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About Josepha

Josepha Guillaume is an internationally renowned horse trainer, instructor, and award-winning author based in Belgium, with over 40 years of hands-on experience with horses. She has a solid foundation in classical dressage and is recognised as one of the first to combine this tradition with bitless riding and positive reinforcement (R+), paving the way for a more compassionate approach to equine training at the start of this century.

For the past two decades, Josepha has dedicated her work to the rehabilitation of injured and traumatized horses. She has taught extensively throughout Europe and in South Africa, helping countless so-called “hopeless cases” regain health, confidence, and joy.

In 2012, she founded the Equus Universalis School for Classical Dressage & Equine Welfare, a movement that unites ethical training with deep respect for the horse’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Her life’s mission is the art of keeping horses happy and healthy—or helping them heal, no matter their past.

 

Dressage in Hand
Dressage in Hand is the ancient art of classical dressage—practiced from the ground. It allows the horse to develop strength, balance, and body awareness without the weight or influence of a rider. Rooted in trust, communication, and subtlety, it builds a solid foundation for any discipline and offers a powerful path to both physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Since 2004, Josepha has been reviving this art and reintroducing it to the modern equestrian world. Her approach is unique: in-hand dressage started without a bit, guided entirely by positive reinforcement. At the core of her method lies a deep understanding that true health, happiness, and performance are only possible when a horse’s species-specific needs are met first—freedom of movement, social companionship, constant access to forage, and a stress-free, natural environment.

All she has learned and taught, with hundreds of horses across two continents, is shared in her award-winning book: Dressage in Hand – What Horses Want You to Know.

 

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Online Coaching

If you have a Pivo Camera you can send me a link with which I can follow you live and teach you via an ear piece. This works almost as good as me being there. When we set an appointment for a lesson, we make up a lesson planning together and I send you which passages in the book you best read over, or I'll send you other relevant information, well beforehand.

Horse Welfare Consultant

Whether you would like to know more about your interaction, your horse's body language and what he is telling you, or if you would like to start with shoulder in, or piaffe, does not matter. Or do you have to rehab your horse from kissing spines, trauma or other physical or mental problems, I can help with just about anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect from (online) lessons?

You can expect a lesson that will help you and your horse make a vast jump in both your education, at least one exercise you can now execute and perfect and a jump in the understanding between you and your horse, filling your tool bag with knowledge and subtle aids to create a healthy and fun sessions, each time you work with your horse.

Is there a prefered tack?

That is up to you, but I myself prefer a cavesson, a snaffle bridle or a double bridle, depending on what you and your horse are working on. You can also work freestyle or with cordeo. I personally never work with rope halters or hackemores.

What are the requirements for lessons?

I advise you to read my book Dressage in Hand, What horses want you to know. Many questions will then already be answered and we do not have to use the lesson time for that, and we can start right away with the things you would like to work on. The book is a small investment, worth many lessons.

Can I take a lesson with you at your stable in Belgium?

Yes, you can. You must bring your own horse and have a basic level of Dressage in hand. There are only limited options each year, so if you want to book lessons at my place, please book well in advance. Read more about the requerements here.

Do you also give riding lessons?

Yes, I have been giving riding lessons for 33 years. Riding lessons are the same as the Dressage in hand lessons, the Horse welfare comes first, we work from a classical dressage basic and positive reinforcement. I have been trained in riding by many classical trainers over the past decades of which grand prix rider David de Wispelaere and Bereiter of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Helmut Overhauser. Riding lessons can be online via pivo, video overview or at my private stable. your horse must be at least 5 years old and comfortable with being ridden. For many pupils we do a mix of Dressage in hand and under saddle. suited to the horse's individual needs.

Do you teach trainers and instructors?

Yes, I do. I have done so around the world. Next to that I have set up a trainer school in 2012 and have educated 30+ instructors internationally. In 2019 the school went in the capable hands of Sandy van de Goorbergh, however I am still advisor to the school and teach several advanced classes each year. 

Can I have advice on husbandry, nutrition etc?

Yes, you can. As explained in my book Dressage in Hand, husbandry, nutrition, hoof care, health care, this is the basis for everything else. If you like to pick my brain on your specific situation and your individual horse's needs, schedule an advice talk.

In what languages can I take coaching and lessons?

Josepha can teach in Dutch and English. She is also able to teach in German, albeit not as well.

“Hi Josepha, I have just purchased your book Dressage In Hand and am completely enthralled by it. What you have written makes such sense and I am beginning to understand where I have been going wrong.”

— Claire Sharon-Walton

 

Read more reviews here

Contact

Email: dressageinhand@gmail.com

Josepha Guillaume

I have been training rehabilitation horses internationally for over 20 years, with the last 15 years predominantly focusing on in-hand work.

Countless of riders I have taught how to train their horses, to make them happy and healthy (again).

 

In 2012 I have founded a trainer school, called Equus Universalis.  Over the course of a two-year program, I taught more than 30 students my method of rehabilitating horses with physical or mental challenges and starting young horses correctly to prevent problems in the first place. In 2019, my best and longest-standing student took over the school, but I remain actively involved as an advisor and guest teacher.

 

I published two books, one in two languages on bitless dressage (2015) and one book about Dressage in hand & Equine rehab (2021)  which won the Equus Award in 2022. 

Additionally, I have written dozens of articles for international equestrian magazines and have been featured in interviews and publications worldwide. I have also been invited to give clinics and lectures at events, schools, and universities across Europe and beyond.

 

Currently, my primary focus is advocating for legislation within the EU and beyond to protect horses. My mission is to ensure species-appropriate husbandry, hoof care, and force-free training methods. To support this goal, I am writing a new book titled Yellow Horse Revolution: The Case for the Equine Manifesto.

 

To fund my work on equine protection legislation and support an Equine Rescue & Rehab center, I launched a shop featuring my own brand of horse-friendly tack: #YellowHorseRevolution. You can explore it here:   #YellowHorseRevolution

 

Let me know how I can help you and your Horse(s)!

Contact me down below, for a coaching , lessons or freelance writing.