ALCHEMY PLACE means place of transformation and that is what happens here - for both horses and humans.
Coercing or forcing an unwilling partner brings no joy.
And it doesn't feel like a great friendship when your horse is mentally and emotionally shut down.
Perhaps mastering the techniques in groundwork or finding balance and feel in riding, is much harder than you anticipated.
Or maybe you'd just like to experience more in your partnership -
✨ More Connection,
✨ More Joy,
✨ More Fun,
✨ More Power, Athleticism and Peak Performance while still having a Calm, Safe and Connected horse.
✨ Perhaps you are looking for a kinder, more compassionate and understanding approach.
✨ A Relationship where your horse wants to be ridden, feels like a Friend and is an inspired Powerful and Exuberant Athlete.
My Dream was to have a Happy Horse. If my horse didn't have a smile on his or her face, then I didn't want to ride any more.
So that became my quest - to find a way to have happy horses in riding and in ground play.
I did achieve that goal. And, I achieved it with many horses.
I now have a tried and true path and can guide others along it.
The feeling you experience when you are in great relationship with your horse and co-create together in groundwork/play or in riding is just pure joy. Once you have felt this, you will never want to settle for less.
It will be the highlight of your days.
If you’ve seen the transformations that happen in my 3 day clinics then just imagine what would happen in 6 weeks ?
Experience the joy with horses you’ve always dreamed of.
- Imagine a partner you can trust in any situation—calm, yet responsive.
- Gentle and affectionate, yet eagerly engaged, whether you’re riding for pleasure or in performance.
- A horse who nickers with anticipation and waits at the gate, excited to ride or play with you.
- One who is truly willing, inspired, and just as enthusiastic about your time together as you are.
- Feel peace of mind and a guilt-free heart, knowing your horse is genuinely happy—and that what you’re doing is mutually beneficial, in body, mind, and spirit.
You create the horse of your dreams by becoming the human your horse dreams of.
✅ Truly understand horses—how they think, how they feel, how they play and how their body operates
✅ Deeply know your horse – read them, attune to them – sense them, feel them and know why they do what they do
✅ Be empowered to know what to do and problem solve any situation
✅ Cultivate feel, timing and clear communication on the ground, at liberty and in the saddle
✅ Develop a balanced, secure seat that synchronizes with your horse
✅ Ride with elegance and refinement—just like a pro
✅ Optimize biomechanics for health, happiness and performance
✅ Learn to play like a kid again and have fun with your horse
Is it possible?
Absolutely.
Will it happen overnight?
Unlikely.
Can you achieve it all in just 6 weeks?
Probably not.
But here’s what you will achieve: A powerful leap forward along a tried and true road map. You’ll gain a deep foundation in the mindset, understanding, and skillset needed to bring your dream partnership to life.
You’ll walk away empowered, inspired, and equipped to continue developing your partnership at home—and have options of remote coaching and support to continue guiding you on your journey.
How good will it feel when you’re balanced, confident, and communicating with clarity?
How amazing will it be when everything feels effortless and easy—soft, smooth, rhythmic, and flowing?
No brace. No resistance.
Just willing, joyful co-creation between you and your horse.
✨ Imagine the freedom of feeling guilt-free—knowing your horse is genuinely happy.
✨ The peace of mind that comes from feeling safe.
✨ The joy that blossoms when horses and humans unite in soulful partnership and ride and play in synchronicity.
I can give you the roadmap and the key...
To unlock your horse’s mind and heart
To unleash and expand both your potential and theirs
To build a Soul-Deep Connection, where your horse loves you—and you can co-create together
Your dream with horses is possible.You don’t have to guess your way there. You don’t have to make all the mistakes I made, or take as long as I did.
You also don’t need to be distracted by every “shiny new thing” on social media—the endless posts claiming to offer the next best method or latest fad in horsemanship.
When you chop, change, and lack consistency, it’s not only unhelpful for you… It’s confusing, stressful and very problematic for your horse.
With the right guidance, support, knowledge, and tools, you can develop the skills to create a partnership that’s happy, willing, and inspired.
Don’t give up on your dream.
When you give up on your dream you give up on life.
Don’t settle for mediocre.
Excellence and reaching your highest potential, while honouring others (and in this case that includes the horse), is what will fulfill you.
