DNU - - - Swellendam Winter School: Horse Human Harmony 2

ABOUT

Come experience and enjoy the beauty and power of horse-human harmony on this 3-day experiential course, aimed at making you feel safe and confident to handle horses, and possibly ride. We will learn to understand the nature of horses, explore horse-human communication and partnership, and learn to care for horses holistically.

Approaching, handling and riding horses requires a harmonious connection between horse and rider, which starts with our own self-awareness. The principles of human-horse interaction can be embodied and practiced through human-human interaction. For this, we will participate in Biodanza sessions, in which we use movement and music to develop our capacity to relate sensitively and compassionately. With kind curiosity, we observe and reflect on our own lives and relationships, thus preparing ourselves to build graceful relationships with horses, who in turn reflect back to us who and how we are in the moment.

While people of any level are very welcome, this course intends to be accessible for absolute beginners with little or no horse-riding experience or dance experience, and for people of different ages and physical abilities. Do come prepared to move and be moved! We will meet you where you are and with what you bring.

Our setting is in the beautiful Hermitage Valley surrounded by nature and hosted in a cosy home with fireplace to warm us after our time in the paddock.

Come and join Debra-Leigh, Jenni and the horses on a unique and delightful journey that welcomes and reaches your whole self, as we come to better understand our horse friends and ourselves.

To find out more about this course, you can get in touch with the facilitator on [email protected] or 076-452-8347

COURSE CURRICULUM

MODULE 1

– Introductions: the course, your facilitators, participants

– Sharing our experience with horses

– Meeting and greeting the horses one by one, observing body language

– An overview of Biodanza

– Dance (in paddock next to horses): cultivating awareness of body language

MODULE 2

– Theory: The Harmonious Horse model, 4 pillars of Harmonious Horse Care (family, home, work, health)

– Dance (in horse paddock) – encounters, connection, communication, leading and following

– Horse handling – principles and practice: Approach, Body language, Touch

– Rest and reflect (solo)

– Dance: Mirror

– Horse interaction: Handling, fitting the halter, brushing and grooming, following

MODULE 3

– Dance: varying tension and pressure

– Horse interaction: Directions and Leading – exploring commands and awareness of movement through Equitation Science Principles

– Dance: transcendence, steps of courage

– Horses interaction: Ride

– Rest and reflect (solo)

– Reflect on day and expectations

MODULE 4

– Dance: living in harmony and honouring life

– Rest and reflect

– Horse interaction: guided by participants’ level of comfort

– Closing: sharing, reflection, course evaluation

DIRECTIONS