Services

• In-house lessons and training $80/hour

• In-house beginner lessons and or intro to being with horses/groundwork can can be ridden or unmounted $40/1/2 hour

• Off-site lessons and training $80/hour plus roundtrip mileage $0.67/mile (note 2026 will be $100/hour)

• Trail training and conditioning rides/conditioning rides $80/hour plus roundtrip mileage $0.67/mile

• Lessons at private indoor arena in West Gardiner (in winter) $80/hr plus $25/hour for arena rental

• In house training board $1,000/month includes shavings for run-in stall, paddock picked daily, turnout, hay and an average of 3 - 6 hours of training per week that can include the owner or not depending on the horse/rider. Owner supplies grain and supplements and covers all vet and farrier fees (note in 2026 training board will be $1300/month)

Iron Ledge Farm policy is it that all riders renting Iron Ledge Farm horses must not exceed 185 lbs in rider weight for animal welfare purposes. However there is no weight limit for unmounted lessons or if you bring your own horse.

Now Booking on Air BnB! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1422470526239875918?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=7f30aa67-6b9c-4ab9-947d-de1dd4514a54

Click Here for 2025 Retreat Flyer

3 day endurance riding retreats

Come visit the most northeasterly corner of the United States. Nestled between New Hampshire, Canada, and the picturesque rocky coastline along the Atlantic ocean, Maine is the most forested state in the country and our state motto is “The way life should be”. If you’ve been curious about dipping your toe into endurance riding, or you’re already in love, these 3 day retreats will ignite your passion for building equine/human relationships out on the trail and immerse you in nature, while covering ground at speed with the wind in your face and joy in your heart.

Goals

In my opinion the best way to experience a new place is from the back of a horse. Each day we will ride out into the Maine woods touring our beautiful state. Depending on the time of year you will enjoy the immersion into the dense green woods dotted with lush ponds, rocky lichen-covered coastal trails, vibrant fall colors of oaks and maples or to purple blueberry barrens, experiencing the best of what Maine has to offer.  The primary speed of our rides will be at a ground covering trot (which is how endurance riders spend most of their time) along with plenty of walking and some cantering along the way. Each day we will ride somewhere between 6 and 15 miles.  We use a relationship and consent-based approach to horsemanship and often start with groundwork. You will receive feedback and instruction on endurance riding techniques out on trail and we will cover all the basics of endurance riding and how to stay safe and fit, and how to take the best care of your horse. By the end of the three days you’ll feel more confident riding and be amazing at the relationship you’ve built with your horse over just a few days.

Prerequisites for Rider

These retreats are designed for intermediate and advanced riders. Being comfortable posting and riding at the walk, trot, and canter on a loose reign is a prerequisite for these riding retreats with a maximum weight limit of 185 lbs.  If you are a beginning rider please contact me about private riding retreats.

What’s Included?

You’ll be riding one of Iron ledge Farm’s experienced trail and endurance horses. Food and accommodation is provided (sometimes we’ll be camping) and airport or bus pick-up/drop-off is included as well on Thursday/Sunday. When available, food will be locally sourced from nearby farms and fisheries.  Jessie’s background as a cheesemaker and farmer means that we will be eating lavishly throughout our adventures.  Meals are meat and seafood heavy so please let me know in advance of your dietary needs so I can plan accordingly.

Pricing

$1500 ($500 deposit to hold your spot)

*note Acadia trips are $1800 total due to park fees

Come experience the “way trail riding should be” and book your spot today!

Sample Itinerary:

Thursday: arrive by 5 pm

Dinner

We’ll get a chance to tour the farm, get to know each other and go over our schedule for the weekend

Friday:

Morning Stretching, Exercises, and mindfulness activity

Breakfast

Work on centering, groundwork, connection, fitting tack, endurance riding position and  short trail ride in woods on farm

Lunch

Trailer out for afternoon ride

RIDE

Dinner

Saturday :

Mindfulness, Visioning

Movement practice

Breakfast

Trailer out to ride

RIDE

Picnic lunch out on trail

Dinner

Fire (weather permitting) and storytelling

Sunday:

Mindfulness, Visioning

Movement practice

Breakfast

Trailer out to ride

RIDE

Late lunch at the farm, pack up, closing circle

Cost $1500 per person, retreats are currently limited to 2-3 riders.  All food, lodging, transport, and horses are provided.

To sign up send your $500 deposit to @Jessie-Dowling via venmo

Available Dates:

*note each retreat is themed differently and some include camping out with the horses

May 9-11 Intro to Endurance (sold out)

May 24-26 Ride Acadia, Intro to endurance (2 spots available)

June 27-29 Connecting with Horses in Nature, includes camping out with horses! (1 spot left)

July 11-13 Ride the Best of Midcoast Maine

August 15-17 Ride Acadia, Intro to endurance (1 spot left!)

August 28-30 Ride the Best of Maine, includes camping in downeast Maine (1 spot left)

September 12-14 Intro to Endurance, Ride Acadia

September 26-28 Ride Acadia, Intro to Endurance (2 spots left)

October 17-19 Connecting with Horses in Nature, includes camping out with horses!

October 24-26 Connecting with Horses in Nature, includes camping out with horses!

November 7-9 Intro to Endurance

December 5-7 Riding with Presence and Reverence: Reflections on 2025

Public Speaking events where Jessie speaks about her experience training for and riding the Mongol Derby. Please get in touch if you would like to book her to come speak in your town!