Avoca Park Equestrian

PODCAST

BLOG

Horse Training

Since 1993 Avoca Park Equestrian has developed a facility where horse and rider want for nothing and training is at the fore-front of ALL our working with horses and their humans .

At Avoca Park Equestrian, we are dedicated to the art of horse training, drawing on over 35 years of experience and a deep passion for equine development.

Founded by Leanne, whose journey has included working with thousands of horses, our program is built on the understanding that every horse teaches us something new.

Leanne's impressive credentials include representing Victoria and Australia in Dressage, achieving qualifications through every level up to Level 3 Dressage with Equestrian Australia, and earning her Legerete Level 1 Licence under the esteemed Philip Karl and his School of Legerete.

Our training philosophy is rooted in a thorough understanding of equine bio-mechanics.

We believe that by optimizing a horse's physical symmetry, we can enhance their performance and longevity in ALL disciplines — be it dressage, jumping, racing or general exercise.

At Avoca Park Equestrian, we strive to create a harmonious partnership between horse and rider, ensuring that each horse reaches its full potential while enjoying a fulfilling and healthy life.

She has created a 5 Step program that will benefit ALL horses, riders and trainers.
             1. Cavesson work
               2. Lunging including Cavelletti
3. Mouthing Process
  4. In Hand
  5. Mounting & Ridden

Join us in this journey of growth, learning, and excellence in equestrianism.

Click HERE for Fees Explained

Training Fees:

$88* per day

A week of training (& Agistment): $550* (per week)

*All prices listed above do not include our “Feed Fee”. Avoca Park uses our Feed Analysis Calculator to calculate the exact cost of feeding each horse on site. We do not charge any more than our cost price.

When Booking:

There is an upfront holding fee deposit of $200, we will send out an invoice after we receive your application. The $200 will be deducted from your training fees upon further invoice. We will ask for an upfront payment of 3 weeks prior to the arrival of your horse and then charge in up to 3 week invoices ongoing.

Book HERE

Weanling Foundation Training

Young chestnut horse learning to tie up calmly

More Info

Our Foundation Training introduces weanlings to all the necessary basics of life that they will need as a well-trained adult horse.

Duration: 3 weeks (Recommended)

Includes:

**Catching & Leading

**Tying Up

**Handling Legs & Hooves

**Washing & Rugging

Training in Lightness

Horse and rider in a dressage arena catering around a bend with flexion and self carriage

More Info

Performance Horse Training is for horses of all levels and is based on improving the education, rideability and athletic performance of your horse.

Horses are worked 5 days per week and training is tailored to you and your horse's needs.

We use cavalletti and have a 250m track and trails to hack out on with an obstacle course to mix it up.

Racehorse Pre-Training

Beautiful race horse and jockey galloping at the races

More Info

Click here for more on Racehorse Pre-Training

Other Training Issues

More Info

Does your horse have problem behaviours in-hand and/or under saddle?

Is your horse difficult to bridle?

Or difficult to mount?

Is your horse 'lazy' or 'pushy?'

Do they feel crooked, tense or nervous?

Our program for training issues is tailored to you and your horse's specific needs....

Duration: Depending on horse. Minimum 2 weeks

Float Training

More Info

At Avoca Park, we have created a training program for teaching horses to load on and off floats and trucks.

Our systematic process enables horses to fully understand that they won't be forced, but educated into understanding it is choice.

Our step by step system allows horses the time to confident in the whole loading process.

Dressage in Lightness Online

More Info

Dressage in Lightness Online is a platform designed by Leanne Williams which is dedicated to helping owners train their own mounts in safe and productive steps.

It is an online educational platform with over 500 videos of Leanne working with horses from the moment they arrive on the property for training until the final day they leave.

There is FULL TRANSPARENCY in our program.

Click here to learn more about Dressage in Lightness Online

What is involved in Leanne William’s Training...

Leanne has dedicated her life’s work to the best and kindest training procedures for the most successful results.

It all starts with 5 simple steps...

