The Instructors : Bianca Boorer & Tamara Coakley

Welcome to Tashanor Park

We have had the joy and privilege of being involved with horses since childhood. As sisters and friends we share a very close bond and have supported each other through various challenges during our lives. We continue to work together as a partnership.

The passion and love for horses we had as little girls riding our pretend ponies(brooms) in the backyard, has never faded and has fortunately for us evolved into real life career’s as horse trainers and Instructors.We have had the opportunity to spend time and study with many well respected horseman, both in Australia and Overseas.

We have personally dedicated ourselves to improving our own horsemanship, always trying to stay open-minded and humble to learning and analysing new and old approaches. We truly believe we have received the best education from the horses themselves, they have been our greatest teachers and keep us true to ourselves and honest about our abilities. We feel that behaviours should be changed through inspiration not confrontation, so when working with horses we try to connect with them, reaching their minds and establishing trust, not just working their bodies.
You will always work harder for someone you respect and care for. We try to get to know all our students-horse and human personally, so we can support them individually. We are very proud of the success we have had over the years and the satisfaction we have felt from seeing horses once labelled “problem” happily enjoying life as reliable and trusting equine friends. We are determined to continue to build our reputation and share our program of Balanced Horsemanship with dedicated horse lovers like ourselves.

TESTIMONIALS

Hayley Featonby
Thankyou Bianca and Tamara…
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude for helping me learn so much about the horses that I love. It all started in 2008 when I saw Heza Blue Tomcat advertised, standing at stud at Tashanor Park – he took my breath away, what a gorgeous horse. I was so impressed with him that I immediately booked my Clydesdale mare, Franny in for her next foal.

But, in order to get Franny to the stallion, she needed to be floated – herein lay my problem. With the help of a few big men, lots of sweat, ropes, a huge headache and one very worried horse, we managed to load her onto the float to get her to Tashanor Park – and the stallion. I was thinking ‘there has GOT to be an easier way!’ I just didn’t know what to do with her. Once we arrived I told Bianca my problem and she mentioned that they offered training, and were a Balanced Horsemanship Education Centre. Hallelujah!! I decided to book Franny in for a floating session to teach this big girl how to load. I was gobsmacked at the level of professionalism and knowledge these girls have. After seeing 2 men trying to push a huge Clydie onto a float, sweat dripping off them, and a horse who just planted her feet, I couldn’t believe that Bianca had Franny on the float within a few minutes. The thing that impressed me the most was how calm Fran was. The training methods Bianca used, in no way worked Fran up – it was as if she was talking ‘horse’, and once Franny realised what was being asked of her, she was so happy to oblige. I couldn’t believe it! After two men struggling to float this horse, Bianca had her on in no time flat. Franny now self loads! No problems, no worries. I no longer have to add on two hours ‘loading time’ onto my day. I just ask her to walk on, and she does.
I then booked myself in to learn how to do what they can do – and so my journey continues….

I attended my first BALANCE workshop with my very dominant Arab and learnt how important establishing dominance over my horse is. Once I achieved this, I was no longer a rubbing post, or someone who got my toes trodden on and knocked out of the way – and it was so easy to learn. The girls were genuinely interested in my individual problems and even though the workshops are in a group setting, my individual needs were always addressed and I never felt like I was just one of the crowd. It is such great value – I always come home with more information than I thought possible in one day.
I never realised how important groundwork was, and how much you can achieve from working a horse on the ground. I didn’t know about the ‘herd philosophy’ and how your horse HAS TO step up and take over if you don’t. I was amazed to learn that any problem your horse has, can be fixed with groundwork, and it is so easy to see how the methods of training used on the ground are so easily transferred to riding. I have learnt so much in the year I have been coming to the workshops and I always look forward to the next one.
One of the best things about Bianca and Tamara is that they are girls!! I am sure that there are lots of great male trainers out there, but only a woman can fully appreciate the fears and concerns of another woman and mother. They ALWAYS put safety first. I trust them implicitly.
I am excited at the thought of following the entire BALANCE course through, with hope that one day, I can communicate with horses the way these girls do and train them to the superior level they achieve.

