Meredith Manor - Any opinions?Is it worth the money?

[Annie_B]

I need opinions or any information about Meredith Manor. I would like to go but I need to know if it is worth the money or not. I’ve heard good reviews and bad. I have talked with my mom about it and she said that it sounds good but she is wondering how well-known it is in the horse industry and if it is known for being good or bad. Any opinions, experiences or information that you know about Meredith Manor would be VERY appreciated. I don’t want to spend that much money on something if I’m not going to get a good return.

Thanks,
Annie Briggs

[PiaffePlease]

Why are you wanting to attend this school? I dont think they offer a BA in Equine studies.

“Meredith Manor students and graduates now have the option of pursuing a Bachelors Degree with an Equestrian Studies area of emphasis through West Virginia University at Parkersburg”.

In my opinion, it doesnt seem like this college would be the best choice. But it depends on why you are wanting to go and what type of job you want when you get out. There are alot if other colleges that offer more and are more well known.

I looked at this school years ago (along with St. Andrews, Averett, Virginia Intermont) but ended up going to a State University and now that I look back, I made the right choice. With the way jobs are so scarce these days, getting a broader degree (business management) was what I needed.

To answer your question, I havent heard bad things about Meredith Manor, I just havent heard much of anything (and that might be a bad thing). You might want to look at Virginia Tech, they have a great Equine program. Good Luck!

[Jaegermonster]

To answer your question, IMHO, no it isn’t worth the $$.
They are not known for their academics, and I have known several people who have graduated from there with degrees in Equine Management, studies, etc and believe me when I tell you that saying their horse knowledge and overall horsemanship leave quite a bit to be desired is an understatement.

Check out colleges like Sweet Briar, that are respected academically but also have equine programs.

[AmandaandTuff]

I also looked into it, didn’t seem worth the money. Now I am attending a state university with a decent enough eq. team and will get a degree and be able to get a steady job.

[Serah]

RUN!!! FAST!!

[Rhyadawn]

I considered Meredith Manor a few years ago when I was considering changing careers. I decided it wasn’t the school for me after talking to my coach (who is also a long time friend and mentor). She had friends who went there and they are now struggling to find work. She also said that the education they got just wasn’t worth the $$.

[Annie_B]

Thanks guys/girls. I ahve heard similar stories about how people who graduated from Meredith Manor have had a hard time finding jobs and such.

What I want to do is something either involving equine rehab, horse racing (which i am wanting to be a trainer), or giving lessons (among other stuff but those are the main three). I am in highschool and still have time to think about what I want to do. I was considering Meredith, not for a college degree, but to get certified in teaching and equine massage and hopefully learn some stuff that I didn’t know. I am planning right now on going to college and getting a degree so Meredith would not be involved in my college part. Right now I am planning on going to Tarleton State University here in Texas. What degree I don’t know yet.

So since Meredith would not be the place to go then any suggestions? I woud like to be a racehorse trainer I don’t know how or where to get started. Although that it is what I want to do I would also like to be very versatile. I want to be certified in Equine massage and I would also like to be able to teach. I’m not really concerned about the riding horses and competing on them So I wouldn’t be going to Meredith for that. It seems though that most of the bad reviews I’ve read are more geared toward the riding masters program rather than the teaching program. Is this just an impression I’m getting?

Any suggestions or references or anything really is welcome.

Thanks again!!
Annie

[TBMaggie]

Mmmm…I was just wondering the other day if Meredith Manor was still in existence - and lo and behold, it is!! I went there for one of their 3 -month study courses waay back in 198something (Yes, you read that right 1980 something!!)

It was not worth the money. Seems to me that 3 months cost something like $5000, more if you brought your own horse. The living accomodations were horrible (lots of bugs!!) and the facility was built on a flood plain - and flooded regularily. All of us students did more hard work taking care of the horses/cleaning or fixing the facility than we did riding - I think we were in lessons for 1 hour, 3 x week - not what I expected. The facility was also out in the middle of ‘no-where.’ A car would’ve been a great idea, but I didn’t have one - I’m sure a lot of these things have changed since I was there.

