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The Barn That Works Miracles

And It’s Start

            Born in Cranford, NJ, longtime horse owner Deborah Jean Smartt has been involved in the training of horses, riders, and barn management since the young age of 11.  She began her career at that young age taking lessons at a local Edison, NJ barn and working weekends for riding privileges at another local Piscataway Horse Stable.   In early November 2001, Debbie was employed at a small Pennsylvania Thoroughbred barn as a manager and horse trainer, however, what she didn’t know was that her life was about to take a wonderful turn.  In a few months, Debbie would soon be working toward realizing her lifetime dream of owning and operating a boarding and training barn for horses.  This barn would serve horses that had promising show careers, new riders, seasoned professionals, and would also serve horses that were ill and needed rehab care, convalescent care, and TB’s that needed lots of re-training for a show career.   There was to be a lot going on at this new barn! 

            One November morning shortly after she moved to Pennsylvania, Debbie gained employment at a local stable caring for and starting Thoroughbred racehorses.  That first season, on the farm, there were several horses at that barn that were born with conformation problems that almost cost them their lives.  This is where Debbie gained her skills in rehabilitation and lay-ups.  One imparticular, Charanne Lucky was born with a tendon problem in the rear and an infection that was life threatening.  Debbie nursed the horse back to health staying with it through many long hours of wrapping legs, giving antibiotic shots and massaging the young foals’ limbs in o0rder to bring the horse to its feet and save it.  After several weeks, all the hard work paid off and Lucky was pronounced healthy again by the vet and was able to begin his new life.

             The foal became imprinted  and was very easy to handle and teach.  Halter training and all the other subsequent ground work followed, and when the horse was ready, Debbie started him under saddle.  He responded well to Debbie’s firm but gentle touch and kind voice.  When it came time to decide if Lucky was to go to the track to compete, his owner decided that the young horse had been through too much and would not do well.   So, he instructed Debbie to keep the young horse home and train him for show.  After only a year of training, the horse shined and won ribbons as a four year old and at the age of five years; he was sold into a promising show career in the hunter arena.

            This barn employed Debbie for 8 years and throughout those years; she learned the art of just how to properly rear a thoroughbred from birth to starting it under saddle.  She also learned much about the diseases and lameness problems these horses (Thoroughbred’s and off track Thoroughbreds), are prone to having.   She came to love the breed and just how intelligent, trainable, and personable it is.  Debbie didn’t know that she was about to embark on a new career of re-training TB’s for the show arena.   This would happen with a horse named TD. 

TD’s story is typical.  Before Debbie was employed with the barn, that barn didn’t have help that was knowledgeable with horse care or training and most of their employees were afraid of the horse.  So he just stayed in his stall, got turned out, and received no retraining.  This lack of attention left the horse mean spirited with dangerous habits like biting.  In addition, he had no barn or ground manners at all.  Because of abuse to his ears he suffered at the track, getting close to him even for grooming was a dangerous endeavor. 

            Seeing this and knowing in her soul that she could turn this animal around, Debbie embarked on her new training career with this horse, named Told’s Dancer, that she would train for show.    “TD” as he was called, was an ornery thoroughbred that stood 16.3hh and was quite a bit to handle.   He came off the track with bone spurs in the ankle and a tendon injury that ended his racing career.  I often visited Debbie at this farm and one morning, I was watching her work with “T” as he was affectionately called by Debbie.  I was astonished.  His attitude, posturing, and large stature didn’t bother “little Debbie Smartt” as many affectionately called her, at all!  It was amazing how easy she made it look to handle, train, and ride this challenging thoroughbred.  Through patient and gentle re-training, Debbie had him acting like a gentleman on the ground and in the saddle in no time at all.   Then she started re-training him for show riding.   The horse was a wonderful mover.  Told’s Dancer won high ribbons in the Dressage arena.  He even won a reserve champion title later that year at a show at the Bucks County Horse Park.  Debbie and TD had grown into a fine competing team and she grew much attached to this horse that by now had mellowed into an affectionate gentleman with a personality all his own.  He even became quiet enough for timid riders.  In 2001, the stable owner decided that he could no longer afford to have TD “take up a stall” in a racing barn and T was in danger of going into a very unfavorable circumstance, so Deb purchased him from the owner and he now resides at Dreams Come True Farm and has a special place in Debbie’s heart.

                        Debbie found this work to be rewarding and was constantly learning, but her real dream was to board and train show horses, continue her rehabilitation work, and teach the new generation of show competitors.  The track thoroughbreds were nice to work with, but Debbie saw too much that was undesirable to her in the business, so, one early November morning, she entered into a contract and Dreams Come True Farm was born.   In early December, she moved into this barn in Frenchtown, NJ and began to inventory what needed to be done to modernize and renovate the facility. 

