The Whole Picture, LLC

Heidi Melocco holds a bachelor's degree in English (from Ohio Wesleyan University) and a master's degree in journalism (from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University) with a concentration in magazine and photo editing. At the latter, she was named Master's Student of the Year. Her stories and photographs are seen regularly in publications such as Western Horseman books, Horse & Rider, Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, and America's Horse. She served as Assistant Editor at Horse & Rider. She's also been on the staff of John Lyons' Perfect Horse and hosted a column in The Trail Rider for over 10 years. Melocco is an author and photographer for boots such as: Western Horseman's Understanding Lameness, Western Horseman’s Legends 6 and 9, Goodnight’s Guide to Great Horsemanship, Certified Horsemanship Association's Instructor Manual, Hitch Up & Go (The Equine Network's trailering book), The Revolution in Horsemanship (by Rick Lamb and Robert Miller, DVM), and Breed for Success (by Rene Riley and Honi Roberts).

 

Melocco's photos have won awards from the Equine Photographer's Network and an AIM Award. Melocco holds first-prize awards from American Horse Publications (AHP) for training stories and equine photography. She has had over 35 magazine cover photos printed on Horse Illustrated, America’s Horse, and The Trail Rider as well as on the Road to the Horse program. Melocco continues to write about and photograph horses and also works in video broadcasting. She directed and produced a popular RFD-TV show for over 10 years. Melocco stays up to speed with social media and has grown accounts to reach and engage with hundreds of thousands of fans. She served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Horse Council and has presented social media seminars at the PATHi and CHA International Conferences.

Equine Experience: Melocco started riding Ponies of the Americas at age 5 at Smiley R Ranch in Hilliard, Ohio with Janet Hedman and the W. E. Richardson family. In college, she was president and later assistant coach of the Ohio Wesleyan University Equestrian Team, coached by world champion-earning trainer Terry Myers. Keeping active as a rider and riding instructor, Melocco began studying Brain Gym®—an international program based on whole-brain and active learning. As a 4-H advisor, she used simple movements to help horseback riding students relax and achieve their goals in the saddle. Melocco became a registered instructor with Path International—helping to combine horse knowledge and therapeutic experience with horsemanship training. She also teaches how reflexes and Brain Gym techniques can help with any rider. Melocco has presented demos at Equine Affaire and at the Path International and National Youth Horse Council Annual Conferences. She taught at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center in Longmont, Colorado.

 

Melocco resides on her small-acreage horse property with her husband, Jared, daughter Savannah, registered AQHA and Palomino gelding, “Mister T,” pony, "Romeo," dogs, "Henry" "Lucy" and "Rosie," and three barn-kitties-turned-house cats named "Vivver Vivver," and "Marmalade."