I have since bought my horse, Bean, from Tashanor Park - whom Bianca started. This horse is only 3 years old, and just started, and she is by far the most educated horse I have ridden or owned. She can MOVE!!! And more importantly she can also STOP!!…and hold on, because when she stops, she STOPS!! I thought it would take years of training to get a horse to move the way Bean does, but with the solid foundation of groundwork the girls have given her and the level of respect Bean has, its no wonder she is the awesome horse she is. I have so much fun riding her. She is so easy to move forward – It’s like I only have to think about moving forward, and she is already there. The stop comes just as easily. This horse has so much respect, and is already performing at a level I didn’t think possible for a ‘green’ horse and she is only 3 years old. I can’t wait to follow the BALANCE course through and see how far the two of us can go. The sky is genuinely the limit with a horse started by the girls at Tashanor Park…
Thanks again guys
See you soon.
Hayley Featonby

AnnMarie Brown
We first met Bianca and Tamara nearly five years ago after realizing that we needed some help with a pony that we had brought for our then 12 year old daughter. We attended a few B.A.L.A.N.C.E. clinics and in no time at all we found that we were able to communicate at a whole new level not only with our pony but also with our other horses. Over the past 4 years we have attended many clinics and even sent the pony to the girls for some fine tuning. The care and attention given to our horses and to our selves when attending clinics is fantastic and no matter how far we come, we still enjoy our sessions with them and come away full of enthusiasm and confidence. Tiffany and Misti have learned and achieved so much together, all of which we are sure has been due to the guidance and confidence that they pass on to those attending their clinics. The philosophy behind their B.A.L.A.N.C.E program is truly inspiring.

In 2009, we were very privileged to have purchased from them their beautiful 2008 baby “Spirits Finale” aka Jett. Jett is a dream to handle and get comments from everyone who she meets “what a wonderful young girl she is to handle”. We will have no hesitation in handing Jett back to them when she is ready to begin the next stage of her training and breaking as we are more than confident that she will be handled with love and respect. We very much look forward to sharing this and many other experiences with them’.
Annmarie Brown, Branluti Park Shepparton.

Asher Keddie
‘Okay.. so when you left this afternoon I go and grab the yearling and try out the leading technique. Well!! The little darling was so relieved for some direction ( should have been properly halter broken in first two weeks of life of course..grrrr) . Then I take lovely Bella (Arab mare) down to arena and work on the same thing’s we did with Redman today. Huge progress..the FEEL the FEEL. Which brings me to my point..Your attention to my leading method may have been the last thing I thought I needed to work on, but seemed to focus many things for me. Light bulb moment.

First time in twenty years that a trainer has been able to truly communicate to me how to achieve what I want to, intuitively, to help the horse, and to trust I have what it takes to progress. Thanks a million…

Anyhow, thought you might like a little feedback after the last six months of visits..
Thanks to both for looking after Earl, can’t wait for you to get him started, I think he’ll be just fine!
Asher Keddie

Sharryn Jenkinson
Since I’ve met you both and now a year into your course, I have my gusto back, I have an inner confidence that has blossomed under your direct and so very honest direction. BUT the best thing from your course is that I now have a horse confident in me!
This all comes from a well thought out course presented in a basic format that we can all understand.
I now have a horse that I can confidently ride anywhere!! I’ve met allot of people who can’t say the same.
Sharryn Jenkinson

Lindy & Lulu
Hello Bianca & Tamara,
Just a little note to say thank you once again for your wonderful support with Lulu. You have no idea how much I appreciated your help. You have put me in touch with people that could solve my ongoing problem, but not only that you gave up your valuable time to put my horse first. I was so impressed. To know people like yourselves is an honour. To be able call you friends is a privledge.
Thankyou from Lindy and Lulu.