[MyBelgianAzzy]

I was paging through the info packet from Meredith Manor since I can't sleep, and I'm thoroughly unimpressed. Aside from their very vague learning and riding goals, there is a centerfold of pictures from the campus.

There are four pages of photos, including barn photos. Perhaps the barn was under construction at the time, but here's what I see in the riding photos (all riding photos noted here)...

1. Two riders mounted with presumably instructor between them- bit clearly too large and bridle to poorly adjusted it's almost comical.

2. Rider mounted on dressage horse. Horse wearing bridle with flash attachment, but instead of a proper flash, a piece of leather has been wrapped around his bit/noseband.

3. Rider walking towards you. Obviously turned out to show. Horse and rider look very neat. Non-ASTM/SEI helmet, no harness.

4. Western rider walking away from camera. Helmet so loose/badly adjusted it appears to be leaning left several inches.

5. (Not riding, but...) Picture of western saddle, tack, including polo wrap sort of posed over the saddle. Polo wrap littered with shaving bits- ouch!

6.Horse jumping a large fence. Rider doesn't look proficient, but even so the horse's knees are hanging dangerously low and uneven.

7. Three riders in a lesson. All look neat and tidy, are wearing approved helmets, and boots. Instructor well turned out.

I will say every polo wrap looks perfect in every picture. But I can't imagine spending the $63,000 tuition (includes all 3 comprehensive courses and room and board, does not include horse board) if THIS is the best they can turn out. Anyone been there? Did they just pick bad photos to try to sell themselves with?

[MaggieSue]

Personally I would not waste any of my money trying to get a degree from one of the 'equine colleges'. Plus, I've read the list of places where other 'grads' have gone...and at least one of the places is a joke! I boarded there, and the owner is horrible-she doesn't pay her help...ever. If they think of leaving, she talks them out of it by saying 'we're gonna get your horse going, we'll go to the shows, etc. etc.' and it works the first couple times, but after a while-they learn, it's not going to happen. And they have wasted over a year at her place...doing nothing with their horse, and making no money at all. You would be much better off getting a degree in something 'mainstream' (computers, management, etc)then take a few other courses in equine. YOu can also instead, if wanting to train, instruct, spend your money on clinics, showing (to get your name out there), etc. I know one girl who is going to the Cadre Noir School in France! That would give you a good thing to put on your resume.

[willeys bonanza]

I saw them at Rolex and they kind of pushed my friend an i to sign up for emails, Its hard for me to say no to ppl, lol. Anway I really dont like the idea of equine colleges, because all it gives you is a certificate to say you can be a stable hand. Thats my personal opinion, same as getting a degree in equine management. If you have alot of money and your own barn its great, but you spend all that money but you probobly will never make a lot of money. If that is what you want to do great, but it will be extremely tough to earn enough money to start your own farm while working for someone else with low wages.

Besides that I wasn't too impressed either at their facilities, it looked dumpy for their tuition.

[Dawn]

Everything that I've ever heard about them has left me completely unimpressed. Even their requirements of what you have to bring with you just screams 'would never go there' to me. They have standard sizes of all tack that you should buy. They then use it on all horses regardless of what size they actually require. That just screams professionalism doesn't it?

[CowGirlUp1833]

I used to be good friends with someone who had gone there. I think she was pretty good, though rougher tactics then I would use.... not sure if she learned it there or not though. She said it was a dump and didn't really speak very highly of the staff/instructors.