Over the Fence

Why do we stay? Let's see...how about because of people who: check on your horse throughout the night when she has colic, show up ringside to give you an impromptu lesson, listen to you grumble when things aren't going well, answer endless questions patiently, do research to find the answers if they don't know them immediately, participate in frequent saddle fittings to make sure your horse is comfortable, get as excited as you do when you or your horse make progress, treat your child as if they were a member of their own family. Not to mention the other wonderful people (besides the owners) who make it a special place. This is an incomplete list at best! And sometimes meaningful and caring relationships are totally illogical!

I stay because I wouldn't go anywhere else. Everyone here can relate to someone else. We borrow things, help each other, and listen to each others problems. We all take the time to help each other with our horsey problems, or our life problems. We pull together when someone at the barn is sick and we cover work shifts. The Mounting Block is a buisness, we just run it with alot more love than other places do.

I stay at this barn because this is the only barn I have ever really ridden at, I've taken lessons at other barns and felt completely out of place because they were completely different from The Mounting Block. I love this barn and all of the people and horses here. Yes we have lost alot of our closest friends, both horse and human, but in the end we all have learned something from each other and the experiences we have had at the barn. It is hard to believe that it has only been 9 years since this barn has been a "business" because it is like my second home and family. Right now is the perfect example of what Emily said about being a family and working together to help each other out. We found out today that Tom's dad went into the hospital and the barn manager is on vacation for a week, so JJ needed help getting the horses taken care of while they are busy with his dad. Emily sent out a text and next thing you know between her, my mom and myself, we got most of the week covered for feeding and stalls getting done. AMAZING. I love this barn and I wouldn't move anywhere else. (unless it was to my own house/barn on my own property! hehe) :) Thank you JJ for all that you do.

In 18 months of lessons I've never heard a negative thing said to my daughter. The closest has been "I may get cross" when she has not responded to repeated suggestions to keep her horse away from another (because the horses don't get along). She is learning a lot about horses and life- perhaps most important, appreciating the best in every living creature. The compassion, joy and commitment you show would be hard, if not impossible, to replace.

We love the Mounting Block. We love the people who love the Mounting Block. Maddy felt at home from the first day she rode here. Thanks to JJ for not only nurturing the horses, but for nurturing the kids as well.

I stay because there is always a smile to be found, a shoulder to cry on and a horse to ride! :)

I satay because JJ and her family and all the horses are my family too. you don't give up or run away from your family no matter how much they may drive you crazy at times..LOL. Everyone pitches in, every helps each other, if you need a shoulder to cry on it's there ( either horse or human). I've been at other barns, and there is a closeness there, but not the amount of closeness that I feel/ see on a daily basis at the mounting block. love you Julie, Tom, and mary. I have learned so much from all of you :-)