Your dream horse and dream life are waiting for you. They’re knocking on your door. And your horse has been waiting long enough.
I’ve walked this path many times before and coached hundreds of others to achieve their dreams with horses. That's why I can help you get there.
Accelerate your journey with this transformational retreat.
Join others on the Path and follow my footsteps to ensure you reach your destination:
Dream Horse. Dream Rider. Perfect Partnership.
Take action now.
Don’t wait, hesitate, or procrastinate—because life’s clock is ticking. It doesn’t wait.
Horse spots are limited to 8 per week. Students and horses with a suitable standard of prior learning may be accepted to attend the latter weeks without completing the first weeks.
The full six weeks - September 1 - Oct 10
INDIVIDUAL MODULES OR 2 WEEK BLOCKS ARE:-
Week 1 - Groundskills - Part 1 - Intuitive Connection (know your horse deeply), ABC"S of communication and the foundational exercises upon which everything else is based. Introduction to BIOMECHANICS and Fundamental FEEL, Problem solving. Sept 1-5
Week 2 - Ground skills - Part II - Liberating with Liberty, Postural Development & Biomechanics - Groundwork Therapy - Part 1 Theory and Practical, Positive Reinforcement and Marker Training - Sept 8-12
Week 3 - Introduction to Riding with Synchronicity - Part I & Progressing groundwork - online, at liberty, positive reinforcement, confidence building. Postural Development & Biomechanics - Groundwork Therapy -Theory and Practical - part 2 - Sept. 15-19
Week 4 - Introductory to Riding with Synchronicity - Part II & Progressing the groundwork from week 3 - Sept. 22-26 Week 5 - Intermediate/Advanced Groundwork & Riding - Part I Sept. 29 - Oct 3rd
Week 6 - Intermediate/ Advanced Groundwork and Riding - Part II Oct. 6-10
For the Intermediate/Advanced courses, I have found it best not to have a set course format but to be fluid and coach each horse and rider combination where they are at and with what they need.
One of the things people love most about my courses is the individual attention they receive, and the fluid, adaptable nature of the content.
YES!!! - I'm ready to Fast Track & Create the Partnership of my Dreams
In the comments section of the registration form, type in how many weeks and which weeks, you are choosing to do.
✨ About Mel & Her Teaching
Perpetually on a quest to refine her own horsemanship, Mel has travelled the world learning. Now recognised for her exceptional skill with horses, her true gift lies in her ability to teach others the subtle, intrinsic qualities of connection, feel, timing, and balance and understanding biomechanics for both horse and rider. She is an internationally acclaimed clinician. You can learn more about her here.
There are so many facets to this horsemanship journey.
In longer-term courses, we’re able to delve deeper and build understanding and skills layer by layer.
The extended time frame allows us to go into greater depth, and—importantly—it gives you the space to truly change patterns and habits, both in yourself and in your horse.
This course is not just about technique—it’s a deeply empowering experience for both you and your horse and the principles learned here will benefit all areas of your life, not just your horse life.
✨ Learn more specific details about the course content
This 6 week program starts from the start. It teaches:-
- How to connect - meaning knowing your horse on the inside - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
- How to read horses. How are they feeling and what are they thinking ?
- Energy awareness and how to use energy.
- How to communicate with your horse energetically as well as with your body language and tools. The language of energy is in fact the universal language. Energy precedes and leads body language and movement.
- The quality of FEEL that all horses love.
- How horses learn.
- Centering and Grounding - How to still the mind and calm the emotions.
- Body awareness and balance - How to move in a unified, effortless and free, flowing way.
- Ground skills:- for basic handling; as physical therapy/rehabilitation, exercise and postural development; to build confidence in horses and people; to prepare horses for riding; for liberty work and simply to just play and have fun with your horse.
- Riding Skills:- Developing an independent seat, balance, coordination and body awareness. To ride with the qualities that horses love - softness, rhythm, flow, balance, harmony and healthy biomechanics.
- How to influence horses to use their bodies with correct biomechanics - to have balance, hindquarter engagement and athleticism.
- How to maintain the horse's curiosity and enthusiasm in training.
- Positive Reinforcement and Marker Training - How to use intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
- Functional Saddling - saddling for health, comfort and performance.
