Melvindale Farm Equine

04/01/2024

01/01/2024

We will be getting back into lessons and clinics very soon as well as some new stuff that I'm a bit excited about, more on that later.

But for now I would like to wish all our clients a happy and healthy 2024.
I have worked with terrific peeps in 2023 who have gone from beginners or no confidence riders to ones who are able to push past their comfort zone and grow together with their horses.
I have also ridden some cracking clients horses in 23 in Showing and Drafting.
I find the work that I do with the Pen riders at the TFI feedlot very rewarding as well.
The following photos are of some of our clients, clinics, clients horses, and general training and some of my favourite quotes....
Thanks to Vincent, my rock who keeps me grounded and my voice of reason when I need to hear it, even if I don't want too.

Melanie

24/12/2023

👀
It's a bit dark to the north!!

23/12/2023

This is a good read and, in my opinion, is so true.
Not all trainers have the big money behind them, the flashy sponsors, and they don't have access to the horses with purple pedigrees. Not all trainers have lackies to do all the dirty and mundane work behind the scenes that make them look good up front.
There are so many good horsemen and women out there, doing their stuff, under the radar, quietly and confidently, with time and compassion for the horse.

HORSEMAN
There are horse trainers, horse traders and horse whisperers. There are show men, show boaters and show offs. There are fast talkers and would be magicians.

But then there are true Horsemen and Horsewomen, and these are harder to find and sometimes even harder to recognize because they are often tucked away in quiet hidden places, working slowly and silently without national recognition or appreciation.

Often times, the true horseman or woman does not have the most horses in training or those horses that are exceptionally bred or high priced. Often times, the true Horsemen and Women do not have access to big money owners or run through dozens and dozens of prospects in order to find the few that can take the pressure of aged event prize money or high profile exhibition. Many times, the true horsemen and women are slow and steady, methodical and patient, training on an individual horse's timeline and not to a rigid show schedule set by the seasons or show management.

These people recognize a horse's physical and mental capabilities and showcase their assets without sacrificing their bodies or minds. Horsemen and women take their time developing their horses' skills and confidence through a traditional steps, one before the next, placing just as much credence in their teaching relationship and equine partnership as they do in show pen results. Horsemen and women are humble because their reward comes from within; from knowing that they have taught through kindness, patience, fortitude, and logic. Their rewards coming from creating a confident horse that works with them and not for them, horses that are not scared or intimidated, horses with solid foundations that last season after season and that carry a gamut of riders from the experienced non pro to the Amateur to the Green Reiner. Always Dedicated. Always Patient. Always Consistent. Whether it be riding young horses, resurrecting older horses, or maintaining the Steady Eddy, a True Horseman is one of the first ones to throw a leg over in the morning and one of the last ones to pull their boots off in the evening.
Horsemen and women are a pleasure to watch in the arena or on the ranch as they diligently and patiently impart their knowledge and logic to both horses and students.

In an era where the horse industry is so economically driven and success is measured primarily in prize money and accolades, the tradition of the true horseman and the process of training horses seems to be changing; giving way to an assembly line mentality where immediate success and financial compensation take precedence over handcrafted quality and longevity. Dedicated to their craft, loyal to their students, ambitious, hardworking and a role model for anyone interested in making their way in an industry dominated by pressure to build great animals in less and less time, old fashioned horsemen are women are now Artisans, assets to our heritage and traditions and harder and harder to find.

A thoughtful teacher, a thorough instructor, a gentle hand, a firm guide, a rational yet fearless showman, the greatest compliment that I think could ever be given to someone who works with horses, is to be thought of as a Horseman.

📝Becky Hanson

14/12/2023

As I take a little time off from clinics, lessons and outside horses untill January, I've decided to spend some time with 2 of my competition horses (one who is having injury rehab), and my 3 sale horses.
I think spending any amount of time with horses without putting a saddle on and just training is valuable. Letting them know that the relationship between horse and human can be interactive and fun.
I'm working especially with 2 horses here that are shut down and/or have other "issues". Watching them learn, think and accept is very rewarding to me, it's just what I need right now.
There is definitely a chestnut blaze theme happening here, the brown one looks a little out of place 😆😆.

The first 2 are the competition horses
3A6 Tyrion (injury rehab)
and
3A6 (unsure of name yet 😆🫣)

Then the 3 sale horses
3A6 Privateer
Myarra Shine
3A6 Royal Oak.

12/12/2023

Great little pony!
Please message original poster for more info.

Will be for sale in the coming weeks

BAMBOROUGH RAZZLE MINT aka DOBBY

12 years old
12.2 hh
Registered Welsh E -8745

Ideal second pony for capable and confident child or small teen.

Extremely hard sale, only selling as rider has outgrown and moved on to a bigger horse.

Comes with rugs, halter and saddle.

