Horseback Riding Lessons -
Serving Angier, Coats, Buies Creek, Erwin, Benson & Dunn NC

"... the practice of equitation is a valuable lesson, as it requires the exercise of all human virtue.." Nuno Oliveria.

Who is Barnes Paddock?

What does Barnes Paddock teach?

I (Kaye Barnes) do not teach advanced horsemanship, in the sense of specialized or upper level riding disciplines. Our niche is for the beginner to intermediate level horse-person who REALLY wants to have a solid foundation with no holes in their equestrian-education. I 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 control of him. Ground work is THE foundation where all other equestrian learning builds from.

Riding Education
I focus on the dynamic, balanced seat - very useful for dressage, jumping, trail riding and western disciplines. I follow the principles that Lynn Palm, Sally Swift, Susan Harris promote for rider equitation. Biomechanics, how the body works in motion, is very important. The first steps 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' priciples, I follow a slightly modified version of classical horsemanship (calvary basics) combined with modern bio-mechanics and resistance free techniques. I want students to have a working understanding of how horses 'learn' and understand, a logical system of 'aids' and 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
I 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.

Barnes Paddock has two basic programs
Stand alone riding lessons or our new Academy Club programs .

Accepting Students

BP is a small facility, with one instructor (that would be me, Kaye Barnes), a limited number of lesson horses and hours in which to teach. I only take on small number of students and am very interested in catering to students who WANT TO LEARN.

I primarily teach riders who are interested in an over all horsemanship program, and who are interested in 'sport' horse type riding in the 'balanced seat' (in a variety of riding activities from dressage to riding over obstacles such as trail or jumps, and even social riding such as trails, fox hunts or hunter paces, and even competitive trail riding). We teach non-horse owning students strictly 'english style' (basic dressage) but will teach students who have their own horses and equipment in western as well.

1. Students must be at least 10 years of age for our stand alone lesson program, and 4 years of age for the academy/club program. If they are beginners between the ages of 10 and 15 they must write a short essay as to WHY they want to take lessons, including what they hope to learn, OR join our youth academy program.
   
   Why are you so strict with children? Over the years I have taught many children who, sadly, don't seem as interested in riding as mom or dad wants them to be. Riding is not like playing an instrument; if a student is not dedicated to their instrument or is aloof in a music lesson, the worst thing that happens is an unpleasant sound. If a student is not dedicated to riding or is aloof with a horse, injury can happen.
   
   
2. Students should be physically and mentally capable of taking horseback riding lessons. While I do not wish to discriminate, I simply am not experienced or qualified for teaching horseback riding to truly handicap individuals or those with significant impairments that may hinder their safety.
   
   
3. Students must be willing to be dedicated. Horseback riding is not a 'quick return' activity to try to learn. It takes hours of dedicated, enthusiastic practice if you want to enjoy the sport and progress. I enjoy working with students who continue to learn while not at the stable or in the riding arena. There are so many learning opportunities available aside from scheduled riding lessons; local horse clubs, local horse events, reading materials, videos etc.
   
   
4. 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. I do not feel riding once a week in a lesson should be the students only form of physical activity. Certainly riding more often than that will help the student progress, but so will most other forms of mild to moderate physical activity including walking, hiking, swimming, a stretching program, a strength program, etc.
   
   
5. Students riding my school horses will be taught in a balanced seat, all purpose type, english saddle :-)
   
   At this time I only have horses up to 15.2H / 1000lbs in our lesson program and so must restrict the size of our students to under 200 pounds and/or 6ft tall (an 18" english saddle).
   

Once starting lessons all students will be required to:

1. Purchase an ASTM-SEI certified Equestrian Riding Helmet ($45.00 and up)
2. Purchase / wear proper equestrian footwear (paddock boots/shoes, riding sneakers/all terrains, leather boots - NO RUBBER BOOTS)
3. Wear appropriate riding clothes (Wrangler-type jeans with out heavy inseams, strech pants, riding breeches, and any appropriate gender specific support or padded undergarments, a tidy shirt).

Lesson Options

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 $35.00 our horse / $30 your horse.

Intermediate - Private 1 hr 15 mintues
Continued horse & stable management skills and more time and intense riding both in and out of the arena $35.00 our horse / $30 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. $18.00 our horse / $15 your horse.

Riding Academy / Club Programs (membership based, learning & social programs)

Please see the Adult or Youth page for detailed information.