Connecting and Fundamental Feel Introductory Groundwork course
(Also Part One of Posture and Biomechanics course.)
This course can be taken as a stand alone course or as Part One of the Postural Development and Biomechanics Groundwork therapy course.
Learn the philosophy and 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, move with freedom and balance and become more athletic. We address all areas of mind, body and spirit to help horses and people reach their highest and most magnificent potential.
This is FEEL GOOD HORSEMANSHIP – it causes horses and humans to FEEL GOOD !!!
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 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.
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 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 this 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 3 days EB (early bird) Price – if $150 deposit is paid before Jan 1st. After that the price is $695.
The cost to come without your horse is $95/day for day 1 and day 2 and $65/day for day 3. Total $255 for 3 days is the EB prices – if 50% deposit is paid before Jan 1st. After that prices are $110/day for day 1 and day 2 and $80/day for day 3. Total $300 for 3 days.
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 0428 385 745 mel@melfleming.com
Please scroll down for booking forms.
‘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.
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.
Course Venue
Karen Norsa
2 Gracemere Crescent GLENORIE, NSW
Contact Karen for information regarding the venue and horse accommodation. 0404 338 652 knknazoo@hotmail.com
Register on line
You can make your payment by direct deposit, cheque, credit card ( 2.5% surcharge) or by PayPal (2.6% surcharge – send me an email and I can send you a PayPal invoice). The details of how to pay by dd, cheque or cc can all be found on the registration form below.Register Online.Indemnity Form
Please download and return the completed Indemnity form