Horse Training Services

Whether you and your horse are “green,” OR experienced but new to each other, OR have a long history together already, our trainers can improve your relationship. We bring decades of experience to training both horse and rider for success.

Dottie with rider at GSF

GSF training in progress for several young horses now for sale.

At GSF, we can start a young horse for you, OR address a specific training issue you may have with your horse.

During teaching/learning sessions, we focus on the basics/fundamentals of ground training first so your horse will be a safe riding partner. The better you and your horse communicate and understand each other, the better you will do in achieving your performance goals. 


Rosie being exercised/trained in the GSF arena

Caedyn long lining (driving) Rosie.

We accept one outside horse at a time in our program and work in week-long blocks. This ensures both horse and rider get the focused attention they need. At the end of each week of training, there is a session with the horse and owner to review & apply new skills. When booking, a four week block is reserved, but owner can decide at the end of each week whether to continue with training.

2024 schedule update:


Training Fees: $200/week (minimum 5 sessions/week)
We charge weekly for training services. Payment of all fees due in advance unless otherwise indicated by GSF in writing. 

    • Training Applicants must complete all standard release documents plus the GSF Horse Training Agreement. (NOTE: If a training participant is a minor, their parent and/or legal guardian must also sign all standard forms).
    • If for any reason your horse needs veterinary care while on GSF property, the horse owner will be consulted prior to seeking veterinary care. However, if it is an emergency and the owner is unavailable for consultation, GSF will call a vet. All veterinary charges incurred will be the responsibility of the horse owner.
    • If your horses needs farrier services while on GSF property, the horse owner will be consulted prior to requesting farrier service. All farrier charges incurred will be the responsibility of the horse owner.
    • Please call, email or text GSF with questions, or to schedule horse training.

MEET THE GSF TRAINING TEAM:

Profile pic from Valdasue's Facebook page. 2018 photo.

Valdasue Steele, owner and Head Trainer at Garden Springs Farm (GSF).

Valdasue Steele,
GSF Owner, and Head Trainer

I am, at heart and in practice, a horsewoman. My first experience with horses hooked me at seven years old, and I have been riding and training horses for over 40 years.

    • For over 30 yrs, I have been teaching people of all ages and experience levels about horsemanship and horses. I have developed my methods through personal experience with my horses, other people’s horses, clinics, and as a 4H Extension Educator in Arizona and Idaho.
Image of Valdasue eventing (jumping, horseback riding english style) on a Dolly

Valdasue Steele, eventing.
(Photo credit: Christine Montfort)

  • I have a broad range of experience with horses, training and riding, and continuously strive to improve my own skills and knowledge. I am passionate about creating positive experiences and optimizing outcomes for both equines and people. The variety of activities on my lifelong journey with horses include (to name a few), dude ranch work, trail riding, barrel racing, team roping, O-Mok-See, and in more recent years – Dressage, and Jumping/Eventing.

My training specialty is starting young horses, and helping people problem-solve with their horses. I have a passion for improving the relationship between every horse and rider.


Caedyn and Diamond posing for a portrait

Caedyn and Diamond posing for a Rodeo Princess portrait.

Introducing:
Caedyn Glover, Assistant Horse Trainer

Caedyn is a former student of mine and grew up in the Lewis-Clark Valley around horses. Her first experience with horses was at two years old. Later, she was a 4-H member (for 4 yrs), and earned Royalty (Princess) in 2016 for the Lewis Clark Saddle Club. Caedyn also started her journey at GSF in high school, learning how to train horses with me as part of a senior project.

  • Caedyn has been a horse owner for over  a decade. Her enthusiasm and experience shows, and she has earned the trust of GSF owners and our current equine trainees. Caedyn has been working since summer 2023 to help us as we train up several young horses, currently for sale

Caedyn & Cowboy

Expect to see more of Caedyn as she gains horse training skills and experience while  helping further GSF’s purpose of positive training outcomes.