Private Groundwork Lesson with Finnhorses

1h

Basic skills, Confident rider, Some experience

Groundwork, horse body language, Horsemanship, Reading the horse signals, Wellbeing experience

85,00 €

Deepen your horsemanship skills in a private groundwork lesson with a Finnhorse. Practise meeting, reading and guiding the horse, and explore how your own body use, use of space and communication influence the horse’s responses. The lesson is shaped around your experience, questions and goals, as well as the individual horse taking part.

1 h · 1 guest · Private · Year aroud
Some previous horse experience · Individually adapted lesson

Deepen your horsemanship – learn to read, guide and communicate with a Finnhorse from the ground

Learn the horse’s language in the calm of Ronivaara

In a private groundwork lesson, you deepen your practical skills in working with a horse from the ground. You practise meeting the horse, leading, using space and guiding the horse, while learning to notice more closely what the horse communicates through its body and how it responds to your actions.

The lesson also explores your own way of communicating. Body direction, movement, distance, breathing, focus and timing all influence how the horse understands you and joins the interaction. A small change in what you do can quickly become visible in the horse’s response.

Groundwork may include exercises such as leading, stopping, changing direction, finding an appropriate distance and becoming more aware of both your own space and the horse’s space. Exercises are chosen according to what you want to learn and what emerges with the horse in that particular situation.

At the same time, you learn to look at the horse more closely. The movement of the ears, gaze, head and body direction, breathing, distance and small changes in movement can all tell you something about what the horse notices and how it responds to the person.

Depending on the weather and conditions, the lesson takes place in the indoor riding arena or outdoor arena. The lesson develops according to the participant, the horse and the situation.

Horsemanship you can see in the horse’s response

In groundwork, learning happens together with the horse. When you change your direction, timing or the way you use space, you can often notice a change in the horse’s behaviour.

This may show in how the horse stops, follows, moves away, relaxes or joins you in the task. Your guide helps you notice these responses and understand what is happening in the interaction.

With some previous horse experience, the lesson can focus more closely on timing, body use, use of space, clarity of requests and the horse’s more subtle responses. Your own questions or situations you have encountered when working with horses can also become the starting point for the lesson.

Ronivaara’s Finnhorses are individuals. Your guide knows the horses and chooses a suitable horse for the lesson. The individual horse taking part also influences what becomes relevant to explore during the session.

A private lesson shaped around you

one-to-one lesson gives you time to focus on what you specifically want to learn or understand better. You may come to develop practical groundwork skills, refine your communication or explore a particular question that has come up in your work with horses.

Your guide observes both you and the horse and adapts the exercises to the situation. You can pause at the horse’s response, try a different way of doing something and take away practical observations about reading the horse, body use, timing and communication.

Good to know

Who is this experience for?

This private groundwork lesson is for guests with some previous experience of being around and handling horses who want to deepen their practical horsemanship, body awareness and communication with the horse.

The lesson is adapted to your experience, goals and questions, as well as the individual Finnhorse taking part. You can focus on practical groundwork skills or explore a particular question that has come up in your work with horses.

What does the experience include?

The lesson includes:

  • private groundwork lesson with a Finnhorse
  • observing horse body language and behaviour
  • ground-based exercises according to the participant’s level
  • leading, stopping and changing direction
  • practising personal space, the horse’s space and body language
  • building cooperation with the horse
  • instruction in the indoor arena or outdoor arena depending on the weather and conditions
  • possible exercises near the horse herd for more experienced participants when suitable
  • introduction to the Finnhorse as part of Ronivaara’s horsemanship
  • riding helmet and necessary safety equipment
  • parking, changing room and toilet facilities
  • guest insurance and Finnish Equestrian Federation insurance for occasional guests

Languages: Finnish and English
Booking: advance booking online or by phone. Online booking closes 24 hours before the lesson.

Please tell us about your previous horse or riding experience when booking, so the lesson can be planned to suit your level. The lesson is guided according to the participant’s experience, the individual horse, the conditions and the horse’s wellbeing.

Good to know and arrival at the farm

The experience takes place at Ronivaara Farm in Kuusamo.

Address:
Meskusvaarantie 79b, Kuusamo.
Location in Google Maps

Please arrive in good time so the programme can begin calmly at the agreed time. Part of the experience takes place outdoors in the farmyard, stable area and on the riding ring, so dress according to the weather.

Choose sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for a stable and outdoor riding environment. Wear long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. In winter, warm layers, gloves, a hat and proper outdoor footwear are important.

Please avoid loose clothing, scarves and backpacks. Riding equipment that has been used at other stables should be disinfected before arriving at Ronivaara.

FAQ

Do I need previous horse experience?
Yes. This lesson is intended for guests who already have some experience of being around and handling horses. Riding experience is not required. The lesson is also suitable for guests who want to meet a horse with clear guidance and learn how to act calmly near the horse.

Is the lesson suitable for experienced horse people?
Yes. For more experienced participants, the lesson can focus on timing, body language, softening requests, personal space and noticing how small changes in the human’s way of acting affect the horse’s response.

Is there riding in this lesson?
The lesson focuses on working with the horse from the ground. Riding skills are not needed.

Where does the lesson take place?
The lesson takes place at Ronivaara in the indoor arena or outdoor arena depending on the weather and conditions. With more experienced participants, some exercises may also be done near the horse herd when suitable for the horse, the participant and the situation.

What do I learn about horse body language?
You learn to observe the horse’s ears, eyes, head position, body direction, distance, tension, relaxation and the way the horse responds to human movement and body language.

Is this suitable for someone who feels a little nervous around horses?
Yes, as long as the participant can follow instructions and act calmly near the horse. The lesson proceeds according to the participant’s confidence, and time is given for meeting the horse.

What should I wear?
Dress according to the weather and season in clothing suitable for a stable environment. We recommend sturdy shoes, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. In winter, warm layers, gloves and a hat are needed.

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A real Finnhorse farm in Kuusamo

Ronivaara is our family home and a working Finnhorse farm. The horses and other animals live here throughout the year, and everyday life follows their needs, the seasons and the work of the farm.

When you arrive, the day is already under way. For a while, you become part of the place and its everyday life.

Discover Ronivaara & the Farm

Horse welfare comes first

Ronivaara’s Finnhorses are known as individuals. Their health, behaviour, workload, recovery and everyday wellbeing guide both their daily care and the activities they take part in.

The horses live with other horses and have opportunities for movement, outdoor life, rest and species-typical behaviour.

Read About Horse Welfare

Responsibility is part of everyday work

We have developed our work around animal welfare, safety, sustainability and the care of our surroundings over many years.

Our work is also recognised through established Finnish tourism and equestrian quality systems. For us, responsibility is not a separate promise – it is part of the everyday decisions made at Ronivaara.

Sustainability & Responsibility

Not sure which experience is right for you?

Tell us about your group and your previous horse or riding experience. We can help you choose a suitable Finnhorse experience.

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