Pine Trails Ranch

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Introduction: We have the largest group of lesson horses in the area. We have great ponies and horses for all levels. I enjoy teaching people about horses and helping them improve themselves and their relationship with horses.

Overview

Hired 5 times

Background checked

4 employees

33 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, and PayPal.

Featured Projects

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, punctuality, and responsiveness.

Good 4.0

5 reviews

60%

20%

Se M.

Oct 7, 2017

Hired on Thumbtack

Horseback Riding Lessons (for adults)

Wendy s.

Apr 3, 2017

Friendly and professional staff, a variety of lesson options, family friendly, great environment!

Pine Trails Ranch's reply

Thank you.

Kirsten S.

Jul 18, 2018

My mare was very stiff and difficult to ride. I took Mia to Pine Trails Ranch for training and they were able to assess the problem and take action to correct it. I had seen many professionals before this who were not able to help us.

Se M.

Oct 7, 2017

1. The only time I've ever left the barn smelling like a port-a-john. (Two days in a row when I went to experience their Ranch.) 2. The head Trainer is more concerned about horse safety than humans. The leasing program is what initially attracted Me. However, after riding a rescue to the best of my ability (I have about 300hrs riding experience- I'm novice but work hard!), a horse they said they knew nothing about...and have had at the ranch for six months...the fact I didn't hurt myself should be celebrated and the most important factor is SAFETY. I've fallen before; it's part of the process. I am responsible for my own technical errors. However, I've never seen such a lack of concern from one person to another after a fall until today with their head, "Trainer." People come to this sport with dreams. Thankful I am not of fragile spirit. That woman was mean. Bottom line. She was cordial about it and smiled a lot though! Overall, this would be a horrible place for anyone wanting to learn horse handling and English Riding/ lease a rescue. Oh, and not get their feelings hurt! Maya Angelou said it, "People may not remeber your name, but they'll always remember how you made them feel." Even after falling and ignoring her lack of concern. I announced I was unharmed and she didn't even express any concern for my safety. She got bossy and starts yelling, "You never hold onto the reins if you start to feel yourself fall." Her tirade about that went on as I continued to participate in the lesson. "Let go of the reins," That's contradicting what my current and past Trainers have told Me. Also, my current Trainer is a former Olympic gold medal winner, BTW. The one before was her colleague. It didn't seem the Trainer was neither serious nor knowledgeable about her job. She told me, "You don't need muscles for jumping," and again with, "I'm so little I don't need muscles for jumping. You don't need muscles to jump." Again, this is completely contradictory to the ethos of this sport and a complete lie. Overall, I left with this assessment: -I spent two lessons there. An individual lesson with an assistant Trainer who seemed way more humane (and was polite) than the head "Trainer -This head Trainer/ Owner was more than happy to have Me pay for an immediate lease today on the rescue QuarterHorse I got to spend time with during the two lessons. She doesn't seem formally educated and her lack of concern for my safety was the first red flag. This also puzzled Me: She wouldn't allow Me to canter his left lead during the lesson after the fall. I requested several times as I should be able to assess the animal before handing over someone my MONEY. Who doesn't test drive a car??? I had brought my adult son with Me. He saw it all. I'm glad cause that could have been crappy. So when I go to pay her for the lesson and talk about lease stuff, I realize my purse is secured in my vehicle. My son went to grab it. This head Trainer told Me to, "Hurry up. I need lunch and I'm doing a party after this." That's just rude, man. I didn't throw a fit. I did motion to my Son to not bring my purse to Me. I couldn't understand why she wouldn't let me try out the horse. I had sent her two videos of Me via Messenger. One was of Me doing my measly two Dressage moves I still don't know perfect enough...and the other was Me riding bareback on a Connemara working on our timing and.... I think you get the picture. Sometimes falls happen. Especially on a horse! The staff was unsure of his age. I was told this QH was either 10 or maybe 15; however, this QH suffers from a metabolic condition most common in Senior Horses. They said his owners could no longer manage his medical condition, Cushing's Disease. I think it's awesome they rescue horses. I don't believe she gave a care about me as a person. She was concerned with how many lessons I wanted to buy and that lease. I had expressed to her that the "Pony Fever," I have/passion for horses is what keeps me balanced in my work and life. Thus, leasing was my goal there. I also expressed my riding goal is to compete locally doing Eventing. I asked if the QHcould jump....the assistant trainer told me the day before he could do small cross rails. "I can train him," no worries I thought. I asked how small was small....and got some mumbling about "...well he's new and we don't know a lot about him so....." However, when I was doing his hoof care today. This QH rescue of unknown social history but calm temperament had hooves that were porous looking. He had multiple areas where the horseshoes were not making contact with the full surface area possible. Gaps. Also his anatomy for hoof care required special attention; again due to the porous state of his hooves and multiple tunneled areas/holes. The hoof condition is not the issue. That is something they are helping this Equine with...however, knowing what she knew about My training goals: Eventing = Hard Work for both human & animal... I thought it was a shady deal. I believe it is unethical to subject a horse with sponges for hooves to Me. According to them, this was a match and the head Trainer was ready to lease him, "immediately." The integrity and professionalism I expected wasn't there. It's dangerous because I trust my current Trainer with my life. After all, this is the only sport where both men & women compete on the same playing field AND must wear required medical ID while competing. I am a novice but I'm also a single Mom of three. I got the impression- as evidenced by her behaviors- that she didn't give a crap about anything except getting My $$$$ and I don't know why anyone would want to be around a grow older woman with bullying/ "Mean Girl." behaviors. Overall, I left thankful for My current barn and immediately went there to go ride. Yep- after the lesson at PTR. Cause lesson or not- I was there to assess and lease an animal. I'm taking the lesson cause it's a requirement to lease. It's a joke of a place as far as the true spirit of the sport and unsafe cause she's too busy talking to others not in lesson...she's not focused on the kids at all. It's all on video. If yo Don't take your kids or yourself here or anyone else you care about. Thanks for this opportunity to share.

