We just returned from a "Hello Pony" day program thru the Loudoun County Parks Department. I cannot fully use with words the despicable conditions under which these horses survive. Upon our arrival, we wandered around aimlessly with the other "campers" congregating at an outdoor dog pen, full of puppies. A young lady approached us with a sign up sheet and clipboard to release liability from this facility, standard fare. Once all of our signatures were collected, another young lady joined us.
The "owner" of the facility came up to the group and welcomed us to her "farm" and then magically disappeared, leaving us with the two young ladies.
Speaking only to one another, and not to the group-we followed them to the exterior of the ring to start our "program".
Once assembled, the girls spoke really to one another, not addressing the group in any fashion. Looking at the ground mostly, they continued mumbling until yelled at by the owner of the facilty, that another horse "needed to get thru". Right where we were all standing, a horse was "parked" to be worked on after being in the ring, which sent us all to a muddy patch of grass surrounded by discarded tires and broken water buckets. Children had to choose either a muddy, slippery mess or avoid the large hose that lay unkempt on the ground.
Not a single seat was offered, or a directive given to the nearly 20 adults that accompanied these "campers", who all struggled to find the organization or understanding of what would happen. The girls decided to take groups of 4 and 5 each. Not asking names, but rudely pointing to children and saying "you" come with me...it was not only dismissive, but uncomfortable for all involved.
We were then asked to follow our "leaders" thru a series of stalls to an inner holding area where we were to meet our horses.
Our "horse" was named "Ghost" a 35 YEAR OLD male with such a sway back and tired legs and hooves, it's a wonder he didn't drop dead right on the spot. A friend of ours accompanied us today, and she nearly started crying at the state of this animal. He was extremely old, broken and not in any condition to seat riders, no matter the size. After another brief and muddled "communication" from our leaders, the horses were saddled and we were lead into the ring. An uneven gravelly washed out surface, provided little walking space for spectators, and an uncomfortable place for riders.
With NO clear directive, children were again pointed at and told, "you are next". Children were given helmets (only small sizes were available, and a 3rd "helper" joined us in the ring-she did run to the barn and collect a larger helmet for a child, holding up the process for the rest.
Once children were seated in the saddle, some level of adjustment to the stirrup would be advisable, but not at Stonelea, where we were told "we don't have time to do that for everyone" leaving NO stability for these young riders.
This experience so far was very uncomfortable, with zero interaction or direction from the girls who were to be our "teachers". As I grabbed my young daughter to take her to a shady spot, our 3rd "helper" (wearing a black shirt, jodphurs and a black hat) claimed her horse had bitten her, and in front of a group of children summarily slapped the horse across the face.
We were all stunned in silence.
I grabbed both of my children and we made our way out of the ring. Past the owner who sat comfortably in a shaded area of the ring, in a chair-not at all what she provided for her paying patrons.
This experience was the most NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER WITNESSED.
THIS FACILITY IS CRUEL TO ANIMALS - rude and dismissive to its patrons and is a filthy representation of what a horse facility should be. read more
