The Foundation – Connecting & Fundamental Feel – Whites Valley, SA – June 3-5

 

Where and When:  Maidendale Equestrian Centre
352 Aldinga Rd, Whites Valley, SA
June 3rd -5th   9:00 - 5:00

This course lays the foundation for beautiful partnerships with horses - mind, heart and soul connections with horses. Learn how to connect, communicate and understand your horses - why do they do what they do, how do they learn, and what needs do they need met?
Learn the ever elusive quality of feel.
Set up a foundation in groundwork and riding for your horse to develop good posture and optimal biomechanics for a happy, healthy, sound and athletic horse. Learn riding techniques that support healthy biomechanics and where you can ride as one, in total synchronicity with your horse.
Be nurtured and guided to develop yourself, mentally, emotionally and physically to become the person you need to be to be a great partner for your horse.

This course teaches the philosophy, core principles and foundational techniques of "Connecting with Horses and Riding with Synchronicity" - the art of creating beautiful partnerships with horses. Inspiring and supporting horses and people to become confident and empowered, to be together in harmony, and move with freedom, balance and athleticism. With softness, gentleness, kindness and love, you can have leadership and develop a magical bond with your horse, a true friendship. Connect to your horse's mind, heart, body and soul.

How good would it be:-
To feel safe and to feel that you and your horse could communicate clearly and understand each other?
To have a horse that is a willing partner and wants to participate?
To have a calm horse who at the same time is magnificent, expressive, energetic, graceful and a physically strong, powerful athlete who could safely carry you down the trail or be a performance horse ?

This is my dream horse. A horse like this is created not bought. Even if you bought one that seemed to fit the bill, unless you learn the skills, that horse won't maintain those qualities. They can't. They will fall to the level of skill and be affected by the mindset and the energy of the person they are with. We have to develop ourselves. This teaching addresses all areas of mind, body and spirit to help horses and people reach their highest and most magnificent potential and achieve these goals.

Learn more about the course content...

This Introductory course is the most important of  all the courses I teach. It sets the foundation of concepts and principles from which all the rest is built. It is essential for all who are new to my teaching and whether you are a beginner or had years of experience I believe it will be of great benefit to you.

This course will begin to teach you how to understand horse's minds, emotions and their physical bodies. It also goes deeper into the spiritual nature of horses and the deep connection between horses and humans. This course teaches the core principles of centering, breathing, body scanning, energy awareness and body language which are all essential keys to success with horses. Begin the journey to becoming a "true" horseman. "True" meaning with the qualities that the horses themselves would choose to have in a horseman.

Whilst we  work with the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects this course is at the same time is very practical. Teaching a quality of FEEL in working with horses that most people never learn in a lifetime. FEEL  is the HOLY GRAIL of horsemanship, it is the fundamental essence of all great horsemanship. Some believe that it can never be taught, that it is just a god given talent that some people have and others don't,  but I have found a way to teach this intrinsic and elusive quality and make it available and attainable for everyone that has the commitment and dedication to learn.

Here is what you can learn at this course:-

Connect with your horse's heart and mind and learn to listen  and feel.

Develop skills to develop the centered, still and present "way of being" that horses love - the qualities of great leadership.

Learn the ever elusive and commonly unteachable qualities of FEEL - mental, emotional, physical and energetic feel

Learn the art of nonverbal communication - thoughts, energy and body language

Learn how horses learn

Learn how to problem solve and understand your horse to resolve any behavioral/training issues that you are having.

Develop safe horse handling skills and habits on the ground to set you up for any activity or  handling that you may need on the ground and which also translate into aids and skills needed in riding.

Learn techniques on the ground that lead to horses using their bodies with healthy biomechanics, developing good posture and having hindquarter engagement.

 

'Riding with Synchronicity’ means to ride in perfect synchronicity and harmony, becoming like a centaur where you become part of the horse and the horse becomes part of you. To achieve this we need to understand the horse’s physical body and the biomechanics of how their body works. It is vitally important for horses to be ridden in correct posture and biomechanical balance if they are to enjoy the experience, stay sound, be healthy and reach their highest athletic potential.

This course teaches the fundamental principles and “how to” of learning to ride with harmony, effortless and ease. Learn the secrets to happy and successful riding partnerships with horses. Whether you just want to ride for pleasure or have high aspirations for competition these secrets  will be invaluable. These fundamental keys will be imperative to develop yourself  to be a great rider. One that allows the horse to move as nature intended and to be the best athlete that they can be - maximising performance in any field and keeping them happy and healthy.  I believe this teaching will be of great benefit whether you are relatively new to riding or had many years in the saddle. Even high level competition riders have been greatly helped by this teaching.

