FAQs

We require that all riders be at least 2 years old with ample motor and cognitive skills to ensure everyone remains safe and gets the most of the experience. We don't have an upper age limit for riders; if you're able to show up, we can teach you!

How long should I expect to spend at the barn for my/my child's lessons?

In the beginning, all pre- and post- riding care and skills will be taught as part of the lesson. Once you/your child can fully care for your horse before and after the lesson, you should arrive around 30-45 minutes before the lesson starts, and plan to stay 30-45 minutes after the lesson ends.

Will I/my child ride the entire lesson?

Until students are comfortable and safely able to bring horses in/take them back out, groom, and tack up/untack, these skills are gradually taught as part of the lesson within the scheduled time. Your instructor will let you know when you are able to come early/stay after to do these things on your own, and eventually you will be able to ride for the entire duration of your lesson.

Parents are welcome to learn these non-riding skills with your child, and we especially encourage it for our younger/smaller riders who may not be physically able to handle these skills on their own just yet.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Castle Farm accepts cash or check made out to Heather King or Castle Farm, Paypal, or Venmo. If you pay with cash, please put a note with the student’s name on it so that we know whose account to apply it to. We do require prepayment for all lessons.

Do I need any horse experience to take lessons at Castle Farm?

No experience is necessary; we work with riders of all ages and levels!

Is Castle Farm Safe Sport certified?

Yes! All instructors at Castle Farm are Safe Sport certified (and re-certified every year). Safe Sport is a US organization set up to address the problem of sexual abuse in sport and help keep riders safe. You can find out more here.

Can I come out to visit the barn before I schedule a lesson or learn more about boarding/training?

We would love to meet you, but visits must be scheduled in advance. When you come to the barn, you can look around, watch lessons, and hang out as long as you would like. We do ask that, to avoid interruptions for the students who are riding, you can contact us with any questions.

What should I expect to learn during my first lesson?

A quality and safe lesson program begins with the basics. If this is your first encounter with horses, a portion of your lesson will be spent bringing the horse in and learning to groom them. From there you will learn foundational skills such as getting on the horse, steering, how to stop/move forward at the walk, etc.

When should I arrive for my first lesson?

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early in case you get lost or need additional assistance. If you were unable to fill out liability forms prior to the lesson (that are emailed to you), allow for time to complete these as well.

It's my first riding lesson, what do I need to wear?

All riders must wear long pants, boots with a heel, and a riding helmet (ASTI/SEI certified). If a student does not yet have a helmet, then we have one they can borrow for the first lesson or two. Bicycle helmets do not provide the correct type of protection while riding a horse and cannot be used. We will provide the horse, tack, and anything else you may need for your first ride.

All parents, guardians, family, etc. must also wear closed toe shoes when on the property.

It's my first visit, where do I go?

To ensure the safety of both riders and horses at Castle Farm, the speed limit on Tommies Drive is 10 mph.
Additionally, to maintain traffic flow and allow our neighbors to get in/out of their driveways, please only park in areas marked as belonging to Castle Farm (see areas in green on map below).

Upon arrival, make your way to the barn (closed toe shoes required) and let one of the instructors know you’re there. Please be aware that our instructors must finish a lesson that is in progress before walking you through next steps.

See farm and parking diagram here

Please note: We are a working barn. To make sure we have someone available to meet with you, schedule an appointment to visit.

Do I get to pick which horse I ride?

Students are assigned to horses based on a variety of factors, including experience and discipline requirements. Riding different horses allows a rider to learn from them and gain experience, as each is unique!

What is the cancellation/inclement weather policy?

Please remember that riding is an outdoor sport and it is possible to ride in rain, wind, and/or heat or cold, so come appropriately dressed for the weather. Ground/horsemanship lessons are an option if you choose not to ride because of weather or other reasons.

Students who cancel their lessons for any reason (including weather, illness and emergency) with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the regular lesson price. An inconvenience charge of $10 will be assessed anytime a lesson is canceled or changed with less than a week’s notice.

How are lessons scheduled?

All lesson scheduling is handled via email in two ways:

Permanent lessons: A set day and time on a regular frequency (every week, every other week, twice a week or more, however often you would like). If you are interested in a permanent day and time, just let us know what your availability is and we’ll see what openings we have on a regular basis.

Flex schedule: Others prefer a more flexible schedule. For those riders Heather sends out an email each weekend with the openings for the upcoming week. You can pick and choose what works for your schedule.

Does Castle Farm go to horse shows?

Yes! We typically participate in two competitions per month, one geared towards hunters and another for dressage and/or eventing. Some of the venues we typically visit include the Carolina Horse Park for the War Horse Eventing Series and the Sedgefield Hunter/Jumper shows, Sharon Oaks Stables’ Pleasant Hill Hunter shows, the Johnston Livestock Arena for the Tri-Area Shows, and Portofino Equestrian Center for several of their events.

We also try to venture out for one or two trail rides a year at places like the Sandy Pines Preserve or Walthour Moss Foundation. We also get together a few times a year for social events with our wonderful barn family!

Can I volunteer at Castle Farm?

We have several ongoing volunteer opportunities:

Feeder Assistant: Help take care of feeding the horses (around 6:30am or 3:30pm, for about 2 ½ hours). You would get to see how they mix up each horse’s food and get it to the individual horses, help with doling out the hay, making sure all the horses have water, and other general care. The horses get fed twice a day every day, so there are plenty of opportunities to help out!

Teacher Assistant: During regular lesson times, you can come help any of our instructors. This could include assisting beginner students with anything from getting their horse to putting on or taking off a blanket, or helping to set up jumps. added benefit of watching lots of lessons!
Groom Assistant: Come out in the morning when Heather is working with the horses that she has in training (typically Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays from about 1pm to 4pm, and Saturdays from about 7am to 10am). You would assist her regular groom for the day in getting horses groomed and saddled, and then cleaned up afterwards, as well as a few other things around the barn.

With any of these options, you can come for some of or the entire time. If you are interested in participating in any of these programs, contact us!

There are also usually opportunities to volunteer at any of the horse shows that we attend throughout the year.

Can I work at Castle Farm?

We often have job opportunities available! Requirements typically include being able to follow directions well, a consistent schedule, and being on time. Apply today.

Does Castle Farm have summer camps?

We offer one summer camp session each year, usually around the week of July 4th when schools in Wake County are tracked out. Our half day camp is for kids ages 6-15 and runs from 8am to 1pm. Campers get to ride each day, plus we have many other horse-oriented activities and learning opportunities.