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- Manito Equestrian Center
Reviews & Recommendations
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Amazing Barn
Provided by Citysearch
Some of my best memories come from this amazing barn. I had the privilege of attending Manito's summer camp program when I was younger, which led to lessons and an apprenticeship. I would recommend this barn to anyone who has a passion for horsemanship or the desire to learn. Manito taught me so much more than what I learned in my lessons. I gained confidence, respect for myself and others, work ethic and many more skills that helped me be successful in my adult life today. More than 15 years have gone by and to this day I have yet to find an environment that is as positive and rewarding as Manito Equestrian Center. I have 2 small children now and cannot wait until they are ready to go to their first day of camp this coming summer. It is impossible to ignore some of the negative comments that are listed below. I found it extremely disheartening to read some of the more unwarranted personal attacks on the barn owner. As a parent I know I would want to know the truth about any establishment that my children might attend and would need to be comfortable with the owner and staff. I can tell you from personal experience that Lisa Schadt is one of the most genuine, caring and hard working individuals that I have ever met. I have seen first hand her personally take care of not only her horses but also her students. She ensures that all horses are fed, groomed, up to date on vet care and that their overall well being is seen to. Lisa always made herself available to me or my parents if we had a simple question or concern about lessons, scheduling or anything else for that matter. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to learn so much from her, she was and is a great mentor. She cannot be there 100% of the time as she simultaneously runs a business, this much is true. but on countless occasions she was both the first to arrive and last to leave, I can say that confidently because I was often the second to arrive and second to last to leave :) I recall requesting that my mother just let me sleep there. I hope my comments are helpful to anyone who is on the fence about Manito, Lisa or any of the staff. I assure you that you will not be disappointed. Alicia Pramik
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Not a great place.
Not a great place. Horses are nice, but very old. Some walk with an obvious limp. A lot of them cough. I took four lessons here. Had three different instructors, each one told me completely different things. Very confusing and a complete waste of money (plus lessons are expensive -- $55 for one hour which includes 15 of grooming the horse before the lesson and 15 minutes grooming them after, so you only get a maximum of 30 minutes actual lesson time). Will not go back.
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Review of Lesson Stable
Provided by Citysearch
As others have mentioned, facility seems to have untapped potential and is in a good location. However the barn seems to have trouble keeping good riding instructors and new personnel are constantly coming and going. It made it hard on my daughter, who would grow attached to one teacher only to have a new one a few weeks later. In a six month period she had roughly four or five different instructors and it seemed we spent more time explaining what level she was at than actually seeing an improvement in her riding. We are now at a new barn that has had the same instructor for the past six years and are very happy. Also the lesson prices always seemed a little high compared to what other barns in the area are charging.
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Happy Rider
Provided by Citysearch
My daughter also rides at Manito, and we are extremely happy. We have actually enjoyed the various perspectives offered by the teachers at Manito and see this as a positive. My daughter has been able to pick up new techniques that were not explained or offered to her at the barn she rode at previously. We were looking forward to the new instructor taking over my daughter
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great place
Provided by Citysearch
If you have been in the horse business, you will appreciate the efforts of this owner. We are the only ones who get it. Most of us have been unable to do what she has done. Those who are not barn owners, or those with personal agendas- get a life and give the woman the credit she deserves. How many of you have 36 year old horses? How many of you have survived the recession without closing your barns? How many of you have had employees you could trust? We all learned the same lessons; she just keeps getting up again after being hammered by people who don't deserve to be in the same room with her. Shut your mouths and show some respect. We're lucky to have her.
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Could have been good
Provided by Citysearch
My daughter rides at Manito and, although our current experience is decent, I feel that the barn has much untapped potential. The current instructor is excellent, however I fear Manito's terrible ability to retain employees. It seems like no money is invested in the facility or the horses and the barn is heading for inevitable collapse. The owner is rarely on the premises and appears to have little true interaction with the animals.
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Dissapointed in Horse Care
Provided by Citysearch
I cannot in good conscience recommend a so called professional boarding and lesson facility that uses a 35+ year old underweight mare in their lesson program. I understand that times are difficult, but employing the use of a horse that should have obviously been retired years ago simply to make money is deplorable and unethical. I am also very disappointed in the weight and overall condition of this particular horse. The old adage
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No. way.
Provided by Citysearch
1 star... because the horses are fantastic.. the owner... not so much. She has to be bi-polar, it's very unfortunate that the place is run the way it is. For years now it seems they've had such a high turnover rate with instructors, workers. PS, if she tells you she sold you a horse/is making a deal on a horse - 1. make sure you get that documented. 2. and take the horse off the property! Either she will rob you, ""play"" you, and if the horse stays... probably not really yours. Lesson kids are gunna ride it, random people are gunna ride it. Not good business strategy. No barn etiquette AT ALL. ""OWNER OF BARN"" has no CLUE what shes doing with horses. She is only in it for the money... and anyone who wants to cry that she rescues horses... BULL! yeah she allows them on the property, but her WORKERS take care of the animal BECAUSE SHES NOT THERE! Anyway I bet the place just continues to get worse as the years go on. I'm sure numerous people have have been duped, overcharged, or have learned nothing from her or her ""instruction"" staff. Good. Luck.
