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Oakover Lodge

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Australia
Gundary, NSW
Oakover Lodge

Private coaching & visiting specialists. Agistment-self serve to full care. Emmett4Horses Therapist,

Kerry is an accomplished rider and coach who focuses on correct biomechanics for horse and rider. She has a keen eye for correct movement and is an accomplished artist. Kerry is also an Emmett4Horses therapist and qualified Equine Musculoskeletal Therapist through Holistic Horseworks in the US. She regularly hosts clinics at her boutique agistment facility “Oakover Lodge” just outside Goulburn and

is constantly furthering her own learning, currently studying with the International Society for Rider Biomechanics. Kerry is no stranger to the show ring, the dressage arena or the cross country course and has a wealth of information to share. Lessons incorporate the principles of Classical Dressage/Straightness Training and Equine Science. You may choose to focus on groundwork/in-hand (great for young horses) or have an arena lesson, either privately or in a small group (maximum of 3 people).

Operating as usual

14/12/2022

Final preparations for our last CDPA Clinic of 2022 at Oakover this morning and off at midday to the airport to collect Louise. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow and another weekend of growth and positive learning.

26/11/2022

https://facebook.com/events/s/classical-dressage-practically/528242658686380/ one riding position has just opened up at the December clinic. Please message to take advantage of the opportunity to join us! clinic

12/11/2022

Baby steps.

Today was I think my fifth ride since he came home and it’s all about him developing his own strength and balance with me on board. It’s not about putting him in a frame just to “look pretty”, it’s the connection that comes with time. Being an Andy X he ducks behind the contact quite easily so watching that I don’t use backward rein aids and encourage forward to the bit without going over tempo is especially key at this stage.

Baby steps.

Today was I think my fifth ride since he came home and it’s all about him developing his own strength and balance with me on board. It’s not about putting him in a frame just to “look pretty”, it’s the connection that comes with time. Being an Andy X he ducks behind the contact quite easily so watching that I don’t use backward rein aids and encourage forward to the bit without going over tempo is especially key at this stage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck2kyfTqA8v

10/11/2022

I have been know to say I refuse to “tickle your ears” when coaching so I’m going to tell you what you need to hear rather than what’s pleasant.

Amy is so much more erudite than I…..but I echo her sentiments.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=534172495387968&id=100063856669752

To my student-

I am at times going to give you some information that might hurt you.

I would never want you to hurt intentionally, because I care deeply about you. But, because I know you want growth, I am obligated to tell you what you need to know to grow. I respect you too much to let you go on this way.

I will try to present this as best I can with a tone that can help you hear it, but, I know ultimately it is out of my control how it is received.

I will try to layer in praise, encouragement and everything else a person needs to go forward- but I know it is humans nature to hold on to criticism for dear life.

I know that what can pull you through these times is the relationship of trusting we have- trusting each other. You trust me with your safety, physically and emotionally- I know just how giant a leap one must make to trust someone in that way, and that is very special to me. I trust you to give me your best, to tell me what you need, and to be respectful toward me, too. I’m sharing work that means the world to me, work that is meaningful and beautiful to me, and I trust you to honor it.

You trust that I want you to be the best you can be, and that I respect you enough to tell you this. This information comes to empower you, never to make you feel small. Because I know how strong you are, and what you are capable of.

It is not attached to a judgement. If you are on the wrong path, making a mistake, doing something that just won’t work, it doesn’t make you bad. It just is. I know how painful it can be to hear were doing something wrong, but it doesn’t mean YOURE wrong. I know it’s wrong because I’ve done it - I’ve been there, and I see where it goes.

I’m not better than you, and that’s not the point. I’m someone who has experience and can see what you need, but I’m not speaking from a pedestal. I’m here with you to bring you to where I know you can be.

But this isn’t about me, in the end. It’s you who has to make that leap of faith, to take my words and trust that they’re there for you, not to take away from you. It’s you who has to put in the work of improvement. I can be here waiting in the arena for when you’re ready to do the hard work, but I can’t do it for you.

I’m here, because I know you can do it.

Photo by Melinda Yelvington

06/11/2022

Like or follow our page to get updates as this newly started fellow begins his classical dressage training.

01/11/2022

Down the centre line in SHOULDER IN. Mobilise the shoulders across the centre line (slowly) into RENVER on the other side.

