Expert Horsemanship Training, Wherever Your Ride
Virtual Dressage Lessons with Sandi Forester Built on Years of Partnership with the Horse
I have had the privilege of working with horses for 56 years.
Maybe you are coming back to riding after years away, maybe you already compete and want your horse's basics to be correct, or maybe you just want a horse who truly partners with you in a harmonious relationship
Wherever you are, that is where we start.
Classical Dressage, Western Dressage, Stock Horse, Ranch Horse, Pleasure, Trail, Combined Training, and Hunter.
My goal for you is a horse who is soft, willing, and truly with you, and a rider who trusts her own instincts enough to see real progress, whether that progress is finding your seat again or refining your goals.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many disciplines, including:
Reach me directly:
📞 770-380-3650
✉️ [email protected]
📍 McDonough, GA
It is a dressage training foundation that benefits every discipline, not only the show ring, because the gymnastic exercises of Dressage build strength, flexibility, and suppleness, allowing the horse to become the best athlete he can be.
Are horse riding lessons for adults returning to riding really possible through video? Yes!
My students send me video from their own barn, in person or virtual, from any location, and we build from where you and your horse are today.
I am dedicated to a gradual athletic development of all horses, using Dressage as a foundation.
The human masters have much to teach us, but the horses themselves have wisdom to share, and all we have to do is tap into it. They will guide us if we take the time to understand their body language. I wish to partner with them and offer gentle leadership.
All levels, all disciplines, show or pleasure: A dressage foundation will help you achieve your goal.
Although I have had many years of study, I consider the journey of the study of horsemanship to be never ending.
I wish to develop the horse to be balanced, soft, and light, as well as in harmony with its rider.
Humans have a choice in how they want to enjoy their horse. The horse does not have a choice. The least we can do is offer them a good life in exchange for their labor.
My approach in training is a soft, natural approach.
Reach me directly:
📞 770-380-3650
✉️ [email protected]
📍 McDonough, GA
How I Work With Riders
A few years ago, due to health issues, I made a decision to no longer train the horses myself. Almost as much fun, I now work with students wishing to train their own horses, with guidance.
Being a part of a student's journey, partnering and developing their horse, is an honor and a privilege.
This is where I would love to meet you and your horse.
Natural Horsemanship Virtual & In-Person Coaching
My approach combines the physical foundation of classical dressage with the relational foundation of natural horsemanship, whether we are working together in the arena or through a video you send me.
We always start with a call for a short conversation about you, you horse, and your goals. We talk about what to capture on video. From there, you send your video by email, text, or Messenger (many students upload to YouTube and share the link with me), and we take 30 minutes to review it together, live online or by phone.
My training employs a gradual, progressive approach, utilizing the horse's natural responses and classical dressage to build a solid foundation for the future, whether you ride for competition, sport, or pleasure.
Reach me directly:
📞 770-380-3650
✉️ [email protected]
📍 McDonough, GA
I strive to help you create a powerful and rewarding partnership with you and your horse, bringing you success in achieving your goal.
If this sounds like the partnership you are looking for, let's take the first look together
If you are just getting back in the saddle, this might sound familiar.
What Riders Like You Are Finding
Here is what that partnership looks like in practice.
And if distance, timing, or a nervous trailer ride is what's kept you from a trainer before, here is what training through video actually looks like.
What does natural horsemanship online coaching actually look like? For Sue McNab, it meant no cookie cutter training, sessions built around her own horse's instincts and behavior, and all the individual attention of an in person lesson, without the drive.
"After only one month this beautiful, talented, and gentle horse turned into an obnoxious, unruly, and biting monster. Time to get help. Well, let me tell you, that it was my lucky day when Sandi came for my first lesson. I could not hold back my frustrations. I told her my impression of riding was like playing beautiful music. My riding was comparable to playing all the wrong notes to the right song. After many tears and hard work, those notes began to sound like a song."
— Sharon Kraft, with Razz Me
After 5 years with Sandi, I now compare my riding to playing a beautiful symphony with my horse.
"There's no cookie cutter training here. She helps you understand your individual horse and focuses on how to work together. And the best part is, she is kind, considerate, knowledgeable and oozes compassion, which this world really needs. She also offers video lessons which are very convenient if you live too far away or if trailering is stressful to your horse."