- Extra learning as needed and as time permits about physical care and health for the horse, basic feeding, stretching, and body work to maximize health and performance.
All of my courses are taught from a multi-level perspective, meaning that students engage with the material at whatever level they’re at in their horsemanship journey.
Many highly experienced horse people have attended and experienced enormous breakthroughs—because this approach offers insights and refinements that go far beyond what’s commonly taught.
Weeks 1–4 are known as the Introductory Level, as they introduce my teaching philosophy and approach. However, don't be misled by the label—these weeks are advanced in the quality and depth of information they cover.
From the very beginning, I teach:
✨ A highly refined feel and timing
✨ Foundational exercises infused with principles of balance and biomechanical correctness
✨ Subtle layers of awareness that elevate even the most basic movements
Whether you’re just starting or have been with horses your whole life, these courses will meet you where you are and propel your forward.
✨ It’s refining the little things, that makes the big difference.
Students who have done many courses with me often return to the Introductory courses, and they always say the same thing:
"I get more out of this every time I do it"
They learn and understand things at deeper levels, from higher perspectives—because they’ve grown, and so has their awareness.
Going back to the beginning can be one of the most powerful ways to advance your horsemanship.
Why? Because you’ll be guided to develop your feel, timing, and understanding of biomechanics and balance in a far more refined and embodied way.
✨ Doing the most basic and fundamental exercises with great feel and understanding is the single most important key to doing advanced things well.
If you’re new to horses, this course will be the best place to begin your horsemanship journey.
Students and horses with a suitable standard of prior learning, may be accepted to attend the latter courses without completing the first courses.
If you are wishing to book for one of the latter courses without starting with week 1, please email for approval before booking, to ascertain that you have completed sufficient prior learning. I want to make sure that everyone gets the most out of their learning experience here.
✨ I’m looking forward to helping you achieve your dreams with horses, and I want to make sure it's the right fit for you if this is something you're interested in. If you’ve never attended one of my courses before—or even if you have —I invite you to reach out.
Please email or message me 0428 385 745, and we’ll schedule a call.
Course Structure, Start Times & Logistics
START & FINISH TIMES -
The official part of the teaching day with me starts at
WEEK 1 - 9:30am and goes through to 5:00pm.
WEEK 2 - WEEK 5 -10:30 - 6:00
WEEK 6 - When daylight savings starts in the last week, we will start at 11:30 and go through to 7:00. This way we stay more in tune with the horses and the natural daylight cycles. When we are retreating from the rest of the world at "Alchemy Place" it feels better to stay in harmony with nature than have the sudden change of daylight savings disrupt everyone's system.
Prior to starting with me each day, you have options to walk and graze your horse, join in yoga, body awareness or meditation sessions either self directed or sometimes led by a facilitator, watch me work with my horses or use this time in whatever way it best serves you.
At 10:30 we gather for a theory session, simulations, and Q&A to set up up for horse sessions. If in some weeks we have a minimal number of students, the teaching time will be adjusted appropriately as we won't need the same amount of time to get through the course material each day and I will work with my horses and you will be invited to observe.
✨ WATCHING ME WORK WITH MY HORSES - is a special bonus when you come to Alchemy Place. I will often be working with my horses before class each day and people are invited to watch - this is a very valuable learning opportunity.
The courses run Mon - Friday with weekends off.
Weekends offer a great time to hang out with your classmates, hang out with your horse, see the sights of the Tamworth and surrounds, have lunch in town, do your laundry (at the laundromat in town) and generally just chill out.
These days off to soak, ponder and rest at 'Alchemy Place' are an important part of the experience and we often try to organise bodywork sessions onsite, for horses and humans, on the weekends.
✨ Learn more about the course structure and learning through theory, simulation and mind and body awareness/development...
The Role of Non-Horse Sessions & Simulation
Depending on the day’s curriculum and whether we’re introducing a new area of learning, non-horse sessions may extend through to lunchtime.
On other days, when the focus shifts more toward practice and integration, these sessions will be shorter, allowing more time with the horses.
The best results are achieved when the human does much of the initial learning—through theory, practical simulation, body awareness, and developing muscle memory—before bringing that to the horse.
This way, the foundation is already forming, and when we do work with the horse, sessions can be shorter, clearer, and of higher quality, which is better for both horse and human.
