On this page you will find more information about the different topics in which we teach.
It can be difficult enough to understand someone who speaks the same language, and perhaps even harder to make one understood. What is it like to communicate with someone who does not even speak in the same way?
Communication implies the transfer of information from one party to another. This is often where the relationship between horse and human clashes. Our biggest responsibility as horse people is to understand how horses communicate, to be able to take advantage of all the information the horse sends to us. If we want to train with the horse in addition, we must know how horses learn and what motivates this unique horse.
Horse psychology is Norah's specialty and she focuses on mutual respect and a playful relationship without dominance. Psychology is the key to success regardless of what you want to do with your horse!
Our main goal with riding and dressage is a motivated horse that responds to small aids. We draw inspiration from historical dressage/baroque riding as well as academic art of riding, and study the old manuals for a deeper understanding of the development of dressage through history.
Classical Art of Riding benefits everyone who strives to refine the signals in riding and who wants to be able to influence with the seat without being "in the way". We believe in dressage for the horse rather than the horse for the dressage.
We are happy to help you regardless of your current level or specialization. Both Norah and Joakim teach mounted dressage and dressage from the ground, with your own horse or one of ours.
Working at liberty is in a way a step further from horse psychology. When we remove the equipment, only the truth remains and here we get to see in black and white how successful the communication to the horse is. Having liberty dressage in the back of your mind in all handling and training helps to be clear and someone worth following, no matter what we do or how the horse is equipped.
What is trick training? All kinds of learning, where the horse learns to connect cue, behavior and reward, can actually be seen as trick training. The imagination sets the limit and trick training is a fantastic complement for a flexible, balanced and mentally active horse. The focus is mainly on tricks that strengthen the horse physically, give him better self-esteem and develop our communication.
Norah teaches liberty dressage from the ground and mounted, as well as trick training, and offers try-out lessons with a borrowed horse.
Before dressage became a sport, the intention was to use dressage to make it possible to fight against other riders or defeat foot soldiers.
Dressage was initially a war discipline and the rider who could best control his horse was the one who won the battle. In order for the riding to be as efficient as possible, it was also important that the horse was ridden with fine aids and with one hand on the reins - the other hand had to hold a weapon.
Joakim tries to recreate this historic war riding, where all exercises are aimed at improving communication with the horse. The goal is to be able to use weapons on horseback, which means that the horse must be mobile, and above all sensitive for the seat - the primary help.
Mounted combat give the dressage a practical purpose which is fun for both horse and rider. All equipages are welcome, regardless of level or previous experience.
Before you can fence "properly" on horseback, it helps to have first tried it on foot. Weapon control and balance are important skills when you have to fencing, and if you master them on foot, it is easier to take on the horse.
Joakim emphasizes that fencing must be realistic and dynamic, which means that the defense is very important. If you can not defend yourself, you can not be a threat to the opponent and therefore the best offence is a good defense. Joakim teaches fencing with one-handed sword, sword and buckler and longsword.
Everyone from beginners to more experienced fencers is welcome, regardless of whether the goal is mounted combat or not.
