Sparks provides substandard care where horses are suffering. It exists because beginner riders go into their experiences without the basic knowledge needed to make good choices. HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A TRAIL RIDING BARN:\r
______ Trail horses work hard for a living. Like anyone doing hard physical work, they need to get adequate nutrition in order to do their job. Seeing all of the ribs clearly outlined, hip bones sticking out of either side of the horse's butt, or a spine sticking up from the back IS NOT NORMAL for any horse. DON'T let any staff members tell you a horse is skinny ""because it's old"" or ""because it was just rescued from the auction, and it's in the process of being fattened up"". If that were true and the establishment was responsible, they wouldn't be using the horse at all til it was in better shape.\r
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Feet should look neatly trimmed. The edges should not be broken off and ragged looking. If not, tell the barn that the horse's hooves aren't in good enough condition to be ridden and you will not give them your business. When you do ride, if the horse is stumbling frequently or taking short little steps and seeming to have trouble, he is hurting. Get off. Please refuse to ride a horse in this condition. It is up to you to take a stand. And better yet, take pictures with a camera phone and report the barn.\r
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Yellow discharge from the eyes or nose is a sign of a problem. Coughing or heaving when trying to breathe is hard to miss and something that even a novice should pick up on. When you see these things, do not ride. Look around the premises. Horses that are not being ridden should have free access to drinking water at all times, particularly in the heat. If you know how to check for dehydration in your small pet animal, the same goes with a horse - pinch the neck skin. It should snap back in no more than 1 second or so. More than that, and the horse probably is in desperate need of a drink.
Pros: A couple of the horses appear to be at an OK weight, though they show other signs of neglect and/or injury.
Cons: Pretty much everything.
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