I cannot, as a passionate horsewoman, recommend this place for both advanced riders and newcomers alike. This place is... It really needs to be seen to be truly believed. Let's start with the propaganda. This barn is very pro-vegan. This is not an issue, good on you for being supportive against animal abuse. The problem I have is how they seem to cram this down your, or your child's throat. There's photos on the walls of how chickens and ducks are abused and they own equipment to show you what they use, and children, as young as maybe 5-6 are exposed to this. Look- I understand your euphoric want to spread this. But you're advertising this to young, growing children! My child, who attended the winter riding camp says she was forced to drink almond milk, something she did NOT want to do, and had to learn again about the animal abuse with small children in her group, as young as the aforementioned age.
I digress. That's the first problem. The second is the horses. Now, some of these horses are lovely creatures... Most of the time. I honestly believe that some of these horses have a form of PTSD or something. They were rescued from slaughter and that is fantastic, good on you for saving them. But putting them to work everyday of every week of every month of every year until they die, because some HAVE died, not clipping them in the winter, making them stand in cramped stalls where they can hardly lie down (unless you're lucky enough to be a draft cross and you get a box stall), and forcing them to work with snapping and mean staff. It seems the only people who care for the horses are the volunteers.
Finally... The lessons themselves. My child and I have a vivid memory where during one of their 'viewing' nights where they clearly attempt to paint the stable in the best light for us paying parents, a girl was getting a private lesson in the other arena. The girl was getting bucked off violently by the horse and the instructor, instead of working with the student and possibly helping to find what was making the horse buck, instead chose to scream at the student to stop whining and get back on. As this was happening my kid obviously turned to look at her fellow student crying in the dirt, and was immediately told to look away by her instructor. I understand that crops are used in the sport, but my daughter once had the 'help' of a staff member when her horse wouldn't accept the bit. By help, I mean she (the staff member) stood there with a crop and hit the horse whenever she tried to bite my daughter as she bridled the mare.
The stables are shoddy too. Cold in the winter, way too hot in the summer and like I mentioned the small, tiny stalls for the horses. Boarder horses are treated well, but of course they are, possibly to the detriment of the stable owned horses. Outside conditions are rarely seen by students and parents so it's impossible to really judge this with a fair eye but from what I've heard from fellow riders the conditions are about the same- disgusting, filled with month old manure and uncomfortable for everyone involved.
As I said. I can't recommend this moneymaking insult of a stable. I deplore you, parents of horse enthusiasts. Find somewhere else to take your horse-crazed child. Please. read more