Pine Trails Ranch's reply

I am sorry you were disappointed in your lesson at our ranch. I did not allow you to continue to canter at the end of the lesson as your posture was very poor and that had already resulted in your fall at the canter once. We were working on a balanced position in the half seat at the trot and once you had achieved that, we would progress to the canter again. The horse you were riding was our 15 year old quarter horse who we know the history of. He was a trail horse before he came to us 7 months ago. He has been trained for basic hunters and has been teaching children all summer. His feet are normal, however a bit small as is common for quarter horses. There is nothing spongy about his feet. I am sorry I was talking with other clients, but you were riding in a group lesson, and all my students deserve my attention. If you want my individual attention, I suggest a private session. I stayed with you for an hour after the lesson to discuss your questions regarding leasing, so was behind in my preparation for the next group and had to get back to work. I am a trained and experienced hunter/ jumper and dressage trainer. You are welcome to look me up. I have been training professionally for 27 years. I wish you luck with your edeavors in the future and I hope you will consider continuing to try to improve your position before you try more jumping.

Horseback Riding Lessons (for adults)

Milita C.

Feb 19, 2018

Hired on Thumbtack

Nice group of people!!!

Details: 45 - 64 years old • Beginner • Western • Trail riding • No, I do not have a horse • Once a week • On an ongoing basis • Willing to work around teacher's schedule • Conducting initial research • I travel to the horseback riding instructor

Horseback Riding Lessons (for adults)

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Michelle Haseltine

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
You can save almost 10% by purchasing 5 lessons at a time.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We try to determine each person's goals and current riding experience level so we can get a good program started.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Pine Trails Ranch has operated for almost 30 years. Our head instructor and trainer has taught and trained horses for over 30 years.

Pine Trails Ranch

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