mikka
6th Sep 2002, 06:11 AM
We recently moved from a large, impersonal school with good instruction but really unhappy horses to a very small but well-respected one with an excellent reputation for competitive dressage programs. I'm trying to remain buoyed by all the good press this new place gets, but am finding myself becoming more and more deflated every time we go there. I'm worried that I'm just becoming cynical and un-pleasable.
The new place is really more of a farm than anything, and is a bit on the ungroomed side. There are gaping holes in the indoor arena and there's a general feeling of unkemptness about the place. Some of the standing stalls are much too small - too small for a horse to lie down in comfort. Saddles are shared and pads are dirty. Although my children went through riding assessments, there are huge skill gaps amongst the various riders in their classes; some of the assigned horses seem far too green a/o too strong for their riders (one mismatched rider flew off because the horse charged off at canter like it was headed for battle.)
All these issues may be a consequence of being at a small stable with few school horses. Not sure. As far as instruction goes, I've not seen anything new or interesting yet. Indeed, the training side has been uninspiring so far, but I'll hold off on forming a solid opinion until we've had a few months to see if things change.
On the upside, the horses appear to be well schooled and well mannered on the ground (this place breeds Trakehners). I've visited with all the school horses and haven't yet seen a quivering I'm-going-to-bite-you lip, or any pre-kick body language.
This is about the only thing that sustains my commitment at present. (At the old place, one had to dance around growling to avoid attack.)
Please tell me if you think I'm expecting too much... all I want a place that takes its education programs seriously and has happy horses. I seem to be able to get only one of those two requirements wherever we go - as if they're mutually exclusive.
Maybe I expect too much?
The new place is really more of a farm than anything, and is a bit on the ungroomed side. There are gaping holes in the indoor arena and there's a general feeling of unkemptness about the place. Some of the standing stalls are much too small - too small for a horse to lie down in comfort. Saddles are shared and pads are dirty. Although my children went through riding assessments, there are huge skill gaps amongst the various riders in their classes; some of the assigned horses seem far too green a/o too strong for their riders (one mismatched rider flew off because the horse charged off at canter like it was headed for battle.)
All these issues may be a consequence of being at a small stable with few school horses. Not sure. As far as instruction goes, I've not seen anything new or interesting yet. Indeed, the training side has been uninspiring so far, but I'll hold off on forming a solid opinion until we've had a few months to see if things change.
On the upside, the horses appear to be well schooled and well mannered on the ground (this place breeds Trakehners). I've visited with all the school horses and haven't yet seen a quivering I'm-going-to-bite-you lip, or any pre-kick body language.
This is about the only thing that sustains my commitment at present. (At the old place, one had to dance around growling to avoid attack.)
Please tell me if you think I'm expecting too much... all I want a place that takes its education programs seriously and has happy horses. I seem to be able to get only one of those two requirements wherever we go - as if they're mutually exclusive.
Maybe I expect too much?