Holistic Rehabilitation Program
Transformative Healing for Equines
Welcome to our Holistic Rehabilitation Program — a comprehensive online training initiative curated for all equines. This program is not just another course; it’s a transformative journey designed and led by an experienced equine professional specialising in rehabilitation. With our holistic approach, you’ll gain the confidence to assess and apply the principles of equine well-being like never before.
About your instructor. My name is Tanya French, I’ve been around horses all my life, 30+ years. I went through all the usual channels growing up with horses, pony club, natural horsemanship (pressure and relief training), I rode with bits and my horses were shod when they were working.
I was very lucky to have spent so much time with horses from a young age as I learned a lot about body language and how to read it (even though I’ve now learnt that a lot of the things we see and interpret have the opposite meaning!).
About 14 years ago I learned about clicker training, the effect of a bit on the horses mouth and body, and how metal shoes have a gradual negative impact on the hoof.
Watching someone ride one day a friend had asked the question, “why does that horse froth at the bit?”
In my ignorance I thought he was working “correctly”, he was a big fancy dressage horse, I didn’t know why though. At the time I was working as in instructor at a riding school and at pony clubs, all very traditional riding and handling.
She went on a google search and found some things that were very disturbing to me, I needed to know more.. I went on my own search that ended with me stopping riding completely and started me on the first step to me healing the damage I had been blind to in my horses. I also tried to change what I could at the riding school and pony clubs.
My friend says she ruined me, I can’t thank her enough!
My journey started there, to improve the lives of thehorses I have in my care and the many I meet along the way.
I studied a cert 4 in horse management. Followed by a cert in equine massage with a very strong basis in anatomy and physiology.
I then went on to the diploma of Equine Podiotherapy, this was a massive eye opener!
The first time I really started to appreciate that the more you know the more you know you don’t know.
Lots more anatomy and physiology, diet and nutrition, how pain effects conformation, the chicken and egg of how issues start and that a whole horse approach is needed to get them back to homeostasis.
I have been working as a hoof care practitioner for the last 13 years and have met many more amazing hoof professionals who are pushing the boundaries to make horses more comfortable and heal them.
After the podiotherapy course I realised I needed to know more about healthy movement in the horse. This lead me classical dressage.
I learned there are a lot of different schools in classical dressage! And many clash in their principles. The one that seemed the most logical to me was La Guérinière, born in the 16th century, he changed the way dressage was done. Those before him wanted to produce a horse quickly for war, they wanted to train as many as possible to a high level so they could be sent off to battle, they died quickly hence the need for speedy training. La Guérinière wanted to train the horse for art, so they would stay healthy and able to be ridden for many years. This resonated with me.
I wasn’t so concerned with riding but if I wanted to ride this was a way to do it without hurting them physically. I attended many training days, read books and completed online courses with several international instructors.
I got quite far into my classical journey before my horse started to show signs that he wasn’t coping mentally with the training, to be honest he was showing signs much earlier on but I just didn’t realise what they meant.
I went and found force free training, I learned about calming signals, emotions, choice and control for the animal. I stopped all of the training.
In 2014 I learned about a competition to train a wild brumby in 100 days, what better way to show how amazing positive reinforcement training is! I competed in the first Australian Brumby Challenge, my beautiful little +R trained brumby won the yearling section. I competed in the 2016 challenge with my yearling gelding and we dabbled in some service/assistance horse training, it was an amazing challenge! This got me hooked on brumbies, I am now on the committee of the Victorian Brumby Association and am very passionate about humane management.
I started a certification to be an equine behaviourist. This once again blew my mind, just how much damage we can do with our traditional training and horse keeping methods.
And how much we can do to heal them with positive reinforcement.
I am re training the classical dressage movements force free, along with all the husbandry behaviours our horses need to know for living happy lives with humans, and lots of fun activities like horse agility and the odd trick.
