Human & Horse Academy is the training institute of Greetje Hakvoort in Kootwijkerbroek, the Netherlands. Our teaching team trains trainers, instructors and Guasha therapists, and supports horse owners around the world through our home-study programmes.
My greatest passion has always been training and developing horses and ponies. Discovering how to help them become physically stronger, fitter, more supple and more aware of their own bodies. Dressage has always had something special for me: how training can help every horse, regardless of breed, build or natural talent, move with more balance and more strength.
But development goes beyond the physical. I want to help a horse understand and use its body better, move with more strength and freedom, and at the same time grow mentally. More confidence, more body awareness and a deeper understanding of what we are asking together.
Over the years, I have worked with many different horses, ponies and combinations. Different bodies, characters, ages, talents and challenges. And perhaps the horses where the answer was not immediately obvious have taught me the most.
They challenged me to look further, stay creative and keep discovering new tools. To keep asking the same question: what does this horse need, at this moment, to take the next step in its development?
That way of thinking and training became the Human & Horse Method. A method in which groundwork, lunging, work in hand and riding build on each other, and where feeling, understanding and training are always connected.
I documented the method in a study book of more than 300 pages and over 150 training videos, so students can work with the method step by step from home.
In 2011, I developed Guasha therapy for horses. It became another way to look at the body and support the horse alongside training. For me, training, fitness, bodywork, Guasha and care are not separate worlds, but different ways of understanding and developing the same horse.
That is also what we want to share at the Academy: keep looking, keep feeling, keep learning and stay curious about what is possible.
I would love to meet you in our community and at the Academy.
With love, Greetje Hakvoort
Our teachers are more than just trainers. They are guides in your learning process and help you observe, feel and understand what happens in the interaction between you and your horse. Whatever your level, they take you and your horse to a higher level and make sure you can continue on your own.
Developed the Human & Horse Method and, in 2011, guasha therapy for horses. Teaches at the Academy and in the videos of the home studies.
Physiotherapist, guasha therapist for humans and animals and animal osteopath. Developed the Human & Horse Guasha training in 2017.
Completed the instructor course with her PRE gelding Zingaro and trained her young horse Messi from foalhood using the method. Also a guasha and veterinary naturopathic therapist.
Came to the Academy in 2019 during the rehabilitation of her horse Ella. As course coordinator she holds the introductory conversations with new students.
Teaches the entrepreneurship modules in the trainer and instructor course.
Supports the teachers during the practical days of the guasha course.
Not based in the Netherlands? Greetje and her team also teach in English, at the Academy or through clinics in your country. Discover the international programme.
The Academy is located at Harskamperweg 22A in Kootwijkerbroek, the Netherlands, 2 minutes from the A1 motorway and surrounded by meadows and forest. Lessons are taught here every day and all course days and training days take place here.
Four Dutch accreditations, each with a concrete benefit for you as a student: clear terms and conditions, an independent complaints route, official internships and possible reimbursement.
The Dutch trade association for private training providers. We work according to the NRTO code of conduct and the NRTO general terms and conditions. If we cannot resolve an issue together, you can turn to an independent disputes committee.
The Dutch Central Register for Short Vocational Education assesses training providers on due care, legal certainty and quality of training. You know in advance what you get and how complaints are handled.
Accredited by the Dutch Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education and Business. Vocational students can do an official internship with us, with a supervisor and an internship plan.
The courses are recognised by the UWV, the Dutch employee insurance agency. If you live in the Netherlands and are in a reintegration programme, the trainer and instructor course or the guasha therapist course may be reimbursed.
The home study contains incredibly interesting and extensive information that you can use a lot and can use with your horse from basic to deepening, making it suitable for everyone. The book is also super fine, clearly written and a really nice addition. What I also think is a big plus is the app, so you can easily grab the videos at the stable if you have lost something. I started it because I want to get more out of myself and my horses and I really want to do the training in the future! The way of working with horses is so nice, correct and harmonious. Highly recommended for anyone who is in doubt, you won't regret it!
2 years ago I started the Human & Horse course of Greetje Hakvoort. What a wonderful journey this has been for me personally as a person and as an instructor. My horses and I have both grown enormously! We have totally found ourselves in this great way of training with respect for humans and animals! We are finding more and more depth and even after completing the course I will remain connected to the Human & Horse Academy by following Master training courses so that I can continue to develop in training humans and horses. I recommend everyone to follow this training and / or the beautiful online platform to gain a better understanding of the correct and harmonious training of horses and to strengthen the bond with these beautiful animals 🦄
Human & Horse appreciates Harmony the most and you will notice that. A home for everyone, all horses are happy and calm and the surroundings are beautiful.
International 5-Day Human & Horse Experience in English. Five days of practical learning, training, inspiration and connection, with personal guidance from our teaching team. Prepare through the home-study programmes and continue afterwards with online or live lessons.
Curious about the Human & Horse Method? Get a free sample of the study book and watch the inspiration videos. Discover how real communication with your horse begins: from calm, trust and connection.
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