DLS is a small 7 acre family farm just outside of Lewisville, NC. We are convienient to Clemmons, Yadkinville, and Winston-Salem via US-421.
We have a new 36'x50' barn with 8 10'x12' box stalls built in 2004, storage for students' tack boxes in the tack room, a 100'x100' riding ring complete with jumps, and a few cross country jumps for those interested. We also have trail access nearby. We have a refrigerator for students to keep drinks in, and running water accessible.
Our facility is not a large, fancy show barn, and does not try to be one, but is maintained for the safety and comfort of our animals. We have worked hard to turn a farm with 20 years of overgrowth and rotten fencing in to a safe, fun environment for everyone. This is a slow process, as anyone owning land knows, but it is constantly being improved and renovated as time and funds allow.
We believe in bringing all our horses and students along slowly, to ensure that they have a good grasp of the basics. Riding involves building blocks and if the foundation work isn't solid, the training isn't complete.
Some high-dollar farms are in a rush to get each student showing, buying a horse, or otherwise spending a lot of money in a hurry. That is how show barns make most of thier money. We realize that horses are an expensive activity (we pay for ours everyday), but we are not in this business for the money. We are in it for the joy of horses.
Each student that rides here is encouraged to spend time with the animals, not just come out, ride, and leave. If you don't enjoy riding and being around the horses - what's the point? We do go to shows, but no student is ever forced to compete, and every student is clear before they show that we aren't just out for a blue ribbon. We want each child to do their best, do it cheerfully, and most of all to have fun.
In addition to riding, we teach basic horsemanship, proper handling, and expect students to be responsible, courteous, and above all, handle the horses gently and safely. All of our students get along well with each other - everyone here is at a different stage in learning and are respected and assisted by those who are further along. We are all one big happy family.
Our horses are taught with a mix of Natural Horsemanship and other training techniques. We never force the horses, we ask them. Each horse is trained according to their abilities and temperament. We never push our animals to do what they are not able to handle either mentally or physically.
Some of our horses have had very bad experiences in the past, either from an overly forceful trainer, or worse - an ignorant one. A couple were neglected or abused. It takes a lot of time and patience to properly teach (or reteach) a horse, but the extra time is worth the effort. Every year we recieve offers of free horses given away due to neglect or abuse, and while we help those we can, we are limited on time and resources. (see below)
All of our horses are carefully reassessed upon arrival, and are rehabbed or retrained accordingly. As a result, all of our horses are willing to go the extra mile willingly, honestly, and safely. They trust thier riders and the riders can trust them.
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