A Good School in a Small Village


Our small village of 2,000 is a great environment for learning. Animals are treated with kindness and care, food from lush rural gardens (even in winter).

The Equine Natural Movement Series Professional Training

  • RESIDENTIAL CLASSES in the Village

    Learn a new way of living and working.Farm s2 A Good School in a Small Village

    Our classes are held in the peaceful village of Venersborg in southwest Washington. Students work with a variety of horses nearby. The land surrounding is home for many animals and wildlife among lush orchards, vegetable and flower gardens, quiet fields and woodlands where owls hoot at night and you can actually see the Milky Way. Students thrive. You’ll enjoy the calmness of rural life as you immerse in your studies.

    Having our students in a supportive community environment while they are learning contributes to each person’s growth and supports being around others in a kind, respectful way. We can arrange rooms locally for students with our neighbors and graduates who have room in their homes. Again, ask soon so we can get that firmed up.

    MissyKisses sm A Good School in a Small Village

    The delightful Miss Amelia with Jacqueline in the south pasture.

    If you stay locally, you’re invited to share tasks, help with meals and clean up. Take a rambling walk in the forest, make popcorn for an evening movie or play scrabble with friends. These local and genuine interactions give time to get to know one another. Students have made enduring friendships and created supportive working partnerships that last far beyond class time.

    Here’s where we live
    Friendly Haven Rise Farm

    We taught our classes in Massachusetts at Bancroft for four years but when our west coast schedule got too full, we stopped scheduling them there. But, lucky us, we have trained some of our best graduates as adjunct faculty and one (Theresa Gagnon) lives in New England. Ask us if you’d like to train locally with her.

    We’ve also got faculty who live and travel to Montana and Florida (April Johnston), Seattle (Maggie Mittuch) and Los Angeles, Montreal and Victoria, B.C (Sara Cooper). Some are willing to travel for small groups. Ask about their local trainings. They’re VERY good. Read more about them on our faculty page.

    • Graduates of our Equine Structural Integration course have the opportunity to continue their education and learn to do Structural Integration with humans as well. Let us know if this interests you and we’ll talk more about how that program works.