Sport Horses Of Rohan - Melinda Routh, Beware - This Riding Director is a drunk and puts children in danger Valparaiso Indiana

Although Melinda likes to claim that she has years of experience and has been around horses her whole life - that's not true.

She took riding lessons in Illinois for a total of 2 years. That's it folks. She is NOT a professional trainer. She used to take OTTB's right off the track and put kids on them with barely any training in between. This was before her little adventure in Chesterton.

Stay away - I sure have.

I hate to say but I know most of the parties involved in this report as well as most of the people that responded. This is a very difficult situation for everyone involved!! Everyone must look at the facts in front of them regardless of their feelings for any of the parties. There a true reported facts to all of the "claims" made in this report. There was in fact a very seriously injured horse, there have been several children put in danger with poor instruction, horses have been misrepresented for either price, experience, and some are now in foal unexpectedly. Parents are pulling their children away from the program as fast as they can. Riding horses is a very dangerous sport and requires experienced teachers/trainers to assist beginners properly.

I know Melinda and I know one part of the entities that call themselves "Concerned Mom". I also know horses. I've been riding for over 50 years. I was raised on a cattle ranch in South Dakota and have been riding, using and training horses my whole life. Melinda is not only a good horsewoman but a responsible teacher of children. She has the patience and focus most people only dream of.

The woman I know who has aligned herself with "Concerned Mom" and wishes to damage Melinda in any way she can, is someone who needs professional help. I have been around her when she was taking her meds and even then, she was barely tolerable and barely in control. These are two, evil, malicious, vindictive women who have nothing better to do that to try to wreak vengence on Melinda for some imagined slight or injury. I have a tip for these two wretched creatures: What goes around, comes around. I would be more than willing to do whatever I can to back up Melinda and I really have no dog in this fight other than I hate to see a good person brought down by deceit and treachery.

This is one of the most unbelievable, slanderous, untrue, and just plain ridiculous statements I have read in my entire life.

This statement, which appears in the rules for submitting a report on this website, says it all - "Rumors, speculation, or innuendo unless you have personal knowledge that your statements are true"

NOTHING, and I mean nothing, in the above report has any validity. This is nothing more than a jealous, greedy woman's speculation and innuendo which she has continued into completely false rumors. She says that Melinda should be jailed and her business should be shut down? Personally, I think that that should be one of the repercussions of slander and libel, and in this case it would be the original poster's business that would be shut down.

I have known Melinda for about four years now. We started out as friends as she was getting her business up and running, and then within the past couple of years I worked for her and with her. I know the ins and the outs of her barn after having worked for her five (and sometimes more) days a week, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best run, safest, most respectable horse training and boarding establishments I have been around. She is extremely professional and knowledgeable, and in the time that I have known her I have seen her students and horses in training progress phenomenally. All of the horses in the barn, whether they are her own personal horses, her lesson horses, the horses she is hired to train, or horses owned by boarders, are provided with the same fantastic care and are treated like royalty. Her students are like her family, and she takes ever precaution to keep everybody safe and happy.

Part of my job description while working for Melinda was teaching lessons. She is very particular about what and how the students are taught so that they receive correct, safe, proper instruction. Students under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets while working with the horses, and everybody, regardless of age, is required to wear one while mounted. Students are taught from the moment that they step into the barn what behaviors are safe and correct while working with horses. Safety is the absolute priority of Melinda and all of her staff and she wouldn't ever do anything to jeopardize that.

By nature of the activity, accidents happen. Horses are large, strong prey animals, and to expect things to go perfectly 100% of the time while working with and riding them is ridiculous. Melinda understands this, as any competent horse person would, and does not do things that would in any way result in a more unsafe environment than is to be expected in a horse barn. She is NOT, by any means an alcoholic. I have spent many hours, days, and weeks working alongside her and spending time outside of work with her, and never has she displayed any behavior consistent with somebody with a drinking problem. The person who made up this lie either knows exactly what she is doing, or is suffering from an inability to see and understand things reasonably.

I vouch 100% for Melinda's reputation, character, and business. She is a wonderful person to know if you want somebody who is reliable, kindhearted, and professional. I can't even count the number of times that she has helped me out and gone the extra mile for me or my horse. I would move back to her barn in a heartbeat if I didn't live on the other side of the country now, and I recommend her barn for anybody who is looking for a fun and safe stable.

