A place for horse sense, refined Riding and recreation at the North Sea.
I am the founder of Betterhorselife. My goal is to create a place where horse-loving people can learn to understand connections – regardless of whether they have to go to rehab with their own horse, want to learn to ride as a riding student or simply want to go on vacation. The welfare of our horses is particularly important to us – hence the name ‘Betterhorselife’.
How did I end up here? I took the classic route in the saddle: years of lessons according to FN guidelines, competing, collecting ribbons. I thought I knew how riding worked.
But my own horse forced me to rethink. The standard pattern no longer worked. His willingness to perform diminished and there were also defensive reactions that I simply couldn’t interpret at the time.
A coincidence led me to a weekend seminar with Franz Grünbeck – and that changed everything. After a short, painful phase of thinking “I’ve done everything wrong”, new hope sprouted: I had finally found a way that could really help my horse and me. I was immediately convinced: don’t treat the symptoms, eliminate the cause.
So at the beginning of 2022, I decided to start instructor training with Franz in Austria. Today, I pass on exactly this in-depth knowledge – without technical jargon, but with a lot of fun and a focus on my own feelings and experiences.
Get to know our philosophy directly in action and book your lessons with our schoolmaster horses or with your own horse on site in Højer or online.
You may have come across terms on social media such as fascia training, tensegral training or training for reduced core stability stumbled across. It’s great that these health-promoting topics are becoming more and more present!
What many people do not know, however: The origin and foundation of this modern bodywork lies in the so-called HORSE bodyforming.
This holistic concept was developed by the Austrian Franz Grünbeck. In simple terms, it aims to help the horse to release painful tension through targeted static fascia and movement work (without any force) so that it can lift its trunk (back) and carry the rider healthily again.
As quality is extremely important to us, Jana, Lea and Leo learned their trade directly from the developer. Through continuous further training with Franz Grünbeck himself, we guarantee that we pass on this in-depth, first-hand knowledge to you and your horse.
Tip for a deeper understanding: If you are new to the topic or want to understand the exact principles of this work, we recommend the developer’s book: “Being allowed to learn instead of having to function”
Above all, Danish composure and sound specialist knowledge. We do not fit into any of the usual pigeonholes and we do not see ourselves as a traditional riding school, but as a training center for healthy movement for humans and horses. We help you to understand the connections between your body and your horse. In this way, we create a harmonious and healthy coexistence, also on a mental level.
We meet everyone where they are.
Enjoy – with a breeze of North Sea air – the vastness of southern Denmark from horseback. We offer guided trail rides for adults and children, where the focus is on recreation and feeling safe.
You come to us on the farm – whether for regular individual lessons, intensive days or weekend courses. We work together on your issues: Regardless of whether you are currently in rehab after an injury, want to correct rhythm errors or simply want to ride more finely.
The aim is always that you learn to train your horse to train your horse independently – from the ground and on horseback.
You can also work with us online and book flexible analyses and lessons from the comfort of your own stable.
Sometimes professional support is needed directly on the horse. We are happy to take your horse into training so that we can help your darling in the best possible way. Your horse can enjoy the benefit of 24/7 free exercise in the fresh air with the best feed. We only have boxes for emergencies, a shelter is of course available for your horse.
Due to our proximity to the North Sea, we can also accommodate horses with respiratory problems.
Young horses: Gentle starting a horse and the first basic training for a safe start to life as a riding horse. We always start with work from the ground according to HORSE bodyforming.
Retraining: If there are problems of any kind (e.g. rideability problems or difficulties in handling), we investigate the causes and develop neuronal-based solutions.
Rehabilitation training: Targeted build-up after injuries such as tendon damage or in the case of findings such as kissing spines, diffuse lameness, arthrosis, metabolic problems, etc., to ensure freedom from pain and a physiological movement sequence.
→ If necessary, we work together with experts on an interdisciplinary basis to get your horse fit again through targeted training.
Learning is best when your head is free. That’s why our farm in Højer is also a retreat.
Come with your own horse or learn intensively on our horses over several days.
You can also book our cozy rooms without a horse – simply for a getaway by the North Sea. Dogs are of course very welcome.
It is a wonderful development that terms such as biotensegrity and fascia release have such a positive influence on the equine world today. But many people don’t know this: The origin and pioneer of many of these great approaches is HORSE bodyforming, developed by the Austrian Franz Grünbeck.
This concept looks at the horse as a whole and helps it to find its way out of old postures and pain in order to regain true balance. It is very important to us to pass on this well-founded specialist knowledge in a transparent and unadulterated way. That’s why Jana, Lea and Leo completed their training with the developer.
The quality of our work is our top priority, which is why we constantly train with him and stay in close contact with him.
Our book recommendation: Franz Grünbeck’s first book is a must-read for anyone who wants to read about the fascinating origins of the HORSE bodyforming principle (whether you are an absolute beginner or a professional): “Lernen dürfen statt funktionieren müssen” (Allowing learning instead of having to work)
Founder, trainer & the “brains”
I provide the common thread in the training, the analysis of horse and rider as well as the good mood on the course or in the field.
Management & Hooves
Lennart keeps everything running in the background. He is a teacher in Denmark and is also currently undergoing training in hoof trimming according to gobarhuf, so that in future we will also be able to look after the foundation – the hooves – professionally on site.
Horse care and support in the area of horse training
Lea is our rock in the surf for daily care. Five days a week, she lovingly ensures that everyone is well – from the horses to the chickens to the farm cat. Whether it’s feeding, paddock care or checking on the animals, we trust her 100%. With Lea’s many years of horse experience and expertise as a HORSE bodyforming instructor, she also takes care of correcting the schoolmaster horses in the groundwork area.
Trainer for riding lessons, groundwork and trail rides
From spring 2027, Leo will enrich our team in active training. As she is also a HORSE bodyforming instructor, she shares Jana’s training philosophy down to the smallest detail. Whether on the ground, in riding lessons or on trail rides – you are in the best hands with her. Thanks to her degree in pedagogy, she will also look after our kids and young people with a great deal of empathy.
They are our most important employees. They are not jaded “machines”, but caring partners who give direct feedback and show you how easy riding can feel.
A place to feel good – for people and horses. Our farm in Højer is not a sterile, high-gloss stable, but a loving place with plenty of space for harmonious interaction. We have everything you need for professional training and recreation.
Whether it’s stormy, snowing or sunny – we train regardless of the weather. Our hall offers a good floor and light for the dark season for optimal training 365 days a year.
For the nice days we have a very large outdoor area with a view into the distance. Here you can really step on the gas while the North Sea air blows around your nose.
With us, comfort means short distances and dry feet. We have many separate, weather-protected grooming areas and a wash box. Our guest horses also have their own small tack room so that your equipment is safely stowed away and ready to hand.
Our horses live as close to nature as possible. On 8 hectares of pasture and our paddock trail, they can move freely, socialize and simply “be a horse”. This ensures balanced partners in training. This is also where the riding horses that are with us for longer than 4 months live.
Spacious guest paddocks with their own grazing areas are available for shorter vacation or riding stays. Always with a view of our existing herd – so your horse can come to rest, even if you want to travel alone.
A place to get together, warm up, study theory or simply take a deep breath on the sofa with a view of the horses and endless nature.
Whether for a riding lesson / trail rides, a vacation or to help your horse – we look forward to seeing you!
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