Empirical Equestrian- Issy Cless

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Sherborn, MA
Empirical Equestrian- Issy Cless

Using science-based training & horse care to create fulfilling partnerships between horse and rider She draws from 3 areas of expertise:

1.

Issy’s training approach treats every horse and rider as an individual, and combines elements of classical dressage, centered riding, natural horsemanship, and positive reinforcement/clicker training. She has years of experience working with horses needing either physical or mental rehabilitation including OTTBs and rescue horses. In addition to working with many privately owned horses, she has w

orked for New Vocations thoroughbred adoption program, the MSPCA’s equine program, and currently New England Equine Rescue North. She enjoys sharing this background with her lesson students and teaching them how to be horse trainers and physical therapists, not just riders.

2. She has a classical education with upper level eventing, dressage, and jumper trainers, and has achieved multiple regional and national awards in eventing through Training level for top placings, and has competed successfully through the Preliminary level. She has trained multiple horses from the ground up through Novice level eventing and 2nd level dressage movements, and is comfortable schooling 3rd level dressage. She enjoys coaching her advanced students in lower level eventing and dressage.

3. She has a Master’s degree in Biology specializing in animal behavior and welfare, so her training philosophy is based in science and not just hear-say. She is a continuing student of equine behavior and animal learning, and shares this background with her lesson students.

05/13/2026

Lesson openings!

We have a few rare group lesson openings at Empirical Equestrian in Sherborn, MA suitable for intermediate beginners (W/T independently) to advanced riders.

We are a small adult & mature teen community that prioritizes our school horses’ health and individual needs alongside rider biomechanics & horsemanship.

We focus on dressage and eventing fundamentals with some lessons on groundwork, trail riding, and versatility challenges.

Lessons take place in:
- lit sand/clay outdoor arena
- big, flat jump field with complete set of jumps
- trails directly accessed from the property
- or, our full sized grass dressage arena

Tuesday at 6:00 or 7:00
Thursday at 7:00

PM to set up an introductory lesson 🐎

05/08/2026

On-farm partial lease available in Sherborn, MA to the perfect fit

“Power Ranger”
15.1 hh 6yo QH x draft x TWH

Ranger is the ultimate jack of all trades, training 1st-2nd level dressage, jumping 2’6” with room for more, goes cross country, fox hunting, hacks on the trail alone or with friends. Extensive groundwork including lunging, long lining, ground driving, and even skijouring.

Wins ribbons with his owner one day and totes around her daughter ba****ck and bitless the next. Consistent member of the “good boys club” at the barn 😇 beloved among our community.

Young and a little green, so looking for an advanced rider to keep his training consistent. But, extremely willing and SAFE, has never had a buck bolt rear or spin under saddle.

• The Catch: He has slight FOMO and does a little tap dance in the cross-ties or stall when left alone. Nothing dangerous, just a little annoying.

• About you: Advanced rider who wants a best friend to love. Owner is NOT interested in someone who wants to hop on and leave.

Starts at $400/mo for 2-3+ days/week in Sherborn. Can be flexible on lease agreement, but weekly lessons are required with his owner or our on-site trainer.

Former leaser can provide references!

Contact Jillian Kaplan for more info and to arrange a time to meet Ranger.

05/07/2026

☀️JUNE 1st CO-OP BOARD OPENING☀️
Sherborn, MA

Board requires 4-8 shifts worked per month (about 3 hours per shift) starting at $680

⭐Our philosophy⭐
Empirical Equestrian at Green Acres Farm is an idyllic 14-horse property with a horse-first philosophy. We’re not the fanciest, but we have some of the best turnout in the Boston area, extremely happy & healthy horses, beautiful surroundings, and an amazing co-op and lesson community.

All horse care is done by boarders, leasers, or students—people who care deeply about our horses' well-being—to ensure the best possible care and attention. There is plenty of opportunity to further work off board beyond the required shifts.

🐴 Forage, friends, freedom
- As close to 24/7 turnout as you'll find in MetroWest Boston: Turnout EVERY DAY, and overnight turnout whenever conditions allow
- Horses rotate between paddocks and large fields throughout the day in small herds
- Horses can have solo time for meals but we can’t accommodate all-day individual turnout
- Free-choice access to 1st cut tested orchard grass hay (2nd cut when available) or pasture
- Poulin balancer 2x daily with owner-provided supplements (or bring your own grain)
- 12x12 matted stalls
- Heated waters in all turnouts during winter

🏇🏼Amenities
- Tack room with dedicated saddle space, microwave, fridge, pellet stove, and Wi-Fi
- Bathroom
- Outdoor wash stall
- Lit outdoor sand/clay arena that’s frequently groomed
- Lit outdoor roundpen for groundwork
- Big, flat jump field with full set of jumps
- Direct access to trails and conservation land

🛠️ Services
- Small paddocks or stalls cleaned daily
- Basic blanketing/fly masking provided. Additional blanketing for a fee
- Bring your own vet, farrier, and/or insured trainer (for small ring fee), or use ours
- Lessons or training rides provided for additional fee
- Worker on-site until at least 6:30pm, often 8pm
- Manager stays overnight in inclement weather
- Property-wide natural fly control

🧑‍🧑‍🧒Community
- Supportive and non-judgmental environment
- Trail buddies galore
- Frequent casual outings together, but not required
- Friendly dogs welcome

PM with serious inquiries

04/17/2026

The cutest, snuggliest project pony is somehow still looking for his next home. Come meet Scudder, a 6 y/o QH gelding with the best personality and an impressive cutting horse pedigree. Started English and western. Easy keeper, low in the herd, good health and x-rays. Has a buck, so suitable for brave teens/ammys or experienced trainer.

