Complaint Review: Wilson Hill Stables LLC - Sunbury Ohio

I'm Tara, I inern at the barn, I've been there all year. I clean the stalls, if not once while I'm there for about 4-5 hours, I'll go through it again and make sure they're still clean before I leave. They are extremely clean. The horses are watered through automatic watering troughs, and they never break or are turned off unless they've broken because a horse has broken it themselves, or because they have frozen. I'm out at the barn from around 2-3 times a week, I'm going to work there over the summer too. This article has nothing but lies, sure it may have some faults, but you can't be perfect, they never said they were perfect. Sorry, we're not perfect. Sorry, we're hurman.

I don't know about the colicking horse, but if it's who I think it was, she's fine and doing extremely well. She's healthy and happy, as well as all the other horses there. Lauren does not smoke pot, in fact, she doesn't smoke at all. Even if she did, it's illegal to smoke in public places, she's got a business to run, and she's not going to blow off a sucuesful business for a ciggarette. She acomidates all boarders, the horses aren't turned out in the winter, because of the ice, and the injuries they can get. This was a pathetic, and unnecessary artilce written about an amazing placem, which I love to work in. The employees are great and they're so knowedgeable of horses. This is completely fasle and the perosn who wrote this article... she left her horse at the barn. He's still there and i take care of him everyday that I'm there.
Tara Gnann

This report is false. I itern at Wilson Hill, and I personally clean the barn, I clean the stalls, and I do it almost all day. I just wanted to say that this is completely false. The turn out subject: yes they do not turn out the horses in the winter, it's icy and the horses hooves get bruised. If a  boarder specifically asks to have their horse turned out, they will turn it out. They take great care of their horses, and even better care of the horses boarded there. They are all about helping you and figuring out what workds best for you. The owner does not smoke pot, in fact, she doesn't smoke at all. I think it's funny that the author of this has the audacity to say it, too. I know the author of this artice, and they left their horse there. I take care of him at least three days a week, he's still there, and he's extremely healthy. He's a great horse and so sweet. Just  because they left doesn't mean everyone else left. This person doesn't have their facts right, and the article was totally and completely false.
The horses are healthy, and happy. They love living there. The stalls are clean, the owner does not smoke pot, and they keep their promises. It's a great place to learn how to ride, and a great place to board your horse. I love working there and I love working with the staff there. This was totally fake and a bunch of lies.

Anyone that files a complaint as "anonymous" has no credibility as far as I'm concerned. I am a consumer of this establishment and have had good experiences.

These reports about Wilson Hill Stables are nothing more than ex boarders upset and being spiteful.  I board my horse at Wilson Hill Stables and have both of my daughters taking riding lessons from Lauren and she has been absolutely wonderful to us and my horse.  I asked for her help to find our first horse and she went above and beyond to help us find the perfect horse for our family.  She even drove 3 hours to prescreen our horse before calling me to tell me she found a great horse. 

I cant even believe how immature these people are to post such ridiculous lies.  They have nothing better to do obviously.  From what I have heard these boarders could not afford their board fee and when the second month was not paid they wanted discounted rates,  this barn is a business and not for charity.

I am at this barn at all times of the day and come unannounced and have never seen stalls that were inappropriately dirty.  Horses are turned out EVERY day and they ALWAYS have water.

There are always two sides to a story and this report has gone too far.

Happy boarder, Centerburg, Ohio

I am the stable manager at Wilson Hill Stables. I am also the ONLY "employee" of Wilson Hill. I find it completely mind blowing that you can write whatever you want on this site. They claim to verifiy their information, they absolutely do not.

This entire "report" is bogus. Again I point out that anyone is welcome to visit the barn and take a tour. You can take a look at my horse, Slick, who has been here for almost 2 years now. You can look at the other horses as well. We keep meticulous records about everything. This includes turnout times, weights, feed schedules, vet and farrier records, any changes in a horse's attitude/health/feces, etc. You can look in the stalls and evalute the bedding levels and cleanliness for yourself. There is no "average" care at Wilson Hill. Everything here is the VERY BEST!!!

Again, if anyone wants to speak with me or anyone here at Wilson Hill, feel free to email me. Anyone is welcome to visit and take a look for themselves. You can speak to many satisfied boarders and evaluate these "claims" for yourself.

Angela Gatliff

I don't think "horsey hell" is an adequate description of the barn, however there are several significant issues addressed in the prior reports that are true.  I have seen every aspect of the barn for several months and have had experience with her in all aspects.  As someone stated before, there are positives and negatives to every barn. 

