Deepen Your Connection with Horses Through Science and Compassion

Join a transformative community where you’ll gain the tools, knowledge, and support to move from survival mode to a thriving, connected partnership with your horse.

At Science for Soundness, we help horse owners create happy, relaxed partnerships by understanding their horse’s nervous system and survival responses. Using science-based insights and compassionate methods, we teach you how to interpret your horse’s stress responses and guide them towards calm, trusting behaviour. Whether you want to deepen your bond or address challenging issues, our resources, courses, and community provide the tools you need to transform your relationship with your horse.

Have you ever felt there’s something more to your relationship with your horse?

Maybe you’ve tried different techniques, attended clinics or spent countless hours with horses, yet a deeper connection still feels just out of reach.

Or perhaps you’re facing specific challenges—like tension, spookiness, or disconnection—and you’re not sure how to move forward in a way that feels right for both you and the horse.

You’re not alone—and it’s not because you’re missing something. The truth is, there’s a missing link in most conversations about horsemanship: the nervous system.

Horses aren’t just reacting to our cues; they’re responding to their sense of safety, shaped by every moment they spend with us. When you learn to understand and work with this deeper layer, everything changes:

  • Anxiety transforms into calm.
  • Resistance softens into trust.
  • Your connection deepens in ways that feel effortless and natural.


Welcome to the Inner Circle, a space designed for anyone who loves horses—whether you’re training, riding, competing, hacking, or simply spending time with them.

In this community, you’ll discover how equine science can empower you to build a relationship rooted in trust, understanding, and mutual growth.

WHY This Journey Matters?

At the heart of every horse-human relationship is one key question: Does this feel safe?

Safety isn’t just physical—it's also emotional, social and psychological. When a horse feels safe, they can learn, play, connect and grow. When they don’t feel safe, their behaviour reflects this: they might shut down, react, or disengage.

The good news? You have the power to influence that sense of safety—through your understanding, your energy and your actions during every interaction.

Inside the Inner Circle, you’ll learn how the science of the nervous system can help you:

  • Recognise what your horse is feeling in the moment.
  • Help horses feel safe, even in challenging situations.
  • Create a bond that feels effortless and rewarding for both human and horse.
  • Respond in ways that build trust and connection, therefore reducing tension and resistance.
  • Create an environment where both you and your horse feel at ease.


This isn’t about quick fixes or controlling behaviour. It’s about building a partnership where you and your horse can thrive—together.

A SPACE FOR EVERYBODY

The Inner Circle is for anyone who wants to deepen their connection with horses. Unlimited access to all content starting at 360€/year.

  • SUPPORT

    Horse owners, riders, trainers, professionals and equestrians of all levels.

  • CONNECT

    You are welcome, whether you're working towards competition goals, enjoying leisurely hacks, focusing on groundwork or relationship-building.

  • GROW

    Whether you are facing challenges like stress, tension or disconnection with your horse—or simply wanting to explore new ways to grow together.

What You’ll Gain Inside the Inner Circle

  • Practical Tools for Connection

    Learn evidence-based strategies that help you and your horse feel safer, calmer and more connected in everyday interactions.

  • A Compassionate Community

    Join a supportive group of like-minded individuals who understand the ups and downs of this journey and celebrate your progress.

  • Clarity and Confidence

    Feel empowered to understand your horse’s behaviour and respond in ways that deepen your bond and make every interaction more meaningful.

  • Growth for You and Your Horse

    Discover how regulating your own emotional state influences your horse—and how this journey can create growth and healing for both of you.

The Inner Circle includes:

Dive into my library of existing programmes anytime. Enjoy new content on a bi-monthly basis.

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EDUCATION & INSPIRATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Make it your own and take what you need. When you join the Inner Circle, you’ll receive:

  • Access to the exclusive Science for Soundness Members Only Community.

  • Supportive Community Access: Share insights, celebrate wins and connect with a network of people who care deeply about horses and growth—just like you.

  • Exclusive Workshops and Resources. Explore topics such as: Recognising and responding to your horse’s nervous system states. Techniques to foster calmness, trust, and confidence. Practical tools to navigate stress and build resilience.

  • Monthly Live Sessions directly from the Inner Circle Community Page. Engage in interactive sessions to learn, ask questions and dive deeper into the topics that matter most to you.

  • Unlimited access to all content, as well as new bi-monthly mini workshops/content, deepening a holistic experience for you and your horse.

  • Enjoy Members Only Quirks, like members pricing for 1:1 sessions with Steffi.

  • Downloadable Guides and Extras. Take your learning further with worksheets, videos and practical resources that fit seamlessly into your daily routines.

  • Commit to a year with us and transform your horse-human connection. Lean on us, we got you! Not what you were looking for? No problem. Cancel anytime and let the year roll out. No questions asked.

What Makes This Different?

The Inner Circle isn’t just another training programme or step-by-step method. It’s a community and a framework that honour the individuality of both you and the horses in your life.

It’s where evidence-based science meets compassion. Where curiosity replaces judgement. And where your relationship with horses becomes a source of trust, joy and mutual understanding. This approach isn’t about controlling outcomes—it’s about creating a partnership that works for both of you, in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.
JOIN THE INNER CIRCLE TODAY

What Students and Clients say

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!

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."

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.

Your Next Step

This is your opportunity to create the connection you’ve always wanted with horses. Whether you’re looking to overcome specific challenges, achieve a deeper understanding, or simply explore what’s possible, the Inner Circle will support you every step of the way. Are you ready to join us?

Join the Inner Circle Today

Let’s create a space where horses feel safe, understood and connected—and where your relationship with them can thrive. Watch your training goals appear almost magically from there.

Membership Plans

Choose which option works best for you.

Meet Your Guide

MSc Equine Science Steffi Spielhaupter

Hi, my name is Steffi. I'm an Equine Scientist (MSc) and Equine Therapist (ESMT) and I am happiest when I support you on your individual journey of conscious horse-human connection and personal growth. I love working with the fine nuances of your horse's soundness (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual states) and helping you distinguish between them, always considering the health of your horse's nervous system in the process of holistic horsemanship. Soundness, to me, is not just a word to describe a healthy and balanced horse, it is a way of living and interacting. The practical implementation of all knowledge starts with you and I'm so excited you're here! :) IG: @scienceforsoundness