Leasing and trainer issues - please chime in!

[OverandOnward]

I wouldn’t worry at all about burning any bridges. Drop a match on that one. No more contact, no phone calls, and definitely no meeting.

Since this is a small horse community, as soon as you are visibly separate from this program, your ears will be filled with tales similar to yours. From other escapees, and friends and family of same.

Everyone knows what scamsters that group is, I promise that. The community doesn’t say things to current students/clients out of politeness. Once you are out of the program the floodgates will open. You’ll find there is a virtual survivors’ group.

I feel fairly certain of that. Don’t let them keep trying to get their claws in you, you owe them nothing, and they have nothing to offer you. You made a wise decision to move on and all you need to do is just keep moving forward.

[CHT]

The face to face meeting could be because they are a smaller program and want to make sure you are a good fit, which can be easier to do in person. I usually have people come out and see my place, meet me, see my horses and watch a lesson before I sign them on as a student. I don’t see why that is an odd thing to do.

[Ace1]

@CHT

The face to face meeting could be because they are a smaller program and want to make sure you are a good fit, which can be easier to do in person. I usually have people come out and see my place, meet me, see my horses and watch a lesson before I sign them on as a student. I don’t see why that is an odd thing to do.

I could have misread, but I believe the f-2-f meeting was with the FORMER school, not a new riding program. I totally understand your reasoning, but I don’t think that’s what the OP was stating…

[OverandOnward]

@CHT

The face to face meeting could be because they are a smaller program and want to make sure you are a good fit, which can be easier to do in person. I usually have people come out and see my place, meet me, see my horses and watch a lesson before I sign them on as a student. I don’t see why that is an odd thing to do.

You didn’t read the thread. Or even the first post.

[findeight]

Yeah, OP had a bad experience with a barn and an unsuitable school horse so cancelled the month to month lease according to the contract language and is looking elsewhere. It’s that barn who wants a meeting even though she is gone, gave proper notice and is paid up. Not one of the barns she’s looking at. No doubt she will be interviewing them and carefully.

Even though we only have one side of the story here, OPs, it should be obvious why she left after a bad fall and witnessing another bad fall off the same horse. Never been in any barn that wanted an “exit interview” with any departing client much less a lesson client with no lease in place.

[CPL713]

Ok, I’m dying to know if you went to the meeting.
FWIW, having been a client and instructor at various barns of various sizes in my life, an exit interview is a WEIRD request. I also think you shouldn’t go…but I want to hear about it if you do. :yes:
Happy you have found a place that seems like a better fit, in the meantime!!

[PKP]

Did OP survive this “meeting?”

[Artax]

I did not go and do not plan to go to this meeting. If anything, a nice thank you is all that is in order since there are no outstanding/unresolved issues.

Thanks everyone!

[CHT]

@Ace

I could have misread, but I believe the f-2-f meeting was with the FORMER school, not a new riding program. I totally understand your reasoning, but I don’t think that’s what the OP was stating…

THanks, I was thinking it was at the new barn. Probably why my take was opposite of everyone else’s! I agree that I wouldn’t go either.

[SMK]

Good for you!

There are many places like this barn out there, for many reasons. Often these “school horses” are a heck of a lot cheaper/harder to unload than safer school horses.

Harder horses, of course, have their place, but IMO it is not in situations like this. For every person who learns to sit better because of a horse with a strong spook, there is someone who is injured. But it’s more than that. I think this is one reason we end up with so many timid riders and re-riders. It’s a heck of a lot easier to instill fear in a rider than it is to cure it!

All horses are unpredictable, but there certainly are more reliable ones. That is why good lesson horses are worth their weight in gold. You definitely made the right choice, an I hope the new place works out well for you.

[OverandOnward]

Good for you OP!

Maybe in a year or so you can update us with all the great experiences you will have had by this time next year. Optional of course! but just because we want to hear that you are happy and moving forward with your horse life. Hopefully it will be so!