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Great Barn and Great horses
Provided by Citysearch
Manito is a great barn! My daughter takes lessons there now and she is doing great and loves the barn, the horses and her instructor. It is one of the best places to happen to my family. My daughter has been very shy and since she started taking lessons there she is now participating in class and her grades are coming up. Her instructor, Valentina is wonderful, every little girl should have someone so kind as their teacher.
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Avoid Manito for safety's sake
Provided by Citysearch
I only allowed my daughter to take two lessons before the lack of knowledge on behalf of Manito's instructors sent up red flags. Friends had recommeded Manito even though an instruction horse had laid down and rolled on their child. On other occasion another galloped out of control with him in the ring.\r \r I attended one of Manito's ""horse shows"". It was a mere presentation...much like a dance recital. What made the greatest impact upon me was that after two years of instruction students still couldn't stear their own mounts and had to be led around the ring like on a pony ride. \r \r I cancelled my daughter's next lesson and went to Dreamfield Manor in Coopersburg and found the lessons to be $20/lesson less because they don't charge you for the 1/2 hour to brush and clean the horse like Manito does.\r \r I was also disgusted with the muddy INDOOR ring on a rainy day. The footing was nonexistant. The grounds also had an overwhelming urine smell on damp days.
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In repsonse to previous allegations
Provided by Citysearch
As both an equine professional and someone with a long-standing relationship with Manito, I feel I have some responsibility to throw in my two cents regarding the recent allegations against Manito and it's owner.\r \r Manito has always opened it’s doors to horses who were otherwise unwanted or discarded. Many of Manito's horses both past and present have been rescue cases, and over the past 15 years I have watched Lisa take in a rehabilitate many horses. In doing so, she has not only saved the lives of those horses, but she has inspired compassion and a love for helping animals in so many individuals. \r I can remember horses like Bonnie, and older mare who came to Manito emaciated and covered in mold, who under Lisa’s care went on to enjoy a healthy and happy last few years of life. I can remember Carmella and Jiminy, both so skinny, who came from a home where they were denied proper veterinary and foot care and were locked away and neglected. Because of Lisa’s kind heart, Carmella went on to become a beautiful horse, and Jiminy was given a comfortable and loving ending to an otherwise painful and lonely life. \r These horses, as well as every other horse that has found a home at Manito, have always received the proper nutritional, rehabilitative, and veterinary care. Lisa has a good relationship with many local rescue organizations, and her reputation in the horse industry is one of compassion and caring.\r \r \r While I do not know the specifics surrounding Eagle’s death, I do know Manito’s veterinarian quite well, both as a client, and as someone who has attended his lectures and demonstrations while working on my bachelor’s. Dr. Hacken has been a well respected equine vet for years, and I believe that Lisa did what any other horse owner would do- she took the advice of her veterinarian. \r Tubing a horse who has choked is not the right course of action for every horse, and in this case, Dr. Hacken felt that it wasn’t the right treatment for Eagle. Lisa based her decisions for Eagle’s care on what her vet recommended, as she has done with all of her horses. \r Eagle was given a comfortable end to his life, and in the time I spent time with him in the week leading up to his death, I never saw signs of pain or distress(normal respiration and heart rate, appetite, normal and comfortable body language). Eagle spent his last days grazing with his best friend. \r \r The sad thing about these false allegations of improper care is that they come from a place of ignorance, and they are aimed specifically at hurting Lisa. Sadly, they also hurt the reputation of a farm that has a long-standing history of kind and responsible horse care. I hope that Manito and Lisa’s legacy of compassion and love is not overshadowed by these hurtful lies.\r \r \r -Devin Afflerbach
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Eagle, continuation by Lisa
Provided by Citysearch
Again, not that anyone should be concerned about these details, but Roy covered Eagle with a cooler-blanket so that any children entering the premises would not be further traumatized by our loss. Eagle was removed well in advance of any children's arrival at the farm. At no time was ""viewing of the body"" any part of my program and, once again, ""loveshorses08"" has misrepresented the facts quite blatantly.\r The young men who attended our program that evening are not ""mentally handicapped"" and ""loveshorses08"" might again consider the offensiveness of her words.\r The model of car I drive and my ownership of a hot tub are really no one's concern and are not related to the death of this 24 year old horse or the care of my animals.\r We are constantly inundated by phone calls, with many requests for us to take donations of animals, including those from veterinarians and horse professionals who are aware of the care we give. We have earned a reputation for our good stewardship and compassion for all of our animals.\r ""lovehorses08"", there is a reason you have been banned from my barn. Get over it and learn from it. You should not be around children. Honest introspection might serve you better than your unfortunate need to cause harm and destruction. Get the help you need. There is nothing funny or amusing about your actions and words.\r It would have been very nice if I could have had at least a few days to deal with my grief and loss of a beloved animal, instead of needing to respond to such warped and sick nonsense.\r ""lovehorses08"", before you make any more negative comments on the mental health of others, please look up the word ""projection"". Your fascination with my life and with your fabrications is really not healthy. \r To all of you who have called about Eagle, offering your sympathy and kind words, we thank you. We will miss him tremendously. Lisa Schadt
