We love this place so much! My two boys look forward to going and talk about it all the time. They…read morehave gained a lot of confidence around animals. We highly recommend the My Little Farmer classes!

Fee alert: Why are they charging a $10 "administrative set…read moreup fee" for lessons? This is literally their job. These nonsense micro fees today are just cash grabs. And that tells me a lot about how they operate overall.

I am sharing a factual account of my recent experience with DEC…read more The property is beautiful and most instructors, esp Taylor, are skilled and professional. The problem is limited to the main coordinator. The inconsistent information, the refusal to be forthcoming, and the decision to penalize us for an honest review reflect poorly on her role as the public face of the business. A straightforward, professional conversation about availability or placement concerns would have been appreciated. Background: My daughter is a beginner/ intermediate level rider. This is where our experience went downhill: Members since spring 2026. I offered to pay for the 8 weeks we would be away in June/ July to hold her spot. The main coordinator declined. That is their right, but it was a clear refusal to reserve a paid spot while freeing up horses which she stated today, is a big challenge of theirs. Upon return, I was told there were no openings for lessons at my daughter's level. (Note that my daughter's classes typically had just her or 1 other child.) The online signup calendar also shows MULTIPLE available spots at that exact level. This never happened when we were members 8 weeks ago --the calendar was always accurate. When I expressed interest in leasing instead, the same coordinator immediately stated that leasing spots were also unavailable at her level. This story changed within an hour as I have 2 comms from the same morning where she offered leasing. After I posted a review (which I voluntarily removed within mins because the tone was harsh), I was told that because the review was not positive and showed we were unhappy, my daughter was removed from the waitlist. That we would not be able to be part of DEC. I have attached the communication as documentation. I have requested a conversation with the owner and will update this review as to if they respond. All of this was easily avoided by taking the 5 mins to pick up the phone and calling the customer firsthand. But after several chat and email messages days apart, I was the one who had to pick up the phone. I had to wait for comms while trying to just get this figured out. Me. The customer. If there were concerns about skill level, it never came up. But if that was the issue, it's her job to be honest about it. Not give the constant runaround or inconsistent replies causing more confusion to the situation. I wish Taylor the best. She is a great instructor and the kids really respect her. Very disappointed in our treatment. - TLA

Pasture Boarders Beware…read more Jim's barn is beautiful with gorgeous indoor and outdoor arenas. There is a tack room for boarders, and slots for tacking up as well as several wash stalls. He has one person working for him, Pancha, who feeds all the horses, cleans stalls, and generally takes care of things. The horses in the barn seem well cared for. The pasture has 2 run-ins that seem in good shape, and 17 acres to spread out on with seemingly good grass. The water trough was a little questionable... There is only one other horse on pasture board and it's his horse (RED FLAG). There are lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays - if you want to ride on those days, outdoor arena only. Feed for pasture boarders is grain in pans 20ft apart. I expressed that I was concerned about that because one of my 2 eats significantly more than the other, and the one who gets less will steal food. Jim stated (his idea) that there was a paddock in the field where one horse could go in to eat so he wouldn't steal food. He stated that I would have to pay his help extra for her time. I made sure to tell him that one of my horses was 18hh. He didn't seem to have a problem with it and asked more questions about his breeding. I asked if he would feed supplements and he said yes. I also asked about using an open stall temporarily while I tacked up one of my 2 horses and he said yes as long as I cleaned up after myself. I moved in and everything seemed fine. Jim was very pleasant and easy to talk to. I felt very comfortable with him and our decision to move there. I watched a few lessons - he was very kind and patient. I helped Pancha feed the horses that evening and the next morning so that they could get used to their new routine and one of them going into the paddock. We talked the whole time (in what little Spanish I know) and she even was showing me pictures of her family. I brought my horses inside to ride and put one in the "preapproved stall". I gave him a flake of hay to munch on while he was waiting (it is explicitly stated on the website that grain AND HAY are included in board). While I was tacking up my other horse, Jim walked in and told me "you're expecting too much as pasture board horses and you need to leave". I tried to fumble through a question as to why and he simply stated that I expected to much and Pancha was not comfortable working around my horses. I said ok, I'll try to find another barn as soon as I can, but it may be next week sometime to which he replied "the sooner the better, you need to get out". I told him that I had given a flake of hay to my horse and offered to buy a bale (EVEN THOUGH HAY IS SUPPOSEDLY INCLUDED IN BOARD per the website) and Jim stated that I was stealing..... I immediately packed up my trailer and left after being there less than 24 hours. He went from being very friendly and easy to talk to, to INCREDIBLY rude and hurtful in a very short period of time. I think the real issue is that I was too much of a presence in the barn. I never saw any other boarder there, and in the boarders tack room, pretty much everything was covered in dust. He is obviously used to doing things his way and in his routine, and I was interrupting that. I also don't think he really wants to deal with pasture board horses. So, if you have a horse that you need stall board for and don't plan to ride often, this is the place for you. They will be well taken care of. I think if you just want lesson, this is also a great place to come. Otherwise, stay away.

Jim is a terrific teacher He is particularly patient and gentle in his criticism. The facilities…read moreare terrific, safe and convenient for those who live in Chapel Hill and Durham. Although Jim is best at teaching English but he was willing to take me on as an older adult who just wanted to refine his Western riding. Kind man with a good manner

We went horse back riding with the grandchildren on yesterday and we found this place in Apex we…read morehad never been on horses before and this was a wonderful experience for the grandchildren and the price was very reasonable. I would highly recommend this place especially if you are first timers. The children had an opportunity to groom the horses and give them treats

I started riding here a few weeks ago. Ole Strigel is the owner and chief operator. He…read morespecializes in buying / selling high end sport horses from Europe for clients in the US. The facility bar none is the best in the area. The barn is immaculate and the riding ring's footing is a synthetic material which is incredible. It offers a smoother experience for the horse and rider. Situated on 20 acres in Durham it is one of the most beautiful barns I have seen. In terms of training - best suited for adults who are serious however you don't have to be advanced. I could barely walk / trot when I started and he already has me working over cavalettis and counting strides between jumps. If you are ready to take your or your horse's hunter / jumper training to the next level there is no better facility. It is an honor and a privilege to ride here. Great for: Horse Back Riding Lessons, Horseback Riding, Horse Boarding, Horse Riding Lessons, Hunter Jumper, show stable, Equestrian Center, Equestrian, show barn

Fabulous facility. It is easily the premier hunter / jumper show barn in the Raleigh / Durham /…read moreChapel Hill area. No better place if you are looking to take your riding to the next level. Ole has experience on the international level - but has the patience to work with beginner level riders. The barn is beautiful and the farm is a real treat. I love spending time here.

Horse was there months. Recieved very little to no training, farrier work, ect. Constantly told me…read morethey took videos, and then told me they had nothing. Poor communication on every single end unless they wanted money. Only thing I got from thousands of dollars was a horse that bucked.

I was looking for a horse experience for my 11.5 year old granddaughter, found a recommendation for…read moreMontross on nextdoor.com, and took a chance. Just finished 4 introductory lessons with Laura, and I couldn't have imagined a better experience for my granddaughter. Wonderful champion instructor, and riding two wonderful champion horses (Chip and Bling)!

I have been a boarder with 2 horses for 10 years. The manager lives on the property and the two…read moreowners are vets. The footing is great (sand/rubber). There is a nice covered arena and also a nice big jumping arena. Any instructor is welcome to teach a boarder there. Boarders are very nice and easy going, the barn is higher end but also easy going.

Always fun and reasonable. Staff is great and always catch fish. It is so peaceful. We had luck…read morethroughout the lake.