Calliope Stable

It’s true. Heather has zero people skills. And if you show up and offer her more than the agreed upon amount, she will deny you services and ask you to leave. And while Heather’s communications skills are such that she won’t actually tell you that she only accepts payment in its exact amount, Heather only accepts payment in its exact amount and does not have change.
So I was told by many other riders in town that Heather could come off as unprofessional and unfriendly, so I was prepared for that in setting up the lesson by phone and showing up. And just in general, folks running stables aren’t known for their stellar customer service. My view was this: she may be unfriendly to humans, but so long as she loves and takes care of the horses, it’ll be fine, right? Well I didn’t find out anything about the horses because after filling some some standard forms and trying to make small talk (during which she typed on her phone without even looking up at me), she canceled my ride when I offered her $ 100 for a $ 70 lesson because I didn’t have change. And though I was offering her money at the time she said this, she incredulously asked me «Did you think you would get a lesson and not pay?»

In my 14 years riding horses at various barns in the Austin area I have never met anyone so unprofessional, and rude as the owner, Heather. Not only were her people skills off but her horse skills are also questionable at best. My younger sister was commanded to curry comb the horses legs and face, which any beginner rider knows is potentially harmful let alone not helpful. When she was actually riding instead of being allowed to watch my mother was told to sit in her car because she «didn’t allow parents to observe lessons» unlike any other barn I have been to. Ever. Since I have been riding all my life in the supposed style that Heather taught, my sister has picked up some things. When the riding style was not consistent with what she had learned in the past she would ask questions and sharply get reproached with something snappy along the lines of «because I said» offering no logical explanation at all. Furthering her immaturity, when we told her she was making her feel bad rather than actually helping her she said (no, she really said this) «Well maybe she is just an idiot». This of course ended up driving my sister to tears. You would be much better off learning to ride or housing your horse anywhere else.

Not only is it a beautiful drive, but it is an incredible facility. The horses are well taken care of and the people are very knowledgeable. As a parent, I appreciate that safety is always a prority for both rider and horse. As a rider myself, the training is top notch. My daughter and I love spending time out there and enjoy our lessons! I highly reccomend this barn if you are looking for quality horses and quality training.