Affinity Horsemanship

17/09/2023

I would love some feedback from those of you who own/lease/train your own horse.
I'm currently working on establishing a system that individualises and incorporates the Pyramid of Training with the Emotional Capacity of Rider and Horse, the Physical Capabilities of Horse and Rider, and establishing a deep heart connection between Horse and Rider.
My questions to you are;
1. Do you feel like you continue to progress in your training or do you feel like you get stuck?
2.What are the biggest hindrances you face in your current training sessions?
3. Do you feel like there are gaps in your knowledge or training that hinder you from progressing?
4. Do you feel like there is a lot of "assumed knowledge" when it comes to the Pyramid of Training that you have misunderstood?
5. Do you feel that the Pyramid of Training does/doesn't take into account emotional and physical capabilities? Do you think a holistic approach would be beneficial? Or do you feel like that's a different area of training and they don't mesh?
I'd really appreciate any honest feedback you can share with me 😊

23/05/2023

Exciting times ahead for Affinity Horsemanship heading in a new direction by Term 3!
The horses are currently having a rest getting prepared and pampered for their upcoming changes.
We will be running two Holiday Programs to end off our general sessions and trail rides (these will be the last holiday programs for a while)...then we will no longer be bringing on new clients as we will be running our ETHOS Programs full time by Term 3. We will of course still accommodate our current clients who have stuck by us during this time of transition and setting up the property.
The purpose of Affinity Horsemanship has always been to give the Joy of the Horse to those who need it. To build community, and Holistic Wellness.
Su***de Prevention and depressive disorders awareness has always been close to my heart.
Mt Equus will be teaming up with other organisations offering a natural bush, off-grid setting to run numerous programs to encourage emotional wellbeing and build community and self esteem. Venturing into Youth Justice Programs in the future.
Our ETHOS Program is a unique Equine Assisted Therapy 10 week program coupling Natural Horsemanship with Life-coaching skills. The foundation of Natural Horsemanship is about making the right choice easy and the wrong choice hard. We expand this into everyday life choices. Solution based therapy, and having a plan to make good choices, having group accountability, and having fun along the way.
We have never been the fancy shmancy riding school. We do not ask for or expect perfection. We don't care about your past mistakes. It's about connection, and kindness. It's come as you are (all ferals, rejects, and misfits are welcome and encouraged 😂), no judgement. Enjoyment, and community. You will get your hands dirty, you won't be pandered to, and you will carry your own saddle and learn to saddle your own horse. We laugh at ourselves and with each other, and don't take ourselves too seriously.
I'd like to personally thank the special people who have made this possible and believed in me and my vision even when it seemed hopeless. ETHOS has been seven years in the making!!! Don't give up on your dreams and your vision guys! If God puts a dream in your heart, He will give you the ability and capacity to do it. You will get opposition, it will be hard work behind the scenes, and I guarantee there will be heartache and struggle along the way. But to be able to put the vision into action is priceless and worth the wait ❤️🐴🙏
Thanks for the support,
Leona.

04/01/2023

I don't care if you're not the best rider.
I don't care if you're feet aren't in the perfect place or if your reins are a little wrong.
I will guide you and gently correct you if it's needed.
What I do care about is the smile on your face and the twinkle in your eye as you learn to ride a magnificent animal.
I do care about the healing of a broken soul being restored.
I do care about you learning to communicate to and bonding with the horse, developing harmony and horsemanship.
I do care about your sense of achievement and feeling proud about overcoming your fears.
I see how far you've come, rather than how far you've got to go.
I can always teach you to be a better rider.
But some things are about you and the horse...and I will never get in the way of that xo

08/04/2022

Our 3-day holiday program was pretty epic with a full house of 11 kids!!! Day 1 was Games Day with musical chairs, blind man's bluff, and pole races. Day 2 was trail rides and horsemanship lesson. And Day 3 we got the campfire cranking and cooked some snags then completed our Scavenger Hunt following the map and finding the clues with challenges along the way.
Best bunch of kids, best bunch of parents, best mob of horses who never cease to amaze me! They are always so good with these things and I think it's because the kids ooze joy and they love that energy ❣️

27/02/2022

I hope everyone is safe during this crazy flood. After doing a headcount of the large herd who are all loose on a combined 240acres of mountain bush thanks to awesome neighbours I once again realised how lucky I am to be able to allow my herd to be out being horses. As they go out for 3 days a week, they are conditioned to the environment and how to rely on each other. So when we have weather catastrophes like the one we are currently in, they are able to be let loose and it's not a problem. They know the boundaries, they are fit and know the terrain, they know what they can and can't eat, and they relatively stay close together. I found them all happy on high ground. (Well happy as you can be in this relentless rain)!
On the other hand I have a couple of new ex-racers who have not yet been let out with the big herd because they have not been conditioned to the environment, so do not yet have the survival techniques to cope. This was shown yesterday when they stood in a corner and waited for me to come and save them and walk them out through knee deep running water. Luckily their trust in me kicked in and it all went well.
A few lessons that I have learnt over the years with a big herd in floods
🌧️Take their rugs off. If they get into trouble a rug can hinder them, and get caught.
I usually have mesh rugs on two of my horses because of the midges give them Qld itch. The midges aren't out in the rain and I'd rather deal with the itch later than compromise their safety. You may see them shivering when it's cold but that is a natural response and how their body stays warm.
🌧️Leave gates closed but unlocked. In case you are unable to get through, at least someone can help them if they are in serious trouble.
🌞During the good weather, try to teach your horses to be out and part of a herd. If they are dangerous or difficult around other horses, this will be a problem in an emergency if you have to evacuate them.
🤔Obviously I am talking about healthy horses here and horses with health problems are not ideal to let loose.
Good luck and praying for all who are going through these floods. ❣️🙏❣️

14/12/2021

Digging holes is exhausting work!!!

21/08/2021

Affinity Horsemanship is now offering "Learn to Groom" classes. Which is code for "people can pay me to clean my mud monsters" 😂 Who wants to invest in this opportunity? As you can see we have a never ending supply of horses 🤣🤣🤣🐴🐴🐴

19/08/2021

We have been working on our 3 unbroken purebred Arabs. Liberty work progress with Maggie (Mafiinah). when the lead comes off the truth comes out ❤️

20/07/2021

Horsey friends...I have a client who is a kid in care... and is desperate for a pair of cowboy boots. I passed some old ones onto him but they don't fit. He tried everything bless him! Would anyone have a pair they no longer need? Around a size 5-6 adult size. Doesn't matter if a bit big...

09/07/2021

28/06/2021

Day 1 of our Holiday Horsemanship Program was Stockman's Day. Billy Can challenge, obstacle course, and horseshoe throws. Followed by "smoko" off the back of the ute. The most precious thing today was the horses chose their human for the day 🐴🤠 and it was very special to see. Especially Dusty, who is very particular on who rides her, and I don't usually allow kids to ride her, but low and behold today she chose her boy for the day. These horses never cease to amaze me ❤️🤗