I have been riding at Slocum's since I was 5 years old. I have been volunteering since I was 13. Anyone who said anything derogatory about the barn should be ashamed of themselves because they are either a) lying because they have never been to the barn or b) very closed minded. April and Marilyn love their horses. If they didn't love their horses they wouldn't go without electricity or other ""luxuries"" to feed and care for their horses. They take in abused or neglected horses not because we need them but because April couldn't stand to know that the horse may end up in the wrong hands and end up being further abused. At our new barn the horses have acres and acres of lush grass to graze on as well as access to creeks and shady woods. Our horses are all loved and trained, I should know because I have trained many of them myself. For those who say they were yelled at, well were you doing something dumb? This isn't an equine stable. Its in the name. It's a ranch. If you volunteer you ride for free so you need to work. That means feeding the horses, watering the horses, giving some of the older horses their medicine, tacking for trails, untacking, etc. And so we feed our horses bread. This is what the controversy is based on. Please tell me. What is in bread? Wheat. What is grain made out of? Wheat. So instead of spending $30 on a bag of grain that will feed a few horses we can spend the same amount on bread that feeds the entire herd. Thats what keeps our horses nice and plump. In Miami I ride at a top of the line facility and take lessons from an Olympic Rider, and to be honest, it does not compare to Slocum's. April has taught me everything I know, not just about riding, but about horses in general. She has inspired me to go to college and begin a pre-vet program. Our horses are not miserable and locked in stalls all day. They have personality and the have a love and care for people which I have not seen at any other barn. If you have not been there, you need to get out there and ride because I can guarantee you will not regret it. These are the directions to the new barn. Please give April or Marilyn a call.
Private Hills Lane, Moneta, VA. Directions are: head from Roanoke down Gus Nicks Blvd/24 and take the first right after Staunton River HS. Go down that road about a mile and turn left onto Private Hills Dr. If you follow that road, you will get
Roanoke, VAPhone:540-312-0617 or 540-977-4432
more