Castle Farm offers many different services to the Triangle area.

Sophie May riding Cheyenne, instructed by Heather King
(Photo by Chris King)

Lessons

Castle Farm offers riding lessons for children and adults from beginning to advanced levels of expertise. Lessons are given in:

• English
• Hunt Seat and Jumping
• Dressage
• Combined training and eventing

For current rates or a list of references, please email us.

Here is what students of Castle Farm have to say:

"Devin now has 4 horses and is barrel racing! She just loves it and is doing fairly well – this will be her 2nd season of NBHA and IBRA racing. She also has a small group of students that she’s giving lessons to at our home – she stored up a lot of knowledge that you passed on to her – I quite often hear the same phrases from her to her students, that you used with her!" - Gin Lilly on her daughter Devin

"I just wanted to say thanks (again) for being such a great instructor for me. You’re exactly who I was hoping to find, and you’re great at what you do. I’m SO enjoying my lessons!" - Colleen Sullivan

"Cassidy's lesson Friday was a lot of fun. Thanks for working so hard w/ her & being so patient." - Rena Narron on her daughter Cassidy

"I am so appreciative of your patience with all my infirmities and lack of fitness and being willing to work with my crazy, ever-changing schedule!! I really think yesterday I showed off everything you have taught me - -I didn't have anything to be embarrassed about, which certainly would not have been the case a couple of months ago. BTW, neither my friend in VA last week, nor the girl yesterday said anything about my hands except good and quiet, so all the "nagging" (just joking!) obviously paid off. I am really pleased with what you have been able to accomplish with "baby steps" and by being encouraging and supportive instead of critical. That means a lot. I [am] particularly impressed with your emphasis on safety. I've ridden for years, but I still learned some new things from you!" - Tarrant Burnette

Clarke Glendenning with Marti
(Photo by Chris King)

Shows

Castle Farm is dedicated to its students. One way to further the training given in lessons, as well as to improve the knowledge and self-esteem of students, is to participate in horse shows. Students of Castle Farm are invited to horse shows based on their level of training, particular interests, and other factors.

For examples of shows, please email us.

Here is what students have to say about showing with Castle Farm:

"We had a great time at the show and were thrilled with Madeline's success. It was so fun to watch her ride and see all she has learned in the arena and out. We appreciate your style of teaching and how patient and thorough you are with Madeline while she learns all these new skills and how you help us as we try and learn the ways of the horse riding/showing world :)" - Helen Alford

Various children at a summer day camp, with Heather King
(Photo by Beverly Austin)

Camps

Castle Farm regularly holds horsemanship camps. These camps, held for both adults and children, teach folks the basics of horse care, history, biology, tack and equipment, and other aspects of horsemanship.

For more information on camps, please email us.

Marti, longed by Heather King
(Photo by Chris King)

Training

Castle Farm will also assist in the breaking, training, and conditioning of show or pleasure horses. Our trainer, Heather King, can help you with:

• Green horses
• Horses with bad habits (hard mouth, bad barn manners, etc.)
• Out-of-shape horses
• Horses needing training in other fields

For current rates or a list of references, please email us.

For current rates or a list of references, please email us.

Sandi and Cassidy, watched by Heather King
(Photo by Chris King)

Foaling out

For current rates or a list of references, please email us.

Jester, being imprinted by Heather King
(Photo by Chris King)

Imprinting

In the first few hours following birth, newborn foals can absorb more information than at any other time in their lives. They are more docile and willing to accept instruction at this time, as well. For these reasons, many horse owners and trainers elect to have imprinting sessions with their horses. Imprinting exposes the foal to many things that they will have to become used to in order to be effective and efficient as show or pleasure horses, including halters, feet manipulation, thermometers, clippers, loud and strange noises, and most importantly, human contact.

Castle Farm is unique in that it offers to imprint newborn foals as a service. Our trainer, Heather King, will meet with the owner and mare prior to the birth to get an idea of what imprinting techniques will be used and to explain the procedure. When the foal is born, Heather will come to the barn for an immediate session. That session should be followed up with further sessions to reinforce those initial lessons (Castle Farm recommends at least one week of imprinting sessions following birth). As an alternative, Heather can train the owner on how to imprint their own horse.

For current rates or a list of references, please email us.