Positives in her barn :  1.  The stall style is fantastic and allows for a great breeze through the barn in the summer and the drop down yokes allow the horses to be more social, though if there is a problem horse, they can raise them.  2.  Lauren is a good beginner instructor for western riding, especially for children.  3.  The footing in the indoor arena is second to none - crumb rubber is fantastic and very forgiving to the horses.  4.  There is adequate space for all the horses to be turned out for several hours a day.  5.  She is very accomodating for large amounts of tack - I do not know of any other farm which allows each person to have 3 saddle racks and significant space for bridles and other equipment. 

All of this said, for the positives, there are plenty of negatives.  1.  The horses do not receive anywhere nearly enough turnout time - if one horse out of the group cannot go out, none of them in the group go out making them all suffer.  There is no alternative indoor playtime as she has stated she didn't want horses turned out in the indoor because it would damage the arena.  Also, the statement that she turns the horses out without water is true.  She does not care to maintain the tubs through cleaning nor to drag the hose to the far fields, so there is not water provided though the tubs for such are there.  However, the horses are only turned out for a few hours at most.  2.  There is limited time to ride.  She offers the outdoor arena as an option, however, it is as hard as concrete because it has not been maintained and boarders are unable to ride in it due to that fact.  This causes a significant problem as she commonly has lessons in the evening and pony club twice a week which occupy the indoor arena.  She has asked people not to ride in the arena during lessons (and it is impossible during pony club) so if you work a typical work schedule, there is little time to ride as the barn closes for the evening at 9 pm.  3.  The fencing is incredibly unsafe and the owners continue to make promises to change it, but it remains high tinsel wire which is just as dangerous as barbed wire if a horse became tangled.  Requests have been made to flag the top wire of the fencing so it is more visible to the horses , or to provide covering for the strands temporarily until able to replace with more suitable fencing.  Those requests have been ignored because they claim they have had no issues yet, however they speak of times their horses have gotten involved with the fence causing injuries.  4.  The aisle is a high polished concrete which is beautiful asthetically, but oh so dangerous.  Barefoot horses have trouble on the slippery floor, and for those with shoes it is like walking on ice.  Again, requests have been made multiple times to place rubber mats in the cross tie area.  Even when offered them for free, the owner refused to place them stating "people tripped on them" - this is after watching a horse that spooked slip on the floor and fall all the way down which could have caused serious injury.  When further addressed, people were told "you'll just have to walk more carefully" (does one need to put their horse in rubber shoes or buy easy boots to walk around the facility?)  5.  The owner is woefully uneducated in horse management.  If your horse requires any type of bandaging or injection the owner is not educated in how to give IV meds (such as bute or banamine) or to do something as simple as apply standing, polo or shipping bandages as she doesn't understand the difference in them and their proper uses.  Also, is reluctant to call the vet for matters that need addressed such as long term lameness that is intermittant and chooses to continue to use a horse for lessons while still obviously lame.  6.  In addition, she promotes herself as a horse trainer, but is afraid to break horses initially and utilizes others to do so having them put their time and effort into the horse, then when the hard part is done, she goes on with the horse taking all the credit.  The claim that she takes your horse at it's pace and not theirs is inaccurate - it's more the pace of when she can get someone to work with it if difficult.  7.  As an instructor, she is excellent with beginners for western riding, however, she is limited in her scope of instruction and ability to move a student past that status and completely unqualified to teach a hunt seat student that desires to jump as she does not jump herself and rarely rides english complaining it is too hard.  She uses  the intimidation that if a student rides english they'll fall off scaring them from trying when it is actually that she is unable to help them go forward in their riding.  In addition, she has scheduled lessons then made other arrangements while not notifying the clients having them drive all the way there and be unable to ride.  This has happened on several occasions.  8.  She makes contracts with boarders to reduce board by working and then does not fulfill her side of the contract leaving you with the remaining bill having to be paid to retrieve your horse.  9.  The stalls, though matted, are terribly underbedded with horses frequently having as little as 1/4 inch deep bedding with too little available to absorb urine places.  10.  She changed feed on a horse that had special feed requirements when told specifically that the owners would provide feed dumping it on top of the other and getting defensive when told that was not what was to be fed to the horse.     

Lauren presents a picture of being a competent trainer and instructor for all levels, and sadly this is not so.  Wilson Hill is a beautiful facility and in the right hands could become an amazing boarding barn, but in it's current management, unless you are a person with unlimited availability, willing to accept average care, and schedule your rides around her schedule, then this is not the barn for you.                 