            Debbie began looking at the facility and researching it’s past in an effort to discover how best it should be renovated.  It was in total disrepair.   This barn was very old.  Through their research they discovered that it had a unique history, which included being a milking barn in Flemington’s dairy industry, which was prevalent in Hunterdon County in the early 1900’s.   Except for the tenant immediately prior to her, none of the prior owners/tenants were horseman, so none attempted any repairs or improvements into the facility.  As a result, it became neglected.   Ms. Smartt had much to accomplish if she was to achieve her goal of operating a profitable show training and boarding barn.  

 This did not deter Debbie.   A longtime friend began talking with her about how to best go about getting new clients to come and work with Debbie.  It was decided that to get the maximum exposure of the new barn at minimum dollar, a website was needed.  So a small website was created and flyers were hung as advertisements for boarding and training in the area.  Shortly after, the business began to grow.            The first boarders were the clients of a well-known jumper personality that was giving a clinic at her show barn nearby.  This woman still uses and recommends Dreams Come True Farm’s services today.  This gave Debbie some much needed incentive and confidence to begin the massive cleaning up and repairs to the facility.  Over the next several months, with financial help from a local business investor, advertising help from a friend, and labor help from the community, another friend, and the maintenance man who lived on site, the barn gradually took shape.  When renovations were completed,  Debbie posted a small sign outside the facility saying, “Stalls Available”, and boarders began to come in.  A young woman seeking boarding for her saddlebred that was lame saw the sign and became a new client  “Supreme Caesar”, a beautiful Saddlebred, was lame with a terrible advanced case of founder.   Debbie was not sure how to proceed so she called in an expert farrier and veterinarian who quickly went to work o the horse.  Within 6 months, the horse was becoming sound and today, he is fully sound and returned to showing.  He has since returned to his native state of Alabama to continue his show career.  He is another of Debbie Smartt’s “equine miracles”.

            The business is continuing to grow. Recently, the barn became host to a major pharaceutical firm who gave a seminar about equine vaccines.  The barn has hosted previous events as well.    Because of the ailing economy recently, there is a large demand for a barn with knowledgable and interested staff that will work with the owner’s financial situation.  This barn does just that.  They have professional staff and care about all the horses in the barn, not only the sound and show ready ones. I’m sure like myself; you have all experienced that type of situation at some point in your riding endeavors.    Dreams Come True Farms’ most recent endeavors include a 3-year-old American Quarter Horse who came from South Carolina with a need for training and a home, a very well bred Arabian who fell into extreme circumstances and had to be rescued and rehabilitated, and an aging warmblood who fell into the same circumstances.  They are all doing very well today and you can see them all at the barn when you come visit.  “AJ”, the Quarterhorse is doing well and she is currently in a training program and up for sale. 

            As a horse trainer and rehabilitator, Trainer Deborah Jean Smartt is an excellent choice if you have a horse that needs re-training, a little help becoming your partner in the saddle, or even if your animal is older and needs quality care.  Clients complement Dreams Come True Farm for its’ pleasant, friendly atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and excellent care provided to all the equines in residence there.  Debbie has succeeded in her dream.  She took a run-down and neglected facility and turned it into a wonderful, family oriented training and boarding barn where horse owners, and aspiring owners, of any discipline can come for show training, lessons, a lay-up, or just to provide quality, low cost, full service boarding for their equine friend.  

            If you are looking for quality, custom board, training for a young or difficult equine, want to take private, low cost lessons, or if you have always wanted be with horses but have had a bad experience or are very afraid of them, Dreams Come True Farm can help you.  You are invited to visit the barn in person at 966 Hwy 519, Frenchtown, NJ or on the web at http://www.dreamscometruefarm.20fr.com anytime.    Trainer Deborah Jean Smartt is always available there for consultation and inquiries by calling (908) 361-3152.  She would love to speak to you about how Dreams Come True Farm can assist you with your equine endeavors.  After 8 PM, the barn can be reached to make appointments by calling Kim at (908) 689-4391.    Dreams Come True Farm truly can help you make your horse dreams come true. 

References:

 http://www.dreamscometruefarm.20fr.com/articles

http://www.equisearch.com/resources/dvm/David Castrillo

http://www.newjerseyhorse.com/article

Subsidiary of Major Drug Company to Participate in Hunterdon County Animal Health Awareness and Fundraiser

K. Lorenc, 2005

 Kim Lorenc, Interview with Deborah Jean Smartt,

 January, 2001