Life & Work with Kristin Klingebiel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Klingebiel.

Hi Kristin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Physical Therapist by training. I have been at Academy Stables since 2018 because my son was taking riding lessons. Academy Stables is a barn that offers boarding, lessons, and summer camp. I had thumb reconstruction surgery on each thumb at the end of 2018 and was unable to go back to being a PT. I was asked to run the summer camp at Academy Stables in 2020.

I enjoyed it so much that I was asked to stay on and teach lessons and manage the whole facility. Three years ago, I became the barn manager. I run the camp, and the lesson program and oversee the boarders. In addition to having mobility issues in my hands, I had my retina detach in 2020 and I basically can only use one eye.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it’s not been a smooth road. Haha. I had not been in any kind of management position before, so I had to learn about that. And while I grew up on a farm and with horses, I had to learn a lot about the equine business. Because I have some physical limitations, it makes things harder for me in general. But I have accommodated well. Some of the struggles have been the weather….and dealing with difficult people, growing the program.

When I took over there was no concrete program in place. No infrastructure or organization whatsoever. So I have developed all of that. I do the website and answer emails and text messages. We get a lot of inquiries for lessons and trying to get new people into lessons can be challenging. Sometimes it is like herding cats.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a master’s degree in Physical therapy. I was a PT for over 20 years. Then, I was in a car accident which dislocated both thumbs. As a result, the cartilage wore out in my thumbs and I got to the point where I couldn’t use them anymore. So I had to have a total joint replacement on both thumb joints. I was not able to go back to doing PT work after that.

When I was a PT, I specialized in home health. I was also trained in Rolfing and Craniosacral therapy. Now, I apply the knowledge I have to horses and riders. Before managing Academy Stables, was a Physical Therapist. I worked in orthopedics and Home health. I am also an athlete……I ski-raced in high school and played college field hockey.

What I have discovered in the past 5 years is my background as a physical therapist uniquely prepared me for running a lesson and camp program. I can put together all aspects of riding, teaching, and learning: the athleticism of the horse and the rider, the physical conditioning/strengths/weaknesses of both the horse and the rider, the ages of the horse and the rider, the skill set, and the learning style.

A horse is not merely a tool with which we “play” our sport; it’s not a pair of skis, a bike, or a race car. It is a 1000# animal with a mind of its own. So the way I look at it, riding is a team sport. Like pairs figure skating….but with a horse.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Covid had a significant impact on our kids and our society as a whole. I’ve tried to create a community of similar people at our barn. A place where kids can come and learn to ride but also learn how to work and how to work hard.

I have developed an apprentice/volunteer/work program where kids can do chores help with lessons and help me run the camp and get much-needed experience. But it also helps them learn to be strong and independent. Horses are also very therapeutic for so many people on so many different levels. It’s kind of hard to put it all into words.

Pricing:

• Group lessons $65.oo per hour

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.academystables.com
• Instagram: @barn_manager_barn_mom