— Sue McNab
Sandi helps you understand your individual horse and focuses on how to work together
Kind Words
"I did the online session with Sandi, and in some ways they were as, or even perhaps more, helpful than live lessons, because I had the opportunity to stop the video and really see the subtle nuances of my riding. "We were able to dissect specific challenges and break them down, so we could identify moments of correctness. For a while we worked on centerlines, which at the time felt a little boring, but paid off big time. My scores were consistently 8 to 9 on our centerlines after Sandi's centerline sessions."
Beth Faris Achorn
“Thank you so much for featuring me! It's been a journey, but not only have you helped me with issues I was having with Conquistador, you have opened my eyes to become a better rider. Your video lessons are convenient when you have time (or other) constraints, and all you need is a quick video. I'm loving that we are working on lateral movements now, and of course you will keep me in the correct position, correct hands, and a happier, softer, willing horse overall. You have helped us immensely. 💜
I can't wait for you to see our progress in our next video this weekend!”
Karen Snoke Rinehart
"Too all of us dedicated horse people! Through all of my 24yrs of riding lessons I wanted to share with you how much I have appreciated Sandi instructing me on my riding! Sandi is not just a riding instructor, she is a highly thoughtful person who cares about horse & rider! Sandi will teach you the basic training needed to be successful with upper level riding if desired! Sandi will make sure all your & whatever discipline or not for you & horse to be a happy horse & rider! We are so blessed to have her in our genre! Thank-u for all you do! Looking forward to our future endeavors!"
Marlene Perez
My husband and I quickly acquired 3 horses. We knew nothing about riding, managing or caring for them. Sandi taught us how to do all that and more.
She can really read horses and understand what motivates their behavior. She will teach you to do the same. Suddenly "bad" behavior became behavior I could change because I understood where it came from. Not only can she teach you to ride like a professional, she can
teach you how to do it. "
Amy Morris
I started taking lessons with Sandi Forester of the Powder Forest about 10 years ago. Sandi has taught me the principles of dressage and training techniques based on those principles.
Her lessons have helped me tremendously over the years. Her teachings have expanded my knowledge of horsemanship and have contributed to my success in showing horses.
Sandi has also been a helpful advisor as to how to improve my business. She has shared her extensive experience about running a successful training business which has been extremely helpful.
I believe Sandi can be a helpful instructor to any horse person at any level. I highly recommend her. I have no doubt she can help anyone improve their horse handling and riding skills.
Andy Castro
When I was dragged, kicking and screaming into the horse world by my wife, I was not what you would call an "ideal" student. Then, after a year of school horses and basic training at a good local barn, I began training on my own horses with Sandi Forester. Still reluctant, I recall one day getting off of my wife's stubborn Appaloosa, handing the reigns to Sandi and basically saying "to hell with this."
It is a true testament to Sandi's ability as a trainer of both horse and rider that I am now really enjoying riding and feel like I have developed the skill to overcome my horses' stubbornness as well as my own. I enjoy it so much, I even insist on keeping my lesson in the pouring rain (Sandi carries a raincoat for such stubborn students).
This is one of those classic unions that is greater than the sum of its parts. Sandi's patience and guidance led me to the right horse at the right pace. Now I've learned to communicate with my horse, Magic, through body language as subtle as breathing and as complex as a ballet. Sandi has taught me well enough that on a good day for me and my horse, I can look where I want us to go and we just go there. I even know why this happens and how to do it again. Sandi is one of those rare people in the equestrian world that loves horses and people, and has the patience to deal with both. If you get the opportunity to learn with Sandi, you will be learning in rarified air with a mentor that is at the absolute pinnacle of her craft.
— Kevin L. Ward and Rocky
"Sandi's intense, personal focus on my horse and me has helped me learn that horse and rider are one combined and collective spirit that function seamlessly."
Reach me directly:
📞 770-380-3650
✉️ [email protected]
📍 McDonough, GA
Training sessions can be done both in person or virtual, from any location!
That first conversation, and the video that follows, tells us both what your horse needs, and whether we are a fit to continue the journey together. From there, ongoing lessons can be structured around video review, live online sessions, or a combination, in person in McDonough, GA, or virtual, from any location.