01/11/2022

Photos from Oakover Lodge's post

29/10/2022

Photos from Oakover Lodge's post

20/10/2022

Would you like to experience learning to work a horse in hand who already knows the ropes? It can be hard to develop “feel” when you are trying to teach your own horse at the same time can’t it! 🤔😵‍💫🤯

Do you have difficulty in longeing your horse and keeping them equally balanced on both reins? I can help!

Comment below 💬 and tell me about what other challenges you have found while working your horses in hand. Let me know what you’d most like to learn.

If you’d like to book an in hand lesson with Caelie and I send me a PM and we can work around the 🌧 to make it happen.

02/08/2022

It's taken quite some time to go through all of the photos from the weekend with Louise van Gaal but here they are! Another positive CDPA Clinic with consistent improvement from everyone over the three days.

Thanks again to everyone for making it happen and picking up the camera when I was otherwise occupied.

We all missed a couple of our regular ladies and hope they will make it to the next clinic in October (watch out for the event notice!)

31/07/2022

Another wonderfully successful CDPA Clinic at Oakover this weekend, with huge thanks to Louise van Gaal from Dressage on the Beam and Brokeford Holsteiner Warmblood Stud for sharing her expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm with us all once again.

Much appreciation goes to all of our participants who continue to support these clinics. Look forward to seeing everyone again in October!

Stand by to be inundated with photos…. Tomorrow night. 🤪 🥱

27/07/2022

I read this article yesterday but didn’t save it before going out to ride, and finally found it again this evening to sh...

27/06/2022

Angelika Frömming: "To Win or Not To Win, That is the Question"

I read this article yesterday but didn’t save it before going out to ride, and finally found it again this evening to share.

A very thought provoking and IMHO accurate assessment which SHOULD prompt some reevaluation of many facets of the industry and sport.

What are your thoughts?

Sometimes things do not work out the way you want and with increasing age the infamous stress of retired people comes on top. Initially I had planned to absolutely watch the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the CDI Aachen Dressage (13 June 202) at the wonderful property of the Kasselmann family....

25/06/2022

Information for all users of the facility. Good advice for anyone coming into contact with horses while out and about.

Stromlo Forest Park is a shared use facility - our community is made up of horse riders, runners, walkers, road cyclists, mountain bikers, triathletes, rollers skiiers and more. 🐎🏃‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚵‍♂️🎿

If you're a user of the trail network, please look out for the 𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨 🟧. These indicate you're on an equestrian trail - bikes are asked to avoid these trails and runners/walkers must take extra care.

Trail etiquette and safety requires cyclists and walkers/runners to give way to horses.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲:
• STOP - All users should yield to horses by stopping and asking permission of the horse rider to pass.
• Allow horse riders time to position their horses for safety.
• TALK - Cyclists should not ring bells as they may startle a horse - voice contact is preferable. A frightened horse is a danger to you, the horse rider and other park users.
• WAIT - It is advisable not to pass within a metre of a horse as they may kick if startled and have considerable reach.

24/06/2022

IMHO allowing a respite with a change of posture is very different to the “stretching” and “long and low” promoted by many. I’ve always believed (logically!) that dropping their head and allowing weight to go onto the forehand by default is self defeating when your goal should be lightness and self carriage…. And that belief has been held for many more years than my knowledge base supported it!

This post popped up in my memories today and once again I find it interesting, particularly given that I now work with helping horses’ minds and bodies, and do even more work in hand than a decade ago. Add that to even more advancement under saddle with the help of Louise van Gaal, my friend, coach and mentor.

Equine Anatomy verses Equine Anatomy

There are two types of horse’s anatomy, the one supporting the thought that lowering of the neck stretches upper neck and back muscles and the real horse’s anatomy which contradict such beliefs. Even if they theoretically refer to the same horse, the two anatomies are totally different. One of the strong arguments of long and low proponents is that elongating the head, reaching with his nose forward increases the stretching of the upper neck muscles. The expression commonly use is “stretching through the bit.” The problem with the claim is that the muscles that move the head are not the muscles that lower the neck. There are 21 pairs of muscles moving the head, including reaching the nose forward. They do not elongate at all the upper neck muscles. In fact, reaching with the nose forward shortens the upper element of one of the upper neck muscles.

