At 17:26:58 on 18.11.11, wrote:
I like the stable I go to. The prices are amazing, the instruction is great... but the people are trying to get rid of me? I was Best Friends with this girl after I had just moved to the area to a new highschool. She introduced me to her instructor and I started taking lessons with them. I also joined their 4h club. Then we had a fun show and I got more 1st place ribbons then any of the other students there... since then I think they've been trying to get rid of me... One day we were all riding english and im instructor told me to go get Grifen ( her world champion Barrel Racing horse) and that I was suppose to ride him instead of my pony. So I asked her if I could ride him english (you'd figure it would be a good question since everyone else was riding english in the lesson, figured it was a lesson day) She started yelling at me saying if I ever embarassed her like that infront of the other students again I would be sorry. I got a text from my "best friend" saying she is sorry but I had to leave the barn because the instructor couldnt stand me anymore and that she didnt want to tell me but the instructor told her to tell me. The instructor messaged me on Facebook saying that if I didnt change my ways I would have to relocate the pony I had boarded there and I would have to discontinue riding lessons and 4h. And that because of the dangerous decisons ive been making (riding a western horse english) I am putting her barn and others in danger. So I told my mom this and she talked to the instructor and everything was fine. Then onen day I was with my instructor for the day and we talked about what my "best friend" had told me... Turns out my "best friend" lied to me and was never suppose to tell me anything at all and my instructor never said anything about her hating me. My instructor also told me that this friend told her that she was trying to get me to stop jumping my pony. Truth is, this friend was the one begging to ride her and jump her and trying to lunge her over high fences. I talk to this friend still, but I dont trust her anymore with telling her any of my bizz. I havent had a lesson there since then though.. that was almost a month ago. My instructor hasnt been able to do lessons on the days I want to go because she is having hernia problems also her mother has a really bad cancer. I respect that. But she is always cancelling me last minute. Once she called me a few hours from my lesson saying oh, she cant do lets reschedule it for tomorrow... I am a very busy person and cant just reschedule lessons. So if I couldnt do it on that Wednesday, I couldnt do it until the following Wednesday. Last night I went to go get my pony to take her to a different barn for financial reasons. We went to the first barn to get my tack. I open my tack stall and my english saddle is on the floor I couldnt find my helmet my leadrope was gone, everything was everywhere. Someone had moved into my stall to share. So I got some of my tack (what I could find of it!) and went to go get my pony. I forgot to shut the lights off in her barn. She called me this morning to give me a big lecture on shutting of the lights. Sure I also respect that, but why was my stuff all over the floor?? Where is my stuff?? I have a feeling someone is going to try to make this Lights thing a bigger deal then it needs to be. I offered to even pay for the damage... but maybe reconsidering because my tack still hasnt come up?? I dont know what to do. I love my instructor, I love the horses there and I love her prices. I LOVE her prices. ($25 for around 3 hours if not more.. doesnt get better then that...) What should I do? If I dont do their lessons anymore... What about their 4h? I really like the 4h and see it being an advantage to me in the future. But i've seen girls there who discontinued with the instructor for lessons but stayed in the 4h.. I dont want to be one of those people. Im trying my hardest and trying to be civil with these people, but I just dont know if I can handle this much drama at a stable.. I dont think its healthy... Even if I leave 4h and her lessons.. I still have to deal with this friend (who brags all the time about how she is the instructors favorite). HALP!

At 19:17:35 on 18.11.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
An instructor is meant to be an adult, not a bitch! I would move yard, even if an instructor doesn't like someone then they just get on with it, they don't make harsh comments or hide behind others like school children! I would move, she will be losing money and you will gain a better instructor.

At 00:44:59 on 19.11.11, TripleCrush wrote:
I agree with Jess... They're meant to be professional, not talking behind your back or any of that crap. If they have a problem, they should settle it calmly, not yell and carry on about something that could be fixed with a simple "Just please be more observant next time." But yes, get out before it's too late, you and your things deserved to be treated with respect.

