ABOUT FUNCTIONAL HORSE TRAINING
Functional Horse Training is an educational centre dedicated to helping horse owners and professionals understand how the horse’s body works, so they can make informed decisions in management and training.
At its core, functional training stands for training without compensation. It focuses on developing the horse within the limits of what its body can do and become, rather than forcing it into movement patterns that require physical or mental workarounds. When we stay within those limits, we work with the horse — not do something to it.
Because this principle applies to every horse, functional training is discipline independent. Whether a horse is trained for all-round use, dressage, jumping, western disciplines, or for longevity and comfort, the fundamentals of functional movement remain the same.
Movement Science
Understand how the horse's body works. Clear, practical education on movement science so you enhance your knowledge and assessment skills and build a framework for decisions.
Management guidance
Understand how the horse's body works. Clear, practical education on movement science so you enhance your knowledge and assessment skills and build a framework for decisions.
Functional training
Understand how the horse's body works. Clear, practical education on movement science so you enhance your knowledge and assessment skills and build a framework for decisions.
Ideally, equestrian technique combines art and science. The central point here is, once you have got the science sorted out, you can go ahead and concentrate on the art.’’ - McGreevy, 2011
WHERE SCIENCE MEETS ART
Functional Horse Training is grounded in Equine Movement Science and shaped by the art of horsemanship.
Movement science is a multidisciplinary field drawing upon anatomy, biomechanics, neurology, energetics, fluid mechanics, and their dynamic interaction. It allows us to understand and interpret movement – and how daily management and training decision affect both function and welfare.
At the same time, science alone is not enough. True functional training also requires the art of horsemanship: feel, timing, understanding and clear communication. Only when science and art come together can we truly serve the horse.
Functional, rather than correct
FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT
In the horse world, we often speak about correct movement or correct training. But what does this mean and who decides? Horses are built differently, and movement is shaped by both design, life and context.
Rather than chasing the illusion of universal’’ correctness’’, Functional Horse Training focuses on functional movement that serves a purpose. This exists on two levels:
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Movement that is functional for the horse as a horse, supporting basic needs, behaviour, and quality of life
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Movement that is functional within a human context, meeting training goals without forcing the horse to compensate
Functional movement is characterized by fluidity, self-carriage, efficiency, adaptability, and freedom in all directions.
From philosophy to practice
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Functional Horse Training is built on a clear framework guided by a set of basic principles:
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Training starts with selecting form to function: the way a horse is built largely determines how it can move. No amount of technique can override anatomy.
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Management comes first. There where the horse spends most of his time, we can gain the most benefit. Training is only a small part of the picture. Without appropriate housing, dynamic environment, social contact, hoof care, nutrition, dental care etc., training effects will be limited.
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We work with neuro-motor patterns, understanding that we are not working with the body, but with the nervous systems perception of the body and its environment. Because the brain is plastic, long-term improvement comes from reshaping neural networks, not from action reaction. Lasting change comes from reshaping how the nervous system organizes movement
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We aim for flow of movement: a fluid locomotion cycle with elastic force transfer and healthy communication between front and hind.
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Cross-over training is used to prevent physical and mental stagnation — achieving similar goals through varied inputs.
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And finally, we train smarter, not harder, applying principles of exercise physiology to create adaptive, effective training and prevent overload injuries.
Meet the founder
WHO IS THIRZA?
With an academic background in political science and experience as a horse trainer / competitor in carriage driving, dressage and jumping, my life took a decisive turn when a very special horse - Acaliena - crossed my path and challenged everything I thought I knew.
From there, a new journey started with curiosity — a desire to understand why horses move and behave the way they do, and how management and training choices influence their bodies - and minds - over time. That curiosity eventually led me to step away from politics to instead pursue formal studies in Equine Movement Science.
Fueled by passion, I travelled the world to learn as much as possible, combining formal education with extensive hands-on experience training many horses and learning from a wide range of trainers. This combination of science and practice led me to develop my own approach of functional training (Progressive Movement Therapy), focused on sustainable, efficient, fluid movement and training without compensation.
I started my own company in 2015 and since 2020, I am part of the Equinestudies dissection team, conducting multiple whole-horse dissections each year worldwide. Working with detailed histories and hands-on assessments gives me a unique perspective on the horse ‘inside-out’ and how to implement this understanding towards practical management and training solutions.
While I became known for my work in rehabilitation, my true passion lies in prevention. By educating professionals and horse owners to make informed decisions in breeding, management, and training, I aim to help shift industry standards so that functional, fluid movement and training without compensation becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Through Functional Horse Training, I provide an international platform for education. As an educator, trainer, and coach, I work and teach worldwide, sharing knowledge and skills through lectures and courses while continuing to learn from the horse.
Are you excited to join me yet? I hope to meet you soon!
I’m Thirza Hendriks — a science nerd, educator, and lifelong student of how horses move. My work sits at the intersection
of movement science, and horse training, with one clear mission: to enable horses to move comfortably and efficiently, supporting optimal quality of life and performance.