Longview Stables and Riding Academy

We purchased a Groupon for (3) 1 hour riding lessons for this place, and I went online and made reservations right away for Spring Break for my daughter. On the day of her 1^st lesson, 40 minutes prior, the owner sent an email asking us to come an hour later. On day 2, I stayed and read in the parking lot. They had a vet come to look at a horse, as the vet left, one of the many dogs there was seconds away from getting run over because they are allowed to run free, and I had to run out from my car and scoop him up. Also, because the vet came, my daughter’s lesson was cut short, and there was no compensation for that. On the morning of the 3^rd day, the owner emailed me letting me know she had cancelled the lesson. I emailed her asking why, and her response was that they had scheduled a horse show the week of Spring Break, and that I had scheduled lessons before they had blacked out the dates. I’m sorry, but if you put a Groupon online just before Spring Break, what do you think is going to happen? And why didn’t she just call/​email me ahead of time and try to work something out? The condition of this place is horrendous. You expect poop, dirt, etc. because there are wild animals, right? Well, this place was disgusting. The roof was coming off in places and because it was windy it would flap, and my daughter said, every time it would flap, the horse would kind of jump. They had old slabs of drywall nailed up flat across where there were holes and the drywall was seriously COVERED in mold. And I don’t mean like 3 or 4 slabs of moldy drywall. It was all throughout both sides of the stable. I used the bathroom on my second day there. The bathroom had no working light, no lock or doorknob. There was a piece of old pink rope tied around what used to be part of a latch lock, so you could try and close the door at least, except when the wind blew, the door opened!!! Not to mention, that it was PITCH BLACK in there with pices of drywall missing and what was obviously a whole were rodents were living and nesting in the insulation which was coming out of the wall next to the furnace. Scary. They also had a Spring Break Camp which was 2 – 3 girls, that were totally not supervised and just kind of running around by themselves. I was emailed today with a note saying please leave a response about your experience here, so I did. The owner sent a note back saying it was the first bad response she had ever had. And «apologized» saying, she was very sorry I was «offended» by the AGE of the stable and that they were renovating. Basically, trying to make it sound like I was some kind of haughty, too-​good, you know what. But truly, I’m glad they are renovating, that is great, I hear they even take in abused horses, so kudos to this lady for doing that, but that doesn’t excuse the way she runs her business. That can’t be fixed with a new roof. If you want to run a successful business, pay attention to both positive and negative feedback and learn from it, change what you are doing to better your business. I also told her that it was hard to find the place, seeing as they have no signs anywhere. She said, «Oh yeah, the trash truck knocked it down, and we just haven’t hung it back up. I did later see the sign laying on the ground on the side of the dirt road as we left the second day, but hey, like the owner said, «I guess I’m just offended by the old age of the place.» Surely, that wasn’t a 10 minute fix to hang that sign back up, or put in a new light bulb, or maybe a new door-​knob…

longview stables has become my 2^nd home and I love every single thing about this place from the instructors to the horses! I rode at a place in parker for over a year and never felt ¹⁄₁₀^th of the love and hospitality I have has here. Not to mention I got more out of my 1^st month here than I did in the entire year at the other barn. The instructors here understand the balance of giving the rider what we need and what we want and let you learn in a way that works best for you. I ALWAYS am greeted with a huge smile and open arms by everyone who comes here (trainers as well as other riders) it has become another family to me. Their young riders volunteer with the horses and put in the work on the backend as well. Longview also takes in the old, abandoned and neglected horses others have over looked or turned into the glue factory so don’t think they neglect their horses its the exact opposite they are giving those that other have a 2^nd chance! I am blessed to have found this place!

My daughter loves going to Longview Stables for lessons. Kayla is absolutely wonderful.

I was really impressed. Especially when they told me their horses are mostly rescues. My daughter had never been on a horse before and they put her «right in the saddle» and really did great with her. I will definitely be back.

While in the Denver area I always come to town to ride w/​Patty and Kayla. They run a 1^st class operation and barn. Their horses are well kept, happy and fat. They are not like the other horse stables that you can clearly see the horses are miserable. You can see that their horses are so happy and they have the most amazing lesson horses. Besides, they have some of the most beautiful show horses I have ever seen in their barn.
They offer horses for all levels and abilities. I only wished I lived closer, so I could ride more frequently.
I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking to learn how to ride. Excellent with children as well!
I’d give 5 STARS, but Unilocal may filter it.