At 12:20:48 on 29.11.11, SassyGirl wrote:
You need to consider what is best and safest for you and your pony. If the thought of going there makes you stressed then it may be time to consider going somewhere else. Your pony will always pick up on how you are feeling and any tension on the yard so it will effect him as well.

At 20:39:35 on 04.12.11, FiestaFilly wrote:
Yikes. I would leave that barn right away. They don't deserve your money. My instructor had all barrel racers and we used to ride them in English tack often. If she was that worried over you just riding her Western horse English... I don't think that horse was very well trained. I look at as you are her customer and she should be trying her best to make you happy. A lot of barns have 4H groups and other riding groups. That is easily replaced.

At 01:56:11 on 24.12.11, apcodyody wrote:
I would move. Drama on you is bad enough, but what if things start happening to your pony? I mean, they had the nerve to mess with your tack, right? I would move. There are lots of amazing barns and lots of amazing 4H clubs that are very professional and nice. As was recently said, this barn doesn't deserve your money.

At 20:56:39 on 31.12.11, noneotherthan01 wrote:
I would definitely move barns. I've always kept my horse on my property. I have really high standards for what a barn should include and I have really expensive horse stuff I dont want others exposed to. But now that my horse is getting older, Colorado winters aren't getting very easy on her... so I was forced to board her this winter. In looking at all the barns in my area I found plenty, trust me, plenty, of snooty barns with bitchy people, and I think unfortunately you found one of those barns. The tragic thing in getting into the horse world is it takes a lot of money to have a horse, and a lot of the people in the horse world that have all that money, aren't very nice. I went through 10 years of 4H. In the beginning I loved it but I quit because I was so fed up with all the bitchy people... especially because I was the only english rider in the whole group! Everyone else did western! So I totally know what your going through. I would move barns and find a new 4H. If you don't think you will be comfortable in your current 4H don't make things any more awkward for you. As for your instructor? I will agree with Jess... what a bitch! Tell her where she went wrong, and that you don't understand what you did wrong (I ride my roomates reining horse in both my jumping and dressage saddles... there's nothing wrong with it trust me!). And about that, "friend," of yours... do the same. Tell her lying to you is wrong. If she wants to be your friend, she'll change, if not... screw the haters :) You don't need negative people in your life anyways. Hope this helps!

At 22:17:28 on 31.12.11, shadypony wrote:
If you still really want to ride there, I would take my tack home every day. It would be a hassle, but a lot better than having it damaged or stolen. If that puts off your instructor or anyone else just say "I only come once a week and I think it's safer at my own house." Sounds like a tough situation!! If your instructor yells at you again, *later* politely talk to her, and ask her exactly what your doing wrong and what you can do to fix it. As for this "friend", keep your friends close and your enemies closer! Keep it up in not telling her importantr things. Good luck!

At 23:29:32 on 01.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
Your horse is there for you to enjoy- there to enrich your life! And unfortunately, when we make contacts with horses, we are exposed to snooty people that the equestrian world is full of. I am very lucky in that I am surrounded by wonderful horses, but just as importantly, wonderful people. I'm not much of a people person, I have a short fuse with them. But these people are so kind to me and they complete the dream that my equestrian life is. It wasn't always this good for me. When I was at a riding school with lots of girls, they treat me like dirt because they all thought they were better. Then I moved on to ride in a tiny family business, where only five or six adults and teenagers were involved. This was nice, but then another teenage girl came along who knew a little more than me about the horse training aspect of the riding. All of a sudden, my four-year standing loyalty, my devotion and goodwill was completely forgotten and her knowledge made her so very important. I found myself being shunted away, her being given all the hands-on work with the horses, me left shovelling manure out of empty stables. Now, I work with ex racehorses and two adult directors, who treat me as an equal. It's perfect. You'll notice that the change in my happiness was not due to the horses, it was due to the people. Everywhere, the horses were varying levels of great, but not always the people. Make sure you're happy with the people as well as your horse, because they can ruin it for you and it's not their right! I feel for you but I wish you good luck in whatever you choose to do! x