should i move?

Question

currently i am at an event barn in a great facility, and a trainer i love... but there are a few down sides...

there is 3 outdoor rings, and 3 grass places to ride and graze, but only one indoor, which is very small. there is about 80 horses at the facility but they're all from different barns and we all do differnt things [eventing, dressage, hunter, western pleasure] so once it gets to be cold and snowy we all have to ride together in the indoor and its a pain because the dressage people are always doing fancy things which take up alot of space, and the pleasure horses are on the rail not moving, and then its us and the hunters weaving and dodgeing the other horses, and my horse doesnt like other horses riding near him.
BUT this barn is GREAT i LOVE the trainer so much, we've basically re-trained my horse and we're doing so great together, and she's very careful about feeding and the horses health, i KNOW my horse is in good hands even when im not there, butttt this barn is 20...

min. away and with school and everything it takes alot of time out of my day[not to mention my mom's]

so the only other option of a barn that i have is a hunter and pleasure barn where i learned how to ride, which is 5 min. away from my house. but theres a few problems with this one too, its only hunter/pleasure and its very intent on showing, also, it only has 1 outdoor, 1 indoor, and one feild, there are less horses and we all know how to ride together but im afraid my horse wont get along with the other horses, and i do like this trainer, but she doesnt explain thinggs as much as my current one does. Finally although she does care about horses ALOT she just doesnt seem to put as much effort into it? i dunno how to explain it. it could be that she's owned her barn for many years, and where i am now has only been there for a year... but what are your thoughts on what to do?

I am SOO sorry this is so long, but it all had to be said...

thanks to every one for suggesting that the differnt styles ride at differnt times, and the trainers have planned that for their lessons, but for when we're just riding there is no control. They've made it so there isnt more than 2 lessons at the time, but that basically takes up the entire ring.

Answer 1

if its possible, i think you should stay at the first barn [the one thats 20 mins away] during the summer/spring, and move to the other barn for the winter.
that way you could avoid the over-crowded indoor during the winter, but still be with the trainer at the first barn. plus, you said the second barn is focused on showing, and in the winter [at least where i live] there arent as many shows.
hope i helped a little! :]

Answer 2

I'd stay where you are at. It is hard to find a place where you get a long with everyone and have such great facilities. You are lucky! Only 20 min away? I drive an hour one way to get to see my horse everyday...in heavy Houston traffic, it is a pain, but I do it because I LOVE my barn. We have a covered arena only so we all have to share...it isn't a big problem. Maybe you could find a time to ride when there are less people in the arena.

Answer 3

I would say you should stay. It's hard to find a barn/trainer that you really like and it sounds like this one is great. Try asking your trainer if there is a time when less people ride or see if you could organize it so that the dressage riders, western, etc. try to ride together at different times from other disciplines. Try thinking of it as practice for the warm-up arena!

Answer 4

Stay where you are and move your riding time if you can. If you ride late in the evenings, say 8pm on, I bet there won't be so many people around. Or real early in the morning to avoid the crowd. If this can't be done, you may have to move.

Remember that every trainer has something different to offer. Instead of focusing on the trainer's shortcomings, learn and absorb all you can from what she does teach well!

Answer 5

I gave thumbs up to the answers above mine that sounded great....just had to laugh and add the comment that it sounds like people at the gym...you want to get there early or late to avoid the rush. Hopefully you can find a way to resolve this and really enjoy your horse this winter.

I agreed with the gal that said to ride outside. I can only take so much of an indoor arena, especially if it is crowded, like you said. Go outside and find some open space.

Answer 6

It might be a good idea to move back if you think it will make riding more comfortable. It's not fun to ride in a crowded arena and if your horse is sketchy about riding around other horses, a crowded barn might not be the ideal place to retrain him. The closer barn sounds ideal because it has less horses and more space for you to work with your horse.

Answer 7

I would stay if you and your horse love it.

Are there trails you could ride on instead of the indoor?

Are you an early bird or a night owl? Going super early or late might land you a less crowded indoor.

Best of luck. Your barn sounds awesome!

X30440 has some excellent suggestions too!

Answer 8

I would stay but I would have the trainer talk to the owner and have the indoor time very clearly outlined as to who and when so that the dressage people have their time, the hunters have their time and the pleasure people have their time. Its not fair and not safe to allow bedlam!

Answer 9

I would sit down and really make a GOOD COMPLETE list of pros and cons for both places then see which is better in the long run. You might also check and see if your instructor could still give you lessons at the new barn.

Answer 10

talk to trainer about your dislikes.
maybe have each group have certain times.
If you can't find satisfaction check out other facilities and trainers.