The two main muscles involved in the lowering of the neck are the splenius and the semispinalis capitis. The splenius is not even inserted on the skull. The muscle is inserted laterally on the nuchal crest. Beside its main function, that is resisting the lowering of the neck, the lateral insertion of the splenius on the upper end of the nuchal crest allows the muscle to bend the head and neck laterally. Instead, the muscle does not elongate at all when the horse nose reaches forward. The other main upper neck muscle, which is the semispinalis capitis, does have its upper element that is inserted on the upper crest of the skull. However, in order to move the horse’s nose forward, the upper compartment of the semispinalis capitis has to pull the skull back and therefore the muscle does not elongate but at the contrary shortens in concentric contraction. I am talking about compartment because the semispinalis capitis is built in numerous compartments. The muscle does have an internal tendon and there are 6 elements situated below the central tendon and 7 compartments situated above. Such architecture is convenient for the horse as it permits numerous variations of movements such as lateral bending, rotations, etc. By contrast, the construction contradicts the stretching theories which think that the muscle elongates as a whole. Due to its architecture of compartments, the compartments situate at the base of the muscle can have a totally different action than the compartments situated at the top.

Most of the stretching theories believe that the lower neck muscles, which are the muscles situated below the cervical vertebrae pull the head and neck down stretching the upper neck muscles. The reality is totally different. The lowering of the neck is not created by the lower neck muscles because they don’t have the power to elongate the upper neck. Instead, the lowering of the neck is created by gravity. The horse’s head and neck weight about 10% of the horse’s body mass and gravity is pulling the neck and head down. The upper neck muscles resist the attraction of gravity and therefore allow some lowering resisting attraction of gravity. Some studies define the upper neck muscles’ resistance as isometric hold, which means that the muscle contract without elongating or shortening. Other studies refer to the muscular work as eccentric, which means that the muscles contract while elongating. Eccentric contraction is also called active stretch. This needs to be soundly interpreted. Active stretch or eccentric contraction is the most powerful type of muscular contraction. Such contraction can be between 15 to 50 times stronger than concentric.

The term relax is often used in the stretching theories. Whatever the neck position, the splenius stiffens as the front hoof impacts in order to resist the acceleration of gravity created by the impact forces. This stiffening that occurs twice per stride is part of the locomotor mechanism at the walk, the trot and the canter. If the neck was relaxed, the head and neck would drop at each impact.
The main argument of the stretching proponents is that the horse “stretches” naturally lowering the neck after work. There is a strong ligament named nuchal ligament that connect the cranial thoracic vertebrae and the skull. The nuchal ligament is not under tension when the neck is up into an alert position. The ligament comes under tension when the neck is lowered into a more horizontal position. The purpose of the nuchal ligament is reducing the work of the upper neck muscles. At the walk, the nuchal ligament eases the work of the upper neck muscles by 55%. At the trot and canter, the nuchal ligament eases the work of the upper neck muscles by 32 to 36%. The horse does not stretch the neck, he simply eases the work of the upper neck muscles placing the neck into a more horizontal position and therefore using the passive resistance of the nuchal ligament.

Proponents of the long and low theory make statements but rarely explain how it works. When they do, they invent a horse anatomy that fit their beliefs. Recently was published a perfect example of “convenient” anatomy. The type of anatomy that fit the belief but is not even vaguely related to the way the horse physique is effectively built and functions. “Since the neck is attached to the withers and the withers to the large muscles over the top of the back, the stretch can reach far back toward the hips.” This is plain false. The two main back muscles are the longissimus dorsi, which is in fact composed of several muscles following the same line, the longissiumus cervicis, capitis, thoracis, lumborum etc. The fasciles of the longissimus system are inserted in oblique down and forward from the dorsal spines to the articular processes on the vertebrae. The fascicle bridge approximately 3 to 5 vertebrae. The fascicles of the Multifidius muscles are oriented in the opposite direction, oblique, down and back covering about 3 vertebrae all along the thoracolumbar spine. During locomotion, there are many circumstances where the fascicles of the thoracic region contract differently than the fascicles of the lumbar region.

Every time that we publish an educated discussion about lowering of the neck we came under nasty attacks of uneducated riders and trainers who want to believe in their stretching theories. Truly, this does not change the real horse’s anatomy. We are willing to explain a little further if you want to know more about the horse’s functional anatomy as advanced research study explain it today. Anyone interested to understand how neck alignment affects or helps the horse is welcome. We have created a course which provides advanced understanding of equine functional anatomy and how to apply new knowledge. Instead, if you think about lowering of the neck as a cult that should not be question and therefore are going to argue base on a horse’s anatomy that does not exist, we are not going to respond because we will not be talking about the same creature. We will simply push the delete button.
Jean Luc

21/06/2022

More interesting information from Tami Elkayam Equine Bodywork.

09/06/2022

Definitely worth a read and keeping in mind - correct work is key.

