Go Slow to Hurry Up! 4

Bareback and bridleless –Riding at home - demonstrating what’s possible with Connection and developing your skills to ride in Synchronicity.

The hazards of not getting this solid foundation can be:-

• Horses that are reactive, or shut down and then react out of the blue = very unsafe, not fun and poor performance. • Horses that are shut down or introverted = unsafe, not fun, poor performance. • Horses that physically break down = unfair and heartbreaking. • Just can’t break through to that next level of performance = frustrating A rock solid foundation also applies to the human in developing their skills to be a good rider and having skills on the ground. Everyone wants to learn the “tricks of the trade”, the fancy stuff, the high level manoeuvres, but they need to learn “the trade” first, a high level of foundationary horsemanship skills. A good foundation in horsemanship is just as important as a good foundation for a house. If you build a house on an unstable foundation it is only a matter of time before it all crumbles. Be patient, enjoy yourself, the horse and the process. After all, that is what we all ultimately want anyway - to enjoy life, be happy and have horses as our recreation, a source of fun, pleasure and joy. So enjoy the journey. The feeling of true connection and having a great and long lasting relationship with your horse is the best part of the whole experience with horses. Care just as much about “how your horse feels” as you do about achieving your goals and you will have a much safer, more fun and more rewarding experience.

So “Go slow, to Hurry up” and enjoy the ride.

About Mel Fleming

Naturally a teacher, Mel Fleming has a clear concise and encouraging style of teaching and her passion for horsemanship is clearly demonstrated in her training. Mel has a diverse range of skills with many years of experience in starting horses under saddle, solving behaviour problems with difficult horses, developing competition and performance horses, equine postural training and rehabilitating horses that are broken in body and spirit. Mel uses the principles of Aikido and Feldenkrais - using energy and alignment rather that physical force – and when combined with two way communication, the result is harmony with horses. This leads to correct biomechanics, where movement is graced with effortlessness and ease. Mel facilitates both horses and humans to reach their highest potential.

Clinics and courses varying in length from days to weeks are held by Mel around Australia and at ‘Alchemy Place’

“Alchemy Place” is a scenic 100 acre property situated in a beautiful valley at the base of the Moonbi range near Tamworth NSW which is set up as a horsemanship facility for developing horses and teaching people. It offers the ultimate escape and perfect surroundings to learn and experience being one with your horse. For clinic schedule please visit

www.melfleming.com.au

Call Mel Fleming on 0428 385 745 or email mel@melfleming.com.au

ABOVE: Beryl jumps her horse Paint through a circle of steel swords at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney in 1949.