I am an employee of SHOR and have yet to see any of this information reported be true. Melinda has been helpful and kind to myself and my family. I have sat in on her lessons with the kids and found her to be very knowledgeable and very safe! I have gone with her and the kids to horse shows where the kids were always kept safe and had a ton of fun. I am there every day cleaning stalls watering the horses and keeping the barn clean. Her horses are EXTREMELY well taken care of and their safety and the safety of any rider in the barn comes first and foremost! I feel the person who wrote this is upset at being asked to leave the barn with her horse because of her poor attitude and bad decision making. These things that she said about Melinda are terrible and untrue and it's obvious that she was afraid to post her REAL name because these accusations are false and slanderous. I however am not afraid to post my name and the name of my mother who a lot of horse people know and she keeps her horse at SHOR knowing that he will be well taken care of. I invite anyone to come and check out the barn or come to the open house to see what a great and friendly family type atmosphere we have. I'm proud to work there!

Tiffany Rounds
Joyce Rounds
and
Agnes Turek

I too was one of the parents of a student of this so called trainer. My daughter had little riding experience, had never cantered a horse yet was allowed to jump a complete course set a 2 ft on a green broke horse. (for those of you who may not know the term "green broke" that is a horse with little riding training or experience in that event. A green horse should only be ridden by an experienced horse person/trainer) At that time she had only had 2 riding lessons with this teacher but had told her she had "jumped" in the past. If in fact Melinda had the experience that is claimed she would have been able to notice that my daughter didn't have the knowledge or the skill to pilot a horse over such a course. This did in fact not only put my daughter in danger but the horse as well. Not only is there a lack of riding or training experience but there is also limited knowledge in horse care/safety. I was witness to a terrible accident due to very poor and irresponsible decisions. Several horses were in a terrible accident. They were allowed to run in from an open pasture onto a cement aisleway. These horses had shoes all around( all hooves had steel shoes) and were running at top speed. Once they hit the cement tried to stop but due to the shoes weren't able to stop, only slide and fall. Needless to say two horses were terribly injured. One horse sustained multiple fractures and pulled tendons, the other had ligament damage in the hip and leg. Both required several months off. ( lawsuit pending )

My advice to all potential clients please do your research, look at the facts, and ask around for local references. Anyone can make a claim of being a great trainer or work with great trainers. Anyone can get a seat in any group if you are the only canidate!

I too was one of the parents of a student of this so called trainer. My daughter had little riding experience, had never cantered a horse yet was allowed to jump a complete course set a 2 ft on a green broke horse. (for those of you who may not know the term "green broke" that is a horse with little riding training or experience in that event. A green horse should only be ridden by an experienced horse person/trainer) At that time she had only had 2 riding lessons with this teacher but had told her she had "jumped" in the past. If in fact Melinda had the experience that is claimed she would have been able to notice that my daughter didn't have the knowledge or the skill to pilot a horse over such a course. This did in fact not only put my daughter in danger but the horse as well. Not only is there a lack of riding or training experience but there is also limited knowledge in horse care/safety. I was witness to a terrible accident due to very poor and irresponsible decisions. Several horses were in a terrible accident. They were allowed to run in from an open pasture onto a cement aisleway. These horses had shoes all around( all hooves had steel shoes) and were running at top speed. Once they hit the cement tried to stop but due to the shoes weren't able to stop, only slide and fall. Needless to say two horses were terribly injured. One horse sustained multiple fractures and pulled tendons, the other had ligament damage in the hip and leg. Both required several months off. ( lawsuit pending )

My advice to all potential clients please do your research, look at the facts, and ask around for local references. Anyone can make a claim of being a great trainer or work with great trainers. Anyone can get a seat in any group if you are the only canidate!

I too was one of the parents of a student of this so called trainer. My daughter had little riding experience, had never cantered a horse yet was allowed to jump a complete course set a 2 ft on a green broke horse. (for those of you who may not know the term "green broke" that is a horse with little riding training or experience in that event. A green horse should only be ridden by an experienced horse person/trainer) At that time she had only had 2 riding lessons with this teacher but had told her she had "jumped" in the past. If in fact Melinda had the experience that is claimed she would have been able to notice that my daughter didn't have the knowledge or the skill to pilot a horse over such a course. This did in fact not only put my daughter in danger but the horse as well. Not only is there a lack of riding or training experience but there is also limited knowledge in horse care/safety. I was witness to a terrible accident due to very poor and irresponsible decisions. Several horses were in a terrible accident. They were allowed to run in from an open pasture onto a cement aisleway. These horses had shoes all around( all hooves had steel shoes) and were running at top speed. Once they hit the cement tried to stop but due to the shoes weren't able to stop, only slide and fall. Needless to say two horses were terribly injured. One horse sustained multiple fractures and pulled tendons, the other had ligament damage in the hip and leg. Both required several months off. ( lawsuit pending )

My advice to all potential clients please do your research, look at the facts, and ask around for local references. Anyone can make a claim of being a great trainer or work with great trainers. Anyone can get a seat in any group if you are the only canidate!