21/05/2022

Oakover Lodge updated their information in their About section.

15/05/2022

Today I completed my Third and final Level in Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding with Marisa Levitt from Magic Hands Horseworks, through Holistic HorseWorks and April Love.

Very much looking forward to helping your horses further with extra tools in my kit including Craniosacral techniques.

06/05/2022

Interesting post and good to consider.

02/05/2022

I can confirm this is true…..

Do you own one of these?

24/04/2022

Day 4 of the April 2022 CDPA Clinic wih Louise van Gaal from Dressage on the Beam.

Chelly Briscoe
Bonnie Skinner
Suzie Campbell
Ro Too
Vish Bartlett
Kirsten Foley

Some obvious improvements from Day 1, way too many photos to choose from.

Looking forward now to the June Clinic! I'll add an Event notice soon, however all riding positions for the full four days are full.

Auditors are more than welcome, details and fees will be in the Event notice to come.

24/04/2022

Day 3 of the April 2022 CDPA Clinic with Louise van Gaal from Dressage on the Beam.

Kirsten Foley
Ro Too
Suzie Campbell
Bonnie Skinner
Kerry Masterman
Lexi Masterman
Chelly Briscoe
Nienke Lucas
Vanessa Tiege

19/04/2022

Day 2 of the April 2022 CDPA Clinic here at Oakover with Louise van Gaal from Dressage on the Beam.

Another awesome day of challenges, learning and growth. Bring on Day 3.

Chelly Briscoe
Vanessa Tiege
Kirsten Foley
Ro Too
Miki Maisano
Suzie Campbell
Kerry Masterman
Bonnie

15/04/2022

April 2022 Clinic with Louise van Gaal from Dressage on the Beam
DAY 1.
Vanessa Tiege
Chelly Briscoe
Nienke Lucas
Ro Too
Suzie Campbell
Bonnie Skinner
Miki Maisano
Kerry Masterman

15/04/2022

New saddle feels. 💯

A whole day of production with a film crew on site in November resulted in this! So proud of Caelie and how she handled ...

24/03/2022

How High Performance Hoof Care keeps business running smoothly

A whole day of production with a film crew on site in November resulted in this! So proud of Caelie and how she handled huge cameras literally on under and over her, big screens flapping, dazzle boards and fluffy microphones in strange places.

@ Sascha Laurenson High Performance Hoof Care Australia

Sascha Laurenson is investing in the future of her business, High Performance Hoof Care, so she can narrow down her client list to the horses who need her mo...

04/03/2022

Given our protracted “wet season” and grass growth this is still very valid here.

28/02/2022

A selection of photos from the February 2022 CDPA Clinic. We dodged the rain all weekend, and considering the forecast was for torrential downpours on Friday and significant rain Saturday and Sunday it was no mean feat! Great effort ladies, positive can do attitudes and thanks once again for your support and help over the weekend.

Another great clinic, looking forward to the next one over the Easter long weekend - so we will be offering four days. Stand by for the Event notification. :)

07/02/2022

Pandiculation.
Do you know what it is? What does YOUR horse do that meets the definition?

Comment below and let me know!

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21665102/

11/01/2022

This is, I am sure, also contributing to unsoundness in our sport horses at much earlier ages. However starting these horses with correct training focusing on their biomechanics and actually creating lift in the thoracic sling as a result can aid in longevity as a riding horse.

17/12/2021

F***l Egg Counts done for everyone with the change of season.

Out of 9 horses only one required worming, and it was the expected High Shedder.

All horses are wormed annually with Equest plus Tape to ensure encysted strongyles are treated irrespective of egg count. Pinworm eggs are very rarely found in manure samples as they’re laid around the a**s not internally.

12/12/2021

Baucher discusses jaw flexions as part of training, beneficial for all and with some tailoring to the individual depending on their conformation. Today we know that fascial trains connect the hyoid and therefore the tongue to the hind leg (P3 or the pedal/coffin bone if I recall correctly). Therapies like Emmett can help with releasing fascia from the hyoid and be a very useful adjunct to jaw flexions but won’t solve the problem if the training and corresponding use of the bit is not done correctly. Sharon May-Davis has shown this connection during dissections and also shown that bitless doesn’t necessarily solve the issue as a firm band of any sort around the jaw likewise interferes with that fascial train.

Likewise you sometimes see horses trying to release tension in their own hyoid after work under saddle concentrating on activating the hind legs….. see attached picture. 🤓 Lynne Rixon

I will add a link in the first comment to an interesting article which also contains some great diagrams of the fascial trains.

