horsemanship za

Welcome to the Comfort Zone!

As we talk to more people round the country, we find many who are really interested in changing the way they work with horses.  They may or may not have heard of the kind of horsemanship that we offer, but they know they want more.  The problem in South Africa is that there is not much help here for people who want to learn what is known to many as "natural" horsemanship and there are just not many instructors here.

Because we are very aware that the resources for people wanting study this kind of horsemanship are thin on the ground, we want to try to help.

We know that people, a lot of the time, just need someone to talk to and often need reassurance or an answer to a question.  They may be following a programme, such as Silversand Horsemanship, and just want to email someone to say: "what am I doing wrong?" "why doesn't this work?"  

But who to ask?

One of the things that we have found is that people like a personal and individual response.  Personally, I find that being directed to a Q&A page is not what I want and I don't feel "cared for" as an individual.  Although many issues can be similar from one horse to the next, I have found that generally every case I get and every question I am asked, differs slightly each time.  This is why I undertake to answer everyone individually and personally.  This takes a huge amount of time and effort, so this is why I do make a charge for the time I put in.  It also means that members need never to feel guilty about how often they contact me and how many questions they ask.  It's also why there is not unlimited membership and I can not and do not take on everyone who contacts me.  

I like to know about each individual, their horse(s) and their seriousness about studying horsemanship.  Because this journey is far more about who we need to be than just a method of training, it is not easy and requires a huge amount of dedication and commitment.  Sometimes what you will hear and what you will be told is not easy to take.  I am passionate about what I do - but I will also be honest.  Horsemanship is a bit of a Pandora's Box and once open, there is rarely any going back.  Often students uncover things about themselves and their horses that maybe they would rather have left hidden in the closet!  However, if you decide that this is for you (and to my mind it is the only effective way with horses) then it is one of the most satisfying journeys you will ever take.  Everything we teach and support is grounded in "Equine Learning Theory" and this is really what good horsemanship is about.  I feel that everything we have brought together is part of the same puzzle and that there is no conflict between methods as this is what we seek to do - unite effective "methods of training" that are supported by Equine Learning Theory, biomechanics, physiology, anatomy, physics and the laws of locomotion.  It also means that we seek to learn more all the time and that what we teach is adapting and evolving over time.  We actively embrace change in order to improve.  As one friend of mine put it - HZA is seeking the "Holy Grail" of horsemanship, and I will strive to continually do this.  

These are the reasons why we have set up the Comfort Zone. Basically, although we don't like to call it that, it's a club. You pay an annual fee of R1000 in advance. Please note - these rates apply to South African Residents only. Please enquire for rates outside South Africa.  We are not able to offer monthly fee payments but may be able to split costs for you - this is however, only available for residents of South Africa.

What you get is:

• unlimited email support direct from Tamasine
• priority booking on all clinics
• discounts on clinics and courses wherever possible
• discounts on many of the products we sell. 
• access to video lessons (there is a charge for these) 
• access to our library 
• regular e-mail newsletters and horsemanship information
• quarterly detailed, magazine style newsletters often with inspirational or educational DVD's
• preference on working student places
• special rates for training at HZA including any residential stays
• priority booking and discounted rates on training/young horse starting
• planned - to set up a forum for members only
• starter pack including a few inspirational and educational DVD's and usually the last and current newsletter plus some interesting articles

What we commit to; is to provide support; to wherever possible, organise study groups and clinics for Comfort Zone members in their area; to bring international instructors, lecturers and experts over to South Africa regularly to keep us all in touch with the cutting edge of horsemanship; to research and source equipment and study aids to help you with your Horsemanship; to encourage more people to aspire to instruct in Horsemanship so that more resource becomes available and, generally, to do everything we can to encourage good Horsemanship in South Africa. That is, if you like, our Mission Statement.

If you are interested in joining the Comfort Zone or simply in finding out more, contact us by e-mail.  We are more than happy to send you some backdated e-mail newsletters and our free demo DVD's.  For other examples of the kind of information put out to the Comfort Zone, take a look at the articles on the website - most of them have previously been newsletters sent to members.  Better still, if possible and if you are interested in any of the horsemanship available at HZA, try and arrange a visit.  We offer demo mornings where you can ask as many questions as you like and get personal time dedicated to you to help you find out more and to guide you toward making and informed decision about whether this is the kind of training you wish to follow.  Demo mornings usually run from 09.30 until 13.00 and are R250 per person.  

Maximum attendees - 4 at a time to allow everyone the chance to get individual attention.  This is the best way to find out more and also allows both teacher and potential student to meet.  It is important to us that each student knows what they are taking on, feels happy with the techniques and training involved and gets the chance to meet the teacher.