Experience the Magic of Dune Lakes Lodge
Dune Lakes Lodge offers a wide range workshops and retreats on Horsemanship & Personal Discovery for Adults & Kids.If you have never visited us before come along to a Complimentary Showcase to meet the team (horse & human!).
Complimentary ShowcaseHorsemanshipPersonal Discovery5 Day Kids Camp
We also offers a range of Corporate Team Building, Leadership and Self-Awareness Courses
If you wish to create a sustainable business we also offer Equine Assisted Learning Certification Training
Join the team in an Internships or Working Student
Complimentary Showcase
Come and experience the team in action!
These showcases are designed to give a sample of the different workshops, clinics and courses we run at our Centre. Experience how horses can powerfully affect the lives of children and adults alike.
No previous riding experience is necessary!
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The first hour is geared towards natural horsemanship learning from the behaviour and social infrastructure of the horse and life in the herd. It provides fundamental communication and is recognised as a wonderful means of empowering people.
When connection happens it is profound and people are visibly moved, touched and inspired. Creating a space for horses and people to come together is an extraordinary and magical experience which enhances spiritual and emotional well-being.
The second hour demonstrates the EAGALA, EPONAQUEST and some of the other equine assisted learning models we utilise at Dune Lakes. Everyone is invited to join us in the arena for some thought-provoking and fun equine activites.
A 10% discount offered on our workshops, clinics and courses if booked on the day!!
Hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones & Alistair Wait
DATES: 3 June, 1 July
TIMES: 10am – 1pm
Please bring a plate for a shared lunch.
Horsemanship
Relational Horse Friendship Workshop
Beginner to intermediate level natural horsemanship on your horses or ours. Look at life from a horse’s perspective. Become aware how our energy and focus affects our equine friends. Discover their language and learn how to apply it to our own lives.
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Giving horses a better deal by playing and building confidence with them on the ground first allows everyone to enjoy the experience of “being with horses” in a conscious and safe way.
By working WITH the horse’s behaviour, instincts and personality in a responsive, easy and effective way you build a partnership and when a solid foundation of understanding is in place riding bitless brings confidence flourishes in both horse and rider.
Every riding discipline and interest is suddenly accessible as the union truly becomes a partnership. In our experience being with horses speaks to our need to connect with the earth, with animals, and ourselves.
Hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones
DATES: 2 July
TIMES: 10am – 5pm
INVESTMENT: $155
From Bit to Bit-free to Bridle-free
Intermediate to advanced level natural horsemanship on your horse or ours. ‘Riding from the ground up’ using feel, focus and energy on the ground and then transitioning that to riding builds trust, confidence and respect making bridleless riding effortless – creating harmonious interaction between horse and rider.
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Accelerate your riding skills through balance instead of what we call “white knuckle” riding with grip, tension and a sense of “staying on” using the reins for balance. Liberty or bridle-free riding (without reins) develops excellent riding and communication skills and the level of trust deepens between horse and rider.
Riding without tack is something we dream about but often think is not possible. Come and experience in the safety of our round pen. Our bit-free bridle training enables you to enjoy safe, confident riding – whatever the discipline.
Hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones
DATES: 2 July
TIMES: 10am – 5pm
INVESTMENT: $155
My young horse, Praise, turned a big corner with her education and training during the Natural Horsemanship weekend at Dune Lakes Lodge. This was our first experience of riding ‘bit less’. Praise seemed happy and relaxed without a bridle – and I certainly didn’t have any difficulties with my communication with her.
Day two we did some more advanced ground work – lateral work and float training etc. Our two main highlights were when I asked Praise to walk into the float whilst I sat on the mudguard! And the ultimate ‘squeeze’ – asking her to walk between the two trunks of a gum tree.
Karen
Our weekend getaway was incredible….!!! We had fantastic friendly hosts, learnt amazing new skills, made new friends, all on a beautiful relaxed property in a totally unspoiled part of the New Zealand less than an hour from Auckland. I’m sure if our horses could talk, they would say what happened to those softies we took away for the weekend, who are these focused inspired people. We totally recommend Dune Lakes Lodge for a relaxed weekend getaway or a weekend to extend your horse skills. Fabulous property and facilities. Cheers.
