Bannockburn, VIC – Open Format, Multi – Level Course – March 27-29

 

Start & Finish Times 9:00-5:00

Prerequisites for this course...

Ideally people bringing horses will have done the “Grounded Beginnings” course, previously known as the Foundation Course.

If you have not done the pre-requisite course, please get in touch before registering and making payment to make sure this course is appropriate for you.

All of the teaching will be based around further building the connection and relationship with your horse. This is always the number one priority in any of my teaching. 

It is then closely followed by developing the horse’s posture (and your own), to improve the horse’s biomechanical function and ability to engage their hindquarter to strengthen them for riding.

Better biomechanics will will make everything more enjoyable, pleasurable and safer for both you and the horse. Better biomechanics will also help your horse to become more athletic (better performance) and stay sounder for longer.

Whether you are a competitive rider or a pleasure rider the things learned in this course will be incredibly beneficial.

Learn more about the course content...

The content of this course will be based upon the following, but will be adapted to specifically target the needs of the horses and riders that are attending.

We will begin by reviewing, expanding and improving upon the core concepts learned in the Introductory courses and then advance things with more precision, more responsiveness and with a better understanding of the biomechanics of the horse.

Both the human and the horse will develop confidence and feel safer together. You’ll learn exercises to improve riding balance and learn more about riding dynamics and how to flow with the horse in perfect harmony, this includes learning about trot diagonals and canter leads for example if that knowledge is needed.

Because participants will already have a core base of knowledge in my teaching I can be quite flexible with what is taught in the intermediate level courses. After assessing the group as a whole and individually I will form a program to meet the needs of those participating. If you have a specific area of interest that you wish to learn about please let me know via email.

Areas of learning CAN be the following :-

Reading and understanding your horse more accurately.

Deepening your Connection with your horse, developing intuitive communication.

Getting your horse more calm, connected, responsive and athletic.

Developing Feel, Energy awareness and how to use energy.

Becoming clear  and more precise with Body Language.

Using ground skills as a diagnostic tool and for your horse’s emotions and  as physical therapy for your horse.

Exploring transitions, changes of direction, sideways and using longer lines on the ground.

Liberty – Liberating with Liberty.

Positive Reinforcement and Marker training – The power of the “seeking system”

Using obstacles to create visually clear mental pictures and “games” to help your horse learn.

Putting ground skills to purpose eg. trailer loading, crossing bridges, creeks etc.

Riding with Synchronicity – How to better “go with” your horse’s movement and riding from your center with unified movement.

Helping the horse to better follow your focus and line of direction.

Refining your aids when riding, more subtlety and having your horse respond to your body more so you can use your reins less.

Learning meditation techniques to clear emotions and heal traumas for your horse and yourself – mentally, emotionally and physically.

Learning bodywork and horse care practices to improve your horse’s physical health and well being as well as improve and develop their physical capability, athleticism and performance.

To set you up and prepare you to get the most out of this course, retaking the prerequisite courses are a great idea. It is amazing the depth you get out of doing them second time round. The foundational concepts are the keys to building the more advanced techniques so the better you understand and can apply them, the easier it is to proceed. You never take it all in first time round, a large percentage goes over your head or is forgotten.

This is  FEEL GOOD HORSEMANSHIP  – it causes horses and humans to FEEL GOOD !!! 

Come along with or without your horse.

Of course if you can bring your horse along your learning will be maximized as nothing beats hands on experience and having direct feedback from a supportive instructor to accelerate your learning. However the other option for attending these courses is to come and participate without a horse, in which case you would actively participate in all of the theory sessions, Q & A sessions, most  simulations as well as watch the demonstrations and observe those with horses practice the techniques. People coming without their horses are not just fence sitters. All of these “non-hands on” with horses sessions actually make up a big percentage of this course so the fee is priced appropriately.

Investment The cost to come with your horse is $690 (Early Bird EB) price for 3 days if full payment is made before Feb 6th. After that the full price is $790. Horse spots are limited to 8 so book early to secure your spot.

The cost to come without your horse is $75/day EB price if paid before Feb 6th. After that price is $85/day.

PLEASE NOTE: No stallions without prior permission. For questions regarding the course content, horsemanship or eligibility for the course contact Mel 0428 385 745 mel@melfleming.com
Please scroll down for booking forms.

Details about the venue and human accomodation...

Camping and horse stay is available on site.

Contact Kim for details about the facilityKim Wood kim@heartwoodhorses.com.au‭0438 811 969‬

‘Functional Saddling’ consultations, BALANCE saddles, Private lessons & Bodywork sessions –

 

These sessions are available the day before or after the course or in the mornings or evenings of the course.

Find out more details about these sessions

COMPREHENSIVE saddling consultations where you test ride several BALANCE saddles or saddles of your choice take 1.5 to 2 hrs. and cost $220.  They involve riding in your own current saddle and experimenting with padding arrangements and or adjusting gullets (if possible) to see if  we can improve things with your current saddle. You can ride in several saddles of your choosing (that you bring along) and that you wish to get feedback on. We then test ride a BALANCE saddle to use as a comparison to determine how well your horse moves in its own saddle/s compared to a saddle that is known to be ergonomically designed for horses and riders to maximise comfort and performance.
 
Riding in the saddles is the best way to get direct feedback from the horse – this way we listen to the horse’s opinion (and yours) rather than someone else’s. Having a few saddles to feel as comparisons is important (BALANCE saddles or other) in this process.
 
If your horse did prefer the BALANCE saddle and you were potentially interested in purchasing one (second hand or new), we would then test ride several different models of the BALANCE saddles to see exactly which one is the best for both the horse and yourself. Interlaced into this session is advice on riding and biomechanics for horse and rider as required and as appropriate to the level of experience of the horse and rider.
 
MINI saddle consultations – It is possible to do shorter saddling consults where we do not test ride many or any saddles and I can just give you my opinion and recommendations based on my experience. This is priced according to the time taken. eg. $65 for 30 mins. Get in touch if you want advice on whether you need a Comprehensive saddle consult or if a Mini consult will suffice.
 
Private Lessons/ Training sessions  are $125/45 min or $165/ hr session. Coaching in groundwork, riding, trailer loading, problem solving, healthcare and management.
 
Bodywork   Energetic Bodywork $145

 

 
To get more details or book a saddling consultation, private lesson or bodywork session email Mel or call 0428 385 745.  
Letting me know as soon as you can if you are interested in one of these sessions will help me schedule things to make sure I can fit you in. These sessions are available the day before or after the course or in the mornings or evenings of the course.

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You can make your payment by direct deposit, credit card or by PayPal (2.6% surcharge for cc and paypal).

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