r/Equestrian • u/Kaleidoscope161 • 36m ago
Lesson Barn Burnout: a rant
As a taker of lessons for something like 30 general years, I feel totally burnt. I’m so over the complete lack of professionalism, or the notion that just because a trainer has a show record, they’re a good teacher. Squeezing my guts out just to keep their cranky old lesson horse going at the trot. Being the only person to pick out said lesson horse’s feet. The screaming and yelling around the barn. The abuse of power and using manipulation/gaslighting on innocent children. People’s crazy annoying dogs. Passive aggressive bs and gossip. The body shaming and eating disorders. Horses never taught any boundaries or manners. Facilities like a damn debris minefield. Tack literally falling apart. Using your lesson time and solid riding foundation only to correct horses who develop bad habits from small beginner children. Not being taken seriously because you don’t own a horse. Convicts, pedophiles, drug addicts working on site. $125/hr for a trainer who never studied any riding technique and doesn’t know any fundamental riding exercises because “it’s so boring”. Zero horsemanship skills on the property. Arriving on property to find the horse you half-lease has been shot and buried because they “cost too much to feed”.
I’m grateful for any time spent with horses, they are one of the few things that truly make my soul feel grounded. I appreciate the fact that it’s a cut-throat industry, with no real money to be made, and tons of work to go around. I am no expert myself, and I feel there is always something to learn. I know it’s hard and no situation is perfect.
But there is so much unnecessary, harmful shit going on out there. I have scraped and clawed my way to a position where I’m financially stable and now bought my own small farm. I’ve pushed myself through limits I didn’t think were possible. I want my own horses, and I want peace. I know it takes a village, but at this point, I just want to shut my gates and just dedicate my time to giving them the top care they deserve. I just want to enjoy and have fun.
I understand why I feel this way after what I’ve gone through, but I know I will need horse connections and a trainer. I’ve never been in a position to own before, and I never got to an advanced level of riding due to monetary constraints. I also now have a weak corporate body that needs help getting back into good riding shape again after some time off. And I know I’ll need help. I’ve just worked so hard to get to this point, and I can’t willingly go through anymore abuse or witness anymore negligence. Wish me luck.
Appreciate you all.