This is where I am now, running my own rescue and rehabilitation. I want to share everything I’ve learned with you and help as many horses as possible, and try to con you into adopting a brumby, because who doesn’t need another horse right!
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Moduals
Meet Your Guide – In Videos
My Story:
Embark on this journey with me as I share my passion for equines and my extensive experience in rehabilitation. Discover the inspirations and insights that drive this program.
Program Overview:
Get an in-depth understanding of what our Holistic Rehabilitation Program entails. Explore the modules, techniques, and the positive impact it can have on equines of all kinds.
The Equines:
Meet some of the remarkable equines whose lives have been changed by our program. Witness their transformative journeys and discover the potential for healing and growth.
Assessments – Written and Video
Photos:
Learn the art of capturing key aspects of equine health through comprehensive photo assessments. Understand the visual cues that can guide your rehabilitation efforts.
Video Assessments:
Explore the nuances of video assessments, a powerful tool in understanding equine movement, behaviour, and overall well-being. Gain practical insights into identifying areas of improvement.
Management – Written, Audio and Video Guides
Overview:
Delve into the holistic management approach, covering social and emotional needs, movement, feeding positions, track systems, and hard standing system. Learn how to tailor management practices to meet individual needs.
Hygiene and manure management:
Become a savvy equine caretaker with insights from an avid composter. Learn essential practices for maintaining hygiene, preventing parasite infestations, and promoting optimal health.
Hoof Care – Written, Audio and Video Guides
Healthy Hooves:
Understand what healthy hooves look like, delve into common pathologies, and explore the critical role of diet in hoof health. Discover various options for hoof protection and enjoy a discount on our maintenance trimming course.
Training – Written, Audio and Video Guides
Introduction to Positive Reinforcement Training:
Unlock the power of positive reinforcement training. Learn the terms, understand why and how it works, and explore the dos and don’ts of this impactful force free training approach.
Body Language and Signals:
Master the art of understanding equine body language. Explore calming signals, emotional expressions, and pain indicators. Build a deeper connection through gentle and effective communication.
Training Yoga Behaviours:
From basic behaviours to advanced. This training will teach your horse how to use their body in a way that promotes good posture long term. Delve into the art of targeting, head positions, pedestal work, lateral movements, classical bow, pole exercises and more.
Bodywork – Video and Audio Guides
Basic Massage for Owners:
Discover the art of equine massage for owners. Learn techniques that promote relaxation, flexibility, and overall well-being. Empower yourself to contribute to your equine companion’s physical comfort.
Gentle Releases:
Explore the gentle art of releases. Understand how to identify areas of tension and apply techniques to promote relaxation and alleviate discomfort.
Ongoing Assessments and Resources
Weekly Photo Retakes:
Consistency is key. Learn the importance of weekly photo assessments and track the progress of your equine through this transformative journey.
Recommended Resources:
Access a curated list of recommended resources, from books to online courses, that will enhance your understanding of equine rehabilitation and care.
Program Details:
• Duration: The program spans 3 months.
• Pricing: Avail the entire program with a one-time payment of $599 Australian dollars (case study applicants $299). For continued access and support after the initial 3 months, choose the monthly subscription option at $99 (case study applicants $49). You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time.
Exclusive Program Features:
• User-Friendly Platform: Access the course on our easy-to-navigate website, providing a seamless experience to keep track of your progress.
• Private Facebook Group: Join our community for personalised feedback, share insights, and get answers to your questions from both the instructor and fellow participants.
• Zoom Q and A Sessions: Engage in live sessions for real-time interactions, addressing queries, and gaining additional insights.
• Individually Tailored Programs: Receive personalised guidance with individually tailored rehabilitation programs for your equine companion.
• Personal Feedback: Benefit from ongoing feedback on your assessments, ensuring that you are on the right track throughout the program.
Embark on this holistic rehabilitation journey, where every module, video, and assessment is crafted to empower you as a caretaker. Join us in fostering well-being, healing, and connection with our equine companions. Let the transformative journey begin!
