BREEDING QUALITY
FAMILY & WORKING HORSES
IN CENTRAL MAINE
STEADY NORWEGIAN FJORD HORSES
TRAINING SERVICES
Specializing in Natural Horsemanship that equips equines to be confident and respectful both on the ground and under saddle.
Ground Work
Foundational training exercises and relationship-building activities done with a horse on the ground (not riding) that follow a philosophy centered on communication, trust, and respect between horse and handler rather than dominance or force. The goal is to establish mutual trust, respect, and clear communication, helping the horse learn to respond softly and willingly to cues. It also sets the stage for safer and more responsive riding later on.
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Common groundwork exercises in natural horsemanship:
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Yielding the hindquarters and forequarters – teaching the horse to move away from light pressure.
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Backing up – improving responsiveness and respect for space.
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Lunging or “sending” – building focus, rhythm, and obedience without chasing or driving.
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Desensitization – helping the horse stay calm when exposed to new objects or stimuli.
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Join-up / connection work – inviting the horse to choose to follow and stay with the handler.
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Saddle Work & Colt Starting
The next step after a full series of ground work is to ride! The horse already understands cues for yielding, backing, and moving forward from groundwork, so these are introduced under saddle with familiar signals.​​​​​
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Level 1: Establish a calm, responsive, and confident partnership under saddle using light cues and a soft seat rather than force or mechanical aids.
Focus areas:​
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Softness and feel: Teaching the horse to respond to light leg, rein, and seat pressure.
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Basic control: Walk, trot, stop, back up, and turn smoothly without resistance.
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Relaxation and confidence: Helping the horse stay calm and willing in new situations.
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Rider balance and body awareness: The rider learns to communicate mostly through body position, rhythm, and energy—less through pulling or kicking.
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Level 2: Achieve precision, harmony, and subtle communication where the horse feels and responds to the rider’s smallest cues, almost invisibly.
Focus areas:
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Refinement: Turning groundwork and basic maneuvers into high-level performance with softness and lightness.
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Collection and engagement: Teaching the horse to carry more weight on its hindquarters for balance and athleticism.
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Advanced maneuvers: Sidepassing, rollbacks, flying lead changes, spins, or even liberty riding.
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Emotional control: Maintaining connection even under stress, speed, or complex tasks.
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Partnership at liberty or with minimal tack: The ultimate goal is a horse that chooses to stay mentally “with” the rider without relying on physical restraint.​​
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