09/12/2023

I would like to let my wonderful clients know that I'm taking December to reflect and regroup after the passing of my beautiful mum.
I will be back in early January with the pre booked private lessons and the 2 x clinics that I asked "expression's of interest" for, and was humbled by the response.
I will contact everyone soon.
Thank you.
Melanie x

03/12/2023

14/11/2023

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to my clients patience and kindness in the past week.
We appreciate your understanding of our situation.
Thank you to my beautiful friends with offers and help on the farm.
🤍🤍🤍

05/11/2023

Just an update on what's happening here on the farm.

I have been humbled by the response to the new coaching concept that I advertised in July and have just completed the first 4 riders. I have filled another 2 groups of riders which will take me up to mid January.

I am also hoping to run a few small group Horsemanship clinics over the school holidays for both teenagers and adults, if you are interested let me know and I will pop you on the list to contact when they're organised.

After that, I will be away and so unavailable untill April.

30/10/2023

This is something that I have observed in the past few years and with talking to friends and clients, I'm not alone.

I think "the immediate response" is a curse of the modern era with so many different ways to get in contact with people available to anyone with a phone in their hand.

I run a small farm and I work at my fledgling equine business and ASH stud, both of wich I love and throw my heart and soul into.
My husband works away and is only home a 1 to 2 days a week and I care for my elderly mum, both of which, time with them is so precious to me.
I don't have a house cleaner, secretary, cook, driver, bookkeeper or personal organiser (although I should have😆).

I try and answer my phone when it rings or call back if someone leaves a message, reply to an email, give a 👍 to a text or pm.... and yes sometimes I forget to for a few days. Sometimes, because there are so many ways to get in contact, I regretfully miss it entirely only to find it days/weeks later.

What I find frustrating is, in this age of "the immediate response" is that I don't have time to be constantly looking at my phone, endlessly scrolling through fb to see that little red blip saying I have a new message, or to hear that strange noise alerting me to a message. I do see them during the day then find them again at night time and reply to any relevant messages.

I think the "auto responses" that you can set up to be sent if someone gets in contact are robotic and impersonal but it may be the way the world is going in this day of "the immediate response" ...

29/10/2023

After being the Clinition for 2 weekends in a row, it was my time to be the student and opening my mind to different techniques of training cow horses.
Reiterating in my mind what I already knew, that it take a lot of time in the saddle, dedication, timing, patience and repetition to train a cow horse and always seek new ideas.
Thank you Brook for your time and Tas for allowing us to use your facilities and cattle.
Good people, great horses, beautiful surroundings and perfect weather makes for easy learning..

22/10/2023

3 day Basic Cattle working clinic is all done.... 🤍

I'm feeling very humbled, happy, grateful and extremely tired.
But, I love what I do!!

9 keen, open minded riders.
14 tired horses.
3 amazing helpers.
2 beautiful ring ins.
A few tears.... but so much more laughter and learning!!!

What an amazing 3 days!!
Thank you to everyone for their listening ears, keenness, questions, patience, passion and willingness to learn.

15/10/2023

That's a wrap on another clinic and the weather was so kind to us.
This Basic Horsemanship was run to give the 11 riders confidence, add tools to their Toolbox at home, and focusing on the foundations.
It was great to see faces I've known for some time to ones I've never met.
Thank you all for your amazing listening ears, the fabulous questions and encouraging banter... it was great to hear.

06/10/2023

If you would like any further information regarding this clinic please text Melanie Austen on the number supplied.
If would prefer to pm this page, please leave a message in the comments as I've misplaced messages in the past if we are not previously connected.

22/09/2023

Basic Horsemanship Clinic to be held at Willalooka SA. (This will not be a cow working clinic)
Covering the basics.
Confidence builder.
Contact Melanie for more information 0418 895 661.

17/09/2023

I only took a few photos before my phone went flat and I never got to recharge it... too busy learning more and enjoying life.
Thank you Tom Willoughby for another wonderful advanced cow working clinic. Thanks for your knowledge, your honestly and the many laughs.
There were a lot of 💡💡💡moments over the last 3 days.
Thank you to everyone who helped me with the food and cleaning.
It all ran so smoothly.

16/09/2023

2nd day.... Camp work.
Another fabulous day!!

15/09/2023

There is no better way to spend a great sunny day.
Great people.
Great horses.
Great instructor.
You couldn't ask for much more really.

Day 1 done and dusted with our Tom Willoughby Cattle working clinic.
Looking forward to the next 2 days.

25/08/2023

** Update.. this clinic is now full.. thank you**

There are 2 riding spots that have just become available in our Tom Willoughby 3 day Horsemanship and Cow Working Clinic to be held at Willalooka on the 15th, 16th and 17th September.
Please PM me if you are interested or call me on 0418 895 661.

15/08/2023

We're just moving some sand and ironing out a few holes in the arena today.
We will then be ready for our new riders and 2 upcoming clinics.
😊😊😊🤍