Anvil Acres Stables

i talked to the instructor on the phone a few times i asked about lessons (i ride english and wanted to jump, i jump 3 feet) i told her i wanted to jump, and that i jump 3 feet. she said they have a couple horses that jump 3 feet, and id be able to jump one. i get to the barn, i see the arenas, and think,wow this is going to be nice. the border barn is nice and light and well maintained. the lesson horse barn on the other hand, shavings were piled about 10 inches high in a couple of the stalls the barn was dark and muggy. the stalls reeked of pee. the shavings were wet. and the horses were all sweaty. either way, i got on the horse she had told me to take. she had a realllly rocky canter i mentioned that to the instructor and she said that, the horse i was riding had one of the smoothest canters of the lesson horses, i understand that lesson horses are not supposed to be perfect. but it was nothing that i was used to. after warming up she set up 1/2 foot jumps for me to warm up on (or that was what i thought) i went over it and lost a stirrup, but kept my leg tight (i ride bareback a lot so it didnt bother me that i lost it) she said my stirrups were too short, i like to ride with my stirrups a whole or two short depending on how wide the horse is, so she came over to me and loosed them 4 wholes!!!! like really im 4'10 and i was riding with my legs completely straight, no bend in my knee at all! and she had me look down at the jump to watch my horses footing. anyone who knows how to jump knows you dont look down, and should know if the footing is off. she had me jumping 1/2 foot the whole lesson. and i asked her about jumping higher, she said that was about as high as the lesson horses jump. it really pissed me off that she went and told me i could jump 3 foot, then told me that none of the lesson horses jump any higher than 1 foot. plus that she lengthened my stirrups way too much, i almost didnt pay for the lesson. it was the WORST lesson i have ever had. and the only reason i put one star on here, is because you have to put at least one. im not saying that board is horrible there, because i dont know about that. but if i were you and want to keep horses safe and actually want to get a lesson that you hoped for, dont go here.

I visited approximately seven other facilities before I decided on Anvil Acres. I have now boarded my horse at Anvil Acres for about three years and would never board at any othr place. I was a novice with horses, and the owner Mary Ellen has taught me much and has provided superior care for my horse. Mary Ellen really cares about horses and is highly knowledgeable. She is aware of the health of all the horses and notifies me of everything. I cannot describe what peace of mind this has given me and how superior I have found my entire experience at this barn.