Introduction to Riding with Synchronicity – “Alchemy Place” – April 11-13

"Alchemy Place" Horsemanship Retreat - Moonbi, NSW -

413 Gaol Creek Rd, MOONBI

Start & Finish Times 9:30-5:30 

 This course can be combined with the Connecting & Fundamental Feel  Course and the Intermediate Course, which are immediately either side of this course – links are below. Combine them to make a 6 or 11 day accelerated, intensive learning experience where you can skyrocket your learning. If you are interested in doing this extended option contact me before registering so we can chat and make sure that this learning package is right for you.

Prerequisites for this course...

The Connecting and Fundamental Feel in Ground skills course is a prerequisite for students who are bringing horses.    The Postural Development and Biomechanics Groundwork Therapy and the Advancing Groundskills  are ideal to have done first but not essential if you already have a calm, connected horse with no extreme postural issues. All horses must already be started under saddle.If the rider is very inexperienced or very unconfident please check with me before booking so we can make sure this course is right for you and we can make sure we can accomodate your needs.

‘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.

Learn more about the course content...

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 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.

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. 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 not only 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. To achieve these aims, the course includes some non-horse sessions – mind and body awareness and body balancing exercises. I am very excited to share all of this with you. It will be a game changer for you.

 

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

For details about the preceding course
For details about the following course

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 $655 for 3 days EB (early bird) Price - if 50% deposit is paid before March 25th. After that the price is $755. These prices include camping and horse yard.

The cost to come without your horse is $65/day. Total of $195 for 3 days - EB prices - if 50% deposit is paid before March 25th. After that prices are $75/day. Total $225 for 3 days. If you wish to camp there is an extra fee of $15/night.

PLEASE NOTE: No stallions without prior permission. Ideally bring the horse that you had in the Connecting and Fundamental Feel course so you are ready to progress. 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...

To reap the full benefits of the experience we offer camping (tent, horse float, swag or caravan) on site so you are able to stay fully immersed in the atmosphere. 

I would highly recommend sleeping in your swag/camp bed under the stars just outside your horse's pen. It is a truly bonding experience for you and your horse. Of course have a back up plan in case of bad weather - float, tent, caravan.

The price for those with horses includes your horse yard and you camping with an unpowered site. If you wish to plug into power the cost is an additional $5/day.

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.

Find out more about "Alchemy Place" here.

Contact Mel for information regarding the venue, camping  or horse accommodation and paddock options. There will be some paddocks available for $20/day & night or $10/night or day only - you will need to pre-book these.

0428 385 745‬  mel@melfleming.com

'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 $185.  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. $55 for 30 mins or $30 for 15 mins. Get in touch in you want advice on whether you need a Comprehensive saddle consult or if a Mini consult will suffice.
 
Private Lessons/ Training sessions  are $110/hr  (Coaching in groundwork, riding, trailer loading, problem solving, healthcare and management).
 
Bodywork   Energetic Bodywork and or PEMF  (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) treatments $110 Equissage treatments  $88

 

 

 

 
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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