Faith Haven Stables

03/02/2025

Obstacle course day was a hit! Up next, the Circus?! 😄🎪🐴✨

03/02/2025

Trying every day to do better than yesterday 💪

03/01/2025

“Horses regularly trained with ground work are more relaxed when ridden”

A recent study of dressage horses in Germany that looked at rein length and tension revealed a surprising finding: horses who were regularly trained in ground work/in-hand work had lower heart rates during ridden work than all of the other participating horses. This wasn’t what the researchers were investigating, but it was clear in the results. From this, the researchers concluded that, “Perhaps horses trained in ground work had more trust in their rider.”

So why would it be true that horses who regularly learn via ground work/in-hand work are more relaxed? There are a few possibilities.

1) Horses trained regularly with ground work are more relaxed because their trainers are more relaxed. It’s possible that humans who take the time to teach their horses from the ground are less goal oriented and more concerned with the process. They may be more relaxed in general and foster this same relaxation in their horses. As you are, so is your horse.

2) Horses trained regularly with ground work have trainers who are more educated about a horse’s balance.

Their horses learn to move in correct balance which allows them to be healthy and sound in their bodies and, therefore, more relaxed. Physical balance is emotional balance.

3) Horses trained regularly with ground work understand the trainer’s criteria better. They have mastered the response to an aid before the rider mounts and know the “right answer” already once under saddle. They don’t experience any conflict when the rider asks for a behavior because the neural pathway has already been installed. They are more relaxed about being ridden because it rarely has caused confusion for them.

For us highly visual humans I think that ground work is often a better way to begin exercises because we are much better at seeing our horse doing the right thing than feeling it from the saddle. Often, my feel in the saddle is enhanced by the fact that I have watched my horse perform an exercise over and over in our in-hand work. It feels how it looks. In-hand work is also a good way to teach our horses because our own bodies are often more in balance when we are walking beside our horses. With the ground under our feet we are able to be more relaxed if something goes wrong and less likely to be so busy wrapped up in our own balance that we give our horses conflicting or confusing aids. It’s a good place to figure things out. I am a huge fan of in-hand work.

I’m glad to learn research revealed ground work is good for horses. Horses with a low heart rate are relaxed and relaxed horses perform better and live longer. In this day and age of people starting horses under saddle in under an hour and increasing monetary rewards for the “young horse dressage program“, everything seems to be done in a hurry. The entire horse culture seems to privilege “getting up there and riding your horse”. But as one of my favorite writers and accomplished horsewoman, Teresa Tsimmu Martino writes, “In today’s horse culture there are clinics that brag about starting a c**t in a day, as if the quickness of it was the miracle. But old horse people know it takes years to create art. Horses as great masterpieces are not created in a day. An artist does not need to rush.” We need more scientific studies like this one to encourage us to slow down and take our time with our horses.

So why were the horses in the study more relaxed? Likely it was a combination of all three factors – a relaxed trainer, better overall balance and clear understanding of criteria.

These are things that matter to your horse, and yes, will allow him to trust you when you ride. Take some time to slow down and work from the ground, learn a bit more about equine balance and teach new things in-hand before asking for them under saddle. You can take your riding to a whole new level and help your horse become more healthy and relaxed in the process.” - from the article by Jen of Spellbound Horses https://spellboundhorses.com/2013/03/07/horses-regularly-trained-with-ground-work-are-more-relaxed-when-ridden/

02/27/2025

02/26/2025

We provide the following services at our stable: Trail rides, Boarding, Training, Sales, Lessons (en

02/22/2025

Did you know that Faith Haven Stables has horses available to lease? Lease options are available for as low as $280 per month. Contact us today to find out more!

02/11/2025

2025 Summer Camp Dates
Ages 6 years and up
9am to 3:30pm

5 Day Options:
June 9th- 13th
July 21-25th
Cost: $475 or $450 if registered by June 1st

3-Day Options:
June 24th-26th
July 8th-10th
July 29th-31th
August 19th-21th
Cost: $300 or $275 if registered by June 1st

Peewee Camp
Ages 4 to 7, 9am to 1pm
June 17th and 19th
July 17th and 18th
Cost: $120 for both days

02/10/2025

ISO Working Student to help with grooming and mornings chores. Duties will include brushing and tacking up horses, sweeping, filling buckets, giving hay, etc. North East, PA.

- Work in exchange for riding lessons and/or lease
- No experience necessary, we will train the right individual
- Wonderful opportunity for those passionate about horses and wanting to get involved
- Hours may vary, but generally 7:30/8am to 12/1pm for morning shift
- 2 to 3 days a week
- More opportunities are available for the right individual!
- Must be a hard worker, responsible, and have reliable transportation.

Call Selina at (815) 315-8211 if you're interested. This is not a paid position. Work in exchange for lessons and/or lease.

01/20/2025

Lessons and training will still be available during the cold spell. We have the heat on! Tack up in barn 3 or upper. If you want to stay extra comfortable feel free to tack up in the indoor. ❤️

Come ride in our heated arena! Trails are closed, but that doesn't mean riding has to stop. We offer one time lessons - no experience needed!

More information about our Fundays: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KiSqegkXe/?mibextid=oFDknk

12/20/2024

Come ride in our heated arena! Trails are closed, but that doesn't mean riding has to stop. We offer one time lessons - no experience needed!

More information about our Fundays: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KiSqegkXe/?mibextid=oFDknk

12/16/2024

The perfect Christmas Break Activity! You do not have to be a regular lesson student to attend, beginners welcome!! Ages 6 and up please.
Faith Haven will host a day camp from 9am-3:30pm Monday, December 30th.
Cost is $85 for the day, participants will need to bring a packed lunch.
Please contact Selina at (814)315-8211with questions or to join!

12/14/2024

Santa and Cisco at Christmas at the Stables!