Coaching with horses
Are you a passionate person with a big heart for the world, but do you feel that over time you are hollowing yourself out? Have you gone off track and do you want to regain leadership over your own life?
With my guidance you learn to reconnect with yourself and with others, so that energy can flow again. The horses show us the way.
Equine assisted coaching makes use of experiential learning with horses. This approach focuses on sensing interactions with your environment through the body. To practice opening up to what presents itself creates a ‘sacred space of possibility’ in which you can experience here and now what is needed to function more fluidly in your life.
– Do you notice your relationships seem stuck in personal situations or at work?
– Do you feel like you’ve gotten off course in recent years?
– Would you like to know more about your emotions and why they arise?
– Are you looking for tools to live more consciously?
– Do you struggle with setting boundaries or saying no?
Coaching with horses can give you insight into behavioural patterns that are limiting – which in turn can help you adjust your boundaries and occupy the space you need to feel connected at any moment. One of the cornerstones of the Eponaquest® method, founded 20 years ago by Linda Kohanov, is learning to listen to your body as a sensor, amplifier and inner compass. I provide concrete exercises and tools to learn this.
Wondering what kind of interaction you’ll have with the horse? Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below, or drop me a line to plan an informal chat: sophie@learning-with-horses.net
Offerings
Click here for all my offerings (all prices in euro’s)
Hybrid short course || Making contact ||
240.- excl VAT / 290.- incl VAT
Are you curious about working with horses but still unsure whether it suits you and what you want to explore exactly? Or do you want to get to know my approach better before committing further? Then this programme is the right step for you at this moment.
In two one-hour online sessions and one walking session in The Hague, we explore together what you are struggling with and what you are drawn towards. We also practice embodied exercises that you can train at home.
Basic track || Recognizing and setting boundaries ||
490.- excl. VAT / 595.- incl. VAT
This basic track is right for you if you regularly find it difficult to say no and to set healthy boundaries, or if you notice that your work and relationships are costing you a lot of energy.
In three sessions on location with the horses, we will work on experiencing the difference between what you feel inside and what your body radiates, and interacting with the outside world while remaining present within yourself.
Track || Inner Leadership ||
750,- excl. VAT / 907,50,- incl. VAT
Are you a driven person who gets through mountains of work every day, but find that you struggle to make decisions and feel increasingly drained inside? With this programme, I will help you regain your strength and lead your team, project and life path in a way that suits you.
In five sessions on location with the horses, we will work on self-regulation, setting and following through on intentions, and staying on course using your inner compass. We will also explore leadership based on how a herd of horses works.
Track || Authentic relationships ||
980.- excl. VAT / 1185.- incl. VAT
A powerful programme that examines limiting patterns in your thoughts and behaviour and transforms them into opportunities for growth. This programme is right for you if you feel you have lost your way and have reached the point where you want to take back control of your own life and work.
In six sessions on location with the horses, we will work on topics such as learning to read emotions as information, distinguishing expressions of your authentic self from conditioned behaviour, and integrating agreements for authentic relationships into your life.
Group training courses and workshops for the cultural and non-profit sector
For group trainings, workshops, presentations and other enquiries, please contact me. In a free consultation we will take time to discuss your expectations and wishes. Based on this, I will draw up a tailor-made proposal, including a quotation and timeline. See page 3 of my offerings for more details.
What happens in a session?
A session lasts two hours and is built up around specific background material and a practical exercise with the horse, in response to your initial request. Some exercises focus on training concrete skills such as setting boundaries and others on freely exploring your own question or desire. We always start with an exercise to tune into the body.
In the paddock, I am assisted by Welsh Cob Igor, 25 years old. I have been his caretaker for over four years now. Igor lives with Shayan (17 years old, Arabian horse) in a beautiful green gem near the Haagse Bos on a paddock with walk-out stable.
Still feeling iffy about how things will go? Check the FAQ below.
DIY exercise
Make yourself a nice hot cup of tea and listen to “Right to Soul, E8: Horses: Learning to be present” (45 min).
What resonates with you in this exchange? Have you noticed any physical reactions when hearing certain words or ideas (heaviness, shivers, pain, feeling of relaxation, etc.)? Note your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. If you like, share them with me.
Funding & donations
Learning with Horses should be accessible to everyone
I believe that personal development, healing and meaning making should be available to everyone. Are you (temporarily) in stormy financial water? Contact me to find a suitable solution. Whether that is a payment plan, or an adjusted timeline: there are often more options than you think. Everything you share will of course remain confidential.
Gift someone else this experience
Do you have some extra financial leeway? With a donation you can make it possible for a person in need to experience this work. Feel free to inquire about the possibilities.
Frequently asked questions
No, experience with horses is not necessary. No riding is involved in this coaching method.
‘Interacting with the horse’ covers a variety of exercises, from being near the horse while keeping your attention focused on your own body at the same time, to grooming the horse, or setting the horse in motion through non verbal communication.
The coaching sessions with horses mainly take place outdoors. So dress appropriately! Take rain, sun, heat or cold into account.
Yes, I facilitate coaching sessions with horses in English, Dutch and French.
