Where do I start? My name's Jody Henderson and eight months ago I had a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred named Red that I was terrified to ride. Over the previous 12 months since purchasing him, I'd had a number of bad falls and very bad scares. He had no trust or confidence in me due to previous owners and being a chestnut thoroughbred was terrified and spooked at pretty much everything. There were at least two occasions where he was going to be sold after I ended up in hospital and I didn't care how much money I lost or where he went.
Enter Minda. I met Minda through Donna Moore and at my whits end, Red was going to get one more chance. I vividly remember my very first lesson with her. When she dropped my stirrups by three holes I was ready to bale then and there and run screaming from the arena. But within half an hour and a spook that sent Red and I from one side or the arena and I to the other, I knew I'd found someone I could trust in teaching us. Why? Because I was still on my horse and not on the ground.
My name is Donna Jean Moore, I run and own a small horse property "Aldon Park" were I break ponies and galloways for children & adults for competition purposes as well as provide agistment.
Minda Blake has been teaching at our property for over 6 months now and the change in our riding habits is amazing. I started by getting her to help me with my main competition horse Bob who had a very bad attitude problem, basically he hated me. Minda helped us reconnect and taught me how to ride him to improve his movement, shape and personality. The change has been amazing! I now have a tolerant horse who is not trying to kill me! But the best thing is I love riding him again. I have always sent my young horses away to be educated but always felt a little disappointed as the results were not always what I was hoping for, but now with Minda's help I am doing this myself with fantastic results.
We now call Minda's method the "Blake method" and we love it. She has made riding my first love again, I can't thank her enough.
Minda Blake has only been treating my three dressage horses for a short time now and already there is improved cadence and suppleness in their movement under saddle. She has a very patient and gentle manner with the horses.
I have great confidence in her sound practical advice and treatments
Minda is my lecturer for the Certificate in Canine Myofunctional Therapy. Her knowledge and expertise in this area lead me to trust her implicitly and in turn, ask for her help in training my lovely but unruly dog. After just a three training sessions, both my dog and I are beginning to treat each other with respect and we're finally beginning to understand each other's boundaries. By teaching me how to be a better dog owner, Minda has enabled my dog and I to have a relationship that continues to improve each and every day (as long as I consistently apply the new rules!). There aren't many people that I would let tell me how to raise my dog, but Minda's expertise, approach, patience and support have lead me to see her as the guru on all things dog. I hope one day to be able to relate to dogs and humans the way that she does and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending any of her dog services to anyone.
Jessica Naylor & Memphis
For the past 5 months Minda has been treating all my thoroughbred racehorses currently in work.
I have seen a significant improvement in all the horses. They are much more flexible, easier to ride and all have a better attitude. Soft tissue injuries are addressed quickly and effectively with Minda's regular treatments, which have prevented problems becoming worse in the future.
I would recommend Minda to any horse owner as a way of managing their muscle health.
Dave McCabe
When my 6 year old Labrador Bailey started finding it hard to jump up into the back seat of my car I assumed it was just one of those things. He was stiff in the front legs and had taken to always lying on one side. He never rolled on his back, and hadn't in some years. After an assessment by Minda, she discovered Bailey was extremely tight through the top of the shoulders and between the shoulder blades.
After the first treatment, I was surprised to find Bailey rolling on his back on the lounge. His stride lengthened, he ran more freely and was much more able to launch himself up into the car. After a series of treatments this improved further, he started sleeping on alternating sides, and seemed a lot happier in himself.
He now has an occasional maintenance treatment, much as I do! I would highly recommend Minda's service to anyone with a dog – and she has even massaged my cat, with great success!
Cathy Gallagher
My horse "Deuce" and I are feeling wonderful after he experienced massage treatments from Minda.
Prior to his first massage, Deuce was very obviously defensive toward Minda. He was resistive and anxious, showing this by being fidgety, throwing his head up and clenching his jaw. After an hour of Minda's massaging, he became calm and relaxed.
Several days later, the second massage produced great results. Deuce remembered the previous experience and knew this was going to be good. He was so co operative and responsive to Minda's simple quiet touch and gentle approach that he yawned and was totally relaxed during Minda's time with him and after the session ended.
Although Deuce was the one being massaged, his relaxation and obvious pleasure gave me the sense of being massaged by Minda. I learnt from this experience to listen to my horse through his body language, to be gentle with him and not to force my expectations on him. Deuce continues to be treated by Minda on a regular basis to keep him happy and healthy.
Kerryn Solomon - November 2012
A friend recommended Minda Blake to us to assist our thirteen year old golden retriever, Latte, with pain management for her arthritis.
I contacted Minda who came to meet Latte that same week. She treated Latte at this visit, and the difference in Latte's pain was immediately apparent.
From this time on for the next two years, Minda treated Latte fortnightly.
Latte went through many ups and downs during these last years in her life, and we were grateful to be able to discuss all issues we faced with Minda who was not only supportive of us and Latte, but was also incredibly knowledgeable. Minda's knowledge allowed her to adjust her treatments of Latte according to her needs at that particular time.
We were also incredibly impressed to watch her win over our second dog whose heart is not easily given - her fortnightly visits became a highlight for him as well as Latte.
Latte reached the ripe old age of 15 before we lost her. However when we compared her to other dogs of the same breed that were also geriatric, it was easy to see her movement was far easier and her body was more flexible than she would have been without Minda's care.
We will be forever grateful to Minda for her care of Latte, and for making her pain manageable and allowing her to enjoy her last few years. We would happily recommend her to anyone with a dog sufferring from arthritis.
Gwyn & Martin Beaumont - July 2012