It is very unfortunate that Miss "Anonymous" felt that her experiences at Wilson Hill Stables were so poor. Consideration should be given greatly when calling names and making such heavy accusations. First I will start with asking you, if you and each and everyone of your actions in your life have been so perfect that you feel above everyone to throw out comments on personal actions - look in the mirror and live by example before tearing people apart. The comments that have been made in the original report and responses have been negative and purposely hurtful - and of no use. There were no positive suggestions - obviously Miss "Anonymous" wants to stay anonymous so that she can't be called on the carpet regarding the truths. As with most business - if you are not happy with service, that was provided, you have a right to withdraw your business. It is unfortunate that some borders have moved on. These things happens in business, disagreements happen and as your business develops, your business will change and grow. (You should Google something on building a small business, it is not uncommon for original clients to not be the ones you end up with.) Oh but wait, were you a paying client with a horse in her care? I don't think that you can then talk on this subject then, strictly on the principals of hearsay. Lauren takes great care of the horses and has a large indoor arena where they will be turned out to stretch when the weather or outdoor area is not suitable. I have witnessed it myself and assisted her in doing so. It is quite sad that you paint a picture of the stable's owner, Lauren, so poorly. A great concern to her is the care of each horse. She has boards posted with the care and schedule for each horse so that it can be communicated between herself, owners and volunteers. I approached her and asked to volunteer at the barn because I love to be around horses. They are great majestic animals that bring peace to your life. Lauren took great time showing me how to transfer horses from stalls to arena, indoor and out. Making sure that at all times the horses were transferred safely. She took great care in teaching me about the personalities of each horse. As for the automatic water for each stall. This is Ohio, pipes freeze, seriously? Yes, they do not work in the winter. But if you peek in the stalls, you will see buckets of fresh water hanging on the walls. This water is changed regularly. She even showed me the proper way to dispose of the dirty water. I would have to say that stall cleanliness is not an issue nor has been, (don't forget they poo 24/7 - there is always bound to be a little something in there, can't stand in each stall with a shovel waiting). This is the 4th barn that we have been to, in many different states. I have never been to a cleaner facility - WITH NO ODORS! That doesn't come from leaving urine or feces in stalls - that comes from clean. In fact, just stop by the poo pile and you can see how much is cleaned out :) Her facilities have long open hours, you can stop by freely at any time and visit the horses - that's the proof right there:). Lauren's personal horses are fabulous animals. They are loving and gentle. If they were so terrible mistreated and unhealthy as you claim - the would not be the loving, well-mannered horses they are. The mare you claim to be so mistreated and neglected with colic - had surgery and has recovered very nicely and is beginning her rehab after a nice rest and recovery. She is gentle and loving. Geez, that sound like awful neglect, (hmmm?) My own girls ride these horses on a regular basis. I have several pictures of my girls with these horses, under their own guidance, doing nothing but being gentle and loving. As I said before, we've been to quite a variety of stables. These horses are by far the most gentle, loving, clean and well cared for animals. I can respect, (althought don't agree with), that you may have some concerns, I, however, question the intention of your posts. They are malicious and grossly inaccurate. Everyone is entitled to an opinion based on their PERSONAL experiences. Please be sure that you are speaking based on personal experience, and not on hearsay, nor in the manner of coming up with something because you are now gone from the barn, (for how many months now?) But it is the manner in which you report it and use it. I hold Lauren, the owner, of Wilson Hill Stables, in the highest regard for her knowledge, care and love for her horses and business.

This just shows how very little you truly know. It might be better for the barn's business if you just quit talking, because really...you're not helping anything. :) Someday when you're older you'll learn how to tell when someone is lying to you.

Okay, I had written on here lastnight, before Slick's mommy. I would like to say to the 'anonymous' girl who just wrote back to the rebuttals in which wrote all the false statements, that when you said "all three clients that just left" was UNTRUE! notice, that you failed to mention you have only spoken to ONE i repeat ONE of the clients that left. and it was only because her horse would miss the others. THE OTHER TWO; which you "claimed" left because of the owner, left for personal reasons, nothing reguarding wilson hills OR the owner. you havent spoken to them, nor been to Wilson Hills since 2008. I love wilson hills, everyones been saticfied except you. Wonder why? Lauren Lucas really knows how to keep her barns going, and her horses in terrific shape. I am VERY proud of Lauren, as everyone else is too. GOOD DAY !