Olwyn & Nadine
Prior to attending this course my horses walked all over me. I’ve had tonnes of lessons both here and in Australia and in a short number of hours I was taught the most valuable lessons. I felt safe and in control of the relationship with my horse, a first for me!”
Vanessa
Last weekend I attend a Natural Horsemanship weekend at Dune Lakes Lodge. I have not had any experience with Natural Horsemanship before this. After the weekend clinic, you wouldn’t believe the change in my boy and ME!
The level of respect he now has for me, the gentle kind way I can now get him to do what I want and MOST IMPORTANTLY “NO HEAD FLICKING”. He didn’t head flick once the whole weekend! I just wanted to share my experience with you as maybe an option for you to try.
I’m not saying that it will work for you, but so far it has definitely made a difference for me and I was able to enjoy my baby again in a calm, non-head flicking way. I still have lots of work to do as the skills Rosemary showed us are not a one-off fix but an on-going way of life for you and your horse to enjoy. I’m hooked!
Nadine
I recently had the privilege of staying at your lodge & wanted to thank you for your help & advice. I was with the group of Adult riders from Totara Park – my horse was the Chestnut thoroughbred that played up. You kindly loaned me a saddle & rope halter to ride the three hour trek & gave me techniques to use when he was misbehaving.
As an update I have continued with the natural horsemanship in conjunction with the Adult ride and have even got the Riding for the disabled using it. We have started working with the ponies we use for the Riding for the disabled & the changes in them is really great. I have also not ridden in a bridle since my visit & am looking to purchase a torsion saddle or something equally as good. I learnt a lot from the weekend at your lodge & the horse & I have a new enthusiasm for riding. Thanks.
Helen
Personal Discovery
H.A.Y – Horse, Art & Yoga
This spiritual, emotional nourishing and personal growth nature retreats with horses, art and yoga offer re-connection, re-vitalisation and a creative channel for shifting consciousness and raising personal and universal vibration
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Located in the heart of ancient sand hills on the South Kairpara Head Peninsula this powerful location offers space to enhance our connection with nature, discover the wisdom of the horse, ignite artistic creativity and deepen our inner knowing of our own bodies.
Creating art in the surrounds of a beautiful, natural environment is life affirming, giving opportunity to creative potential through the process of artistic expression, a wonderful tool for self-discovery, enhanced communication and a tangible record of change. Plus a deeply insightful style of yoga that encourages exploration of your body to discover your strength and stability through breath and body awareness with movement.
Joining us for a weekend of nurturing, nutritious vegetarian/vegan food, daily yoga, mindfulness practice and fun workshops, plus plenty of love, laughter and support, is sure to bring a sparkle in your eyes and glow in your cheeks.
If you have never spent time with horses or you feel anxious about being around them, theses retreats will introduce you to our ‘land dolphins’ a magical experience. With their receptive and pure energy – horses have an innate way of replenising the human spirit. If you are a horse lover and would like to experience a new level of horse communication and connection and understand every nuance of herd language ultimately communicating with focus and intent, there is no better place in the world to learn this.
Our transformational journeys hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones, Alistair Wait and their herd of equine higher beings.
MEALS: included in investment
DATES: 24 – 25 June; 9 – 10 September; 18 – 19 November
TIMES: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm each day
ACCOMMODATION (if required)
We have a range of accommodation onsite including spacious rooms, lovely rustic cabins and shared bunkrooms.
| Shared bunkroom: | $35 per night per person per night |
| Twin share cabin | 2 x single beds. $45 per person per night |
| Double Cabin | $90 per night (Queen bed) |
| Double Stable Rooms: | $100 per night (Queen bed) |
All guests share toilet and shower facilities
Cabins have solar lighting and no mains electricity.
Inside out Retreat
We’re into empowering people to be exceptionally themselves. So this workshop comes with upping self-belief, building confidence, and shifting to even-healthier.
EPONAQUEST – Journey with Horses
The emphasis is on learning to thrive, expanding both human and animal potential. In these EPONAQUEST educational programmes horses assist in teaching people leadership, assertiveness, personal empowerment, relationship, intuition, emotional agility and inter-subjective relationship skills.
