Services
From beginner to experienced…
My strength is in getting horses and riders fit and ready for the trail, from overcoming obstacles and finding comfort with your horse on the trail, to those preparing for endurance races, beginner to experienced.
If you are feeling the call to horses for the first time, or a rekindling of a passion dropped years ago, we will reintroduce you to horses through a lens of heart-based consent. Learning and reading horse body language is key to a relationship-driven approach to horsemanship. This can start with how to move around horses, grooming, tacking, leading, groundwork and an introduction to ridden work.
-
In-house lessons and training $90/hour
In-house intro to being with horses/groundwork/ unmounted $80/hour
Off-site lessons and training $90/hour plus roundtrip mileage $1/mile
Trail training and conditioning rides/conditioning rides $90/hour plus roundtrip mileage $1/mile
Lessons at private indoor arena in West Gardiner $125/hr includes arena rental
In-house training board $1,300/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
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.
-
I fell in love with Mongolian Gers while staying with nomadic herders in Mongolia and I was inspired to put one up on my land. It’s here for guests to stay in when they come for my retreats or want to book a private session and want to stay overnight. You can even bring your own horse and set up a paddock right next to the ger! It’s also available to rent on Air BnB if you’re in the area and looking for a cool play to stay!
Air BnB booking link:
-
3 day endurance riding retreats
2026
Acadia National Park:
August 13th-16th
September 10th - 13th
Downeast Maine - Columbia Falls/Blueberry Barrens:
August 27th -30th
September 16th -20th 2026 Aroostook Adventure! Come see a gorgeous part of the state that few make it out to, lodging is in a luxury cabin with amenities and we’ll be hosted by members of the Bouchard Family Farm which means Ployes (buckwheat pancakes for breakfast) and so much amazing locally sourced food
Katahdin Woods and Waters :
October, dates TBA
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
Retreats vary from $1500 - $2200 depending on location ($500 deposit to hold your spot)
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
2026
Acadia National Park:
August 13th-16th
September 10th - 13th
Downeast Maine - Columbia Falls/Blueberry Barrens:
August 27th -30th
September 16th -20th 2026 Aroostook Adventure! Come see a gorgeous part of the state that few make it out to, lodging is in a luxury cabin with amenities and we’ll be hosted by members of the Bouchard Family Farm which means Ployes (buckwheat pancakes for breakfast) and so much amazing locally sourced food
Katahdin Woods and Waters :
October, dates TBA
-
New Dates!
Listen to Jessie speak about her experience training for and riding the toughest horse races in the world, including the Mongol Derby, Gaucho Derby and Tevis Cup.
Upcoming Dates in 2026:
May 8th Plymouth Grange with Maine’s TROT (Trail Riders of Today) at 6:30 pm, 1927 Moosehead Trail Hwy Plymouth ME
May 14th Bremen Library 5:30 pm 204 Waldoboro Rd Bremen ME
June 4th 6:00 pm Rockland Public Library 80 Union St Rockland ME
June 9th Baxter Memorial Library 71 South St. Gorham ME
July 14th 5:00 pm Raymond Library 5pm 3 Meadow Road Raymond ME
Please get in touch if you would like to book her to come speak in your town!
“I COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER PERSON TO CARE FOR AND WORK WITH MY HORSE. I’VE ALWAYS HAD PEACE OF MIND HE WAS IN GREAT HANDS AND EVEN THOUGH HE IS COMING HOME AND I AM EXCITED, I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO HIM GAINING MORE MILES WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE IF WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH! THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENT, KIND, AND THOUGHTFUL WORK YOU PUT INTO HIM.”
- Erica Saucier
Belgrade Maine, Owner of Bullseye, Off-the-Track Standardbred, Now Trailhorse
“Working with Jessie and the horses for over a year and a half has not just been an introduction to the joy of riding, but a beautiful practice of self regulation, co-regulation and celebration of an adventurous heart.”
- Clara Kazarov
Riding Retreat
Embark on an adventure that takes your riding to the next level and brings you into deeper connection with nature and horses. This trail riding and fitness retreat is designed for experienced riders ready to learn skills and conditioning needed for longer, more challenging rides. For a more personalized experience, private retreats are available upon request.
-
Thursday: arrive by 3 pm if possible
Dinner
We’ll get a chance to tour the farm, get to know each other and go over our schedule for the weekend. If time we’ll go for a practice ride and a tack check.
-
Friday:
Morning Stretching, Exercises, and mindfulness activity
Trailer to retreat destination
RIDE 6-12 miles depending on group and location
Dinner
-
Saturday :
Mindfulness, Visioning
Movement practice
Breakfast
RIDE 15-20 miles depending on location and group
Picnic lunch out on trail
Dinner and outing depending on location
-
Sunday:
Mindfulness, Visioning
Movement practice
Breakfast
Pack up
RIDE 8- 12 miles depending on location and group
Drive back to Iron Ledge Farm
-
Cost $1500 - $2200 per person (price varies on location), 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