I too was one of the parents of a student of this so called trainer. My daughter had little riding experience, had never cantered a horse yet was allowed to jump a complete course set a 2 ft on a green broke horse. (for those of you who may not know the term "green broke" that is a horse with little riding training or experience in that event. A green horse should only be ridden by an experienced horse person/trainer) At that time she had only had 2 riding lessons with this teacher but had told her she had "jumped" in the past. If in fact Melinda had the experience that is claimed she would have been able to notice that my daughter didn't have the knowledge or the skill to pilot a horse over such a course. This did in fact not only put my daughter in danger but the horse as well. Not only is there a lack of riding or training experience but there is also limited knowledge in horse care/safety. I was witness to a terrible accident due to very poor and irresponsible decisions. Several horses were in a terrible accident. They were allowed to run in from an open pasture onto a cement aisleway. These horses had shoes all around( all hooves had steel shoes) and were running at top speed. Once they hit the cement tried to stop but due to the shoes weren't able to stop, only slide and fall. Needless to say two horses were terribly injured. One horse sustained multiple fractures and pulled tendons, the other had ligament damage in the hip and leg. Both required several months off. ( lawsuit pending )

My advice to all potential clients please do your research, look at the facts, and ask around for local references. Anyone can make a claim of being a great trainer or work with great trainers. Anyone can get a seat in any group if you are the only canidate!

I am a current student of Melinda's who has spent a lot of time at her barn and with her outside the barn. I have been involved with horses my entire life, and have spent time with several trainers during the course of my training. I consider myself to have quite a bit of knowledge in horse care and training, and instructing. I hold a certificate in Equine Operations from South Suburban College in Illinois. I also am a certified Indiana EMT/Firefighter, so I do have quite a bit of knowledge on safety. During my time with Melinda, I have witnessed many training sessions that she has had with her students of all ages. I have never seen her put a child or adult in ANY danger. She is very strick on safety around the horses both when her students are on the ground and on the horses. She insists that everyone is to where helmets even when just working around the horses. I have never had a trainer be so attentive when it comes to safety. I was very pleased to see this. She always is a good example, and practices what she preaches. A child (or adult) is not allowed to jump until they are both ready physically and mentally. There are some children who pick up riding very quickly and are able to jump much sooner than others. You can not set a specific time line as to when a student will start doing specific things. Melinda treats each student as an individual as a good trainer should! I personally would feel completely comfortable putting my 10 and 11 year old on any of her horses, and to have her train them. She also has the proper insurance that a trainer and barn need to have.

Melinda is well respected in the "equine community", and has trained with nationally known trainers. She believes that a trainer is never done learning. She currently is involved in several organizations which are on a state level. She is currently helping to start a certification program for trainers in the State Of Indiana to ensure competency. It's nice to see someone taking such a pro-active roll in Indiana's equine industry. Would someone allow an incompetent/unsafe/drunk, trainer to hold such an important position, especially on a state level? I don't think so!

Melinda has NEVER been drunk at the barn, or ever in my presence for that matter, at anytime! I have never even have heard such a thing until this recent parting of a boarder. In almost every barn there is always "barn drama" to a certain extent. Unfortunately, in business you can't please everyone all the time. She has always tried to keep the students and their parents all on the same page to keep them informed. She creates a fun, safe atmosphere especially for her students that are kids. She stresses life lessons as well when training these kids. I have never had a trainer be so concerned when a fall does occur!-----and yes, falls occur even with the best trainers in the world!!!!!! Any medical problems that might occur with any of her horses, or a boarder's horse, are quickly recognized and managed correctly. I have always observed proper care/training with all of her horses. She loves each and every one of the horses in her barn and treats them like her own---unlike other trainers I have dealt with! She is very active in preventing horse slaughter and adopts horses to rehab them on a regular bases. I have never seen a trainer be able to be so patient with kids of all ages---and adults too!

Not everyone always agrees with certain decisions that have to be made in a business. Melinda has a very good business sense, and has to do things that not everyone will agree with all the time for good reasons. She always explains her rationalization for doing things to her boarders/students. Unfortunately, this boarder and her did not see eye to eye, and it has gotten out of hand and has become very hurtful and vindictive on many levels. This was uncalled for and was purely malicious in nature to hurt someone who has helped this boarder out and has shared her passion of horses with this boarder. Melinda has always encourage anyone to come to her with problems, concerns, or questions that they may have. She has a very good relationship with her clients and enjoys spending time teaching others about her passion. She cares for each of her students like they were her own children. She has always been a thoughtful, good hearted and caring person who pours her heart and soul into her business. It saddens me that this situation occurred and hurt someone who cares so much!

