Anyone have info on Meredith Manor?

[hobbyhorse23]

A coworker's daughter is considering going to college there and I said I'd ask around and see if anyone knew the program.

Thanks!

Leia

 

[fourluckyhorseshoes]

I found this site which had some opinions--

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/meredith-manor-international-equestrian-centre-44588/

 

[mydaddysjag]

I looked into Meredith Manor in 2005 or 2006 when I was looking into equine programs. I spoke to a few people who had went there, and they said they wished they saved their money. You pay a lot of money and have no real degree. The Univeristy of Findlay in Ohio is very, very, nice. They offer both an English and western program (not a lot of equestrian schools out this way offer western, if thats important to her, not sure what discipline she is) and quite a few other equine programs (the run a training facility and breeding facility also) and they are also a regular college, so you can also do prevet if that interests you, or any of their other programs. When I looked into them it was more expensive than meredith manor, but a much, much better program.

 

[wrs]

I attended Meredith Manor back in 1990. They've made a few changes since then so I don't want to say to much, but if I had it to do over again I'd check into Findlay.

 

[muffntuf]

I checked into at one time - if you want to be on an International Level, its a good place, but not a regular college, so no real degree. There are a lot of colleges around that have good programs that are accredited. I guess I should say that was 20 some years ago - they may have pushed to be accredited.

 

[jleonard]

Never heard of Meredith Manor, but I'd second (or is it third now?) Findlay. I went up there to compete with the UK Dressage Team and their facility was fantastic. For the most part, people around here that are really interested in going to a horse college go to Findlay or Otterbine (sp). We have Midway here in Lexington too, but I've heard their program is going through some changes at the moment and they are in that akward transition period.

 

[Katiean]

I wanted to attend back in the '70's. My dad didn't want me that far from home and said no. So, I figured if I did something bad enough he would send me to get rid of me. I filled the back seat of his Brand New Lincoln Continental with goats. It didn't work. I had to clean the car until it didn't stink and he didn't talk to me for about 2 weeks. I still didn't get to go so I don't know how good or bad they are.

 

[sfmini]

I attended Meredith Manor back in 1979, and stayed on as a staff member after that. I got an excellent horse education, and at least at that time it was an accredited trade school that was affiliated with Salem College which would allow students to get a BS degree in Equine Science.

After doing horses for a while and learning some hard lessons, I moved back home and went to DeVry Institute of Technology and got my BS in Computer Science.

Why?

Horses don't pay well, I was getting $100 per week plus housing. Couldn't afford a car, that money went to food and a tiny amount of entertainment.

No insurance of any kind.

What would happen to me if I were injured and couldn't work any more?

Couldn't keep my own horse.

Had to groom and train per owner's orders, not what was acceptable at the time. They had desert bred Arabs and no clipping allowed, and I was expected to go show in English Pleasure in dressage tack.

Had riding lesson clients that just wanted entertained, not taught. After teaching at MM, that was a very hard adjustment.

Worked 6 days per week sunrise to sunset.

Paid under the table so no taxes taken out, thus no social security and Medicare.

When the economy tanks, the first thing to go is the trainer/instructor and horses.

With my education from DeVry I have a BS that is respected all over the country.

Retirement plan (24.5 years as a state employee, only 5.5 years to go)

Health, life, disability insurance.

Very nice income.

Work 40 hours per week, Monday thru Friday.

Own what horses I want, work them when I want, groom them the way I want, decide what, when, and how to show.

Own a nice vehicle, home, farm, horses.

Vacation, holiday,sick leave, personal leave.

Do I regret my time at Meredith Manor? No, I don't. Do I regret not getting my BS then? Oh, yes, I would be retired right now.

If I were a parent, I would insist that the regular college education come first, then MM if they still want to go. Sure wish my parents had done that.