Avoca Park Equestrian

Horse Training in Lightness

With over 35 years of experience in the equestrian world, Leanne Williams has dedicated her life to understanding and nurturing the bond between horse and rider.

Since 1993, she has trained a diverse range of horses, learning from each unique partnership along the way.

Leanne holds Equestrian Australia Level 3 Dressage coaching qualifications and is a Licensed teacher in Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté, showcasing her commitment to both classical techniques and innovative training methods.

Having competed at Grand Prix level, Leanne has proudly represented both Australia and Victoria, bringing her expertise and passion to every event. Her talent extends beyond competition; she has successfully trained many homebred horses, as well as various breeds, to the FEI level.

At Avoca Park with Leanne and her team you will find a wealth of knowledge, personalized training programs, and a dedication to helping both horses and riders reach their full potential.

Join us on this journey of growth, learning, and success in the world of dressage and the joy of helping ALL horses be the best version of themselves.

Expression of Interest Form

Fill in the form below to enquire about our Horse Training availability.

Fees

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.

Leanne's Five Steps Process to Training in Lightness

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...

Intro to Cavesson

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.

Training support available at Avoca Park with

Leanne Williams

Weanling Foundation Training

Cute young horse learning to tie up and behaving very 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 Issues/Rehab

Horse working on bending in in-hand work to achieve self carriage and correct posture

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 3 weeks

Float Training

Trainer guiding a horse slowly up the float ramp so the horse can calmly enter the float

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

Trainer working on in-hand work with their horse and getting the horse to hold their correct posture

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

More Information on each step can be found here

Cavesson Work

Our 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, longitudinally, laterally and diagonally.

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

Mouthing Process

Also known as the 'education of the mouth.'

This is 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 to the bit.

'Acceptance of the Contact' is answering the question “how confident is the horse to the rider’s rein aids?”
Confidence in the contact comes from the horse understanding the bit and the rein aids.

There should be no backwards action on the mouth as this 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 are creating 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

We will teach the horse to stand with it's front legs at a 90-degree angle to the ground and the point of hock underneath the point of buttock.

This enables us to get access the power of the hind quarter once 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.

We want the horse to 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

Our In-Hand work leads directly on from our “mouthing process”.

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 (Forward movement).

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 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 have previously sent my weanlings to Avoca Park to help me in the weaning process.

I take the mare home and my weanlings spend the next few weeks learning handling skills (Foundation Training).

When they come back to me they have a good understanding of

pressure-release in the leading. They can pick up their feet when asked and

I am always thrilled with their behaviour on return

Frankie Webb

*****
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

*****
I sent Leanne a blank canvas and she gave me back a very smart, very balanced 5year old. The ongoing support is invaluable, knowing that she's a phone call away for lessons, ongoing training or advise is comforting when taking on a green horse. Her breed knowledge of the Clydie x has given me a greater insight into how he works and what he needs is amazing. I look forward to sending him back to Avoca for further education in the near future.

Sam Grigg

*****
This training program is so well-structured! Each step builds on the previous one, making it easy for both the horse and rider to progress. The cavesson work was instrumental in helping my horse learn how to balance herself properly, and the lunging with cavalletti was fantastic for strengthening her muscles. The mouthing process helped her understand the concept of contact, and the in-hand work made her more supple and responsive. By the time we started riding, she was carrying herself with ease and comfort.

Sharon Wilson

*****
I have a thoroughbred who had chronic issues with his back and posture, but this program worked wonders for him! The cavesson work and lunging with cavalletti really helped him develop his balance and strength. The mouthing process helped him understand connection without tension, and the in-hand work made a huge difference in his flexibility. He’s now able to move much more freely and comfortably, and I feel like his overall soundness has improved significantly. I’d recommend this program for any horse!

Tamasin O'Donnell

*****
I’m so impressed with how my horse has developed after completing the 5-step program. The lunging with cavalletti was an absolute game-changer for him. It helped him find his balance while working on his muscle development. The cavesson work gave him the ability to move freely, and by the time we started ridden work, his posture had greatly improved. Not only does he move with more ease, but he’s much sounder too. Highly recommended!

Chloe Peterson

*****
This 5-step training program has been life-changing for my horse. Not only is he moving better, but he’s also more balanced, flexible, and sound. The cavesson work helped him understand his body, and lunging with cavalletti improved his muscle development and balance. The mouthing process was a game-changer for improving contact, and the in-hand work allowed him to stretch and work through his body. The results are undeniable—my horse feels better and works with far more ease than ever before.

Kevin Proviss

*****
I was a bit skeptical at first, as I have an older horse who’s never really been worked with in this way before. However, this 5-step training program has proven to be so beneficial for him. The cavesson work was gentle yet effective, and the lunging with cavalletti helped him strengthen his core. The mouthing process has improved his responsiveness, and the in-hand work brought out better flexibility. He’s moving with more ease and seems to be much more comfortable under saddle now.

Melissa Domino

*****
I can honestly say this program is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my horse. From the first step with the cavesson work, I noticed a difference in how he carried himself. As we progressed through the lunging with cavalletti and the mouthing process, he started moving with more freedom and balance. The in-hand work also helped his posture immensely. It’s clear that this program promotes soundness and long-term health. He’s much more comfortable now, and I can tell he’s moving with greater ease.