Recently, Melinda was nice enough to help me out, with a friend who's miniature horse was sick. In a moments notice, she gave me her truck and trailer to use to transport this sick horse to the vet. I gave her my newly purchased vehicle to use in the mean time. Would I have let a "drunk" use my NEW vehicle. Never!!!!!!! Not only did she let me borrow her truck, she came over to my friend's house the next day to help me care for the mini. She gave me some needed supplies that we didn't have to care for the horse. She never expected anything in return!!! Oh what a horrible person for being so kind!

I encourage anyone to drop by her barn, unexpected even, to judge for themselves. I also encourage anyone who needs further information to feel free to e-mail me at kwall@airbaud.net . I would be happy to help you and to answer any questions, or to give you any more references that you may need!

Kari Wall
Hebron, IN

(((ROR redacted)))
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

It is a very sad day, when someone is so cold hearted as to plaster lies across the internet, trying to destroy someones livelihood. I first got to know Melinda when she traveled with me to Wisconsin to pick up my 8 minature horses and trailer them back to Indiana. I was so impressed with her professionalism and knowledge regarding Equinnes. She came to my ranch several times over the summer with her day camp girls, and I saw nothing that would alarm anyone. In fact just the opposite. She was very concerned about the safety of the children and their was no evidence that she was drinking or had been drinking.

I introduced a friend of mine to her and she started taking lessons at her barn. She has spent a great deal of time at Melinda's facility taking lessons and helping with various activities at the barn. She has seen no evidence of any of the lies that were told.

Recently one of my horses suffered from colic and Melinda was nice enough to come over and check on her while I was working. She had several suggestions that I followed that helped her recover from her colic with no lasting effects.

Melinda also introduced me to my vet, who I happened to think is the best around. The vet has mentioned to me the high regard she has for Melinda and her talent as an equinne instructor and as a human being.

I recently had a very bad experience with the individual whom I believe wrote this nasty and slanderous email. She has spoken to me about doing Pony birthday parties with my minatures. I only spoke to her once. Through a friend of mine she continued asked whether I was interested. I was not in any hurry to rush into this and needed to check into liability insurance and my barn and minis were not ready for anything like this yet. I have been really unsure whether this is the direction I wanted to take my double registered minatures . This was relayed to her several times when continued she called a friend of mine asking her if I was interested and when she could book parties. I never spoke to her but one time, yet yesterday I had a family with 14 children show up at my barn, which is very hard to find for a birthday party. I am located in the woods and no one could find me unless they were told how to get to my place. This person was asked to leave Melinda's barn and since she could not do parties there, told this poor women that the parties would be at my place and then told her how to get to my place. The women was so upset because she had called and called for 3 days and this person was not returning her phone calls. Since my place was the last place she was told that the party would be, she came. She spoke to this person 3 days earlier. Can you believe that she would tell someone where I lived, then on top of it not even cancel with her and let her show up with 14 children? I had a screaming mother and 2 crying birthday girls. I never even agreed to have the parties at my place and only spoke to this person one time. This story alone should show you that the person writing this about Melinda has a very big problem herself.

You have to ask yourself why if she is so concerned about the safety of children and animals that she did not go to the authorities if she knows so much? Why, because she has no proof. Melinda has a very large client base and is loved by her kids and parents. She cannot find the support she wanted or needed to go any further, because no one will support her. Desperate people do desperate things and the only thing she could do was TRY and destroy Melinda by using the Internet. Luckily those of us that know her will always stand by her. Anyone looking to find a barn that is professional and safe for their child or children to ride and learn from an expert, Melinda Routh's facility is what you are looking for.

I am not afraid to sign my name, for what I say is true.

Mary Beth Kosiba,
Valparaiso Indiana

Everything and I mean everything is this report is false. The person who I believe wrote this report, because it just happens to be posted on the day she was asked to have her horse out of the barn, is just mad because she was asked to leave.
She was asked to leave our barn because she was spreading vicious and cruel rumors not only about me but others at our barn.
I will not tolerate such "High School" behavior at our barn. Our barn is all about providing a happy place and NO Drama.

I am not an alcoholic, I would never ever put a child in danger, I train with the top trainers in the country and am part of several Hunter Jumper organizations serving as a Director of one board and Chair of several committees that advances and supports the sport I teach, there has never been a serious injury at my barn ever! Students have fallen but that is part of the risk of riding horses. No one has been hurt as serious as this person is saying. Noone left last week as a result of any incident besides the boarder who left because she was asked to.
I invite anyone to come out anytime of the week to check out my riding program. Come and make your own judgement of me and my riding program. Come talk to the other parents and ask them. Come talk to my employees. I have nothing to hide! I will even let you smell my breath, LOL :).
I love all my students and I love my job.

We will be having an open house in May that is open to everyone check my website for more info www.valpohorses.com on dates of events.