Cavesson Work

Details

Cavesson work aids horses in developing their strength, improving balance, and improving suppleness, all of which teaches them to use their bodies more sustainably and comfortably (for us and them) for riding.

By working on these points, we create horses with an increased performance life.

Lunging Inc Cavalletti

Details

During lunging, we introduce movement whilst maintaining a relaxed posture while we assess the muscular development of the horse.

It is the first time we get to look at the natural balance of the horse while moving.

Including Cavalletti:

Cavelletti training on the lunge is a wonderful way of building confidence, co-ordination, bascule (lowering of one end while raising the other), strength and symmetry in your horse.

Mouthing Process

Details

Part 1: Contact

Our method involves no backward actions on the mouth, instead, all actions are in an upward direction – as a rule, up the line of the cheek piece.

Part 2: Balance

For the horse to have a truly relaxed mouth we need to be able to maintain as much balance as possible laterally (right/left) and longitudinally (forwards/backwards) and diagonally in all positions.

Part 3: Bend

During halt, develop neck bend of 45 to 90 degrees to the body, without poll flexion. There should be no loss of balance during this process.

Part 4: Extension

Extending the neck forwards and downwards, so that the poll is lower than the withers, without losing balance over the shoulders.

In-Hand Work

Details

Once the horse is confident with all initial exercises, both from the front and from the side (left and right) we can add movement (walk & trot) while working on the contact, balance, bend and neck extension.

We start with the basics but with work, you can begin all the lateral movements such as shoulder in, travers, renvers, half pass and walk pirouettes.

This ultimately leads to the development of the piaffe and passage exercises.

Mounting & Riding

Details

The ultimate outcome for the mounting process that we have designed, is for the horses to stand so quietly that any person of any age, or ability, can mount.

Once we reach the ridden stage, we revisit previous steps while riding to ensure the horse understands that we are asking for the same things under saddle as we did on the ground.

The first four stages of training should not be forgotten and always be re-visited when necessary.

More Information on each step can be found here

Intro to Cavesson

The cavesson training is an important part of our initial work with the horses, we use a very simple cavesson with one single ring on the nose.
The cavesson is NOT to be used as an instrument for punishment in any way shape or form, the cavesson is to aid us in teaching the horses how to use their bodies in a way that is more conducive with comfortable riding for both us and them.

Lunging

Lunging is an integral part of our training system, it is the second stage and is the time that we commence the locomotion whilst maintaining a more relaxed posture and natural balance (the balance that the horse travels in without any influence form us). This can be longitudinal, lateral or diagonal balance.

It is also the time that we get to expose them to the arena and surrounding environment. All the while allowing them to learn how to organize their bodies and develop strength in a way that is conducive with carrying a rider with beauty.

Including Cavelletti

We incorporate cavalletti into the lunging stage of training after the horses have started to develop some natural balance both longitudinally, laterally and diagonally.

It is also a great way to continue to develop your relationship with your horse, communicating via body language, verbally and with the extension of your artificial aids.

Mouthing Process

Also known as the 'education of the mouth process' Can be broken down into four easy to understand components:

CONTACT

'Contact' is the connection between the rider’s elbow and the horse’s mouth, through the hand via the reins and to the bit. 'Acceptance of the Contact' is answering the question “how confident is the horse to the rider’s rein aids?” Confidence comes from understanding the bit and the rein aids.

There should be no backwards action on the mouth as it causes unnecessary pressure on the horses’ tongue and teeth which can be the first step to loss of confidence in the bit or the hand. We want to see a relaxed jaw (chewing without tension). The mobility of the jaw is essential in the ongoing training of the horse, as a tight jaw cannot have a relaxed mind or body.

BALANCE

Front legs should be at a 90-degree angle to the ground and the point of hock should be underneath the point of buttock. This enables us to access the power of the hind quarter by asking for energy, in turn bascule is initiated by the engagement of the core muscles and the process of lengthening the neck has begun.

