What if horsemanship wasn’t about forcing change — but about understanding its source?

What if we stopped training through disconnection — and began with creating safety?

What if you could see your horse clearly — in their body, their nervous system, their environment, and their soul?

Welcome to The Holistic Horsemanship Academy — a truly unique learning space where horsemanship becomes a healing, partnership-based practice.

What You'll Learn

Inside the Academy you’ll explore the Six Pillars of Soundness™ — a holistic framework to understand and support your horse at every level:


• Physical Soundness — movement, pain signals, body awareness
• Mental Soundness — clarity, confidence, ability to learn
• Emotional Soundness — recognising stress, supporting regulation
• Spiritual Soundness — joy, purpose, intuitive connection
• Social Soundness — herd dynamics, attachment, co-regulation
• Environmental Soundness — how the spaces you share shape behaviour

Together, these six pillars create a complete picture of soundness — where connection becomes the natural outcome, not the goal.

Whether you ride, train or simply live with your horse — these pillars influence every moment of your connection.

What’s Inside the Membership

Everything in The Holistic Horsemanship Academy is designed to serve both you and your horse — in everyday moments and training sessions — so you can apply what you learn right away.

1. Foundations Course

Dive deep into nervous-system science, polyvagal insights and the Six Pillars of Soundness™. It’s not just theory—it’s transformation.

2. Video Library: Real-World Application

Groundwork, regulation in action, quick tips and case studies: real horses in real moments.

3. Live Call Archive

Monthly calls, community sessions, deep-dive Q&As with take-aways you can revisit anytime.

4. Private Member Community

A safe, enriching space to connect with other heart-led horse-people, ask questions, share breakthroughs and be seen.

5. Ongoing Monthly Additions

New video content, reflection prompts and tools added regularly to deepen your practice without overwhelm.

6. Exclusive Deep Dive Programmes

Members get access to full signature programmes (e.g., From Paddock to Paradise and Leaving Survival Mode – Finding Connection) only inside the Academy. These go deeper, last longer and create real inner & outer change.

7. Monthly Live Calls

Come together with me and the community for monthly Zoom sessions to explore core themes, answer your questions and co-regulate together. Always recorded, always powerful.

8. Member Extras (Because Your Journey Matters)

Thoughtful add-ons that honour where you are and support where you’re going.

Bonus – 1:1 Sessions at Member Rate – Feeling stuck, seeking clarity or wanting live guidance with your horse? Members can book private sessions for just €65 (normally €111). Each session is grounded in nervous-system awareness, connection and deep listening.

Who This Is For

The Academy is for you if you feel there’s something deeper calling you — a way of being with horses that goes beyond training and technique.

  • You sense there’s more to horsemanship than control — and you’re ready to explore what that really means.

  • You want to understand your horse’s behaviour, not just manage it.

  • You’re curious about how science and compassion intertwine — and you want those principles made practical and accessible.

  • You long to feel grounded, confident, and connected — in your own body and with your horse.

  • You’re ready to create safety before seeking performance, knowing that true results grow from relationship.

  • You want to honour your horse as a whole being — physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental.

Whether you’re a lifelong horseperson or just beginning to see your horse through new eyes — you belong here.


What Members Are Saying

The Holistic Horsemanship Academy is already transforming the way horsepeople understand and connect with their horses. Here’s what some of our members are saying:

Alysen & Sophie

The session I had with Steffi was eye-opening! She picked up on so many subtle nuances in my mare’s behaviour that I was missing. I’m grateful for this new awareness! I now feel equipped to notice these signals before they escalate and potentially manifest into other behaviours. The session helped me reshape our training in a way that supports her nervous system for better and quicker regulation. Since practicing the exercises, I’ve noticed a huge shift in her ability to quickly return to a calm state during moments of stress. Steffi is kind and grounded; I felt comfortable, safe, and supported during our session, which also positively impacted my own nervous system in connection with my horse. She is an expert at the forefront of guiding humans into deeper connections with their horses, utilizing science and pioneering techniques focused on nervous system regulation for both humans and horses.

Steffi really helped me be more confident with what I was doing

Clare & Cyrus

Building connection and relationships with our horses is a journey, with ups and downs (mainly ups of course), and constantly worrying whether we’re doing it right. Well, that’s the case for me! Steffi really helped me be more confident with what I was doing. Her empathetic, knowledgeable, horse first approach really called out to me. After chatting things through I felt more confident to do what I felt was right. And low and behold, progress. Thanks Steffi!