Learn more about the course content...

There are some common principles that are found at the highest levels in all great sports people – athletes, martial artists or dancers – these principles also apply to horsemanship and riding.  I have learned these principles through feldenkrais and martial arts, as well as what I have learned  with horses. These principles lead us to riding in complete balance and harmony with the horse and without any brace or resistance to the horse. They include being centered, aligned and using our body in a fluid and unified way - this occurs when we are relaxing completely - the opposite of being in a state of contraction or tension.

We are sitting on a horse's "moving" back. Their back moves in combinations of 6 directions and this correct and uninhibited movement in a horse's back is critical for the horse to move with good biomechanics. Our responsibility as a rider is to stay out of the way of this natural movement and not impede it. We have to sit and move in a way that doesn't block the movement but instead synchronizes exactly with it, rather than brace, hold or lock up against it. We have to follow and sometimes lead the horse into this movement if they have lost their naturally correct movement.

A lot of horses have lost their naturally correct movement because of badly fitting saddles and riders that impeded the small but critical movements in a horses back. If the horse's movement has been corrupted, which is very common, we need to help them recover their natural movement patterns again. We need to lead them into it. The more we understand the directions of movement the more we can train our body, especially the torso,  to go with the horse. It is a lot of very small subtle movements in our spine and torso, which then flow on into the arms and the legs. The movements I am talking about are so small that when we are on the horse it should look like we are not really moving. They are more like internal micro movements but they make all the difference.

We are sitting on a horse’s “moving” back. Their back moves in combinations of these 6 directions and this correct and uninhibited movement in a horse’s back is critical for the horse to move with good biomechanics. Our responsibility as a rider is to stay out of the way of this natural movement and not impede it. We have to sit and move in a way that doesn’t block the movement but instead synchronizes exactly with it, rather than brace, hold or lock up against it. We have to follow and sometimes lead the horse into this movement if they have lost their naturally correct movement.

A lot of horses have lost their naturally correct movement because of badly fitting saddles and riders that impeded the small but critical movements in a horses back. If the horse’s movement has been corrupted, which is very common, we need to help them recover their natural movement patterns again. We need to lead them into it. The more we understand the directions of movement the more we can train our body, especially the torso, to go with the horse. It is a lot of very small subtle movements in our spine and torso, which then flow on into the arms and the legs. The movements I am talking about are so small that when we are on the horse it should look like we are not really moving. They are more like internal micro movements but they make all the difference.

These movements lead horses into roundness, balance and hindquarter engagement without us forcing them into a frame or a posture. These same internal micro movement patterns are what will also keep us sound, healthy and happy in our own bodies when we are walking, riding or doing our everyday activities and sports.
 
The techniques presented will lead to you becoming more balanced and that means safer and more comfortable in your riding, as well as allowing your horse to move with healthy biomechanics. Healthy biomechanics allow your horse to reach their highest athletic potential in performance but also result in them being calmer, happier, having less resistance and staying sound. Many problematic behaviours and resistances in horses under saddle are simply because horses are not comfortable with how people are riding them and if we understood and could implement how to ride in synchronicity with them, those behaviours would just melt away.
To achieve these aims, the course includes non-horse sessions – mind and body awareness and movement, body balancing exercises and theory sessions. I am very excited to share all of this with you. It will be a game changer for you.

 

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 $660 for 3 days EB (early bird) Price - if paid in full before May 24th. After that the price is $770. A 50% deposit will secure your spot but full price will apply if total amount is not paid before May 24th. Horse spots are limited to 8 so get in quick.

The cost to come without your horse for the 3 days is $255 EB price - if paid before May 24th. After that the price will be $285 or per day rate is $95/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...

Maidendale Equestrian Centre

352 Aldinga Rd Whites Valley SA 5172

Contact Mandy Maiden re horse accommodation during the clinic mb 0412 841 795‭

'Functional Saddling' consultations, BALANCE saddles, Private lessons & Bodywork sessions -

PRIVATE SESSIONS are available the day after the course. Make sure you book these in advance, especially if you are interested in the saddle fitting so I am sure to have the saddles with me that may be required.  

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 on how you may be able to improve your current saddle with re-flocking, gullet changes or padding changes. This is priced according to the time taken. eg. $66 for 30 mins or $33 for 15 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 $135/hr  (Coaching in groundwork, riding, trailer loading, problem solving, healthcare and management).
 
Bodywork   Energetic Bodywork,  Fascia Release and Mobilization Therapy, Postural Development & Rehabilitation Therapy, General healthcare & Horse Husbandry  $135/hr 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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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