Services
- Private / Group Horsemanship Lessons
- One Day and Half Day Clinics
- Horse Training / Retraining / Starting
- Private Scenic Trail Rides through Bush and Local Beaches
- Fortnightly Ladies Trail Rides
- Facility Hire - Arena/Round Yard/Yards/Kitchenette/Toilet etc
- EQUUS Shop with large range of Secondhand Saddlery & Clothing
- EQUUS Canteen (Coffee/Tea, Cordial, Snacks etc)
- Helpful & Friendly Advice
Our Horses
The most wonderful thing about EQUUS programs, is of course, our team of horses/ponies. We have a lovely little family, they are loveable, suitable for the programs we run, and truly take care of the students. Our horses are well trained to perform exactly as we need them to whilst undertaking fun lessons and clinics. You will note our horses are ridden in a rope halter under saddle, meaning they have been trained and are soft, to be able to do this. Please horse owners do not just go pop a halter on your horse and go out riding - this is extremely dangerous! The horse needs to be trained to yield to the pressure of the rope halter. Using rope halters on our horses also alleviates beginner students pulling on the horses mouth whilst learning to balance and develop an independent seat.
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Neika Fern
Blue Gear
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Midnight
Red Gear
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Noddy
Purple Gear
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Diesel
Green Gear
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Students
EQUUS accepts a variety of students, ranging from complete beginners; giving the opportunity to be associated with equines, the knowledge and care to prepare before the new member of the family arrives, providing harmony, safety and fun for both the horse and the student, to experienced horsemen and women. Our students are taught to respect and learn from what their horse or pony is telling them. To take the time and watch what the horse is telling them via their body language and us in return communicate via our body language at different energy levels. Horses, like most animals are sensitive and we miss so much, even the slightest little try the horse gives, we need to acknowledge and reward with comfort. Its all about teaching the student how to interact and communicate with our equine friend and build up a relationship of trust and leadership. Once this is developed the horse and human can achieve their goals.
Our Students have heaps of fun ... so do our horses !
Testimonials
"Wow what a long way Emma and I have come, the knowledge and expertise Melissa has at EQUUS is fantastic, she has taught me so much, i think people should have alook in their own backyards and see what a great horsewoman we have here in Tassie. Melissa you should be proud of yourself?"
Melissa
Sandford, Tasmania
"Thank you so much for a great lesson, my confidence is starting to grow as is my bond with Mollie. Your experience and tuition is something that can't be read about."
Suzanne
Sandford, Tasmania
"I had the best lesson Mel thanks so much for making Max and me so much more in tune with each other and giving me the confidence to be his leader and earn his respect!
Heidi
Lauderdale
"Melissa started my three year old gelding 'Casper'. I have had many of my horses sent off to be started and trained over the years and I must say Melissa has done the most outstanding job by far.
Melissa collected' Casper' for me and floated back to EQUUS where he had a 5 week stay.
By week four, Melissa asked me to come along to join up with 'Casper' to start our relationship off on a good note, for him to perceive me as leader. Melissa made sure I could handle 'Casper' safely and carry on with what she had taught. Melissa is a very good communicator in what she does and kept me informed the whole way through, keeping a Horse Register of my horse's training, feeding etc.
'Casper' has a lovely personality, but in my own opinion, Melissa bought out the best in him and turned 'Casper' into a quiet, soft responsive riding pony. Melissa has given him the best start with her gentle approach to starting horses.
If you are thinking of having your horse started or re educated, Melissa would be the first person on my list. I could not recommend anyone higher.
Linda (Horse experience of 28 years)
Acton, Tasmania
Hey Melissa, just been browsing your website and was impressed by the 'Equus' dedication to the wellbeing of it's school horses and focus on communication and education other than what is traditionally learnt in the saddle. This will start a lot of riders off in the right direction...there should be more of you!! Good luck
Kelly
Tarwin Lower, Australia
My daughter has had lessons with Melissa at EQUUS. EQUUS is professionally run and I have found Melissa to be knowledgeable, organised and also very patient with the children she teaches.
Melissa takes the time to explain all aspects of horse care to the children, ensuring they understand the full responsibility of becoming a horse owner.
Sue-Ellen
Sandford, Tasmania
I have attended many courses and workshops that Melissa had held at her Equestrian Centre, EQUUS over the last 2 years. Melissa has high standards and this is reflected in all of the work she does at EQUUS. All safety aspects are covered via an induction session for all clients. Melissa offers a huge range of courses for all age groups. I will continue to ride at EQUUS over the coming years.
