I recently texted a small barn asking if they do lessons and if so, could I stop over for a info chat. I was told yes to lessons and to call and any questions would be answered then. I am looking for a riding refresh and also wanted to look at the facility. I was surprised that I wasn’t invited to take a look in person. Is this the new norm?
I would call, like they asked you to. During the conversation you can probably schedule a walk thru.
I am sure lots of places are being extra careful because of the current situation and trying to keep their barn as safe as possible.
Them responding this way would make me like this facility.
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In my area, the demand for lessons exceeds the capacity of instructors / school horses. I’m not surprised that a barn would want more info about you and what you’re looking for prior to inviting you for a tour.
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I agree 100% with both commenters so far.
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As others said, lesson barns are overwhelmed right now with inquiries. Our lesson program (separate from the training/showing program) has a wait list a mile long-- with anyone who emails/texts/calls the first step is a phone call to discuss the needs/experience of the potential client followed by a visit if the new person fits into the available space in the program. I see nothing unusual in what happened to you. Between covid caution and being deluged in people who see riding as a safe outdoor activity for their kids and themselves, barns of all types are seeing a huge interest level. A phone conversation can winnow out those who are serious, can afford this sport, and understand the demands.
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New norm? Not new at all… this is very common. The barn has informed you that they offer lessons but want to speak to you and during that conversation you will talk about your goals, current level, what you look for in a trainer, costs of lessons, availability of lessons, etc. Then if you like what they have to say you set up a time to come out and see the barn and watch a few lessons and if you like that set up an evaluation lesson.
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Many lessons barns have long wait lists and/or not taking on any more beginners. Makes sense for them to have you call first before wasting everyones time.
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I am a professional instructor, and I have a vetting process before I’ll schedule anything. I would like to call and talk with you first, and do the basic questions over the phone. 1. Riding goals 2. skill level 3. past experience etc and then I will determine on my own whether you’ll be a good fit for my program or not. I don’t turn a lot of people away.
Barn tours take a lot more time than a screening phone call does. I’d rather put the time into a call first and not waste your and my time on a barn tour that ends with you going to find a different barn.
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Thanks for the opinions. I now realize that since I have always boarded my own horse(s) -now being purely a lesson “student” is far different. Your replies made me recognize that looking for a suitable boarding barn with trainer is not the same as showing up for a lesson .Which is what i have always done. I was surprised that I wasn’t invited over for a meet & greet. but that now makes sense. I will keep looking, maybe something will work out.
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If this barn interests you just call and have the phone discussion that will likely lead to the meet and greet.
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Looking for a boarding barn with a trainer and looking for a place to take lessons are both going to 99% of the time want you to call and talk to them on the phone. Maybe I’m not following, but sounds like you are no longer interested in the barn because they wanted you to call first and didn’t respond to (I assume) a text or chatbox saying you were interested by saying “sure drop by whenever”? Most places are not going to just want a random drop in without knowing more about what you are looking for. It saves everyone (including you) time. Phone calls are quick and easy, just call. They may turn out to be a great barn.
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Some threads here make me feel like boarding and lesson barns can not win.
If this barn said ‘come on out, whenever’ then they would have been wrong for doing that too. Not careful enough about biosecurity or better yet, what if the OP showed up when the trainer was busy teaching and no one was available to show them around. They would be a horrible place for wasting the OP’s time.
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I thought that by taking 20 min of their time and mine might be enough to see if I fit into lessons and also, on my end of it -if I was comfortable with what I saw (barn, horse care, ring condition, etc) Thats all. They could take one look at me and say “no way” and i could do the same. Not complaining, just asking opinions.
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I could understand how their response to call may have come across as curt or short. Perhaps they could have shared they would like to set up a phone call before arranging a visit due to X, Y, Z reasons, instead of just telling you to call to get your questions answered. However I think many of the posters here have made great points which I agree with. If you are interested in this barn, just give them a call. Seems silly to move on just because they asked that you call them before you come out….
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Before you read my response I want you to know that I agree with your thought pattern, that going to visit to see the place is a very important step in the process of picking a new lesson barn!
If you are the only one that needs 20 minutes this week, then I am sure your 20 minute visit would be no big deal. But think about it, it only takes 3 people, at 20 minutes each to use an hour of this trainer/instructor’s time. And many of those 20 minutes could have been saved by simply having a quick phone conversation about what this barn offers, how they run their program, etc.
And how do they fit 20 minutes (however many times, since we all know that the chances of everyone who thinks they want to see this place showing up at the same time are slim to none) into their already booked schedule, that is likely based on hour time slots?
I think this is a case where this barn owner is being very professional. They are interviewing you while you interview them. We (general COTH) complain about how not professional so many barns are. Why not embrace this barn for having what seems like a good system?
Write yourself a list of questions. Call them, ask about their lesson program. Schedule that visit.
(Said by someone who totally hates making phone calls, And I mean panic ensues type hate. But some phone calls are worth it.)
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This, the lesson program that shares a barn with our program has a 12 person waiting list. Plus with some states (like Mine) still requiring masks in doors, people are careful about who is on premises.
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Well i did call and they have lesson times available but it wont work with my schedule. I still would have liked to visit, in case my schedule (or theirs) changes. To TrubandLoki 's comment on calling- I ,too, am not a telephone person - especially cell phones with dropped calls, connection interferences etc. And to the 2 who mentioned covid security- we have dropped masks for 2 weeks now albeit supposedly just vaccinated persons allowed.
Thanks for your input
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Scheduling lessons is hardly the commitment that boarding is. You absolutely need to check out a facility before you move your horse but it’s not nearly that important with lessons. Just schedule a lesson and don’t schedule a second if the facility is awful or it doesn’t work for whatever reason.
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