Dead Broke Farm

Trail ride was paid for but not provided in time stated due to owners disorganization. Would not refund money.Saturday August 30 2014 My 3 daughters and I arrived for a scheduled 10 am trail ride. At 1110 we were told that they had to get more horses from pasture for the ride. We notified the owner that we had other activities planned that day for my daughter's 16th birthday and could not wait any longer. I requested nicely for a refund and was met with owner yelling at me, in front of other customers, that she would not refund my money. She stated that I should have known the ride would not start at 10am and that I should have read her [redacted]. I explained again that I was not angry but could not wait any longer or would miss our other plans for the day. She was extremely angry and continued to humiliate us in front of customers and her staff. She finally, after her ranting, gave us half of our money back. My daughters and I left crying ...not a good start for a 16th birthday. The facility was very dirty. Animals, chickens and rabbits, were kept in tiny cages with NO food or water and appeared to have been that way for some time. There were about 20 horses tied out when we arrived at about 0950 that morning with no access to water. Some of the horses were tied out in the sun. Temperatures were in the upper 80-90's. Desired SettlementI only want the rest of my payment back. $125.00Business Response I don't agree that this is an accurate accounting of what took place. I never referred you to our [redacted] for our policies and procedures regarding the time you should allow at the farm to prepare you for your ride or our refund policy. Rather, I indicated that both topics are covered in detail on the Home Page of our website. We have a no refund policy, so giving you half your money back was generous. We will not refund the balance paid.Our farm isn't dirty, but it is a farm complete with horse manure and flies - like any other horse farm. If the 20+ horses were tied to the hitching rails while we groomed and saddled them, how would you propose that we get them saddled for your ride? Are you suggesting that we should do that with them loose in the pasture??? And we offer our horses water from 2 water troughs located at the trail head, and they have an opportunity to drink both before and after the ride. Plus we cross many creeks though out the ride, and they have further opportunity to get water if they need it.I was never rude nor did I yell at you. It's interesting that you never mentioned the real reason for your outrage: the fact that I questioned one of the riders (whom I believe was your daughter) if she needed a draft horse, i.e. a nice way of asking if she weighed more than 200 lbs and required a larger horse to carry the additional weight. When she failed to understand the question, I still didn't ask her for her weight: I asked if she weighed more than 200 lbs. I don't allow anyone over 200 lbs to ride average size saddle horses; I upgrade them to a draft horse capable of handling their weight without undue strain or injury to the horse.So I'm sorry if you didn't read the info available on our website or heed my warning on the phone when you made your reservation that you'd be at the farm about 2 hours for the 1-hour since it takes us time to check you in, give basic riding instruction, assign your horses, adjust your stirrups, re-tighten your girth, and get you over to the trail head (where the watering troughs are located). I think you became irritated because it was hot, and you had planned too many activities for your daughter's birthday celebration too close together to accomplish in a relaxed manner. We stand by our position. We will not refund the other half of your payment.Consumer Response I spoke with a representative over the phone to schedule the trail ride and was never told that the ride would not take place at the scheduled time of 10 am. At 1110 the owner stated that she had to get 2 more horses from the pasture for our trail ride even though there were about 20 horses tied out, some saddled. Yes I was very upset that she, in front of a group of other customers, asked if my daughter was over 200 lbs. On the form that is filled out before the ride that question was answered as no. My daughter who was celebrating her 16th birthday was very embarrassed. This is not the reason we requested our money back. As soon as we got to the farm and saw the condition of the animals we began to rethink our decision about choosing this farm. We decided to go ahead with the ride anyway. As the morning progressed the lack of organization was evident. When we arrived for our 10 am ride there was no one there to greet us but other waiting customers. We all sat and waited until about 1015 before the owner's mother showed up. At 1040 the owner came out and began trying to get riders to horses. Yes, many things went wrong culminating in my decision to ask, nicely, for my money back. The owner became belligerent and yes was yelling at me that she would not refund my money. I have names of other customers that will verify this. Receiving the refund is not my main concern in this matter, it is the manner in which this owner treats her customers. I have spoken with several other people regarding this incidence and have received the same response from those that have been to this farm. I know that the contract was broken when she failed to provide us with a trail ride at the agreed upon time. Even if the time was 11 am as she states. It was 1110 am when she told us that she needed to get more horses from the pasture for our ride. I do not understand why since there were many horses tied up. I do intend to take this case further and will continue to keep in contact with visitors to the farm regarding the treatment of the animals. Final Business Response We horses are all fat, shod, and vaccinated. You're welcome to pursue any action you feel necessary. I KNOW my horses are well taken care of, and I'm not in the least concerned.

