Human & Horse Academy
About us

Loving horse training and care, for every horse and every level

Human & Horse Academy is the training institute of Greetje Hakvoort in Kootwijkerbroek, the Netherlands. A team of 8 teachers trains trainers, instructors and guasha therapists here and helps horse owners around the world through the home studies.

NRTO memberCRKBO registeredSBB accreditedUWV recognised
Greetje Hakvoort with her appaloosas and family at the Academy
Greetje Hakvoort during a training session in the forest
Greetje Hakvoort
founder of Human & Horse Academy
Since 2011
Greetje's story

From her own horses to a method for everyone

For as long as Greetje Hakvoort can remember, her life has revolved around horses. What began as training her own appaloosas grew into a way of working she wanted to share: training horses from calm, trust and a communication the horse truly understands. Not focused on control or performance, but on contact and collaboration.

That way of working became the Human & Horse Method, with four ways of working that build on each other: groundwork, lunging, work in hand and riding. Greetje recorded everything in a study book of more than 300 pages and 150+ videos, so that everyone can get started with it at home.

In 2011 she was the first in the world to develop guasha therapy for horses. What has been used for centuries on humans in Chinese medicine turned out to work just as well on horses: releasing tension, improving circulation and keeping the body supple. Training and therapy reinforce each other, and that is the core of what you learn at the Academy.

I look forward to meeting you in our Community and at the Academy.
With love, Greetje Hakvoort

More about the Human & Horse Method
The team

Teachers who teach you to observe and feel

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.

Greetje Arends-Hakvoort
Greetje Arends-Hakvoort
Founder, teacher of the method

Developed the Human & Horse Method and, in 2011, guasha therapy for horses. Teaches at the Academy and in the videos of the home studies.

Liska Thissen
Liska Thissen
Teacher guasha, year 1 and year 2

Physiotherapist, guasha therapist for humans and animals and animal osteopath. Developed the Human & Horse Guasha training in 2017.

Ellen Fuld
Ellen Fuld
Teacher and coach

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.

Pascaline van der Linden
Pascaline van der Linden
Training coordinator, teacher

Came to the Academy in 2019 during the rehabilitation of her horse Ella. Your first point of contact for questions about courses and the international programme.

AA
Arien Arends
Coordinator training days

Organises the training days at the Academy, from planning to lunch and stabling.

Manon Engelbert
Manon Engelbert
Teacher guasha

Teaches in the course to become a guasha therapist for horses.

Jennifer Staal
Jennifer Staal
Assistant teacher guasha

Supports the teachers during the practical days of the guasha course.

Conny Versendaal
Conny Versendaal
Assistant teacher method

Supports the teachers during the practical days of the trainer and instructor 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 location

Kootwijkerbroek, at the gateway to the Veluwe

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.

  • Outdoor and indoor arena for lessons in every season
  • Paddocks for students' horses staying overnight
  • Lunch on site during course days
  • A warm shared space to talk things over afterwards
  • Free parking on our own grounds, also with a trailer
Everything about staying with your horse and directions
The Human & Horse Academy building on the Harskamperweg in KootwijkerbroekView from the terrace over the meadows around the Academy
Accreditations

What our accreditations mean for you

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.

NRTO member

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.

CRKBO registered

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.

SBB accredited training company

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.

UWV recognised

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.

Reviews

What other trainers say...

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!

J
Justine van de Berg
Home study · Facebook Review

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 🦄

Jonika Zwetsloot
Human & Horse course · Google Review

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.

Lana van Beelen
Review
Come and meet us

Learn the method at the Academy

Trainer and instructor course in 10 modules, or guasha therapist in 7 modules. Small groups, your own horse, personal guidance. International students welcome.

Free sample of the Human & Horse study book
Free sample chapter

Download the free sample of the study book

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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