Handsome: Chaska with Jodie Kelvy.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
Jodie Kelvy and Colleen Radcliffe of HorseHand in Echuca apply their understanding and horsemanship to help clients overcome barriers that may prevent them leading a happy life.
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Ms Kelvy, the equine manager, operates the site, which includes 30 horses that cater to the many clients.
“The horse is a herd animal and in its natural state is unsure about the environment in which it lives, but the leader will guide the herd, and the herd will act as one. So, we need to become the leader of the horse and form a partnership,” Ms Kelvy said.
“The feedback we receive from the horse is very beneficial. We can facilitate and give each other feedback. And that’s the human-horse relationship.
“In the partnership, the horse makes up 49 per cent of the relationship, while the human is the remaining 51 per cent. So, the horse is going to look towards you for guidance. So, if we stay calm, the horse is more likely to stay calm.”
One of the clients is Jan Chamberlin, who over the past three years has built her confidence after working with several horses.
Mates: Jan Chamberlin with Chickeeta.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“It’s been terrific. For me, there’s nothing like it,” Ms Chamberlin said.
“Coming here is the highlight of my week. Once I finish a session here, I come out feeling with my spirits high. And that’s because of the horses.
“I’ve learned that the relationship with them is to do with the mind and soul. Jodie calls it a sixth sense or energy.
“The relationship between the person and the horse is based on communicating with each other.
“When I first came here, I was petrified of horses. The first day I was scared and wanted to run if the horse did anything. But Jodie helped me to understand the horse was reacting to my fear.
“I got to the point where it didn’t faze me. And slowly but surely, I was able to build more and more confidence.
“Over the three-year period, I’ve built a lot more confidence in being around horses.
“When I first started, I was nervous, and the horse would pick up on it. Over successive lessons I learned that I needed to be focused on the present and remain calm.
“In the past three years, I never thought I would want to ride a horse. I have a fear of heights. But over the coming weeks and months I intend to learn how to saddle a horse and slowly get comfortable with sitting in the saddle.”
Ella Thompson started visiting HorseHand when she was 12 years old, and now at 28 has excellent equine knowledge.
She is one of Ms Kelvy’s former employees and returns on a regular basis to take care of her horse, Trooper.
In good hands: Ella Thompson with her horse, Trooper.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“I was 12 years old when I started out as a student, and then when I was 18 going on 19 Jodie offered me an apprenticeship with her,” Ms Thompson said.
“It was a great feeling to know that someone who has known you for so long had trust in your ability to work with horses, and for Jodie and I it was the right decision.
“I undertook a Certificate III in Equine Breeding via correspondence and an assessor would come out to ensure I was learning all the different aspects of horse management.
“It was always very rewarding, that sense of achievement, and especially if you had a child that didn’t want to get off the horse at the end of the day, you knew you’ve done your job right.”
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