Sandra & Lord

Thank you for the nice community here and for your honest texts, questions, tips, ideas, opinions,... 🌟 Thanks to Steffi for everything you do, here in the community, out in the horse world in real life and online with your valuable courses ❤️

Nat

This space has been exactly what I needed. The science makes sense—but the way it's taught here feels like coming home. Every call leaves me more grounded. I’ve learned more about my own nervous system than I ever expected—and my horse feels it too.

Miriam & Greta & Karlchen

Steffi Spielhaupter is an extraordinary guide for both humans and horses. With her expertise as an Equine Scientist, her big heart, and her infectious enthusiasm, she creates a unique connection between mind and heart – fostering a holistic and harmonious relationship. Steffi supported me during particularly challenging times with my two horses, Greta and Karlchen. When it came to finding the right time to say goodbye to Greta, she was an invaluable support. With great sensitivity, empathy, and clarity, she stood by my side and guided us through this difficult process – compassionate, supportive, and always with Greta's best interest at heart. With Karlchen, she accompanied me from the very beginning: from our first meeting and my decision to welcome him into my life, to the tough moments of his unexpected and serious illness. During this time, Steffi not only impressed me with her incredible knowledge and experience but also with her warm-hearted and humorous nature, which brought courage and comfort even in the hardest moments. She has an exceptional ability to guide processes while keeping both the human and the horse at the center of her attention. Steffi’s strength also lies in her versatility. She is a true expert in all aspects of horse care – whether it’s training, improving the human-horse connection, feeding, housing, or simply enhancing quality time together. Her deep understanding of the nervous system, equine body language, and her vast experience with a wide variety of horses allow her to find individual and creative solutions for every situation – always in the best interest of the horse. At the same time, her humorous and appreciative manner enriches every conversation and interaction. I already know that I won’t hesitate to turn to Steffi again as soon as my heart is ready to welcome a new horse into my life. Her support is simply invaluable, and I couldn’t imagine a better companion for life with horses. ❤️

I didn't know I was able to tune into my emotions whilst also interacting with horses [...] but it changed everything

Svea & Cosi

"I grew up with horses, but the way I looked at them started to change when I met Steffi. I learned how to perceive them holistically – which to me means being able to see their emotional and physical needs clearly, whilst also questioning myself in this context. It helped me to observe Steffi and the way she is showing up for and with her horses and the way she treats them. Her clarity with her own horses was something I was able to take and use for myself. I didn't know I was able to tune into my emotions whilst also interacting with horses. That never used to be an option before, but it changed everything. Steffi always looks at each individual horse in a holistic way, where ego plays no role. She is great at finding out who the horse is, what they need, where they are at in their own unique system and what else is part of that. She has this meta view on the horse and then she looks at the human and asks those same questions in order to bring them together on a much deeper level."

Suzie

I never thought horsemanship could feel like this. Safe, kind, and deeply intuitive.

Ich dachte schon daran, es ganz aufzugeben.

Svenja & Ginny

Das Dressurtraining mit meiner Stute Ginny fühlte sich festgefahren an. Ich dachte schon daran, es ganz aufzugeben. Durch ihre wertschätzende Art und einfühlsamen Fragen hat Steffi mir geholfen Lösungsideen zu entwickeln, die meine und Ginnys Bedürfnisse im Training berücksichtigen!

Steffi took the time to actively listen and understand their history and I could feel that she genuinely cared for us

Marika

I received online counseling from Steffi yesterday. I am about to bring a new horse in my herd and felt that I needed an external point of view from a qualified professional to ensure I make the right decisions and follow the right steps. Three of my five horses are rescued with a very traumatic past so it is an absolute priority to protect the peace and harmony of the herd. Steffi took the time to actively listen and understand their history and I could feel that she genuinely cared for us. She answered all my questions and provided valuable insight to support me through this exciting but delicate process. I felt seen and understood by her which is exactly what I needed. I would highly recommend reaching out to her for tailored and professional support in your horsemanship journey. On top of her knowledge, her kindness was very appreciated. Thank you Steffi!