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Eagle
Provided by Citysearch
I went to the barn on a weekend and found out a heartbrakeing fact...eagle passed away but some of you are taking this thig a bit too far!!! first of all I HIGHLY doubt one of u were there to see eagle go and be buried and stuff i wasn't there either but i heard from someone who was there!!! So some of you really need to stop making up your own little stories from either being jealous or just wanting attention!! because really it is pathetic!! eagle lived a long happy life and is in a better place!! and second you all need to stop putting down lisa!! she does sooo much to keep the barn alive so really this is just a tip for some of u to get a life and stop writing this junk!!!!!!!! *cough *cough ""lovehorses08""
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Equine Treasure within City Limits
Provided by Citysearch
Manito is a charming historic equine facility with the conveniences of a modern indoor arena, lighted outdoor arena, peaceful trail riding, hot and cold water wash stall, secure tack room, trailer parking, club house and even proper restrooms. More importantly, horses (lesson and boarders) are well cared for and enjoy large managed pastures with plenty of fresh water and good grain and hay. Owner lives on property and is very reasonable and kind. Property is huge and there is plenty of room for picnicng and enjoying nature within the city limits.
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from Lisa
Provided by Citysearch
Although this is not the venue for business owners to comment, I must respond to ""lovehorses08"". I am unable to understand such obvious hate and vileness in another human being. The problem with sites such as this is that misinformation and slanderous, hurtful material can be widely distributed. In this particular case, the death of my horse Eagle and the circumstances surrounding his death have been grossly misrepresented. If you are interested in the true story, please read my review and entry.
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Eagle
Provided by Citysearch
I am aware that a disgruntled ex-employee is spreading false rumors related to the death of my horse, Eagle and I must respond. I feel that these matters should be private ones, but ""lovehorses08"" has crossed all boundaries of propriety and decency with an all-time low.\r Eagle was, indeed, an amazing horse, and I owned him for 15 years. He was very much valued and loved. Eagle went blind a number of years ago and I made the decision to give him the best life possible for the remainder of his years. He lived a happy, contented life in the constant company of his best friend, Tucker and my devoted staff. Eagle lived to be 24. A few weeks ago, he began to lose his appetite and he subsequently choked. It was discovered that he had an infection and it is likely that the infection is what took his life and that the choke was secondary. Our veterinarian was consulted regarding each and every move for Eagle and we followed his suggested protocol and\r treatment. We chose to not ""scope"" Eagle this time due to the involved medical risk for this particular horse. Eagle had also choked a few times in the past and he\r was always provided with appropriate medical care.\r On the morning of June 3, my manager Roy contacted me and I rushed to the barn immediately. Eagle was dying and the veterinarian was on his way. I held Eagle in my arms attempting to calm him while awaiting the veterinarian, who would clearly be euthanizing Eagle upon his arrival. Eagle died before the veterinarian arrived. At no time was I ""massaging the horse back to life"" and such a statement is very offensive to me. It is also my right and my staff's right to use whatever ritual or ceremony helps us to deal with death, grief and loss, and at Manito, we have historically buried the horse's halter in the open position. If I wish to cut a token piece of mane for myself and for the other people who loved Eagle, that is also my right. If my ex-employee has a problem with that, I suggest that she focus more attention on herself and find constructive outlets for her time. (to be continued)\r
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Honor Eagle
Provided by Citysearch
I am saddened to see that someone would use the death of our beloved Eagle to promote their own perverted and negative agenda. It's time for a reality check...without the love of Lisa Schadt...the center's owner...Eagle most likely would have gone the way of most horses when they are no longer productive...destroyed. Instead...he was given the opportunity to live out his ""senior years"" in a peaceful and serene setting...nurtured and loved by all of Manito's staff...including Lisa. In the process..this courageous old fella touched the hearts of many a passer by...including mine. Apparently also the heart of the author of the recent review that falsely described his demise. How tragic that instead of ""honoring"" Eagle's life...the author chose to dishonor him by attempting to smear his owner. I don't know the specifics of how Eagle passed...any more than the person that wrote the shameful and untrue account of how he died. My main reason for writing this review is to commend Lisa Schadt for giving Eagle several additional years of a wonderful life and to honor his Spirit!
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Provided by Citysearch
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