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Certified EPONAQUEST Professional and Riding Focused Instructor Rosemary Wyndham-Jones offers educational programmes where people and horses are supported in co-creating a new way of being – one that embraces authenticity, collaboration and experimentation.
A weekend designed to immerse into nature and experience a connection, reflection and transformation – a retreat and experiential learning journey guided by the horse.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience EPONAQUEST in action – especially for those interested in working with horses therapeutically or for those wanting a closer relationship and understanding of our human and equine friends. It’s an amazing journey and one that comes highly recommended.
Hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones
DATES: tbc
INVESTMENT: $475 includes accomodation & meals
EPONAQUEST – Ancient Wisdomfor Modern Leaders
Two days of hands on, innovative leadership training. Practice defining roles and performance skills, have success with difficult conversation and develop leadership presence. Let the horse show you what’s working – let the horse show you what’s not working.
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I am excited to be able to bring this personal/professional development workshop to you, as I know, how personal and working relationships can become dysfunctional.
By understanding the four roles of the master herdsman and how these roles play out and are at times overemphasised in certain individuals, it really helped me through a personal experience of this when a work colleague and I were able to overcome the source of pain and misunderstanding which has lead us now to a real, authentic working relationship. It’s awesome to be able to utilise all four skills and uplift the effectiveness of relationship.
Whether you’re interested horses or human development—or both—the Eponaquest approach allows you to experience what it means to truly thrive in life, offering you tools that open other worlds of creativity, insight, and empowerment, expanding your vision, helping you reconnect to nature, to the herd and to the community.
Hosted by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones
DATES: tbc
INVESTMENT: $475 includes accomodation & meals
5 Day Kids Camp during School Holiday
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Five days of fun where children gain new confidence being around horses, learn riding skills, swimming with horses in the lake and taking treks to the beach. We believe it’s children who will transform the lives of horses, just as horses transform lives of people.
Incorporating holistic horse management philosophies we hold kids camps holiday programmes where hundreds of children learn natural horsemanship groundwork and riding skills. Kids riding horses barefoot and bit-free in treeless saddles around the beautiful environs of Woodhill Forest and Muriwai Beach.
These camps are available for girls and boys of every age and level of experience. These camps are perfect for children who have never ridden as well as children who do. Children will learn to be safe on and around horses & about the games horses play with each other! ….. games of respect, boundaries, relationships, leadership and trust – all of which are great metaphors for life!!!
We have a wide variety of other animals for children to connect with plus we are running equine assisted learning activities (all non-riding) which gives them confidence with others and a better attitude towards themselves whilst building relationships, self esteem and stimulating their lateral thinking and leadership skills.
2017 dates:
Term 2
- 10 – 14 July
- 17 – 21 July
Term 3
- 2 – 6 October
- 9 – 13 October
Investment: $600
Corporate Training Experiences
Dune Lakes Lodge is the ideal venue offering the location, unique experiences and picturesque environment to build on capabilities, shape the future, or provide a reward for a job well done.
With our unique equine-centred team building, it won’t be long before you appreciate the value of escaping your daily routines into an environment that both clears and opens your mind. The benefits will be reflected in what you produce, plan or create.
Bring your team to Dune Lakes Lodge to reflect, rediscover and rebuild in an environment conducive to creativity and problem-solving far from the distractions of city life.
The outcome will be a highly effective event which will motivate and energise your people and relationships – paying dividends on their return. Give your people the opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed environment! Meal options available on request.
Contact Rosemary & Alistair to discuss your training needs.
