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Lush green pastures, manicured arenas, immaculatebarns, spacious outdoor shaded pens, add to that a 1/2mile exercise track and a free exercise walker - truly anequestrian facility envisioned only in your dreams! But wait...this disneyland of equestrian facilities awaits you in the heart ofCamp Verde, Arizona at Nashwa Farms Equestrian Center.Owned by Tonya Freeland Wiertzema and Terry Wiertzema,both hailing from a lineage deeply rooted in ranching and farming traditions, and spanning four generations. Continuing thefamily legacy is important to their families – their youngestdaughter McKenzie Wiertzema – Longo and her husbandRussell Longo with their two children live on the farm workingalong side both Terry and Tonya. McKenzie and Russell areboth working and managing the hay growing division ofNashwa Farms.Mckenzie manages the day-to-day operations, ensuring professional care services are scheduled and monitored to ensurequality of care. She also meets each guest that comes to the horsesanctuary to ensure that each horse is comfortable in their newhome, and helps ensure that each new guest is welcomed by theother horses that live by them in the barns. Mckenzie also monitors the horses in pasture turnouts helping them make new pasture friends.McKenzie and the staff monitor the horses throughout theday, every day, to ensure that all horses are healthy and that theykeep their weight, muscle tone and top line where they shouldbe. In addition, the horses are monitored on how they are eatingto determine that they are getting sufficient calories to keep themhealthy and happy. Dental issues are also looked at - if they aredropping their food, if they don’t finish their dinners, if they arelosing weight, this can indicate a dental problem. There are numerous aging and health issues that need constant attention toensure quality of life.McKenzie manages each individual guest’s diet – every horseon the property has special needs for their diets. Other specialneeds such as medications, supplements, allergy shots, orthopedic farrier requirements, meadotics issues and neurological issues are also handled and monitored on an individual basis.And, of course, the occasional scrape and cut is tended to immediately!Nashwa Farms Equestrian Center is an integral part of theNashwa Farms legacy, offering top-tier facilities for horse enthusiasts and riders of all skill levels. Ray and Marge Freeland, Tonya’s parents, were team ropingproducers for over 20 years as well as being leaders for both4-H and FFA for more than a decade, and Tonya was bred andraised amidst Arizona’s rich equestrian culture. TerryWiertzema, is a fourth-generation farmer from Minnesota, wherehis family continues to ranch and farm today. It was threedecades ago that Tonya and Terry stumbled upon the historicfarm that Nashwa Farms now lays on, and it was love at firstsight, as they envisioned it as the perfect canvas for their aspirations of farming hay, raising horses and nurturing their family. Tonya, deeply rooted in Arizona’s horse and ranching heritage, has not only herself excelled in the rodeo arena but has instilled that same passion in her family, ushering them into thevibrant rodeo and ranch lifestyle. Tonya and her mother, Margehave been barrel racing producers for over 20 years, and theirentire family, including Tonya’s daughter MacKenzie, who nowmanages the boarding program at Nashwa Farms, has competedin USTRC, America West, WPRA, PRCA and AQHA events.You’ll often find Terry immersed in his work, whether tendingto his tractors on the hay farms or gleefully casting lines on afishing boat. “Both our parents have imparted invaluable lessons on transforming our passions, dreams and sense of purposeinto enduring careers,” Tonya reflects. “It’s about laying robustfoundations in horsemanship and professional acumen, rightfrom the outset.”Surrounded by the scenic beauty of Arizona’s landscape,Nashwa Farms Equestrian Center provides a unique blend ofoutdoor adventure and equestrian excellence, making it a destination for both local and visiting guests seeking quality experiences with horses. NASHWA FARMS EQUESTRIAN CENTER...A Service For Every Need14 Arizona Horse Connection May 2026Whether you need pasture boarding, outdoor shaded pens or indoor barn stalls with runs, Nashwa Farms has you covered!Terry Wiertzemaand Tonya FreelandWiertzema,owners of NashwaFarmsEquestrianCenter.McKenzieWiertzemaLongo and her husband RussellLongo with their two children.