How a 3-Month Riding Holiday Changed Melanie's Life

Melanie arrived on our working riding holiday program back in 2013, little knowing that Wild Coast Horses would become a major part of her life. Her love of the lifestyle and the area was undeniable, however, and what was supposed to be a three-month stay quickly extended into five. 

Even after she returned home, Melanie was itching to get back, and after six months in the classroom, she jumped on a plane and returned to volunteer for another six months. After several years of living in two places and skipping between them like a true nomad, Melanie finally accepted a full-time position with Wild Coast Horses.

I remember speaking to Melanie soon after she took the job and she told me she didn’t expect to stay much beyond a year. 11 years on, Melanie has established herself as an integral and irreplaceable member of the team. 

Behind the Scenes: Balancing Logistics with a Love of Horses

As operations manager, Melanie handles the essential behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly. She oversees the horses' well-being and ensures the guides have the knowledge and support they need. Beyond that, she manages everything from answering questions and ordering feed to booking transfers and coordinating staff schedules to prevent burnout.

It’s not always been that way and one of the things Melanie’s most enjoyed about her time at Wild Coast Horses has been the opportunity to work with horses.

“One of the highlights of the past 11 years has been getting to know the horses, spending time with them, and developing my horse skills. Before I came here, I’d only ever ridden random horses so, getting to know individual horses and building relationships with them has been fantastic” Melanie explains. 

She’s realistic about what it really means to work with horses, however, and advises those interested in an equestrian career to get as much hands-on experience as possible while recognizing that “In most horse jobs, a lot of it is looking after people, not horses. The horses are the bonus part.”

11 Years of Fun and Excitement

These days, Melanie splits her time between the yard and the office, drawing on her trail experience to understand every aspect of Wild Coast Horses. As a result, she's confident that guests will get the most out of their experience if they just: "Sit back, relax, and go with the flow.”

“Our guides are experienced professionals, and everything is carefully organised. We handle all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying your adventure,” she adds. 

Even though much of her time is now spent behind the scenes, life is far from boring and when I ask Melanie to describe one memorable experience, she laughs, "Too many things have happened over time with horses, clients, work colleagues, and the weather… it’s been 11 years of fun and excitement.”

"What I love most about this job is that every day brings something new," she reflects. "I thrive on that variety. Give me a problem to solve and I’m in my element!”

Leading a Strong Team of People and Horses

Melanie doesn’t just love her position at Wild Coast Horses — she loves the entire community, largely because it’s such a small team of passionate people who, she says, “really care about the horses and the people that ride them.”

Of course, the horses make up the backbone of that team, and selecting the right ones is crucial.“Trail horses are very special because they have to adapt to different riders constantly, she explains.

“They need to be tolerant of different riding styles and personalities, dependable for our guides, and enjoy the occasional cuddle. They also have to be forward-going but controllable, interesting but dependable. At the end of the day, we need to know that people are safe but also having fun and enjoying themselves.”

A significant part of Melanie's job involves providing the guides with the support they need to give the horses the best possible care. That means addressing dietary issues, consulting with vets and other equine experts about appropriate supplements, and developing individualised care plans that take into account each horse's age, workload, and health requirements.

She also arranges regular visits from the chiropractor, physiotherapist, and dentist, keeping our horses comfortable, healthy and capable of maintaining their workloads.