Never ever go there!!
By Linda, 10/05/09
When we arrived at Deer Run, 2 teeanage girls who work there met us at the door. They looked at me like I had 2 heads when I said we were there for the 12:30 trail ride. When 2 other customers drove in, one of the employees said, dripping with sarcasm, and I quote, Of great. Let's see what these 2 lovely people want." ???!!!!!
The owner returned, and we were put on horses only to sit there for 20 minutes. Finally she told us we were waiting for 2 more people. Evidently, the little girl in the late arriving party needed the horse I was on. I had to switch horses after sitting on that one for 20 minutes! I'm 4"11" and had to stand on a picnic table to get on the biggest horse I've ever seen. The owner and Miss Attitude were adjusting my stirrups. The owner had no problem getting her side adequately adjusted. Miss Attitude, however, insisted her side could not be adjusted any further. Her solution was to twist the stirrup and put my foot in it. We had to stop the entire group FOUR TIMES because the "twisted" stirrup wouldn't stay twisted, so it kept coming off my foot. Miss Attitude was very rude and clearly annoyed every time I had to tell her about it. Hmmm. Maybe if she hadn't been so stubborn & had adjusted it properly, we wouldn't have had to stop so often.
Then there was the incident where my 11-yr-old daughter's stirrup came off. I don't mean off her foot. I mean the stirrup fell on the ground! They found the stirrup on the trail but not the piece that holds the stirrup on the tack! The rest of the ride was very scary for her.
My daughter told me after we left that she observed the fact that bits were not used. Basically, that means I really had very little control of my horse when she spooked and went up into the woods. I pulled with all I had & thankfully was able to get her settled down quickly.
During the ride, one of the girls became annoyed with Jona (the owner) and went on a rant. Jona was out of earshot, but my daughter and I heard the F-bomb that the girl dropped. So much for a family-friendly place to take my children.
There was one nice girl who helped me for the last time with my stirrup. The reason it was the last time was because she actually looked to see if it could be adjusted more. It could and she did.
We are looking for a place for my daughter to take lessons which is why we went to Deer Run. Obviously, we will not go back for a trail ride or lessons. The owner must not care about the horses. I say that because I emailed her my concerns as soon as we got home, and she never replied.
Don't go - dangerous and unpleasant!