Luxi has become much more confident in training now and loves to work with me

Jasmin & Luxi

Luxi was trained by Steffi for 8 weeks. Her loving and respectful treatment was great and very important to me. She responded completely to him and was able to teach him how to be ridden - all at his own pace. She taught me to listen to Luxi and how to work with him. I thought it was so great that I was allowed to be there at any time and could work with her or just even watch her train him. He has become much more confident in training now and loves to work with me.

This Isn’t a Method.

It’s a return to relationship.

You don’t need to force more. Push more. Prove more.
You just need to understand.
And from that understanding, everything begins to shift.

Join us in The Holistic Horsemanship Academy and explore what becomes possible when safety — not obedience — is the foundation.



Membership Options

Choose the level of support that fits your journey — self-paced, deeply committed, or personally guided.

Not sure which to choose?

✦ Choose the Annual Plan if you’re ready to commit fully and save two months.
✦ Choose the Mentorship Tier if you want individualised support from Steffi and a personal space for your journey.
✦ Choose the Core Membership if you’d like to explore month-to-month and stay flexible.

Wherever you begin, you’re already stepping into a more connected way of being with your horse.

Mentorship Tier – Deeper Support for You and Your Horse

Limited spaces available — offered only while 1:1 sessions remain open.

If you’re ready to go deeper and want personal support as you walk this path, the Mentorship Tier is here to hold you.

Alongside full access to everything inside The Holistic Horsemanship Academy, you’ll receive one private 1:1 session each month — a dedicated space to explore your questions, challenges and next steps with individualised guidance.

Spaces are intentionally limited to protect the quality and depth of support. It’s for those who want to be held — not just taught.

If this calls to you, now is the moment to say yes. 

Join the Academy and explore a space that honours both the horse and the human — grounded in science, compassion and truth.

Begin your journey today inside The Holistic Horsemanship Academy.

FAQ

  • Is this a training method?

    No — not in the traditional sense. The Academy isn’t a rigid, step-by-step system. It’s a new lens: a way to understand your horse (and yourself) through science, compassion, and the Six Pillars of Soundness™. Once you start to see what’s really happening beneath behaviour, you’ll also learn how to respond — clearly, calmly, and without force.

  • Do I have to ride my horse to benefit from this?

    Absolutely not. This work applies whether you ride every day, are on a break, or never ride at all. Connection, nervous system awareness, and soundness are the foundation — no matter what your relationship with horses looks like.

  • What if I don't feel ready or experienced enough?

    Then you’re in exactly the right place. This space was made to feel safe for beginners and seasoned horsepeople alike. You don’t need to know everything — only to be open to learning in a new, more connected way.

  • Is this suitable for professionals or equine therapists?

    Yes. Many professionals join to deepen their understanding, expand their perspective, and bring a science- and connection-informed approach into their work. The Academy supports both personal and professional growth.

  • Can I cancel anytime?

    Yes — you’re in full control. Cancel anytime with one click. You’ll keep access until the end of your billing cycle, and you’re always welcome to return when the time is right.

  • How do the 1:1 sessions work?

    Once you join, you’ll find a booking link inside your member dashboard. You can choose a private session just for you — or bring your horse (via video) for real-time guidance. Sessions are 60 minutes via Zoom and discounted to €65 for members.

  • What if my horse is “shut down” or “difficult”?

    That’s the perfect reason to join. The Academy helps you understand what’s happening beneath the behaviour so you can respond with clarity and compassion — not pressure.

  • Will I get personal feedback?

    Yes — you can ask questions inside the community and during live calls. For deeper guidance, you can book 1:1 sessions at a reduced member rate or choose the Mentorship Tier for a dedicated monthly session.

Created by Steffi Spielhaupter — Equine Scientist & Founder of Science for Soundness®
Changing the equine industry — one horse and human at a time.

Instructor(s)

MSc Equine Science, ESMT Steffi Spielhaupter

Founder of Science for Soundness® and The Holistic Horsemanship Academy Steffi Spielhaupter is an Equine Scientist, educator, and creator of the Six Pillars of Soundness™ — a holistic framework that brings together physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental wellbeing for both horse and human. With an MSc in Equine Science and certification as an Equine Sports and Rehabilitation Massage Therapist (ESMT), Steffi bridges evidence-based equine science with a deeply intuitive, compassionate approach. Her work helps horsepeople around the world move beyond survival patterns — creating partnerships rooted in safety, softness, and mutual understanding. Through Science for Soundness®, Steffi is changing the equine industry — one horse and human at a time.