Tucson Equestrian Center Linda Colica Horse Sold NOT as Advertised - Unsafe and Untrained Tucson Arizona

After retirement, I decided to learn to ride and began taking lessons at the Tucson Equestrian Center on the basis of the many good reviews I read online.  It has turned out to have been an excellent decision and I can't imagine having done better anywhere else.  My instructor Laura and the owner Linda Colica are the real deal ... knowledgeable, professional, caring and genuinely nice people.  They not only know and understand horses and how to train them effectively and humanely but they also, and perhaps more importantly, are exceptionally knowledgeable and capable at teaching humans of all ages the right behaviors, attitudes and skills to succeed around horses.  From the first day, they stressed safety and horsemanship, both of which they teach and practice with fervor.  Luckily for me, my lessons also were characterized by great patience and a well-thought out lesson plan tailored to my current abilities and needs, always with an eye to continuously improving my horsemanship and safety.  

After taking lessons for several months, I decided that I wanted a horse of my own.  While I previously owned a couple horses used for my daughter's riding while growing up, I've never had a horse for myself and had no idea about how to find an appropriate one for me.  Linda went right to work searching for the right horse for me based on matching my skills and capabilities with the horse's attributes and personality.  She also spent a fair bit of time helping me to find a high quality used saddle at a reasonable price to match my interests, skills and budget.  And mine was not an isolated experience.  I have seen her similarly help other riders at TEC and in the area.

For example, my wife subsequently decided to also take riding lessons and after awhile asked Linda and Laura to help her find a suitable horse.  Again they came through famously.  They helped her find and acquire a fabulous POA just the right size, temperament and personality to suit her as a retired person with a growing interest in riding.  Because of the pony's gentle demeanor and easy going attitude, Laura also uses her at TEC when teaching children to ride.

Bottom line ... we would recommend TEC, Linda and Laura without hesitation to anyone interested in acquiring a horse or in learning about horses and riding.  In fact, we did recommend then to some friends from Canada visiting Tucson for the winter and while they were here they learned to ride in spite of being in their mid-70's and having some physical challenges.  Based on our several years of experience with TEC, Linda and Laura, we do not find the complaints presented on this website to be credible.

I have been around horses all through my childhood and again as an adult.  My wife has over eight years of experience.  Without a doubt, TEC and the owner Linda have been an anchor in the stormy horse industry here in Arizona.  We just purchased our third horse from Linda.  The two we bought from her are by far the best horses I have ever had the prvilage to ride and work with.  I see the same with the third horse we just bought.  Linda has guided us away from unbroke and untrained horses and no doubt saved us from serious injury or worse. 

My wife and I have referrred people to her on several occasions. I have met many horse traders over the years and worked for one as a young man.  Linda is not a horse trader.  If a horse does not meet certain standards, the horse is not kept or sold by her.  I am sorry for the complaintant who had such a negative experience.  Our experience has been nothing but positive! 

Currently and in the past we have sent our horses to be conditioned in the therapy pool at TEC.  We will continue to enjoy learning safety and hirher horsemanship at TEC.

GCM

I have been searching for over a year to find the perfect horse for myself and family.  After extensive searching I found what I believed to be THE horse for me.  In researching the Tucson Equestrian Center I found this complaint on line.  It appeared to come from a reputable trainer with tons of experience so I was extremely cautious about proceeding. In fact I was ready to forget the horse based on this complaint.  In fairness, however, everything else I could find about TEC and Linda was extremely positive so decided to go forward with the purchase.  I am so thankful that I did!!  The horse is every thing Linda promised it to be, he is perfect for me.  

In addition, I spent a day with Linda prior to writing the check for the horse and learned more from her in that one day than in 30 years of working the professional rodeo circuit and listening to "cowboy experts" from around the country.  She is a wealth of knowledge and the patience she showed me in helping me make the decision to purchase was extrodinary!  In addition she offered me the opportunity to come back to her facility, which is world class by the way, to spend some more time with her or Laura prior to the horse being shipped to my home in CO.  What a treat that was.  

Again, Linda is such a wealth of knowledge and her willingness to go beyond all expectations in insuring that the horse was the right fit for me and more importantly a safe horse for me just made such an impression it is beyond definition.  Her assistant Laura was equally impressive.  Not only did she spend considerable time with me insuring that I was comfortable with the horse but worked diligently with me to guarantee that I felt safe with the horse.  I've worked professional rodeo for over thirty years and I can say without hesitation that Linda and her staff are head and shoulder above most any other trainer and boarder I have ever encountered.  

I don't know why this individual has chosen to smear the name of this center and it's staff but my experience was so different that I have to believe that it is her problem and not that of TEC that should be the subject of a complaint.  I will be returning quarterly to TEC for additional lessons even though it means a 1000 mile trip for me, she is that good and I want to learn as much as I can from her.  She is such a tremendous resource it is a little akin to trying to drink from a firehose.  I highly recommend this facility, Linda and Laura are truly tops in the field I and can say without hesitation that anyone choosing to do business with them will walk away equally impressed and satisfied.