Fonterra Team Building
I had hoped to get my team away to relax and to do something different as a group. They, like me, had been through the trips to Waiheke and been up and down ropes on numerous occasions in the name of team building – enough is enough!!! Dune Lakes Lodge offered an equine experience that was completely different – having a group of ‘townies’ out there interacting with – relating to and moving around 600kg animals was an amazing experience for the group – descriptors such as ‘wow’, ‘fantastic’, ‘lovely’ can still be heard in their conversations with their peers. I personally appreciated your flexibility when trying to tailor the day to what I had hoped for, and being able to cater to different levels of confidence and adventure. I think this was reflected in the feedback form we completed that came back as a 9/10 experience!!! As their manager, I’m really glad to have taken the time to find an exciting new adventure for the team, and thank you again for your professionalism and warmth that created a great experience for all. I think you have a gem here for others to tap into and I’m happy to talk with them if they wish to hear firsthand of our corporate experience.” One task involves entering a round-pen with an unknown horse and leaving with one that has connected with you. An awareness of the implications of body language between you and the horse, invokes a realisation that subtle energies – combined with focus and the timing of interactions – apply to relationships in your everyday working world. The experience may prove deeply thought provoking. Take for example a team that has problems working together. When the group is not successfully working together to accomplish a task with the horse, the horse will respond in ways that might thwart the group’s efforts and clearly display areas for improvement. The facilitator will interpret the actions of the horse as indicators to the participants that they are not in control of the situation and are not working together as a team – with the horse being the integral team member. The behaviour of the participants is reflected in the behaviour of the horse. A positive change in participant behaviour brings positive changes in equine behaviour. We usually find that the way in which our clients interact and react with the horses is very similar to the way they interact and react with their customers, peers, or other work groups as well as their own families!
Nathan Searle … Process Improvement Manager – FONTERRA
Equine Assisted Learning Certification Training
Join us as practitioners in the emerging field of EAL for organisational development and social change.
EAL Certification Training is an attractive proposition for those interested in a career combining helping horses and people. Our education offers a combined professional development and mentoring programme.
This training demonstrates the horse/human bond and how it enables beneficial, deep and lasting social, emotional, spiritual and psychological changes.
This one year training program builds on the transformational processes within NLP to launch you into the field of Equine Guided transformational change. Participants will meet for 7 one-week retreats at Dune Lakes Lodge in New Zealand.
You will enjoy the stimulating innovative learning environment while being in the company of like-minded people equally dedicated to creating the highest quality Equine Assisted Learning environment. You will learn to work in multiple contexts and become the most skillful change agent for yourself and others.
Each retreat is organised to include a three-day training, a self-directed study day, and another three day training. (That’s 49 days total including the 42 training days plus the 7 self-directed study days).
For a working model see www.equinepathfinders.org.nz for the programs we provide through our charity.
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Although not included as course content, the program will incorporate the International Spirit Horse Festival 9th – 11th of March 2018. This festival hosted at Dune Lakes Lodge has attracted leading presenters from around the globe. We encourage student facilitators to be as involved as possible with this event in order to appreciate the dynamics of event management and, most importantly, to hang out with some provocative and inspired facilitators.
Our highly experiential learning environment is packed with opportunities to engage with like-minded people and the latest thinking in culture and change processes.
It is a fabulous place in which to learn the non verbal language of your ‘herd’, reawaken your intuition, discover new insights and make sense of your world with the assistance of our equine friends.
Course Content
Week 1.
Most of us starting a social enterprise are not doing it for the money, and yet it takes money to do it!
The first three days will comprise a business-planning workshop to help get the ideas out of your head and on to paper. The practical issues are addressed: starting and running an equine business, insurance, marketing, working in a facility that might be owned by others, setting up a registered charity etc. Ongoing refinement, supported by mentoring over the 12-month duration of the course, will support you turn your dreams into reality.
Being able to ‘read’ the signals offered by the horse is paramount to equine assisted learning
The second three days will be a natural horsemanship clinic led by Rosemary Wyndham-Jones. Understanding a horse from the horses’ perspective creates partnership and harmony Using feel, focus and energy builds trust, confidence and respect.
Weeks 2 – 5.
Here’s where you learn the methodology that will underpin your professional practice
Classroom sessions are combined with experiential learning, including the opportunity our horses offer for equine assisted learning, within the unique environment of the lodge and the surrounding lakes, forest, and beach.
· The training will incorporate leading edge methodologies from NLP, EAL and Natural Horsemanship.
· In general the mornings will be theory and content based; the afternoons will be experiential with the horses.
