home - ZOË VAN MOURIK

Van 2017 tot 2021 Zoë lived in Californië, where she worked with wild, feral and severely traumatized horses at different rescues and ranches.

Would you like to become a certified Integrated Energy Therapy practitioner, and learn more about Horse Behavior, Emotions and working with traumatized horses? Sign up for our IET and Equine Trauma Training; a two day course hosted in The Netherlands during which you will receive two certificates as an IET Practitioner.

In the Summer of 2022, the Online Learning Platform will be available as well, as a way to offer educational material until the certified Equine Trauma & Behavior Education will be ready.

Here you can find trainingsvideos from cases from Zoē. Visit the website of House of Horsemanship for more information about courses.

In the US, Zoë mostly worked with Mustangs, Off The Track Thoroughbreds, Azteca's and gaited horses like Tennessee Walkers and Paso Fino's. Eventually her worked involved mostly traumatized, wild and feral horses which is what she has become specialized in.

By learning how to distinguish behavior and emotion and our own influences on these matters, we are able to eliminate problems like fears and distrust in horses. Zoë works from a basis of relaxation, to help the horse read humans better by giving them time to think instead of react. She uses her body language and energy to communicate in freedom and only adds tools or difficulties when the horse is ready.

This is why she tells people she 'Follows the Horse, not the Method'.

Working with traumatized and wild/feral horses is Zoë's absolute passion and something she's always been interested in. For over 20 years she has been learning and studying about horsebehavior, emotions, instincts, behavioral issues and severely traumatized horses. Besides rehabilitating, decompressing and training, it's also important to set up each horse with the right adopter. Zoë is known for creating good horse and human matches, setting both parties up for success.

Once the horse has been adopted it is the adopters' job to keep fulfilling the horse's physical and emotional needs. A process which Zoë is glad to assist you with.

Walter is one of the severely traumatized horses Zoë has worked with in the US.

After escaping abuse training methodes and running across the freeway near Burbank, he was seized by Animal Control. Here he was given the name 'Walter' and transported to Love This Horse, where Zoë started working with him 1.5 years later. She was able to help him overcome his fear towards people and learn how to trust again. Within three months, they shared such a strong connection that the owner of the rescue gifted him to her.

Watch the video to the right to see Walters transformation:

When you think of training young horses, you might only think of the 'Starting Under Saddle' process. But did you know that 'Equine Kindergarten' means a lot more than that? A lot of young horse are being physically and emotionally (often at the same time) prepared for a life as a riding horse, when they have reached the correct age. Flooding and Learned Helpesness are typical behavioral issues that can manifest during this stage, but also much later in their life or career.

This is why Zoë does not wait until they're older, but actively works with yearlings on leading, desensitizing, trailer loading, ponying, etc. This way, we are able to keep the training light and fun (important for the developing brain of a young horse) and prevent issues in the horse's career later in their life.

One of the most important aspects of working with horses, according to Zoë: Self Development!

How aware are you of your own behavior, emotions, your energy? What is your body language saying, how is your breathing, your posture? Are you actively (but unknowingly) carrying around unresolved trauma? Questions we simply do not ask ourselves or others often enough, despite the impact they can have on ourselves and our horses.

Would you like to learn how to develop safe, effective and ethical ways to work with your horse yourself? Come join one of the Courses, Clinics or Lectures or request a workshop at your location.

Visit the website of House of Horsemanship for more information: https://houseofhorsemanship.nl/