Schedule a session with a Certified Equine Debono Moves Practitioner.

Jannie Smit

Wondecla, Australia

My journey with horses started at a very young age, at a riding school in the Netherlands. In 1997 I immigrated to Australia and not long after owned my own horses. I realised that the conventional training was not my thing and here my search started to a more horse friendly and holistic way of training and looking after horses.

I like to explore the possibilities within the horse - human partnership, where the focus is not only on our agenda but also on that of the horse.

It is about developing a healthy happy horse that is understood and create a strong, long-lasting connection.

In my teachings I help my students to understand and recognise the true nature and potential of their horse where body language creates a stronger connection and goes past the physical element and taps into your inner wisdom. This is in preparation for the Movement Education where we first look how we can expand the horse’s movement in their environment and through touch (Debono Moves). From here we can refine movement through gymnastic exercises as we unite relationship with riding.

Let’s not forget about the human, a big part of this work involves improving our own Body Awareness both in the saddle and on the ground. If we want the horse to be there for us, we need to be there for the horse.

In-person guidance is important and is scheduled accordingly, through workshops, clinics or private lessons. One-on-one on-line coaching is also available.

Website: www.janniesmit.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone/WhatsApp: +61 (0)408 793 487
Location: Wondecla, Australia

Laura Waterhouse

Wales, United Kingdom 

Laura Waterhouse is an Ayurvedic practitioner promoting health, easy movement and positive wellbeing for people, horses and dogs. Her holistic approach draws from Ayurveda, Masterson Method, Debono Moves, Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Innate Botanical Selections.

Through this unique integration, Laura helps individuals, and their animal companions create global change in functional movement, comfort and expression.

The happiness and wellbeing of animals and their humans is intrinsically linked. Laura’s passion is supporting people to feel empowered in their own health choices and become confident advocates for their animal’s wellbeing.

With a heart-led intention, Laura supports change and transformation through gentle, intuitive methods that awaken the body’s natural intelligence and cultivate vitality, connection and harmony

Website: www.rhythmandharmony.co.uk
Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 44 7979 362352

Location: Wales, United Kingdom 

Alix Wattjes, Kapas Equine Engineering

Haarlem, the Netherlands 

Debono Moves are not just moves, it is a system and a mindset to help you and your horse feel good. I have studied with Mary Debono for 5 years and I am honoured to have her trust to be a Certified Practitioner.

As a trained Mechanical Engineer, working with the movement of the horse body and analysing the dynamics is so interesting. Making a deep connection by focusing on the feel of the horse is a joy I wish every horse owner could experience.

Wil je in Nederland kennismaken met Debono Moves, neem gerust contact op voor een afspraak!

For anyone interested in having their horse feel these powerful small moves in the Netherlands you can contact me at [email protected]

 Email: [email protected]

Location: Haarlem, the Netherlands 

Leah Astrup

Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

I’ve been riding and caring for horses for over 40 years, and like many bodyworkers, my professional journey began with a personal horse in need. Helping her led me down a path of studying equine bodywork, and since 2010 I have worked as an equine bodyworker, with my main focus now being Debono Moves.

Over time, I began to notice that many of the challenges horses experienced were connected to patterns in their riders—stiffness, tension, or movement habits passed unconsciously through the reins and the saddle. With Mary's encouragement, I began working with riders in 2020.

Since then I have added certifications in Applied Neurology through Z-Health®, I am a trained Franklin Ball® Instructor, and since 2022, I’ve been enrolled in a four-year Feldenkrais® Practitioner Training program. I am currently authorized to teach Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) lessons.

At the heart of my work is the belief that meaningful, lasting change for both horses and humans begins with the nervous system.

I work seeing clients locally, I teach on zoom, and travel to teach both human movement and Debono Moves workshops.

Website: integratedmovementllc.com

Email: [email protected]

 Location:  Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 

Stacey Carter

Mt Ulla, North Carolina, USA

Through her experiences as a PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and a registered yoga teacher, Stacey has come to realize that the key to successful horsemanship lies in the connection and harmonious movement between horse and rider. By incorporating elements of equine assisted therapy, yoga, and mutual learning with horses, Heart Centered Horsemanship provides a holistic approach to creating mutually beneficial relationships with our equine companions.

As a Certified Equine Debono Moves Practitioner, Stacey supports horses through gentle touch and movement, helping to restore ease, fluidity, and comfort. Her work also deepens the connection between horse and human, fostering trust and harmony.

Stacey is featured in Cheryl Meola's book, "Integrating Horses into Healing;" This comprehensive guide brings together the wisdom of equine specialists, researchers, clients, and veterinarians, offering a holistic perspective on Equine Assisted Services (EAS).

Website: heartcenteredhorsemanship.com
Email: [email protected]
Location: Mt. Ulla, North Carolina, USA 

Deb D'Amato

Mooresville, North Carolina, USA

Deb D’Amato has been providing integrative bodywork for both people and animals since 1991 as a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist. Her approach has always emphasized functional benefits over pampering, and she continuously builds upon her unique blend of techniques and methods that integrate compassionate curiosity with informed intuition.

As a respected member of The American Massage Therapy Association’s research group, Deb worked with the Roger C. Peace paracycling team, making significant contributions to the scientific study of the relationship between massage, athletic performance, and quality of life.

Debono Moves connects and enhances Deb’s expertise in Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release, creating a fluid integration of methods that she applies today to assist people, horses, and various other animals in preventative, recovery, and maintenance care.

Website: thehorsemumbler.wordpress.com

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 704-564-4914

Location:  Mooresville, North Carolina, USA 

Elaine Hayes

Mooresville, North Carolina, USA

Katie Bartlett

Elverson, Pennsylvania, USA

Katherine (Katie) Bartlett has been involved with horses since she was a child, even though her parents were not horse people and were mystified by her fascination with them. She spent her teenage years working at a series of dressage and eventing barns where she learned about many aspects of horsemanship. She continued to ride while attending Cornell University where she majored in biology and met her husband.

After moving to her farm in Pennsylvania, Katie acquired several horses who had physical and behavioral issues. She wanted to help them and dived deep into learning more about behavioral science, hoof trimming, biomechanics, Masterson Method and the Feldenkrais Method®, which led her to Debono Moves.

The more she learned, the more she realized how intertwined the horse’s physical and emotional well being were and how important it was to look at any “training problem” from a number of different angles in order to be able to help the horse make progress. She enjoys the challenge and creativity required to address each horse’s individual issues.

Katie works with clients in person in Southeastern PA (around Elverson, PA). She also offers virtual sessions if the topic is appropriate for that type of learning environment.

Email: [email protected]
Location:  Elverson, Pennsylvania, USA 

Sarah Hauser

New York City, New York, USA