I would like to say that if the owner of this facility has changed her ways, that is fantastic and for the welfare of the horses, I hope that is the case. But my experiences and in the experience of the three boarders who recently left this barn due to the reasons that were written, there is quite a different situation from "dream barn." The bottom line is be smart and proactive in your horse's care, and research any facility thoroughly to knows the in's and out's. Each and every barn will have its own personal pro's and con's. It's up to you to decide what you can live with and what you can't live without. Unless you live in the barn, it's impossible for you to know exactly what's going on with your horse.

I am at a complete loss to understand how someone could file these false claims. The barn is beautiful, the indoor and outdoor are perfectly groomed, the pastures are well maintained, and the horses get the best care ever. I am 100% satisfied with the service my horse and I recieve. He loves it out there. Slick's stall is cleaned daily. He is fed high quality grain twice a day and hay three times a day. His water bucket is dumped and rinsed daily, scrubbed weekly, and always full. He is turned out to pasture, weather permitting, daily and turned out in the huge indoor on sloppy days so he can stretch his legs and play. She also puts his fly mask on, rubs sunscreen on his nose, and fly sprays him before he goes outside.(he is a cremello and burns easily) My horse has allergies that can cause a cough and breathing difficulties if his stall is not cleaned properly and he is not turned out regularly. Since bringing him to Lauren at Wilson Hill, his cough has ceased. He has put on weight, his coat shines, and he is happy and healthy. When I had him gelded, he needed to be lunged for thirty minutes a day to keep the swelling down. On the days that I worked and couldn't make it out, Lauren lunged him for me, and also made sure he got his pain meds, antibiotics, and his legs hosed and vaseline applied so they wouldn't scald. She was not required to do this and didn't owe me a thing, yet she did it, at no cost I might add, and she called me twice a day to update me on his condition. Slick is thriving at Wilson Hill. In response to the allegations of neglect of her own horses, the mare that supposedly has "heaves" (try allergies) also has a stall that is open from the waist up on two whole sides, one of which opens to the outside so she get plenty of fresh air when she's in. She gets turned out daily, again weather permitting. Lauren waters her hay and she gets all kinds of supplements to keep her healthy. The mare that colicked, had a long history of problems with colic and had to have colic surgery. Now she is doing great. Lauren's horses are fed the same as my horse is fed and watered three times a day as needed. They are also turned out daily. They are well trained, well behaved, are in excellent body condition, and are immaculately groomed. The vet and farrier visit regularly. I have only had pleasant experiences with Lauren and find her to be responsible, knowledgeable, caring, and accomodating. I find that perhaps the anonymous poster is the true "drama queen". This person was never a paying customer and never had a horse boarded at this stable. Not to mention that this person hasn't set foor on the property since August of last year. I find the posters claims to be completely unfounded and totally false. I feel no need to remain anonymous as I speak only the truth. If you have any questions regarding these claims, I invite you to email me and come visit me and Slick out at the barn. I'm sure Lauren would feel exactly the same way. Angela Gatliff [email protected]

I have been coming to Wilson Hills Stables LLC for the past year now. In regaurds to the Only negative post, I can assure you the only thing that was true was "the facilities are beautiful." I assure you that the owner always lets the horses out on days that arent gross or could get the horse sick. I have even lead them out times to say that that statement isn't true. And on the days that it is gross out, the owner has a great, massive indoor-arena in which she lets the horses out in to play around since its too nasty to be outside. I also would like to say that the "no water" comment was not true either. I read that post on wilson hills stables and found it strange that everytime i go into the barns and clean stalls, feed, and water, that there is always water in everyones stall (keeping in mind that I'm there 3-4 days a week). The owner has many riders, including I who ride there each time I come, if the horses went without water for extended periods at a time and have been ridden abunch, they would surely die. I would like to say that I think the owner is doing a TERRIFIC job running the stable. I would much rather keep my horses there than at my own house. Keeping your horse there is worth every last penny. Don't be fooled by negative posts in which have written to mess up a new business in which everyone there loves.

I am a current client of this horse boarding stable. I have been taking lessons with Lauren for almost an entire year. This is totally false and filled with rumors and accusations of a past client. This past client has openly admitted to Lauren that she posted this report, and hasnt been to the facility since 2008. The stalls are cleaned twice daily, the water is always available for the horses, the horses are in great condition. This is totally false and filled with lies. I come to the barn once a week for lessons, and the facility and care of the horses is something that is taken very seriously. As a client, I have been a confidant for Lauren, and she has been dealing with this type of behavior for months, and if you feel that you can believe any of this, by all means, stop in for a visit. It will be apparent that Wilson Hill Stables is nothing like what this report states.