Face Up Training & Colt Starting

Face Up Training & Colt Starting Alyssa Dietrich is a Lyons Legacy Certified Trainer specializing in foundational horsemanship.

My heart 💜 has always belonged to the Norwegian fjord horse. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning one. I ...
11/15/2025

My heart 💜 has always belonged to the Norwegian fjord horse. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning one. I always sought out the fjord booth at the Horse Expo and the Breyer model "Henry" was my most cherished collectible.

I wish that starry-eyed little girl knew what was in store for her later in life. I am blessed to work closely with the Norwegian Fjord Horse Rescue Network to help at-risk fjords in need of training before they move along to their forever homes.

Lucy is a two year old fjord filly that was pulled semi-feral from auction out west. She is here to learn that humans aren't all bad. With a little help from my mustang, Pocket, she is making wonderful progress!

4 days ago I was wearing a T-shirt while scrubbing waterers in 70° weather ☀️Today I am layered up and cursing the weath...
11/12/2025

4 days ago I was wearing a T-shirt while scrubbing waterers in 70° weather ☀️

Today I am layered up and cursing the weather of the mid Atlantic region 🥶

Even Sassafras enjoys the heated floors of the feed room!

Project Pony Available in New Freedom, PA‼️Before you read further, this pony is NOT kid or teen safe. This pony is not ...
11/09/2025

Project Pony Available in New Freedom, PA

‼️Before you read further, this pony is NOT kid or teen safe. This pony is not amateur friendly. This pony is not a quick, easy flip. This pony is available to an experienced horse person only. Vet and/or trainer references will be required!

Name: Griffin
Age: ~10
Height: ~14.2hh
Breed: Unknown, maybe a hackney cross?

Griffin is looking for his forever home with an experienced horse person. Unfortunately, he was very falsely advertised to his current owner and he needs more training than she is able to offer him. He was reportedly pulled from auction in Texas, brought to Maryland, and sold as kid safe and trail ready. This is not at all true.

Let's start with the pros:
Griffin is a great size, able to carry small adults. He is not at all aggressive and has not offered any behavior such as kicking, biting, striking, or any other dangerous vices. He is just fearful. He is sturdy and an easy keeper with no known health or soundness issues. He has a lovely color and great extended movement. I could see him excelling in the jumpers ring. He is not particularly spooky to his environment so I could also see him excelling in cross country. He knows his ground work and leads/lunges without any major issues. He connects strongly with humans he trusts and I could also see him being fantastic at liberty performance.

The cons:
Griffin is very hard to catch at first. He does well now and meets me every morning at the gate, but it took some time and work to get him there. Griffin is also fearful of touch, especially from humans he is not familiar with. He is broke to ride and has been ridden by his current owner; however he has not been ridden here nor will he be in the near future--he needs more ground work to address his fear.

This pony has a lot of potential if brought along by an experienced handler willing to take the time Griffin needs. Humans have failed Griffin in the past and we are looking for the perfect home that will not let him down. If you think that is you, please feel free to reach out via private message. Griffin is priced accordingly. Again, references will be required!

11/08/2025

Improvements continue around the farm!

My facility was formerly a vet and breeding clinic, not at all designed for boarding, training, and riding. Our current rings were installed by a previous tenant and the footing was simple stone dust; they are functional, but not the best.

Today we are installing sand in the outdoor ring to improve the footing and the overall experience of all who ride in it. I am like a kid at Christmas waiting to ride some horses in here!

Update on Lucy, the feral rescue fjord from NFHRN 🤗Lucy has settled in nicely and is learning to trust. She has become v...
10/29/2025

Update on Lucy, the feral rescue fjord from NFHRN 🤗

Lucy has settled in nicely and is learning to trust. She has become very friendly and today she was able to be led from her paddock to a stall in preparation for the nor'easter moving in tonight and tomorrow. I was even able to change out her halter to one that fits properly. What a total doll!