Motivated sellers, price negotiable to good home.

04/06/2026

Are you:
🌟 A brave teen or ammy with a small budget?
🌟 An experienced trainer looking for a project?
🌟 Looking for an easy-going trail partner?
🌟 Needing a companion horse for another equine?
🌟 A western rider looking for a cutting prospect?

Then Scudder may be your guy. This cutie is still looking for his person. Price is negotiable; a loving home is what matters to us. Scudder has excellent ground manners, loves grooming and attention, is low in the pecking order, and gets along with every horse, dog, baby he's met.

PM with serious inquiries--because once you meet him, you'll fall in love.

*Please read entire ad linked below. He is not available to be tried under saddle but we will answer any questions thoroughly.
Asking low 4s.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18Fj4Pr8XA/

03/16/2026

🌷APRIL 1st CO-OP BOARD OPENING🌷
Sherborn, MA

$680 plus 8 shifts per month (about 3 hours per shift).

We filled our January slot and have another just in time for spring! This opening is for run-in board with a sweet, middle-of-the-pack gelding. Accommodations can be made for the right fit if in-and-out paddock is not preferred.

⭐Our philosophy⭐
Empirical Equestrian at Green Acres Farm is an idyllic 14-horse property with a horse-first philosophy. We’re not the fanciest, but we have some of the best turnout in the Boston area, extremely happy & healthy horses, beautiful surroundings, and an amazing co-op and lesson community.

All horse care is done by boarders, leasers, or students—people who care deeply about our horses' well-being—to ensure the best possible care and attention. There is plenty of opportunity to further work off board beyond the 8 required shifts.

🐴 Forage, friends, freedom
- As close to 24/7 turnout as you'll find in MetroWest Boston: Turnout EVERY DAY, and overnight turnout whenever conditions allow
- Horses rotate between paddocks and large fields throughout the day in small herds
- Horses can have solo time for meals but we can’t accommodate all-day individual turnout
- Free-choice access to 1st cut tested orchard grass hay (2nd cut when available) or pasture
- Poulin balancer 2x daily with owner-provided supplements (or bring your own grain)
- 12x12 matted stalls
- Heated waters in all turnouts

🏇🏼Amenities
- Tack room with dedicated saddle space, microwave, fridge, pellet stove, and Wi-Fi
- Bathroom
- Outdoor wash stall
- Lit outdoor sand/clay arena that’s frequently groomed
- Lit outdoor roundpen for groundwork
- Big, flat jump field with full set of jumps
- Direct access to trails and conservation land

🛠️ Services
- Small paddocks or stalls cleaned daily
- Basic blanketing/fly masking provided. Additional blanketing for a fee
- Bring your own vet, farrier, and/or insured trainer (for small ring fee), or use ours
- Lessons or training rides provided for additional fee
- Worker on-site until at least 6:30pm, often 8pm
- Manager stays overnight in inclement weather
- Property-wide natural fly control

🧑‍🧑‍🧒Community
- Supportive and non-judgmental environment
- Trail buddies galore
- Frequent casual outings together, but not required
- Friendly dogs welcome

PM with serious inquiries

03/08/2026

💸 Price reduced - Project Gelding 🐴

📍Sherborn, MA

Doc’s Shady Peppy AKA “Scudder” is a 5-year-old unpapered quarter horse gelding standing about 15hh. He’s cute as a button with a great mind and would make a fun project for an experienced rider.

Due to limited time and needing space in our barn, his price has been reduced to $3,000, negotiable to the right home.

✅The Good

• Easy keeper with no known health or lameness issues
• Can live in or out and gets along well with others, low man in the herd
• No stable vices
• Clean PPE and X-rays from 2024 when we purchased him
• Great for vet and farrier with solid feet
• Excellent ground manners – ties, cross-ties, grooming, handling
• Loads and trailers well
• Started both English and Western
• Has his leads, steers nicely off seat/leg/rein, understands lateral pressure and has started to neck rein
• Has been on a few trail rides and started over poles and small jumps
• Quiet-minded kick ride type
• Shows cow sense and will chase coyotes out of the pasture; comes from cutting-bred lines
• Up to date on vaccines, deworming, dental, etc.

