Manito Equestrian Ctr

11/06/09

Avoid Manito for safety's sake

by No One Really at Citysearch

I only allowed my daughter to take two lessons before the lack of knowledge on behalf of Manito's instructors sent up red flags. Friends had recommeded Manito even though an instruction horse had laid down and rolled on their child. On other occasion another galloped out of control with him in the ring.

I attended one of Manito's "horse shows". It was a mere presentation...much like a dance recital. What made the greatest impact upon me was that after two years of instruction students still couldn't stear their own mounts and had to be led around the ring like on a pony ride.

I cancelled my daughter's next lesson and went to Dreamfield Manor in Coopersburg and found the lessons to be $20/lesson less because they don't charge you for the 1/2 hour to brush and clean the horse like Manito does.

I was also disgusted with the muddy INDOOR ring on a rainy day. The footing was nonexistant. The grounds also had an overwhelming urine smell on damp days.

• Pros: Nice property
• Cons: Inept instructors, dangerous instruction horses

06/15/09

In repsonse to previous allegations

by DevinAff at Citysearch

As both an equine professional and someone with a long-standing relationship with Manito, I feel I have some responsibility to throw in my two cents regarding the recent allegations against Manito and it's owner.

Manito has always opened it’s doors to horses who were otherwise unwanted or discarded. Many of Manito's horses both past and present have been rescue cases, and over the past 15 years I have watched Lisa take in a rehabilitate many horses. In doing so, she has not only saved the lives of those horses, but she has inspired compassion and a love for helping animals in so many individuals.

I can remember horses like Bonnie, and older mare who came to Manito emaciated and covered in mold, who under Lisa’s care went on to enjoy a healthy and happy last few years of life. I can remember Carmella and Jiminy, both so skinny, who came from a home where they were denied proper veterinary and foot care and were locked away and neglected. Because of Lisa’s kind heart, Carmella went on to become a beautiful horse, and Jiminy was given a comfortable and loving ending to an otherwise painful and lonely life.

These horses, as well as every other horse that has found a home at Manito, have always received the proper nutritional, rehabilitative, and veterinary care. Lisa has a good relationship with many local rescue organizations, and her reputation in the horse industry is one of compassion and caring.

While I do not know the specifics surrounding Eagle’s death, I do know Manito’s veterinarian quite well, both as a client, and as someone who has attended his lectures and demonstrations while working on my bachelor’s. Dr. Hacken has been a well respected equine vet for years, and I believe that Lisa did what any other horse owner would do- she took the advice of her veterinarian.

Tubing a horse who has choked is not the right course of action for every horse, and in this case, Dr. Hacken felt that it wasn’t the right treatment for Eagle. Lisa based her decisions for Eagle’s care on what her vet recommended, as she has done with all of her horses.

Eagle was given a comfortable end to his life, and in the time I spent time with him in the week leading up to his death, I never saw signs of pain or distress(normal respiration and heart rate, appetite, normal and comfortable body language). Eagle spent his last days grazing with his best friend.

The sad thing about these false allegations of improper care is that they come from a place of ignorance, and they are aimed specifically at hurting Lisa. Sadly, they also hurt the reputation of a farm that has a long-standing history of kind and responsible horse care. I hope that Manito and Lisa’s legacy of compassion and love is not overshadowed by these hurtful lies.

-Devin Afflerbach

06/09/09

horeslover08

by lovehorse08 at Citysearch

a few years back i used to visit manito and still stop in once in a while and had some pent up anger for a horse i really had a spot for and in my anger it all came out. the place is looking a lot better and the horses are looking good, but sometimes there is things in life that a person just can't handle Emotionlly and physically and the death of a horse so special brought out everything i had been feeling, i sincerly apologize for my previous comments

I shoulnd't take out my anger on the farm when i have only a unhappy relationship with the owner or other persons

horselover08