Angier, Buies Creek, Coats - Horse - Starting Point Stables, NC

Riding Lessons, General Information

Who is "Starting Point Stables" ?

What does Starting Point Stables teach?

Starting Point Stable's niche is for the beginner to intermediate level person who REALLY wants to have a solid foundation with no holes in their basic equestrian-education. We believe that everyone should become a well rounded horse-person and that is the basis of our equestrian educational program. After reading this information please visit the related links at the bottom of this page for more detailed reading on this subject.

Horse Handling
We use techniques similar to Lynn Palm or Linda Tellington-Jones. I believe people who become confident and skilled at handling a horse from the ground will be more confident in the saddle. Horse handling is more than leading a horse from point A to point B with out losing total control of him. Ground work is THE foundation where all other horsemanship learning builds from.

The first things a person needs to understand to succeed with the horse is a system of communication based on;

Ask a question of the horse

Get the 'reponse' from the horse

Decided if the response is appropriate

Decided to reward, correct (educate) or discipline based on the response

Riding Education
We focus on the dynamic, balanced seat - very useful for dressage, jumping, trail riding and working western disciplines. I follow the principles that Lynn Palm, Sally Swift, Susan Harris (and the like) promote for rider equitation. Biomechanics, how the body works in motion, is very important.

The first step a rider needs to accomplish is how to become a PERFECT passenger, one that does not make the horses job physically harder or mentally stressful.

As far as the rider learning horse 'training' theories, we follow a slightly modified version of classical horsemanship (cavalry basics) combined with modern bio-mechanics and resistance free techniques. We want students to have a working understanding of how horses 'learn' and understand, a logical system of 'aids' and how to ask the horse a question, how to reward and when to discipline. I also want to expose them to how each horse moves as an individual based on how it is built, and how to 'ride' a horse in a way that he is improving him (physically as well as mentally) and not degrading him.

Horse Care & Stable Management
We focus on common sense, keeping up with the evolving horse care industry standards passed down by research facilities, vet schools etc. Above all I believe in safety around the stable and treating the horse with care and respect, with out the need to buy into gimicks, unnecessary trends, or fear.

Accepting Students & Expectations

Starting Point Stables is a small facility, with one instructor (Kaye Barnes), a limited number of lesson horses, and hours in which to teach. We only take on small number of students and are very interested in catering to students who WANT TO LEARN. Above all we want students who will stay committed, and thus we want to offer a quality riding lesson program.

Age & Health
Private / Individual Riding Lessons: ages 12 and older.
Group Programs: Teen Riding School ages 11-16, Pony School Program ages 5 - 10.

Students should be physically and mentally capable of taking horseback riding lessons. While we do not wish to discriminate, we simply are not experienced nor is our facility equiped for teaching horseback riding to individuals with a significant physically or mentally handicap. We may be willing to accept those individuals with slight impairments, please inquire.
Students must be willing to be dedicated. Horseback riding is not a 'quick return' activity to try to learn. It takes hours of dedicated and enthusiastic practice if you want to enjoy the sport and progress. If you are interested in a short term 'experience' please see our other horse learning programs.
Students must be WILLING to get to or keep at a satisfactory personal level of physical fitness, for themselves and the horses they will be riding.

At this time we we only have small and medium sized horses in our lesson program and must restrict the size of our students to under 200 pounds and/or 6ft tall (an 18" english saddle).
Payment accepted in cash or check. Sorry, no credit cards.

Required Equipment:

Purchase an ASTM-SEI certified Equestrian Riding Helmet ($45.00 and up)
Purchase / wear proper equestrian footwear (paddock boots/shoes, riding sneakers/all terrains, leather boots - NO RUBBER BOOTS)
Wear appropriate riding clothes (Comfortable pants that do not pinch or rub, and any appropriate gender specific support or padded undergarments, a tidy shirt).

Private Riding Lessons

Private Riding Lessons (pay as you go, per appointment)

Beginner starter lessons - Private 1 hr 15 minutes
Grooming, handling the horse on the ground around the stables, tack and equipment, general basic riding skills on the lunge line and/or riding arena.
$30.00 our horse / $25 your horse.

Intensive Equitation Lunge Line Lesson- Private 30 minutes
To address strength, balance and flexiblity, the session can be tailored to work with a students particular weakness.
$15.00 our horse / $12 your horse.