Ronivaara · Kuusamo, Finland

Meet the Finnhorses of Ronivaara

Different characters, different strengths – each with a place of their own.

Finnhorses together in their familiar herd at Ronivaara.

One reads the forest trail, another reads the person

The Finnhorses of Ronivaara are individuals. Each has its own character, skills, preferences, familiar friends and way of being with people.

One moves confidently through the forest, another enjoys precise work, while another is especially good at slowing down and staying quietly beside a person. These differences are part of everyday life at Ronivaara and help shape the activities that suit each horse.

The Finnhorses live here throughout the year in their familiar herds and surroundings.

Meet the Finnhorses

Each horse is known by much more than its name. The short introductions below give you a glimpse of some of the Finnhorses you may see around Ronivaara.

Neiti

Nurmineiti

Neiti is an energetic and capable mare who enjoys many different kinds of work.

Her experience ranges from riding and forest trails to driving and sleigh work, and she brings a confident, practical attitude to the things she does.

Diiva

Liinakon Diiva

Diiva is a kind, calm and expressive mare with a strong background in dressage.

She is attentive in interaction and combines beautiful movement with a steady way of being around people.

Aime

Aimetar

Aime grew up at Ronivaara and is curious about the life happening around her. She has learned riding, forest trails, groundwork and driving, and often meets people at the gate ready to see what the day will bring.

Marina

Marinadi

Marina grew up at Ronivaara, spent some time elsewhere and later returned home. She is a versatile mare who enjoys both riding and forest trails and is also familiar with guided work alongside people.

Viljami

Valkea Viljami

Viljami has grown up around the everyday life of Ronivaara and is known for his social, curious and kind character.

He is a sure-footed Finnhorse who takes part in riding, forest trails, driving and many other activities around the farm.

Frans

Fransuaa

Frans is a large, gentle Finnhorse with a calm and friendly place in the herd.

His sensitivity and patient nature are especially noticeable when working from the ground, while his long riding experience also makes him a skilled partner under saddle.

Laku

Taika-Laku

Laku came to Ronivaara as a young horse and has grown into a balanced and athletic riding horse.

His expressive movement and agile way of going suit experienced riders, while he is also involved in other parts of life and horse activities at Ronivaara.

Ruska Laukan tallilla suomenhevosia Ruka-Kuusamossa

Hessu

Junttihurmuri

Hessu is an experienced, energetic Finnhorse with a long and varied working history. Riding, jumping, driving, forest trails and sleigh work are all familiar to him, and in the herd he often takes a leading role.

Tamtam

Tamtam is a gentle and elegant mare known for her calm way of working with people. She is versatile in riding, forest trails and guided horse activities and gets along well with her companions in the herd.

Toivo

Riinan Toivo

Toivo is a sturdy, sure-footed Finnhorse who moves through trails and programmes with a steady rhythm. He also enjoys driving and has a confident presence among the horses around him.

Viri

Virilei

Viri is an experienced and lively mare who enjoys variety and has plenty of energy.

She likes being around people and often keeps an eye on what is happening in the Ronivaara farmyard.

Leevi

Lakeuden Taikaveli

Leevi is a small, brave Finnhorse with a playful character and a calm attitude towards new situations. He moves confidently at the front of a trail group and continues to develop his skills as a versatile riding horse.

Tuuli

TTuhkatuuli

Tuuli is a gentle and thoughtful mare who approaches new things with curiosity and calmness.

Her steady steps and quiet way of being make her a valued partner, and her unusual dark buckskin colouring makes her easy to recognise.

Taavi

Tuhannen Taala

Taavi is a versatile Finnhorse who takes part in many different activities at Ronivaara. He is used for riding and is also an excellent driving horse, including horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter.

Ruska Laukka tallin pihapiiristä kesä- ja talvikuvia Ruka-Kuusamossa

Isla

Lakeuden Taika-Isku

Isla is a sensitive, gentle and pleasant young mare who is still learning the work of a riding horse. She takes part in everyday activities at Ronivaara and is a sweet, likeable horse to spend time with.

Feenix · Vaejelus

Young Finnhorses are also part of the changing herd at Ronivaara. Their early years are centred around growing up with other horses, familiar everyday handling and gradually learning the skills that will belong to their future lives.

Known by name – and by much more than a name

We get to know the horses through ordinary days: who comes to the gate first, who prefers to stay with a familiar friend and who takes a little more time before coming closer.

Friends, space and life in the herd

The Finnhorses live in familiar herds where they form friendships, set boundaries and develop their own ways of moving, resting and spending time together.

Some often choose to stand close to the same companion. Others prefer a little more space. Watching the herd is one of the ways we learn what is normal for each horse and notice when something changes.

Herd life is a large part of every horse’s day at Ronivaara.

Different horses, different strengths

The versatility of the Finnhorse can be seen in many ways at Ronivaara.

One horse carries a rider steadily through their first experiences. Another reads the forest trail with confidence. Some enjoy more precise riding work, some are comfortable in harness, and others have particular strengths in groundwork and quiet interaction with people.

A horse’s character, skills, health, experience and preferences all help guide the activities that become part of its life.

On the trail – Finnhorse moving through Ronivaara’s forest terrain.

In harness – Finnhorse driving or pulling a sleigh.

Beside a person – Groundwork, leading or a calm interaction.

Explore Finnhorse Experiences

Herd, movement, rest and time of their own

Work and guided activities are one part of a Finnhorse’s life. Herd companions, movement, eating, rest and familiar surroundings fill the rest of the day.

Knowing a horse takes time

A familiar horse is recognised through small things: the way it approaches, where it chooses to stand, how it responds to touch and movement and which companions it seeks out.

The same familiarity also helps us notice changes. Behaviour, movement, recovery and willingness to take part all give information about how the horse is doing on that particular day.

Trust grows through familiar people, clear handling and the many ordinary encounters that happen over time.

The horse helps shape the day

Each Finnhorse has its own health, age, experience, fitness, skills and preferences. These are considered when its activities and workload are planned.

The horses live with other horses and have opportunities for movement, outdoor life, rest and recovery. For example, when a horse needs more recovery or changing ground conditions call for a different plan, the day’s activity can be adjusted accordingly.

Our work is also reflected in the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label, SRL Laatutalli and HyväTalli Silver level.

The aim is a good day for the horse and a good day for the people spending time with it.

Read About Horse Welfare

Read About Sustainability & Responsibility

The Finnhorse

The Finnhorse is Finland’s native horse breed and a living part of Finnish culture. Its history includes riding, driving and working alongside people, and that versatility can still be seen at Ronivaara today.

The breed gives us many possibilities. The individual horse tells us where its own strengths lie.

Learn About the Finnhorse

Come and meet the Finnhorses at Ronivaara

The best way to get to know a Finnhorse is to spend time with one.

At Ronivaara, you can meet Finnhorses on forest trails, around the farm, through horsemanship and groundwork or in a quieter guided encounter.

Explore Finnhorse Experiences

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