A coaching sessions lasts two hours. A coaching journey includes, depending on what your question is and what is needed, 3 to 9 sessions of 2 hours, with breaks of maximum 2-3 weeks in between.
Yes, besides the longer coaching trajectories, I also offer introductory sessions, single sessions and tailor-made sessions, in consultation.
No, horses do not suffer from human emotions during a coaching session as long as their basic needs (sufficient pasture / hay and water, free roaming space, social contact with kin) are met, and as long as the emotion, at the time it arises, is consciously acknowledged and felt through (this process is called congruence). A recent scientific study shows that on average, horses experience little stress during coaching.
No, if a horse is in pain or shows signs of suffering (indicated, for example, by an apathetic posture, tense facial expression, or change in digestive patterns) it will not be asked to take part. The horse’s wishes come first.
Yes, coaching with horses is definitely suitable for children. I do not focus on this group myself but I would be happy to refer you to suitable colleagues in my network.
About me
Being present, holding space for what wants to emerge – this how I want to go through life.
But life sometimes challenges you. Around my forties, I reached an impasse – a sense of unfulfilled motherhood, a broken relationship, symptoms of exhaustion. I felt vulnerable, lonely, lost, and didn’t know how to move forward. In a powerful dream from that time, horses appeared – it was as if they were saying: make sure we come back into your life, and everything will be alright. I packed my bags and left for Iceland and Brittany to work with horses as a stable hand. Through trial and error, I realised two things: that stable work was physically too demanding for my body, and that I wanted to build a deeper connection with these beautiful animals. In my search I came across a training programme to become an equine assisted coach: the Medicine Horse Academy.
I fully embraced the open-hearted learning process the training required of me, and haven’t regretted it for a moment. Thanks to Learning with Horses, I have become much more empowered and I am also able set boundaries more fluently – not to draw up a wall between myself and the world, but precisely to restore the connection!
Which brings me to the main reason why I offer this profound soul work, which is this insight: ‘Make sure to honour the space that allows you to remain present in your body, whatever the situation.’ Because only then can you stay connected to others and your environment.
Hi there. I’m Sophie and I was born as the middle child in a loving family, in the Chinese Year of the Fire Dragon. I have always felt like an outdoors person, even though I grew up in the city. My multilingual upbringing made me curious about other cultures from an early age – my work in the arts has allowed me to travel extensively over the past 25 years. Clients and colleagues describe me as caring, responsible, reflective and spontaneous. Curious to know more about my personal story? Read on here.
My vision
Throughout history, horses have been used as a means of transport and warfare, as meat and as status symbol. In all these roles, horses have served and helped shape human society. I believe that the time has come for horses to step into their role as teachers. Why? Because we do all kinds of things with horses, but what do horses do to us, deep inside?
Clients about Learning with H O R S E S
“Communication with Sophie feels pleasant, confidential, warm, and at the same time efficient and enlightening. The alternation between theory, reflection, and activity offered concreteness and applicability in my daily practice, with a focus on strength rather than deficiency.”
– Tijn, participant in the Basic Track
” Yesterday’s session was a great surprise, something out of my everyday which felt very enriching. The energy and engagement of the group felt supportive, and the co-facilitation made it a very inspiring and insightful journey. I had no idea that by just observing, in this case, horses; one could learn so much about oneself. ”
– Lola, group participant
” Igor [the horse] was already responding to me in his behaviour before I realised/understood what I was feeling myself. His reaction felt good and usually meant staying away from me. I also really liked Sophie’s translation and feedback, she brought my thoughts/ideas about the horses back to myself and my own behaviour. “
– Céleste
Eager for more? Make the step.
Are you curious what you can learn from horses in relation to (recurring) issues you are facing? Send me a message and I will contact you for an informal chat by phone of video call.
Training & professional horse coaching experience
– Nature of Wisdom, Eponaquest & Medicine Horse Way, 2021
– Level 1 Equine Facilitated Learning, 2023
– Éducation à pied (groundwork training), La Cense, 2023
– Level 2 Eponaquest Instructor, 2024
– 101 Connections Linda Kohanov, 2024
– Stage Éthologie, Hélène Roche & Association Takh, 2025
– Equine massage, Coby Kruis, 2025
– Professional association member ‘Van en door paardencoaches’
… Some of the women I love to learn with !
The Art of Rewilding (UK/AT)
Rosey Withey (UK)
Keerpunt Coach (NL)
Medecine Horse Academy (NL)
Praktijk Link (NL)
Elvira Veldman, Zin Zijn (NL)
Like Horses (polyvagal principle) (NL)
Academie voor ontspannen onderwijs (NL)
Veerkracht in Beweging (BE)
Paula Udondek (NL)
Groei met paarden (NL)
Rob Erteman (USA/NL)
Sara Wiktorowicz, Horse Massage Therapist (NL)
Paard zijn (NL)
Isabelle Krier (DE)
Sabrina Djefal, Dirigeant Conseil (FR)
Cégéka Dévelopements (FR)
Hélène Roche (FR)
Dans les pas des chevaux (FR)
Contact
Learning with H O R S E S
Sophie Krier (owner)
sophie@learning-with-horses.net
+31 6 14 24 28 78 (whatsapp)
Downloads
Intake form
Route information
Safety contract