BEND

Once we have improved the balance we can then ask our horses to bend both to the left and to the right. Bend is the lateral flexion of the horses neck – or more specifically the cervical vertebrae. The horses back remains straight through the thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebrae. During bend we are looking for the nose to stay vertical to the ground, with no head tilt or poll flexion. and be able to stretch around without force in both directions.

NECK EXTENSION

We not only maximise the stretching of the muscles in the outside half of the neck, but we also stretch the horse’s topline. We use an aid called action / reaction to develop this posture.

In-Hand Work

The in-hand work leads directly on from the “education of the mouth”. Once your horse is very confident with all the initial exercises, both from the front and from the side (left and right) we can add in the locomotion. That is, walking while working on the contact, balance, bend and neck extension. Initially it will just be working on stop, go, turn left and turn right, you can begin circles, counter bend turns, rein-back and transitions including walk / halt / walk, walk / trot / walk and halt / trot / halt. With work, you can begin all the sideways movements such as shoulder in, traver, renver, half pass and walk pirouettes. This ultimately leads to the development of the piaffe and passage exercises.

Mounting Lessons

The ultimate outcome for the mounting process, that we have designed, is for the horses to stand so quietly that any person of any age, or ability, can mount.

Ridden Work

Once you get to the ridden stage it is an exciting time, but the first four stages should not be forgotten and always re visited when necessary.

The world has now opened to the all the exercises that will aid in helping the development of your horse’s symmetry and continue the journey of the new relationship you are developing with your horse.

Remember to take your time, give yourself time to develop your own skills and give your horse time to understand what you are trying to achieve. Once you are into the ridden stage enjoy the learning.

Check our Reviews out...

*****
I attended the lightness clinic last weekend. It was my first clinic with my young horse who is having some training with Leanne. This was also the first time I’ve ridden my horse since he’s been at Avoca Park, the work Leanne has done with him has been amazing, the difference I felt in him was fantastic! Thank you, guys.

Alma Robinson

*****
Thank you, Leanne, for training Moondance, identifying & correcting her issues then teaching me how to work with her & provide a plan for our development together moving forward. Also, for accommodating my inflexible hours & always finding the time to book classes for us any time day or night. Fantastic facilities, experience, knowledge & professionalism, very grateful for your services.

Mimi Lawerence

*****
Fantastic facilities with an amazing well-structured training process. The indoor and outdoor arenas are perfect for all types of work, and Leanne communicates clearly at every step. It’s a great environment for both horses and riders to learn and grow. Highly organized and effective!

Dakota Spencer

*****

I’ve been part of Avoca Park's dressage training program for six months, and I couldn’t be happier! The instructors break down complex movements into easy-to-understand steps for both horse and rider. My confidence has soared, and my horse is more responsive than ever. Plus, the follow-up education on the Dressage in Lightness Online platform has been invaluable!

Jason Webster

*****
The float training at Avoca Park is exceptional! My horse was always anxious about loading, but the gentle, systematic approach used here made all the difference. The trainers are patient and knowledgeable, ensuring both horse and owner understand the process. The online resources provided afterward were a great bonus for continued learning!

Nadine Carnival

*****
Avoca Park’s cavalletti training has transformed my horse’s jumping technique. The structured exercises are clear and simple to execute. I've seen noticeable improvements in my horse's confidence and strength. The follow-up education online has been a game-changer for refining our skills together!

Veronica Pendle

****
I love Avoca Park, they are so kind with their horses and the training approach is amazing. I highly recommend sending your horse here for training if you are looking for help.

Natashia Walker

*****
Leanne's 5 step process was very clear and easy to understand. My horse is in such a better balance than ever before and if ever I am at a loss I can revisit the process and I'm able to work through issues myself. I feel so much more confident than I have ever felt before. I can't thank Leanne and her Team enough for what they have done for me and my horse!!

Kelly Warburton

*****
The training process here is exceptional. The facilities are top-notch, with spacious arenas and well-maintained stables. Everything is well-organized, and the trainers provide clear, step-by-step guidance. They ensure both horse and rider understand each stage of the process, making for a smooth and effective experience. Highly recommend!