There's nothing that fulfills me more with joy than that happy neigh when I arrive at the stable,

a swinging back under saddle,

that satisfied snort after another small step in the right direction,

eyes closed followed by smacking & yawning!

From morning to evening among horses,

to be able to contribute to their well-being, recovery and performance.
Putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to ensure that they can give the best of themselves,

each with his or her own qualities.

Giving horses a voice, recognizing and treating suffering.

Els

Due to circumstances, Els chose to turn her passion into her profession in 2004 after studying languages and sciences. She started working in the professional horse industry where she gained extensive experience in teaching, training and schooling horses.

Meanwhile, she obtained her diplomas in riding school management, schooling, trainer and independent instructor. 

During her work with jumping and dressage horses at well-known stables and studfarms from show jumping sports, including Roshoeve, Nieuwenhof and Optimus agro, her interest in anatomy, biomechanics & exercise physiology grew.

So in addition to her work at the stables, she first started at Massage Hippique in the Netherlands for a few years, where she qualified as a sports masseur for horses.

Since 2017, she started her own practice in combination with her job as a stable rider.

Thanks to adjustments in the study landscape, work & study became increasingly compatible and because she wanted to expand her knowledge even more, she dove into the study books yet again.

For the next five years, she combined her work in horses with studying at the German Institute of Osteopathy (DIPO), one of the leading training institutes in Germany for osteopathy/physiotherapy for horses & dogs. Founded in 1997 and

acknowledged by the FN, it offers education at the highest standards with nationally and internationally recognised experts in the industry.

Here she qualified as a DIPO Physio- & Manual Therapist for horses.

This along with studying at Vives University of Applied Sciences, for which she completed a rotating externship at Equitom, focusing on the departments of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation.

Her graduation project dealt with the rehabilitation of a warmblood mare after acetubular/ ischium fracture associated with intermittent (sub)luxation of the coxofemoral joint.

In doing so, she qualified in rehabilitation techniques and sports coaching.

Both qualifications were achieved with great distinction.

After her externship, Els remained full-time at Equitom for another year, in addition to her own practice.

Here, she worked closely with veterinarians and surgeons, assisting in operations, clinical examination and physiotherapy management in various cases.

Since 2022, she fully dedicated herself to her own practice integrating all this knowledge and experience on a daily basis.

To keep up with current developments, research and education in equine health management, she attends several CPD courses every year and additional studies on a regular basis.

Grounded in practical experience

Not only therapist & coach, but in between treatments and sports coaching, Els still rides horses herself. Meanwhile, she has been in the saddle for more than 30 years, trying to bring out the best in each horse. Not only with work under saddle, but also by working in hand, lunge or at liberty depending on what the horse needs at that moment.

She strongly believes in building a strong bond based on trust and mutual respect, as the basis for success and harmony.

Her first horse Falco, her partner in crime for more than 20 years, is enjoying his well-earned retirement at her pasture as a 30-plus, together with his girlfriend.

Els firmly believes that every little component in the management of a horse contributes to their well-being, health and performance. A horse requires a holistic approach.

Therefore, she places significant emphasis on working together with fellow professionals: trainer, vet, nutrition expert, dentist, saddle fitter, farrier,  if necessary, she 'll help her clients by reffering them and their horses  in the right direction in order to meet their needs. 

She also places significant emphasis to  correct, functional training of horses.

For Els, it is essential that horses are given the opportunity to use and develop their bodies in the right way, allowing them to perform optimally without being forced.

This enables horses to use their natural abilities and improves not only their physical condition, but also their mental well-being.

With this, Els would like to open the eyes of owners and riders to help them better read their horses' bodies, recognise signals and abnormalities, in order to adapt their training according to the horse.

By training horses in a respectful, correct and patient manner, injuries, problems, equine suffering and riders frustration can be avoided, 

'With horses,  just because something may be the cause,

doesn't mean it has to be the cause'