My name is Kerstin Haferkamp and I have been working with horses for over 20 years. I only started riding in my 30s and I quickly realised that it takes more to get on a horse without fear and with joy than the riding lessons that are unfortunately still very common today.
Sentences like, "We've always done it that way" or "If you fall off, you get back on straight away" should really be a thing of the past, as should statements like "You have to show him who's boss".
In 2007 I completed my training as a physiotherapist and acupuncturist for horses.
I quickly realised that there was a lack of communication both between rider and horse and between riders themselves.
Unfortunately, tense or "unrideable" horses are still often labelled as uncooperative, although a lack of understanding and the resulting lack of communication with the animal is often one of the reasons for the horses' behaviour.
After a riding accident that happened years ago, my own fears came to the surface. At some point I decided to face them and through many conversations with my riding friends I realized that I was not alone with my fears. This encouraged me to find a solution that would benefit both the rider and the horse and I completed training to become an Equipsych© riding coach myself.
My wish is to enable as many people as possible to ride without fear.
I look forward to meeting you.