My 11yo dd has been riding at a school for the last sixth months, she is really enjoying it and is progressing well. The horses and ponies appear to be in good condition, the stabling and turn out seems good and there are plenty of young people there helping. My concern is the instructor. The horses are terrified of her and I mean terrified. She is very shouty and seems to have a horrific temper and short fuse. She is very opinionated and negative and she is very derogatory about the horses, threatens to get on them and ride them into the ground, kill them, beat them black and blue if they don’t behave. All of this is said in front of the riders she is teaching.
The thing is, she is highly liked and well respected. No one will say a bad word about her. She can also be kind and caring, but it is this other side of her that is brutal. I’ve never seen her hit any of the horses but I dread to think what goes on behind closed doors. Am I justified in feeling this way? Do I need to report this? As I’ve said the horses are well cared for physically. I have told my dd that this is not how you treat animals. I’m looking for another school but I’m so dreadfully concerned for the horses.