⚠️To Note

• When not in consistent work he has occasionally offered a buck, so he is best suited for an experienced rider or trainer.
• Due to our lack of time, he has not been ridden for ~6 months, so he cannot currently be tried under saddle. We do have riding videos available.

Scudder is a smart, athletic young horse with a lot of potential for someone who has the time to bring him along. With consistency, he could easily go in several directions.

💲 $3,000 – price reduced for quick sale due to space needs

01/26/2026

Doc’s Shady Peppy AKA “Scudder” is a 5 year old unpapered Quarter Horse gelding. He is 15hh and is cute as a button! He is a great project for an experienced rider to bring along in any direction.
📍Sherborn, MA
Asking 5500, negotiable to good home.

The good:
- Easy keeper, no health or lameness issues, can live in or out. Gets along with everyone. No vices
- Has a clean PPE/x-rays from when we got him in 2024
- Good for the vet/farrier and has good feet
- Good for everything on the ground and loves being groomed, cross ties etc
- Loads/trailers well
- Well broke English and western: has his leads, steers super well off of the seat leg and reins, understands lateral pressure, neck reins a bit
- Been on trails a couple times and started over poles and little jumps
- Super quiet-minded and is a kick ride
- Chases coyotes away in the fields and seems very cowy, comes out of cutting-bred lines
- UTD on vaccines, deworming, dental, etc

The bad:
- Occasionally offers a decent-sized buck when not in consistent work.
- Because of our lack of time to give him the consistency he needs, he has not been ridden for about 6 months so will not be able to be tried under saddle, but we do have videos

01/23/2026

Winter storm Fern is coming, and before the snow comes dangerous temps, at least here in Massachusetts. But farm life doesn’t stop for anything! These are some of the things we’re doing at Empirical Equestrian to keep our horses and humans safe and happy.

🌾 Hay, hay, and more hay. We’re a forage-first barn anyway, but horses are getting smaller turnouts and even more hay to ensure everyone has equal access to hay when they need it to stay warm.

💧Heated water buckets in every paddock. We’re lucky to have access to electrical, and can ensure that each turnout has at least 1 large heated bucket per horse, topped off as necessary.

💧Emergency water supply. In the case of pipes freezing or bursting, we’ll have a few gallons of water set aside in our above-freezing tack room.

⚡️Avoiding static shock! This is the kind of weather where it can be really easy to shock a horse, especially during blanket changes. We have a bottle of conditioner handy to spray on gloves and blankets to take the edge off.

💩Minimal mucking. Besides the fact that most manure will be a) frozen to the ground, or b) covered in 10 inches of snow, we also don’t want our workers staying out in the cold longer than they absolutely need to. Pick the poops you can, then call it a day.

🏠 Smaller turnouts in these conditions ensure that horses don’t have to fight for access to hay or water, and it’s less steps for our workers to take.

What hacks or preventative measures are you taking for extreme cold and snow? 🥶

01/16/2026

We have 1 opening for a working boarder in Sherborn, MA

45 minutes outside Boston, Empirical Equestrian at Green Acres Farm is an idyllic, beautiful 14-horse property with a horse-first philosophy and amazing co-op and lesson community.

🏠 Cooperative board
- all horse care is done by boarders, leasers, or students — people who deeply care about our horses’ wellbeing!
- Board requires 8 3-hour shifts per month and plenty of opportunity to further work off board
- $680 (plus 8 shifts) per month

🐴 Forage, friends, freedom
- Turnout with basic shelter every day, regardless of weather
- Overnight turnout when weather allows
- Horses rotate between smaller paddocks and large fields throughout day in small herds
- Horses can have solo time for meals but we can’t accommodate all-day individual turnout
- Free-choice access to tested newyork orchard grass hay (first cut, second when available) or pasture
- Poulin balancer fed 2x daily with owner-provided supplements (or bring your own grain)
- 12x12 matted stalls with pelleted bedding
-Heated waters in all turnouts

🏇🏼Amenities
- tack room with dedicated saddle space, microwave, fridge, pellet stove, and Wi-Fi
- Bathroom
- Outdoor wash stall
- Lit outdoor sand/clay arena that’s frequently groomed
- Lit outdoor roundpen for groundwork
- Big, flat jump field with full set of jumps
- Direct access to trails and conservation land

🛠️ Services
- Small paddocks or stalls cleaned daily
- Basic blanketing/fly masking provided. Additional blanketing for a fee
- Bring your own vet, farrier, and/or insured trainer (for small ring fee), or use ours
- PM worker on-site until at least 6:30pm, often until 8pm
- Manager stays overnight in inclement weather
-Property wide natural fly control

🧑‍🧑‍🧒Community
- Supportive and non-judgemental environment
- Trail buddies galore
- Frequent casual outings together, but not required
-Friendly dogs welcome

We’re not the fanciest place, but we have some of the best turnout in the Boston area, extremely happy horses, and beautiful surroundings with an amazing community 🌾🌞

PM with serious inquiries

Address

Sherborn, MA

Website

https://www.equinenow.com/farm/empirical-equestrian.htm

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