09/11/2021

The next CDPA (Classical Dressage Practically Applied to Achieve Lightness) Clinic with Louise at Oakover will be a Zoom clinic in December which is already fully booked.

We anticipate our next face to face clinic with Lou will be in February 2022, stay tuned as there will be limited riding positions and they will fill FAST as always.

Message for more information or check the Oakover Lodge FB page for Event details to come.

#

01/11/2021

Photos from Oakover Lodge's post

Address

247 Mountain Ash Road
Gundary, NSW
2580

Telephone

0416109715

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Videos

I think Caelie is enjoying her hot oil treatment this morning despite the cold wind you can hear in the background. Essential oils are a powerful adjunct to Bodywork - she approved of the oils selected, had one lick of my hands and kept coming back to smell them. (Note: I don’t advise application of undiluted oils and always recommend a rug is used afterwards to prevent photosensitivity until no oily residue is evident). #bodywork #emmett4horses #craniosacraltherapy #holistichorseworks #horseworksoakover #oakoverlodge #balance #symmetry #equine #horsesofinstagram #equinemusculoskeletalunwinding #equinemusculoskeletaltherapy #equinebodywork #dressagehorse

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Comments

I just had to share this awesome image of one of my clients, Kerry Masterman during a recent clinic at her beautiful property Oakover Lodge.
Caelie BFD is shod in front with Easyshoe Versa shoes and is currently barefoot behind.
I get a lot of joy seeing the horses I work on performing well with comfortable, balanced feet :)

It's been a wonderful visual experience doing this journey with so much improvement, well done everyone!

Another fantastic clinic at Oakover with Louise van Gaal. So great seeing and feeling what the practical application of old school exercises can do for horse and rider. And understanding the why. My brain is a bit full and I'm happily tired. My reading list is bigger, too. I swear my mare has a longer neck and is walking out better than she ever has after this weekend! Thanks everyone who came to watch and ride and learn 🙏

Good morning (for me LOL) Kerry. I have a question. My gelding has suffered for the past 8 to 10 years with hind hoof pain due to deep embedded bars, under run, crushed heels, thrush and gradually distorting capsules. I was completely naive about the mess his hooves were in when I started my ABC journey to help him. I was a novice and have made lots of mistakes over the course of the past 6 or so years. He will be 14 in Jan, is 16 hands, and weighs a little over 1500 lbs. He's halter bred w/ large forearms and shoulders and a very deep heartgirth - he falls off somewhat in the hind quarters. He has some of the typical 'engine in the front', over developed neck muscles. I believe I can see the light at the end of the tunnel regarding his hind hooves returning to a healthy condition. Will those over developed muscles ever return to normal when his pull becomes a push?

Kerry from Oakover Lodge and her mare are thrilled with their new Rambo Optimo, "it is a beautiful rug and the cut fits her perfectly, and the length and drop at 6’6” is spot on"

Is your horse just as beautiful in their rug now it is getting cooler? We would love to see!

And if you are a bit jealous it's okay, you can get your Rambo Optimo rug here:
https://www.thehorserugwhisperer.com.au/product/rambo-optimo-turnout-with-400g-liner/

RIDERS SHAPEWEAR ?

We've heard our Equitation Pants described that way, and Kerry love the Trail pants for the same reason.

"Love, Love, Love the "shaping"...
These pants, yes all of them not just the Trail, are classy enough to wear down the street and not look like you've just stepped off your horse even if you have.

They wear beautifully, wash well, don't show every little mark and are SO flattering. I really struggle feeling comfortable in my own skin and normal joddies just don't help! I've spent a similar amount on other brands and groan when I look at photos unless I'm hiding under a vest or jacket. Not with these!

I'm about to purchase a second pair and possibly a third. AND go through my collection of jods…. anyone want some very lightly used traditional breeches?"

- Kerry Masterman, Oakover Lodge

Thanks for the great review Kerry! 🙏

The Trainer & The Student.

When you're scrolling through FaceBook and think to yourself:

"Oohh, nice horse" ... "hang on, they look like Ride Proud pants" ... "they are!, they are Ride Proud pants" :)

And then ... "Hey! So are they!"

I still get a rush of excitement when I see a photo of a customer (let alone 2!) in our riding gear.
I'm humbled every time we receive a comment or review on our riding pants. I can't see that feeling ever changing.

This is Kerry and Louise at a recent clinic at Oakover Lodge in New South Wales, both in Ride Proud pants. ☺️