The Horse Listener

(LtoR) Marie and Kin Kin, Alex on MacTaggart, and Neil riding Moose LEFT: Cody, MacTaggart, Monty, Duke, and Josh carry Equathon clients over the Black Snake Range.

and the daily beach rides have become fully booked with domestic clients who want nature based activities to escape city living. The desire to seek refuge in nature and a back-to-basics attitude seems to be happening as people look for stability in a world torn apart by COVID. Seeking enjoyable experiences with horses seem to be part of that trend,” Alex says.

An appealing feature of Equathon’s website is viewing the gorgeous images of their delightful crew of highly trained horses, including their names and details. Although Equathon staff are open to hearing which horse a guest likes best, they will generally match horses to riders based upon height, weight and riding experience.

Alex lives and breathes horse welfare and his decades of best-practice equine care underpin the entire operation. “Our philosophy has always been based on presenting well trained, happy, healthy horses,” he says. “Many of our guests comment on the quality of our horses and frequently request a particular horse for their next visit. Some have come back more than half a dozen times.” training. “My coaches would not tolerate anything but a ‘take care of your horse first’ attitude. We like to be an open book and all our management, training and care of horses can be viewed at any time,” he says. “There is never anything that guests are not welcome to observe, and in this way, they learn good horse management practices.”

Teaching good practice is obviously a priority for Alex. “We also run a successful program called Ride Easy, teaching the three essential pillars – Horse Riding, Horse Management and Horse Training – to equip customers to be safe and effective around horses and in the saddle. This course is for riders of all ages and abilities and is ideal for people returning to riding after a break, a loss of confidence, or if they are contemplating buying their own horse. Ride Easy is conducted over five sessions of two hours each and can be followed by further lessons or

instruction depending on need,” he says.

Alex knows a thing or two about quality experiences, first as a member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Organising Committee, and later as a consultant to the new Queensland State Equestrian Centre 2009 Planning and Management Team. He believes that the principles behind the Equathon experience are not dissimilar. They are essentially very simple, and the strategy is the same whether for a few hours on the beach or an extended tour over several days. “What we would like to experience on a horse riding booking if we were guests ourselves, is basically our bar,” he says, “and that includes a relaxed, quality experience that is uniquely Australian and reflects its best aspects.”

The example he offers of this is the way the Sydney 2000 Olympics were staged. “I was honoured to be part of those Games,” he says, “they were so well planned and prepared, and yet had this relaxed, friendly, ‘we’ve got this covered’ presentation. Everyone involved, including the thousands of volunteers, were so sad when the Games were over. That’s how we like our guests to feel about Equathon.” lot like your feelings for your favourite restaurant or hotel. You have a level of expectation about the experience, the service, and you expect a continuity of the brand from your previous encounters. You want relaxed, friendly professionalism and you want to feel that the staff know you, look out for you, and are genuinely happy you’re there. It’s about the total package – the quality of the horses, the experience, the meals, the accommodation, and the level of thought and imagination that’s gone into the planning so it’s not just a ‘same old thing again’ approach.” important factor is guest satisfaction. “Guests come back because the people with whom they’ve interacted have made them feel welcome, comfortable and appreciated,” Alex explains. “If you get those things right your guests will be your best ambassadors because they tell others, and positive word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing tool of all.”

One thing’s for sure, as borders open over the coming months, the Sunshine Coast is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a memorable riding experience. Visit www.equathon.com for more information on Equathon’s quality trail ride and package options.

Moose explores possible feeding options on Noosa’s North Shore.

(Images courtesy of Alex and Rebecca Watson)

THE HORSE LISTENER

Big magic – the rebirth of Phoenix

CANDIDA BAKER talks to Jo Stacey about her extraordinary journey with her rescue horse Phoenix, and how ‘listening’ was part of their mutual healing.

Meant to be: Jo and rescue horse Phoenix (Image by Chris F. Porter).

Savouring the gift of movement (Image by Cody Peachman).

It’s like a scene from Xena, Warrior Princess. Painter Jo Stacey is riding her rescue horse, Phoenix, along the beach at Port Stephens near Newcastle. “I was riding her bare-back,” Jo tells me, “and we were in such unity that day that I opened her up and let her gallop. I'd noticed four 4WDs and three dirt bikes

up ahead, and when they saw us, it seemed they suddenly decided to have a bit of ‘fun’. They’d formed a wall in front of us - we were only a few hundred metres away from them and they were heading towards us at full speed.”

The men had spread out, leaving no room for a galloping horse and rider to fit between them. “I knew

stopping wasn’t an option. Horses are claustrophobic and it could have been dangerous,” says Jo. “As I had that thought, I felt her pace falter, and saw that she was looking back and up at me for leadership! So I did the only thing I truly know how to do, I ‘tapped in’ until I could see each individual.”

