Allan Collett hails from Alexandra in the foothills of central Victoria’s Great Dividing Range, where he runs Allan Collett Horsemanship.

Allan always had a fascination for all things natural and horsemanship has really been an extension of that. It all started riding ponies around 12 years of age before working with a local racehorse trainer before school and on weekends. Allan eventually trained horses in his own right.

Little did Allan know an unruly colt and an introduction to horseman Wayne Anderson would totally change the way he thought about the horse human relationship from that moment on. Wayne exposed Allan to the ways of great Horsemen Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Tom and Bill Dorrance and others of the influence. For over 20 years Allan has continually ridden in clinics in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States to continue his learning of better horsemanship.

Allan starts colts, helps problem horses, and works with people of all different disciplines helping them gain a better relationship and understanding of their horse’s needs. giving private lessons as well as conducting clinics throughout Victoria and Interstate.

CLINICS:

GROUNDWORK: Groundwork clinics give the human a platform to gain understanding of how the horse not only works bio mechanically but how this is directly tied into how the horse thinks. All movements relate to riding as well as gaining mutual respect between the horse and human. Areas covered in this clinic are control, timing, and effective presentation of oneself to successfully communicate with your horse through feel, this creates a necessary foundation for any riding discipline creating a soft willing equine partner. Rope halters and horsemanship flag advised.

FOUNDATION: This class has a mixture of groundwork and riding, with an emphasis on tying the groundwork to basic riding foundation. Most of the riding is done at the walk and trot covering all the basic moves, this enables participants to establish a solid foundation in a slow methodical fashion. This class is essential if a person is interested in advancing with their horse regardless of the discipline. Snaffle bits only, no tie downs, martingales, or crossover nosebands.

PROGRESSIVE: Apart from a basic groundwork warmup this is a fun, challenging and predominantly ridden clinic. Walk, trot and canter are covered in this class, riders are challenged with more advanced maneuvers,

Progressive classes create greater understanding and appreciation of foundation exercises. No two clinics are the same participants can be exposed to different exercises depending on experience and individuals’ interests. Hackamore horses welcome.

TRAIL CLINICS: These are extremely popular clinics, normally two or three days. Destinations quite often vary, and accommodation can vary from units to camping depending on the location. Day one is a foundation clinic in a controlled environment, usually an arena. This foundation class comes with a twist as socialization of horses and their riders is essential, horse and rider will be put through exercises such as riding in formation and claustrophobic situations. As with all clinics there is a focus on control and safety but riding out on the trail brings to the surface horse and rider insecurities. Day two is out on the trail and working on riding with awareness, safety, control, and socialization. Riders also get the opportunity to deal with issues that arise on the trail e.g., the upfront chargy horse, jigging or kicking, without of course loosing focus on quality riding habits learnt in the foundation class. Riders who are overwhelmed by fear are advised to become competent in foundation clinics before attempting this clinic.

OVERVIEW: All clinics have a common thread regarding the mental and physical approach to the horse human relationship. Developing your feel, timing and understanding of the horse are the cornerstones if this approach, with and emphasis on a soft, light and responsive mount. all clinics can vary slightly as different locations have access to different stimulus whether it be obstacles, cattle, rural or urban. The focus is maintaining the same quality riding regardless of situation or location or discipline. No video footage, photos can be taken.