The Holistic Horse Management education is an approach that keeps horses as close to their natural environment as they would live in the wild as is possible in a domesticated situation. It encompasses concepts and philosophies and is the result of years of genuine holistic horse keeping experience.
Our training will deliver an excellent foundation in natural horsemanship skills including: learning horse language and herd behavior, how horses are influenced by people’s energy and reflect back to facilitate change; horse handling proficiency, health care, safety, and other relevant areas of holistic horse and hoof care management.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice facilitating activities with one another. There’ll be intensive theory and practice — Groups, couples, family and individual techniques.
Week 6.
Taking your ideas out into the world and sharing them with your community is vital for the establishment of your EAL enterprise. The objective for this week is to practice skills and techniques that will give you both the confidence and capability to design and deliver effective presentations in all situations.
Week 7.
This week will present an opportunity to integrate and refine all the learning from the preceding 12 months:
· Group delivery of a two-day public enrolment workshop,
· Presentation of case studies and assignments
· The now graduating practitioners will invite interested friends, family, and colleagues to participate in one-on-one sessions where they will demonstrate their skills in live sessions addressing real life situations.
· Graduation!!!
Dates
| Week 1. | Friday 25th – Thursday 31st August 2017 |
| Week 2. | Monday 18th – Sunday 24th September 2017 |
| Week 3. | Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th October 2017 |
| Week 4. | Monday 4th – 10th December 2017 |
| Week 5. | Monday 5th – Sunday 10th February 2018 |
| Spirit Horse Festival | 2nd – 4th March 2018 |
| Week 6. | Monday 30th April – Sunday 6th May 2018 |
| Week 7. | Monday 4th – Sunday 10th July 2018 |
Scheduled class times are 8.30am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm – 6pm each day.
Investment
A $1000 deposit will secure your place.
· Early Bird: $12,995 inc GST (paid in full on or before 30th June 2017)
· Full Price $14995 inc GST (paid on or before 25th August or interest free over 12 months at $1250 per month)
N.B. Balance must be paid in full by the above dates to receive early bird discounts.
6X6 Rule: Delivering a training of this type requires an enormous commitment from facilitators, students, the horses and the venue.
· In order that we are sustainable, and there’s an active learning dynamic,
· We require 6 participants fully committed 6 weeks out for the course to go ahead.
· The start date will roll over to those of the following module until we have the numbers to start.
Venue and Accomodation
The EAL Certification Training is delivered at Dune Lakes Lodge, one of New Zealand’s most charming country retreats, located on the South Head of the beautiful Kaipara Harbour just north of Auckland. We recommend you stay on-site to fully immerse yourself in the learning environment.
We have a range of accommodation onsite including spacious rooms, lovely rustic cabins and shared bunkrooms.
| Shared bunkroom: | $30 per night $1495 inc GST. |
| Twin share cabin | 2 x single beds. $45 per person per night $2205 inc GST |
| Double cabin | $90 per night (Queen bed) $4410 inc GST |
| Double Barn rooms: | $100 per night (Queen bed) $4900 inc GST |
All guests share toilet and shower facilities
Cabins have solar lighting and no mains electricity.
Accommodation over the period of Spirit Horse Festival is reserved for presenters. Camping will be available.
Meals
Self-catering facilities are available and we recommend our participants to collaborate around shared meals. A supermarket is 20 minutes away in Helensville.
Internships & Working Students
We have internships available and placements for live in working students willing to learn and be involved in all aspects of our business.
INTERNSHIP at $600 per week including accommodation, food, regular lessons/sessions/rides/treks with horses, showcases, natural horse-friendship play days and experiencing what it takes to assist an equine centre.
WORKING STUDENTS PLACEMENTS: Help with all the day to day tasks around running a retreat and equine centre, contribute $250 per week towards living costs and food in exchange for time with horses, showcases and natural horse-friendship play days as and tuition as and when time is available.
For more information – contact Rosemary 09 420 2040 or email info@dunelakeslodge with CV.
Contact us to discuss
Call Dune Lakes LodgeClick to Call +64 9 420 2040
470 Wilson RoadRD1South Kaipara HeadHelensville 0874Auckland
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