Course 1 – Connecting & Fundamental Feel in Ground Skills Course.
Three full days to immerse yourself in learning the philosophy and techniques of “Connecting with Horses and Riding with Synchronicity”. This Ground Skills 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/energetic nature of horses and the spiritual/ energetic 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 acknowledge and work with the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of horses this course is at the same time very practical. Teaching a quality of FEEL in horsemanship handling that most people never learn in a life time. FEEL is the HOLY GRAIL of horsemanship, it is the fundamental essence of all great horsemanship. Some believe that it can never be taught but I have found a way.
Here is what you will 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/trainingissues 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 translate into aids and skills needed in riding.
- Learn techniques on the ground that all lead to horses using their bodies with healthy biomechanics and developing good posture and hindquarter engagement.
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 of the body awareness / balance sessions and simulations (this may depend on numbers – some of these sessions might need to be restricted to those bringing horses), as well as watch the demonstrations and observe those with horses practice the techniques. All of these “non-hands on” with horses sessions actually make up a big percentage of the course which is why the pricing for those wishing to come without their horse is approx. 50% of the full course fee. People coming without their horses are not just fence sitters. They get equal value to those bringing horses for at least 50% of the course.
Investment
The cost to come with your horse is $595 for the 3 days Early Bird Price (if you pay 50% before Feb 28th). After that the price is $695. The cost to come without your horse is $80/day or $240 for 3 days Early Bird Price (if you pay 50% before Feb 28th) after that the price is $90/day or $270 for 3 days.
The course is limited to 8 people with horses so that a lot of one on one attention can be given. Priority will be given to those booking for the full course. Book early so that you don’t miss out.
Start & Finish Times 9:00-5:00
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a raw beginner and/or feel very unconfident or unsafe in handling your horse please contact me before registering and booking into this course with your horse. No stallions without prior permission. For questions regarding the course content, horsemanship or eligibility for the course contact Mel mel@melfleming.com
Please scroll down for booking forms.
Course 2 – Introduction to Riding with Synchronicity May 29-31
Building Confidence and Communication in the saddle
‘Riding in 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, effortlessness and ease. Start learning the secrets to happy and successful 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 develop you to be a great rider and 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. If you are a raw beginner please contact me before booking to make sure that this course will be appropriate for you to come with your horse.
There are some common principles that will be found at the highest levels in all great sports people – athletes, martial artists, dancers and even singers – 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 through my experience with horses. These principles lead us to riding with fluidity, without brace and resistance and moving freely with the horse. They require being centered, aligned and using our body in a smooth, unified way, without getting into a state of contraction or tension. The techniques presented will lead to you feeling more balanced and that means safer and more comfortable in your riding, as well as allowing your horse to move with healthy biomechanics which results in them being calmer, happier, have less resistance and reach their highest athletic potential. To achieve these aims, the teaching includes a lot of body awareness and body balancing exercises. I am very excited to share all of this with you because it will be a game changer for you and your horse.
******IMPORTANT NOTE: If it has been a while since you did the Introductory Ground skills course I would highly recommend redoing it as a refresher OR at least doing day 3 of it again just to get you and your horse in the mindset and flow again. You will then have your horse and yourself settled in with some ground work so you will get the most out of the riding course. There will be some ground work in the riding course but we will be able to get more riding done if both you and the horse are already mentally and emotionally in the right space.
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 along as an auditor (that is 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 (this may depend on numbers – 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.
Investment
The cost come with your horse is $595 for the 3 days (if a 50% deposit is received before Feb 28th) or $695 there after.
The cost to come without your horse is $80/day or $240 for 3 days Early Bird Price (if you pay 50% before Feb 28th) after that the price is $90/day or $270 for 3 days.
The course is limited to 8 people with horses so that a lot of one on one attention can be given. Priority will be given to those booking for the full course. Book early so that you don’t miss out.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a raw beginner and/or feel very unconfident or unsafe in handling or riding your horse please contact me before registering and booking into this course with your horse. No stallions without prior permission.
For questions regarding the course content, horsemanship or eligibility for the course contact Mel mel@melfleming.com
Please scroll down for booking forms.
Private Sessions – Lessons, Saddle fitting & BALANCE saddle test rides, Bodywork sessions (which can also include PEMF, Equissage treatments)
Course Venue
Banyandah has wonderful facilities and accommodation for both horse and rider. For more information about the venue and accommodation contact:-
Jane Reid horseheaven@albury.net.au (02) 6026-8800
RMB 5527 Riverina Highway Howlong
Banyandah is a very beautiful horsemanship facility situated on the Murray River with a big variety of riding arenas, open paddocks, bushland and horse play and riding areas. There is also great accommodation onsite or the option of camping. I highly recommend staying on site so you stay fully immersed in the relaxed atmosphere to support your learning.
