduled lesson for that week. If you are still wanting to come but may be running late, PLEASE contact us and let us know. Many times we are able to accommodate these instances and start the lesson later. If we have not heard from you within 15 minutes of the start of your scheduled lesson time, the lesson will be automatically cancelled. If you do not show up for your lesson and do not contact us at all, we reserve the right to permanently give your spot to someone else. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605983508511-MI4IDRFXKJYEQA71IQFT/20181028_165930.jpg Scheduling - Photoshoots Photoshoots can be scheduled year-round. We ask for at least one week’s notice (the longer the better!) when scheduling any shoot to ensure you get the date desired. Please keep in mind if you are scheduling a shoot with a horse (either regular or unicorn), we will be prepping the horse hours before the session so we have to have to block off an entire day for these shoots. This means we reschedule any existing riding lessons booked for this day, and we cannot book any other activities on the date requested to ensure we have ample time to devote to preparing for the shoot. Cancelation Policy: Because shoots require us to potentially lose revenue from other services we offer for that day, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit at booking to secure your date and time. We do offer rainchecks! Should you find you need reschedule due to weather or other circumstances, we will work to find a make-up date that works for all parties to insure you get your photoshoot session completed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1605986360329-QO983U1WQMQ5SXUMR4HQ/20180812_183725.jpg Scheduling - Birthday Parties Birthday parties are available year-round. Note that everything is 100% outdoors and exposed to the elements, so it can be very cold and windy in the winter months and hot and humid in the summer months. As with the photoshoots, parties require us to block off a full day to clean and prepare the facilities as well as grooming and tacking the horse (or unicorn!). The earlier you contact us to reserve your date, the better the chances we will have availability on or near your child’s birthday! Cancelation Policy: Because parties require us to potentially lose revenue from other services we offer, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit at booking to secure your desired date. We do offer rainchecks! We know that thanks to our East Tennessee weather booking events outdoors can be unpredictable. Should you find yourself needing to reschedule your party, we will make every effort to find a make-up date that works for everyone. Be advised if you or your child decide you no longer wish to have your party at MMS after you have booked and paid your deposit, you WILL forfeit your deposit to do so. https://www.mmsgraytn.com/location daily 0.75 2020-11-19 https://www.mmsgraytn.com/location-1 daily 0.75 2020-11-24 https://www.mmsgraytn.com/book-a-class daily 0.75 2020-11-24 https://www.mmsgraytn.com/lessons daily 0.75 2024-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606241942611-12709EXDQAVNZYBC44UG/20160509_183731_002_5699-1.jpg Lessons - Riding Lessons NOTE: DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS, MMS IS NO LONGER OFFERING RIDING LESSONS. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE! THANK YOU TO ALL THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUPPORTED MY LESSON PROGRAM THROUGH THE YEARS. MMS private horseback riding lessons are for anyone five years of age or older. Lessons typically last for one hour and specialize in natural horsemanship. Students are expected to learn how to groom and tack the horse on their own as a part of every lesson. The goal is for students to learn how to care for and effectively communicate with the horse, as well as learn how to stay balanced and in control of the horse under saddle at all gaits. Our lessons are unique from others in the area in that our lesson horse, Koda, is a registered Tennessee Walking Horse. This means students will gain first-hand knowledge of the breed and the four-beat gait for which they are famous! The general skills learned, however, can be applied to any breed and any discipline in the future. Our riding instructor and MMS owner, Nicole, (pictured on her personal horse, Moose) has been riding for over two decades and giving lessons for over ten years. Lesson slots are limited and spots may not always be available. RATES: Lessons are $30 for an hour. We also offer shorter half-hour sessions for $20. If you have siblings it is possible to book an extended lesson where they share the grooming/tacking duties and split the saddle time. These typically are 1 1/2 long. We simply combine the two rates, so you would pay $50 for an hour-and-a-half long lesson. https://www.mmsgraytn.com/photoshoots daily 0.75 2023-08-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242381457-FC5I5997X2B3AJZGFH3P/20180930_181313.jpg Photoshoots - Photoshoots This is our newest yet quickly becoming one of our most popular services here at MMS. We offer one-of-a-kind unicorn photoshoots! The main horse we transform into a “magical” unicorn, pictured here, is Koda. Note this picture was just taken with a cell phone during a break at one of our shoots. What makes our unicorn shoots