promoting Hippology,

                     the study of horses

Instructors:  Barbara and Joseph Kostelnik
Assistant: J. Solomon Kostelnik

Working with horses develops many personal qualities that last a lifetime:
self-confidence -- responsibility -- kindness -- fitness --
 physical and emotional wellness --- plus, it's so much fun!

UPDATE:  as of August 2019, we quit
offering in-person lessons.
This had/has nothing to do with the "pandemic".
Much of the first lesson info is still available
here on the web site.

Lessons

FORMS
Safety
Balanced Seat
SUPER-
Resources
Helmets

Note: the "Resources" link on the left has been fixed!
The Lessons

"Miss Barb" teaches the Balanced Seat,
which is a wonderful foundation for Western Pleasure, Contesting, Hunt Seat (including jumping) and Dressage styles, or "just" Trail Riding.  It's also known as the Independent Seat. 

This means that you can remain seated securely on the horse without hanging on to the saddle, mane or reins.  The reins are for communicating with the horse, only, and should never be used to maintain one's balance, anyway.

We supply English or Western tack, the horse, and the use of a fitted helmet. We also keep on hand a supply of long, thin socks, gloves, neck scarves and knitted hats. See "what to wear" in the "Safety" section.

Barbara, J. Solomon and Joseph Kostelnik all teach horse handling and care, English and Western tack use & care, barn-keeping, safety, etc.  
"Pastor Joe" also teaches Frank Bell's "7 Step Safety System".

You can be ready in advance, by printing and filling out the required forms ahead of time! (See the "Forms" button at left.) 

For students under 18, both parents or legal guardians must sign

If bringing friends, they or their parents or legal guardians (if minors) must have a release form on file, also.  ANYONE WHO SETS FOOT ON THE PROPERTY MUST HAVE A VALIDLY SIGNED RELEASE FORM ON FILE.

Click here to access all FORMS.

"Miss Barb" has always provided her students with a paper "manual".  Some years, an attractive, durable vinyl binder, with the mounted student's photo on the front, has been included.  Here, on this web site, you can now access the first volume of this same information, which was formerly only available to registered, in-person students and their families.

What you can expect to learn over your entire course of study
at Blue Rock Horse Park:

ENTIRE MANUAL table of contents.pdf

Home ] FORMS ] Safety ] Balanced Seat ] SUPER- ] Resources ] Helmets ]
[ Lessons ] Horses ] Facility ] People ]

CONTACT INFO: you may EMAIL or PHONE Barbara at 513-385-6735 (or text at 513-356-2817)
The stable is on Blue Rock Road, which is named after Blue Rock Creek,
replete with slate and shale, which is more or less ... "Blue"!