I was seriously hurt during my ride and could barely continue. I requested a refund for unused portion of our ride and was refused.My partner and I booked a 2 hour ride; we were told we'd do an hour and return with others in our party, then continue. During the first hour I was thrown from the horse and seriously hurt my ribs. I was able to get back on the horse (with help from the guide) to get back into camp. At that point, I told them I didn't want to continue as I was in pain and was frightened. My partner and I left immediately so I can attend to my ribs/back. When I returned home, I contacted [redacted] and asked for a refund for unused portion. It is $90 for 2 hours, $60 for one hour--so I am requesting the difference x 2, a total of $60. I didn't even request a full refund although my horse was in no way a beginner horse as I requested. I simply want my $60 back for unused riding.Desired SettlementI want my $60 back from unused riding.Business Response Our horses are a constrained resource, so when we allocate our horses to you for 2 hours, we are unable to make them available to anyone else since reservations are required at least 2 hours in advance. In other words, I can't rent them to someone else, so if you choose not to ride the entire time - for any reason - it would be a lost opportunity. Therefore, we don't issue refunds for unused riding time.All of our horses that we allow customers to ride are beginner safe. With that said, given that you are a beginner, it's reasonable to think that you might fall. It's much like going water skiing, roller skating, or snow skiing. There's a strong likelihood that you may fall if you're a beginner, but they aren't going to refund your payment simply because you fell due to your inexperience.Our 'No Refund' policy is clearly stated on our home page, so we do give advance notice of it.Consumer Response You had at least 10 extra horses standing around and no one was knocking down the door to ride so what you have stated is not accurate at all. The fact that we COULD NOT continue didn't effect any other potential income in the slightest--your statement is completely false. I was seriously hurt on your farm and you are rude and unprofessional. I am simply asking for a refund for unused time and you don't have the business sense to try to do what is fair and just. I see other complaints on this site as well as negative reviews; this is obviously a pattern. If you want more people out in the community spreading word to stay away from your Farm, so be it. I can't make you do the right thing, but I will certainly do my best to assure that others are not hurt and do not have to deal with you.Final Business Response The horses you saw 'standing around' were saddled for customers with reservations. We have to have them ready before you arrive, which is the reason for requiring reservations.We will enforce our no refund policy. Your threats won't change that.

Untrained staff, unsafe environment, no first aid services or devices, ride cancelled due to major injuries but no refund. From:[redacted] Date: February 16, 2015 at 6:29:17 PM ESTTo: [redacted] Subject: Re: Message To [redacted]It's inappropriate to reply to clients in that manner. Yes, I was behind the guide's horse and it was the two dogs running straight for the lead horse from the woods that excited it. I will not return to your "business" as you and your staff are unprofessional so please issue my refund and deposits. Take care. [redacted]Sent from my [redacted]From: [redacted] Date: February 16, 2015 at 5:16:13 PM ESTTo:[redacted] Subject: Re: Message To [redacted]The dogs have been an asset to my farm for more than a year. It isn't a new occurrence to have them go out on the trail. In fact, they always go when I go. They help to desensitize the horses to deer, birds, squirrels, etc. And if it weren't for the deer, birds, squirrels, or dogs, it'd be bees. I can't control all of the outdoors. It is, after all, an outdoor excursion with all that comes with it. But if it makes you feel better, I gave one of them away today and have found a home for the other. The camp kids will, of course, be very disappointed when they are here this summer, but I guess you can't please everyone.And it rather bothers me that you refer to my dogs as "roaming". It's my farm, and they are my dogs. It's none of your business. I didn't see it but I don't think they did anything to antagonize the horses whatsoever. The lead guide's horse could've spooked at any number of things - my dogs, another horse kicking at them, a bird, squirrel, gun shot, to ANYTHING. They are flight animals - like deer.I didn't see what the lead guide's horse spooked at. She said it was the dogs, but I didn't see that. It's really irrelevant anyway. The [redacted] fell off when the horse took off and hit a tree and fell but I don't think she was hurt though she couldn't walk. I was the only person injured.On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 5:06 PM,[redacted] wrote:I am glad you are okay. I'm sorry about all that. Hopefully the dogs will no longer be allowed to roam. Sent from my [redacted]On Feb 16, 2015, at 4:54 PM, [redacted] wrote:I was the only one to suffer any real injuries. I got 7 staples and 16 stitches in my head, but I'm okay. The horse will be sold at auction as he has proven himself to be unreliable. You can reschedule anytime you like. We're open 7 days a week. Just let me know when you'd like to come. The 1-hour ride is offered at 11am, 2pm, (and 4pm beginning in March). Thanks.On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 10:38 AM, [redacted] wrote:Hello!Message To [redacted]Enter your name: [redacted]Enter your email: [redacted]I wanted to know when we can reschedule the trail ride due to it being cancelled by cause of the injuries. I hope everyone is ok. If there is no other guide but you, who is trained, then id rather have my full refund and deposit. Thank you.[redacted]--[redacted]Dead Broke FarmPhone: [redacted]Email: [redacted]Desired SettlementA full refund of my two tickets as well as my deposit. Including an apology letter for her very rude and unprofessional email to me. It was supposed to be a special day, and you can't take that back. She should also pay for the medical bills of the black girl that was throw off the unstable horse, which they knew was unatable, as the caretakers were talking to one another how just on the last ride that horse hurt someone else; surely a lawsuit is eminent. Business Response Our refund policy is posted prominently on the homepage of our website. We don't issue refunds for any reason. On this specific occasion, we are willing to reschedule the ride at the customer's convenience. We offer rides 7 days a week, year-round, so they can simply choose one of our schedule ride times to reschedule. Horses are unpredictable flight animals, and when you ride, you assume the risk inherent with horseback riding. It was unfortunate that one of the horses spooked and caused another horse to take flight. No customer was injured - only me, but since the ride was aborted because the customers were shaken, we will reschedule for anyone who would like to return for their ride.