Lucy will be available for adoption at the end of her training period! Please visit Fjord Horse Rescue Network for more information on how to adopt!

10/09/2025

We are going to be great friends ☺️

Lucy has already settled in nicely and is happily approaching the fence for attention. What a fantastic little filly!

Please help me welcome my next foster fail, Lucy!(I'm only half joking 😂)Lucy is a 2 year old Norwegian fjord here for f...
10/08/2025

Please help me welcome my next foster fail, Lucy!

(I'm only half joking 😂)

Lucy is a 2 year old Norwegian fjord here for foster training through the Norwegian Fjord Horse Rescue Network. She will be in training the next few months to assess her suitability for adoption. I have a passion for young horses and an even greater passion for fjords so I am very excited to start working with her!

With the chaos of summer ☀️ winding down and fall 🍂 rapidly approaching, I am happy to announce that I am now able to of...
09/29/2025

With the chaos of summer ☀️ winding down and fall 🍂 rapidly approaching, I am happy to announce that I am now able to offer a limited number of ✨lessons✨

Lessons are available Wednesday and Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings and afternoons. These lessons can be done on my horses OR they are available to haul-ins. All haul-in horses must present a current vaccine record and negative coggins.

Please note that I have very limited availability for beginner riders and I do NOT offer lessons for children under 10 years of age. I teach both English and western foundational riding as well as ground work and horsemanship.

For questions or to schedule, please contact the page or message Alyssa Dietrich

09/19/2025

TGIF 😮‍💨

Morning b***y scritches with boarded horse Dublin and assistant Cheryl

I am starting my search for a Monday morning feeder due to current worker's changing schedule.Duties include:💜Bringing i...
09/17/2025

I am starting my search for a Monday morning feeder due to current worker's changing schedule.

Duties include:
💜Bringing in/feeding +/- 25 horses
🩵Checking for injuries/lost shoes
💜Hay/water if staying in
🩵Turning back out weather permitting
💜Setting up grain for evening feed

This person MUST have horse experience, MUST be 18 or older, and MUST be comfortable working alone. This is a training facility and stallions are on site. The horses are typically very well mannered and easy to handle, but some are young and some are at various stages of training. The work itself is not difficult and typically takes one person 2 hours or less once they learn the routine. Morning feeding typically starts between 8AM and 9AM with some flexibility.

This is a paid position with additional weekend hours possible if so desired. I am also willing to discuss working off board with the right candidate. This position is in NEW FREEDOM, PA. Please do not waste our time reaching out if you think travel is too far. Do not waste our time if you do not have several years of experience working with horses. This position is open ASAP.

Feelin' that Monday vibe 😴🥱Same, Mr. Normandy. Same
09/15/2025

Feelin' that Monday vibe 😴🥱

Same, Mr. Normandy. Same

09/10/2025

Sometimes the smallest steps forward are the biggest milestones and it is important to remember to appreciate the little things. Little things build the foundation for bigger things.

Benny is a young fjord gelding who was purchased from auction. It quickly became apparent that he had a lot of holes in the foundation of his training which developed into a dangerous bolting habit. The slightest bit of pressure would send him wheeling away, ripping out of the hands of whoever was leading him. Once a horse learns they are strong enough to rip away, it is very difficult to undo that.

A few weeks ago, Benny could barely be haltered and he would blindly bolt in a wild panic. He lacked confidence, both in himself and in humans. I have spent these last few weeks teaching Benny how to give to pressure and how to move away from it without fear. It has been slow progress, undoing the baggage he collected from his time before the auction, but gradual progress is still progress.

This video may not look like much. Lunging is part of the every day lives of many horses, especially the ones here in my program. For Benny though, this is huge. He is able to both move off of pressure (walk and trot around me) and give to pressure (halt and face up to me). No bolting, no panic, just attentive cooperation.

This is the foundation for his continued training. The goal is calm and confidence. Stay tuned for continued updates on Benny!

Address

3244 W Sieling Road
New Freedom, PA
17349

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14434178075

Website

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