Intermediate course - Feb 11-13
Participants with horses in this course will have needed to have previously attended the Introductory groundwork clinic "Connecting and Fundamental Feel" and the introduction to "Riding with Synchronicity" with me. On some occasions people may request permission to attend without these pre-requisites by submitting a video of themselves working with their horse. Please email me for details regarding this. For those who would like to come without their horses there are no pre-requisites.
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.
All of the teaching will based around further building the connection and relationship with your horse and developing the horse's posture and your own to improve the horses biomechanics and level of hindquarter engagement. 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.
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
Positive Reinforcement and Marker training
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.
How to better "go with" your horses movement.
Helping the horse to better follow your focus and line of direction.
Riding from your centre with a unified body.
Refining your aids, by using your body more and the reins less.
Learning meditation techniques to clear emotions and heal 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.
Come along with or without your horse.
Of course if you can bring your horse along your learning will be maximised 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 along as a participant without a horse where you will participate in all of the theory sessions, Q & A sessions, most of the body awareness and balance sessions and simulations (although this may depend on numbers as some of these sessions might need to be restricted to those bringing horses), watch the demonstrations and observe those with horses practice and experiment with the exercises and tasks. You receive equal value to those bringing horses for more than 50% of the sessions - you are not just a fence sitter.
Investment
The cost to come with your horse is $595 for the 3 days if you pay a 50% deposit before Jan 15. After that date the price will be $695.
The cost to come without your horse is $195 ($65/day) if you pay a 50% deposit before Jan 15. After that date the price will be $240 ($80/day).
Deposits are nonrefundable but may be credited to a future course in the event that you can't make the course and you let us know at least 48 hrs beforehand. If anyone just does not turn up there is no credit or refund.
PLEASE NOTE: Your horse must be started and rideable unless you just choose to do the groundwork components. No stallions allowed without prior permission.
For questions regarding the course content, horsemanship or eligibility for the course contact Mel mel@melfleming.com
Venue
Macksville Showground
Contact Glenda Pate to find out venue details, ground fees, camping fees and fees for horse stay o/night. glenda.pate@bigpond.com 0429 692 269
People need to be members of the Nambucca Natural Horsemanship to ride at the showgrounds. You can sign up for a day rate or you might like to join the club. Talk to Glenda in regard to this.
Register on line
Register Onlineor Download Registration Form
Download and return completed Registration form
.
Indemnity Form
Please download and return the completed Indemnity form