Jo ‘spoke’ to Phoenix through her spirit. “I told her who the leader was, released the halter rope, and silently said ‘take him head on’. Phoenix adjusted her course slightly so she was facing him, and went flat out. Her speed was incredible - her normal gallop is easily over 40km/h - but this was something else,” Jo recalls. “In a matter of seconds they peeled off – almost colliding with each other to make way for this war horse! The moment we passed she slowed to a normal gallop, her ears went forward, and there was nothing within us but pure serenity.”

It seems when it comes to magic there are three kinds of people: the nonbelievers; the believers who are not sure how it works but know it’s out there; and those who are so finely attuned to it, that when it presents itself they jump in, boots and all. Such a story is Jo and Phoenix’s.

Jo was born in New Zealand, to a shearer father and a roustabout mother. “We moved around a lot,” she tells me, “I went to 15 different schools. My parents did a variety of seasonal work and shepherding. One of the places they managed was a 20,000 acre property owned by a Maori trust. I’d spend 12 hours or more on horseback, sometimes in the sleet and snow.” It was wild but Jo loved it.

I'd noticed four 4WDs and three dirt bikes up ahead, and when they saw us, it seemed they suddenly decided to have a bit of ‘fun’ ...

Equine Facility Construction & Maintenance

STABLE LIGHTING

Did you know that not all lights are the same. By choosing specific lighting for your horse stables you can improve your horses welfare whilst they are stabled. Our Light Bars directly replace fluorescent tube lighting and require no maintenance (No globes or starters to replace). They are impact and water resistant so good to use in the wash bay as well. WE TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF ARENA LIGHTING DoWell Equine “Take the Guess work out of arena lighting” by taking on board your requirements and creating a lighting plan that will provide you with the light you expect to receive before the lights are even installed. A customised lighting plan will enable us to reduce shadows and prove the Lux Levels and uniformity of the light. Our LED lights are the latest technology, and require little to no maintenance. We mean it’s likely that you will never need to touch these lights once they have been installed!!!!

Jo’s love work includes paintings for the Brumby cause (Photograph reference by and courtesy of Michelle Brown).

Sydney, Australia. “It was a complete culture shock,” she says. The sudden changes, serious unresolved earlier trauma, and unhealthy relationships caused Jo’s first nervous breakdown at age 18. Ten years later after her second breakdown, she decided to sell up and get out of Sydney, and almost immediately, her life turned around.

“I found the perfect cottage in the Hunter Valley at Millfield,” she says. “I bought it, started painting, and later finished my psychotherapy qualification, as well as working as a railway Traffic Officer. I was also helping with animal husbandry at the local Hare Krishna farm, and they asked me if I could find a horse for them.”

Jo wasn’t quite sure where to start looking, but magic was about to happen. “I was on a break at work on the railway in Clyde,” she says, “and a voice came through the air and said to me: ‘That man over there knows where your horse is.’”

Some might have hesitated, but Jo, used to these kinds of occurrences, went over to him, introduced herself and told him she was looking for a horse. After pausing thoughtfully, he told her one was waiting for her at the Rutherford RSPCA.

Jo made an appointment and went to see the horse. “I walked into her paddock, and her head was hanging on the ground,” she says. “I stood about 20 metres away and waited, and suddenly her head shot up and she looked me straight in the eyes – the connection was so intense. She knew me and I knew her.”

The vet explained that her injury – severe pedal osteitis – made her unrideable. But Jo had a knowing that he was wrong. “Then he told me she had cancer that they hadn’t been able to cure, but I said that was fine, I would look after her,” she says.

Four days later Jo bought Phoenix from the RSPCA for $500, but not for the Hare Krishnas' farm!

Despite Jo’s faith and optimism, Phoenix could hardly walk, and thanks to abuse she was scared and violent, although not towards Jo, who went on a steep learning curve to care for her. “I learned about laminitis, hooves, horse feed and how to be a barefoot farrier, and I healed her feet as best I could,” she says. “When we started riding, she spent a lot of time rearing. I never got the feeling she actually wanted me off her back, so I would just sit it out, until gradually she did it only out of excitement.”

Jo delved into Phoenix’s past and found that after her racing career she’d become a brood mare, but unable to produce a healthy foal, she was moved on. “We don’t know where she ended up but she was finally surrendered to the RSPCA emaciated,” she says.

Once Phoenix could walk, Jo decided they would get fit together. “We’d sprint up hills,” she says. “I’d do it first and then it was her turn, and she started to put weight and muscle on. She’s 22 now and still has abs, with no sign of the cancer.”

When they started their beach work, the RSPCA came out to watch because they simply didn’t believe the photos Jo had sent them. “I discovered her pedal bone had been completely snapped,” she says. “What we’ve achieved through faith and love is remarkable and she is both grateful and giving. A few years ago we went up a hill to watch the sunrise for her birthday. I