I would have been better off finding a position as a working student with some BNT. I basically went on to do that - and surprise, the work didn’t bother me because of my MM training.(And when I say ‘training’ I’m talking about my own guilt which forced me to get up at 4 a.m. to trek down to the barn to feed, muck out, groom, etc - I didn’t want to ‘fail’ - all of this was graded, and failing meant that I had wasted all that money!) I still couldn’t ‘ride’ worth a darn, but I was also naive to think I’d be good after only 3 months!:lol: (My certificate said I was a ‘Master’ - and I’m sure I still have it someplace just for laughs.)

Serah is right: RUN!!!

[CosMonster]

I once hired a girl from Meredith Manor. All I can say is, if she was at all indicative of their program, don’t bother. She was very nice and hardworking but my god that girl could not ride for beans. She also had a great deal of trouble even handling the more rambunctious babies on the ground (and none of them were all that bad). I had to let her go after a couple of months because it wasn’t really a working student type job, I needed someone who could actually exercise and groom horses on their own, and she just couldn’t do it. She had the highest certification level, too.

[EponaRoan]

The University of Arizona (Tucson) offers a Racetrack Industry program. I have some friends who graduated from there, some of whom work in the industry.

http://ag.arizona.edu/impacts/2004/6_9.html

If I were going to college now, I’d look seriously at it.

[Amwrider]

William Woods University has a good Equine program.

[mbv]

I second the U of Arizona rec. Seems like their graduates actually end up working in the industry if they are so inclined.

[Angela_Freda]

iirc SUNY Cobleskill has a TB/racehorse program as well.

IMO for race horse training, go to a college and get your business degree, and apprentice with someone REALLY good, even if they’re at a small local track. The BSN degree allows you to really run the stable you end up with in a business like fashion, something sorely needed in many cases… and offers you a fall back in case race horses don’t pan out for you.

[Pronzini]

Most racehorse trainers don’t have degrees. Its something you apprentice into.

My advice: do something non horsey for your degree so you indeed have something to fall back on. At the same time, do your homework about your local track and then find people you’d like to work for. Walk hots for free for a few days if you have to to get your foot in the door. What you are doing is less about money and more about trying on a lifestyle and seeing if you like it. Believe me, it is a lot of hard work and not for everyone. Then you can make a decision based on real information.

[AmandaandTuff]

There was a horse racing college in Kentucky I believe, I forget the name.

I have a scholarship to Midway College in Kentucky, I hear that their equine programs are good.

[equest]

[QUOTE=Pronzini;4261040]
Most racehorse trainers don’t have degrees. Its something you apprentice into.

My advice: do something non horsey for your degree so you indeed have something to fall back on. [/QUOTE]

Absolutely agree.

[CallMeGrace]

North American Racing Academy: http://nara.kctcs.edu/

We are friends with a fairly well known trainer - he told my son exactly what Angela Freda said:

“IMO for race horse training, go to a college and get your business degree, and apprentice with someone REALLY good, even if they’re at a small local track. The BSN degree allows you to really run the stable you end up with in a business like fashion, something sorely needed in many cases… and offers you a fall back in case race horses don’t pan out for you.”

Although I don’t think AF meant “BSN” degree (nursing)!

[Melelio]

A neighbor’s daughter went to Midway for I think a total of 6 months before getting completely frustrated with the horse program and the general studies. She convince her folks to let her change to Wilson College, in PA and is now graduated!

If you want info from her on what exactly went on she didn’t like, I’m sure I can put you in touch with her. PM me your email address if you wish.

[Angela_Freda]

[QUOTE=CallMeGrace;4261055]
North American Racing Academy: http://nara.kctcs.edu/

We are friends with a fairly well known trainer - he told my son exactly what Angela Freda said:

“IMO for race horse training, go to a college and get your business degree, and apprentice with someone REALLY good, even if they’re at a small local track. The BSN degree allows you to really run the stable you end up with in a business like fashion, something sorely needed in many cases… and offers you a fall back in case race horses don’t pan out for you.”

Although I don’t think AF meant “BSN” degree (nursing)![/QUOTE]
LOL at my college the business classes were BSN###, so that is where I got that ‘shorhand’.

Though Nursing could come in handy too!

[sid]

I, too, had a very negative experience with a MM “graduate”. Not knowledgable and a real “cowboy”. Darned near ruined two of my horses with the things she was doing behind my back.

While one individual cannot represent an entire institution, I’m surprised MM would even graduate someone who had no patience and really aggressive handling methods.