BY JO ARBLASTER
A WOMAN'S love of horses taught her there's a better way of relating to them than breaking their spirit.
She teaches her techniques, imparting confidence and self-esteem.
Suzanne Bellette, of Arcadia, is petite with big ideals.
Growing up in Tamworth she had a typical country upbringing.
``There
was a local riding school where I was taught all the dos and don'ts of
horsemanship but from day one it was walk or gallop and just
surviving,'' she said.
Coming to Sydney as a teenager after her father's death ended her dream of horse ownership, she found horse heaven in The Hills.
``I
probably bought the worst combination of horse you could buy which was a
fearful, claustrophobic, panicoholic Arab mare,'' she said.
``I lost count of the times she would shy and I would fall off. Basically I didn't have the leadership qualities she needed.''
Ms Bellette describes her search for answers as ``a long journey''.
``[Everyone] dealt with the horse physically but not mentally and emotionally.''
Then
she saw a horseman called Wayne Banney start a young horse. ``He took
off the bridle and still had control,'' she said. ``And I thought how
can somebody ride a horse without actually holding onto its head?''
Her experience led her to become a teacher of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, which dealt with the psychology of the horse.
``I learned how to read horses and basically have strategies which I didn't have before.
``I
aim to help horses be more emotionally fit so they are safer to ride
and help students understand how that's achievable. Confidence really
grows out of developing leadership skills and being able to effectively
communicate with the horse.''