Jacqui
Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania
Our twin 4 year old daughters have been students at EQUUS over 12 months. My husband and I were initially impressed with the presentation of the property and stables and then of course with Melissa’s professionalism and the way she interacted with our daughters. Melissa made the girls feel comfortable straight away and she never had an issue with one of our daughter’s autism which let our confidence in Melissa, not only as an instructor, but as a person. Melissa has always been supportive of our daughter and her needs and has worked with us to solve problems that have come up. We both feel that the relationship that Melissa has developed with the girls is more important than the lessons themselves. However, the girls do love grooming and riding their horse so much so, that at home, their role play is dominated by Melissa and the horses. Dad and Mum become ‘Midnight’ and ‘Fern’ for horse rides to bed every night. We are quite impressed with what the girls have learnt at EQUUS and are pleasantly surprised with what they have accomplished. We were not expecting them to be rise trot, steering and now riding by themselves so early. This simply displays Melissa’s ability to communicate and develop a trusting relationship with her students.
Melissa has always been accommodating with lesson times, addressing special needs and on the odd occasion “fitting us in” when we have mixed up dates and lesson times. Even when it rains and lessons need to be cancelled, rather than turn the girls away she still gives up her time so our daughters can groom the horses and spend time with them. Dedication.
Melissa has created a family atmosphere at EQUUS which is what we treasure the most.
Tanya and Andrew
Forcett, Tasmania
Melissa is currently teaching horsemanship and horse riding to 5 of my 6 children, including giving me an introduction to her natural horsemanship skills Having completed by British Horse Society stages and prac teachers qualifications I must say I have been suitably impressed with Melissa’s teaching style and dedication to passing on skills of horsemanship that other riding establishments have no concern for.
Melissa begins by introducing the children to horses and a safety code is explained to each child. They then have the opportunity to learn to catch, groom and saddle their pony and then have a riding lesson.
Melissa has instilled confidence in my children, all of whom are very difficult individuals and has proved herself to be very capable in instruction children of all levels and abilities. I have recommended her to many people and would recommend her as a teacher to anyone who is serious about learning to be a horseman/woman as Melissa has single handedly opened up the world of horses to my family and given me something to be excited about.
Melanie
Taroona, Tasmania
I have been a student at EQUUS undertaking private lessons and horsemanship workshops run by Melissa. Melissa maintains a high standard of professionalism in everything she does. She is friendly and welcoming to students and puts them at ease. She is able to quickly establish the current functioning level of each student and whilst teaching in a group setting, still cater for the individual student. Her teaching is clear, concise, fun and comes from a sound knowledge base. She maintains safe practises and reiterates this throughout the session. She is able to demonstrate by actually performing the task that she is asking the students and their horses to do.
The facilities provided are very well presented, neat, safe and maintained. The program that she provides range from beginner to advanced rider as well as natural horsemanship and trail riding thereby offering a variety of activities and learning experiences.
Melissa keeps students informed on what is happening at her school by way of newsletter and she offers encouragement to students by marking their achievements or passing of milestones in EQUUS news.
I will keep attending programs and clinics that Melissa runs due to the professional manner in which they are conducted.
Jackie
Acton, Tasmania
My eight year old daughter has recently been undertaking lessons with Melissa at EQUUS. The lessons have been private one on one and also a Beginners Clinic.
The Beginners Clinic focussed on equine basics with video presentations and talks followed by demonstrations and hands on activities to reinforce what was learned in the classroom environment. The students were encouraged to ask questions and participate as much as possible. My daughter learned ‘join up’, points of the horse, grooming, catching, mounting, how to tie a safety knot, etc. She was also given notes and exercises to take away and pout in her Student Folder for later reference. Melissa also encouraged my daughter to write a short article on her time at the Clinic for inclusion in EQUUS newsletter.
At private lessons my daughter (under Melissa’s supervision) catches the horse, grooms, picks out feet, saddles up and leads into the arena ready for her ridden lesson. The lesson focuses on rider’s position, exercises to build up student muscles, riding on line and when student ready off line. My daughter learned some groundwork which was later used under saddle.
The environment at EQUUS is extremely well run. Melissa offers helmets to fit riders, name badges, display of emergency procedures and contact numbers and then explains EQUUS rules and emergency procedures to students, non riders and parents present. All horse tack is labelled clearly with each horse/pony having their own set colour for gear ie, halters, leads, brushes, saddle clothes. Yards are clearly numbered so each student knows which yard to put their pony into. There are also great facilities for refreshments etc and a classroom with whiteboard, tv/dvd player.
Julie
Acton, Tasmanias
My daughter attends Melissa’s classes at EQUUS and enjoys them so much that she gets upset with it is time to leave. Melissa really is a lovely person and is so devoted to teaching and nurturing the children. The Centre is set up beautifully, it is always nice to see the children so happy.
Melissa has a lovely little riding school, we love it as do a lot of other people.
Karen and Taylah
Forcett, Tasmania
We have been attending EQUUS equestrian centre for nearly twelve months. In that time I have found Melissa to be very professional, her interaction with the students has been most encouraging and inspiring. Her attention to detail is quite evident in the design and layout of the riding school. Her riding clinics have been most informative which my daughter has thoroughly enjoyed and will hopefully continue to do so.
Kathy
Berriedale, Tasmania
Horses need to be allowed to enjoy just being a horse!
EQUUS equestrian centre© - March 2009