unique is we train our horse to stand “at liberty” or without any lead ropes attached (unless the pose warrants it). Nicole trains Koda regularly specifically for these shoots. While he is a full-sized horse, he is excellent with kids and enjoys interaction. Most times kids can even get up on the unicorn for a pose if they so desire. We have two different horn set-ups. The most popular, featured in the photo here, has to have a halter or bridle to fix to in order to stay in place. It is a heavy silicone horn and shows up better for wide angle or full body shots. For a bridleless look we do have a smaller foam horn that doesn’t require as many straps to hold it in place. This horn shows up well in close-up shots but is not as long as the silicone horn so wide-angle doesn’t always pick it up as well. We also offer shoots just with the horse (no unicorn attire), as well as site rental for photographers to set up outdoor mini sessions. We have multiple areas in which photos can be taken which can provide shade on a sunny day or gorgeous sunset views during golden hour. See images below for unicorn and site examples. *Note the unicorn photos shown are all just cell phone photos of the horse and not staged. Rates: Our rates for photoshoots include use of facilities, time and labor for bathing and preparation of horse/unicorn, and Nicole being there for the duration of the shoot to handle and pose the horse. If you are an individual wanting a unicorn shoot, we charge $75 with a 50% non-refundable deposit due at booking. These sessions typically last about 45 minutes- 1 hour. We offer a discounted rate to photographers who want to schedule a block to do unicorn mini sessions. These blocks are offered at $100 per hour and can be scheduled for up to 3 hours per day. The same non-refundable deposit upon booking applies to photographers. Site rental for photographers is $75 per hour. This price is just for use of the grounds to stage any theme of outdoor photos you wish to take (no animals). We typically have to alter our turnout schedules for our boarded horses in order to accommodate these rentals, so despite there not being a direct need for MMS Staff involvement during the shoots it does still create extra work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242575286-6PYZWDZ6A9DCQ750VKB1/20180812_183725.jpg Photoshoots Side view of the larger horn. The braiding of his mane in this photo is available upon request. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242563032-QP922H9N0UBT4YFX7NJT/20181028_165357.jpg Photoshoots Nicole and Moose at a photoshoot. Image by Christine Capozziello. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242563203-MALHBFV6V1Q50RL4B2C6/20181028_165946.jpg Photoshoots Nicole and Rain (this mare is not available for shoots). Image by Christine Capozziello. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242578575-X3ELMZGZ1RS49MUAQWGX/20190630_071551.jpg Photoshoots Sample pose with Koda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242580458-3A52BOA57L1EJ0S1JWXK/20190630_074303.jpg Photoshoots Sample pose in one of our photo sites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242575666-AMDLCINO664IH4A9YU0Y/20191003_185114.jpg Photoshoots One of our more popular locations for golden hour photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242564587-2LTQXFD6253PVF8Y93SF/20201011_173955.jpg Photoshoots Nicole and her family at a shoot on our grounds. Photo by Kreations Photography. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606242565780-GS3F55WVASCBU29CEDHN/20201025_211556.jpg Photoshoots Example of Misty posing on the rock at liberty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606245113005-LW5BZQ36F0V69WM60Z9P/123247825_3193519840777763_3696082349207227543_o.jpg Photoshoots Side view of our smaller horn to show no visible straps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606245113351-H9H0610W4JJUXLYCEOOL/123497208_3193520024111078_9112851518198174004_o.jpg Photoshoots Photo of our smaller horn option. https://www.mmsgraytn.com/parties daily 0.75 2021-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fb6ba0f63270634269c8bfa/1606243428511-5EF0C584C1TMXZG4R900/20190611_190346.jpg Parties - Birthday Parties MMS offers both horse and unicorn themed birthday parties. Party rates include use of the facilities, which feature a bathroom, ample parking, and large flat yard area for setting up tables. Tables can be provided by the stables if needed. Parties typically last 1 1/2-2 hours. During parties Nicole is on hand the entire time to lead the horse and/or help guests mount and dismount. All party areas are completely outdoors and exposed to the elements. *Note that because the of the horn, unicorn party guests will not be able to steer the horse themselves. If you have a regular horse party any guests who wish to try to steer on their own may do so. Rates: Regular horse parties start at $200. This is for up to 2 hours and up to 12 children. Unicorn parties start at $250. This is for up to 2 hours and up to 12 children. Unicorn rates are higher because the horse must be led the entire time and it takes longer to get the horse ready for unicorn parties. For either party a 50% non-refundable deposit is due at booking. We do offer rainchecks and will do everything in our power to insure your party happens!