Learning naturally involves making mistakes—or, as I prefer to call them, “learning epiphanies.”
It’s far more beneficial when those epiphanies happen in the classroom or simulation setting, rather than with the horse.
Why? Because horses already give so much of themselves and often put up with our uncertainty and inexperience. The more we can minimise confusion and maximise clarity, the more we honour their experience.
It’s also safer and more effective for us as learners.
Without the added complexity of handling a real horse in the early stages, we can focus on truly understanding and embodying the principles.
The power of learning through simulation is enormous, and it’s one of the most effective ways to build lasting, transferable skill.
ACCOMODATION FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE
✨ Stay Immersed in the Experience
To truly reap the full benefits of this experience, we recommend staying onsite. This allows you to remain fully immersed in the environment—a retreat from the outside world—it will maximise your experience and learning.
Onsite accommodation options include:
-
Camping in a tent, swag, or horse float
-
Bringing your own caravan or gooseneck (power hook-up available)
-
Hiring a caravan onsite (limited availability – please enquire in advance)
Whether you're sleeping under the stars or relaxing in a caravan, staying onsite helps you integrate the learning more deeply and stay connected to the rhythm of the retreat.
However, if you feel that you need motel accomodation to meet your needs, there is a motel just 10 mins away in Kootingal - Landview Motel
✨More details about the stay for you and your horse...
Whilst we do have a communal dining, amenities and classroom area it is not a place for sleeping or storing your clothes and horse gear. The course fee includes a small individual horse yard and you staying with an unpowered site.
If you wish to plug into power the cost is an additional $6/day.
If you would like an individual paddock for your horse, for both day and night the cost is $20/day (limited availability for this option) or $10/day for day or night use only.
Otherwise there is a communal paddock where horses can be rotated for an hour or two at a time each day which is free of charge.
There is a fully equipped kitchen for you to self cater, with fridges, freezer (limited freezer space), stove top, oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, sandwich press, cooking utensils, plates, cutlery etc. as well as toilet & shower facilities.
You can see more about Alchemy Place and it's facilities here
✨ Investment :
TO COME WITH A HORSE
EB 1 Price: (Paid in Full by June 15) $1250/week
EB 2 Price: (Paid after June 15th and before July 15) $1375/week
FULL PRICE (Paid after July 15) $1500/week
Pricing to come with your horse includes camping and horse yards. Horse spots are limited to 8 so book in quickly.
TO COME WITHOUT A HORSE
EB 1 Price: (Paid in Full by June 15) $550/week
EB 2 Price: (Paid after June 15th and before July 15) $675/week
FULL PRICE: (Paid after July 15) $750/week
Prices to come without a horse DO NOT include camping on site. However, camping may be possible depending on the numbers that are booked in that week. I just don't want to overload the shower/toilet facilities.
A 50% deposit will hold your spot up until July 15th. Full payment will need to be made by July 15th unless you are on an automated payment plan. Full payment must be made prior to the EB cut off dates to be eligible for the EB prices - otherwise Full Price will apply.
Payments can be made by credit card, paypal or direct deposit. Payment plans can be set up.
Priority of spots will be given to those booking for the full 6 weeks or those doing more modules
YES!!! - I'm ready to Fast Track & Create the Partnership of my Dreams
In the comments section of the registration form, type in how many weeks and which weeks, you are choosing to do.
✨ HELPERS NEEDED –
Participating without a horse is a lot more than just auditing or fence sitting. You would actively participate in all of the theory sessions, Q & A sessions, body awareness and balance sessions, healing sessions and simulations, as well as watch the demonstrations and observe those with horses practice and experiment with the exercises and tasks. You don't have to be available for the full 6 weeks, however priority of position will be given to those who can do a longer time frame and those who can come a week prior to help prepare for the course. Contact me for more details.
LEASE HORSES AVAILABLE
I have horses available for people to lease for the groundwork components of the course in weeks one and two - online, liberty, positive reinforcement, and postural development. There may be some horses available for the riding components, depending on your experience level. So if you can't bring your own horse or don't own a horse, get in touch and you may be able to use one of the resident horses here. Contact Mel
YES!!! - I'm ready to Fast Track & Create the Partnership of my Dreams
In the comments section of the registration form, type in how many weeks and which weeks, you are choosing to do.