What is EquiTwist:
EquiTwist stands for Body and Mind (liberation) and came to life after many years of experiences but never quite finding a space in this big world of horses, I could find myself in.
EquiTwist literally means Horses with a twist, something different but trusted. It’s set up through a search for balance in a busy world, finding strength in what you love and taking steps out of the comfort zone you have created.
This is what EquiTwist has to offer:
- Cuddle sessions
- Grooming lessons
- Groundwork lessons
- In-Hand lessons (Still under construction)
- Lunging
- Riding lessons
- Horse Experience
- Rider Coaching, light mental coaching for riders, with advice for a specialist if needed
- Guasha Human and Equine (Future goal, still under construction)
Who is the driving force behind this concept?
My name is Emma and I am turning my hobby and passion into my work. I live together with my husband, son and some small animals in Bunschoten Spakenburg. On a different location I own a Welsh Pony and a horse on loan.
Horses have always found a way back in my life and now they have found a way for me to follow my love and passion.
I started with an instructor’s course, Human & Horse Academy by Greetje Hakvoort, Trainer and Instructors course, that gives room to let horses and people be themselves and thrive within their own strength and possibilities. This has given me the advantage that I have already worked with many different combinations of horses and riders.
A few years ago, I gave grooming lessons to children with ADD and Aspersers and I loved it. To see those children, grow and flourish and develop within their own being, it gave me the best feeling!
With these experiences in mind, I found a school that teaches with this principal. The communication between human and horse, that’s pure and wonderful!
I love to see happy people and animals around me and I enjoy the pureness and honesty that comes from people and animals interacting with each other.
My strengths include my ability to make a quick connection with children, even on non-animal subjects. I then turn the details of the conversations we are having, into a positive starting point. Making the stories they tell in positive experiences to look back on.
The horses help me in so many ways; think of quite surroundings, a bit of distraction during the stories being told, a safe space away from the prying eyes of our modern world. Even the horse in itself is special. The coat covering its whole body, the ‘whiskers’ on their faces, the sensitivity of the coat when a fly lands on it.
What are our goals?
Our goal is to have harmony between human and animal. That we can create a safe space for those humans and animals and let them grow to the best of their abilities within their own limits.
Our future (in short):
Our own property with a restaurant. On our own property we would like to have a place where animals and humans can come together to let humans experience what a connection with an animal can give you. We are starting with a pony and we will be expanding with for example: goats, sheep, chickens and donkeys.
We will create a space where the animals and humans can come together and interact, all our guests will discover how life is when interacting with animals. There will also be a look out point to the horses that we will have on the property.
We shall have multiple stables for horses and pony’s and their owners, which we will facilitate with all kinds of luxuries. You can think of a riding arena, round pen, brushing station but also open stables and a Paddock Paradise.
The idea with the restaurant is that it will have nice riding and driving areas. We can accommodate for riders and drivers will have the opportunity to relax after a ride/drive and that the horses have space to relax too.
The restaurant will have a farmhouse themed interior with good, honest food and a varied menu with a lounge corner with bookcase and fireplace.