

JD Academy
Connection starts from within.
In 2026 we are opening up our JD Academy with our 3 weeks JD holistic horsemanship Foundation Course.
The course is a professional academy course and more than our famous Liberty training. This Foundation course is looking at the psychology as well as the biomechanics of the horse. It is a holistic approach to achieve a working relationship where your horse enjoys every moment of training with you - feeling good in mind, body and soul.
This full-days of training Academy Course is an intense Training Course with plenty opportunities to practice your newly gained skills with different horses of different characters, genders and ages at Joseph’s Dream Stud & Academy. We have worked out this program carefully over the years together with our amazing guest trainers from Germany Zoe Stock and Fiona Schütz.
Our luxury Sandwerf guest chalets will provide accommodation for you during your stay, all with a private veranda and mini pool. (We have single occupation chalets and double occupation chalets, all rooms have private bathrooms.) You can choose your individual chalet upfront with photos on request. You will be spoiled with the culinary skills of our Sandwerf Restaurant chefs and we do cater for all diets and food intolerance.
Learn to truly live with and train horses force free and with respect & love and experience the joy and freedom of this!
Holistic Horsemanship Foundation Course Dates 2026:
February 01 -22 with Zoe Stock
July 05 -26 with Zoe Stock
September 06 -27 with Fiona Schütz
Price:
4900 Euro
You will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Holistic Horsemanship Foundation Course 4 Modules
Module 1:
Understanding the horse (my horse)
What you will learn about your horse:
- how does a horse live?
- how does a horse think and feel?
- how does a horse learn?
- what does my horse need?
- how can I give my horse a safe feeling?
- how can I experience happiness with my horse?
- how do I teach something to my horse?
- how do I motivate my horse?
- how can I motivate my horse?
What you will learn for your horse:
- Sensibility, sensity & feel
- good timing of responding and reacting
- friendly, clear and logical aids
Working with a horse does not only mean to teach exercises.
Through groundwork and exercises we explain ourselves to the horse and teach it the right mindset.
The start of training a horse is always:
„Scanning“ the horse
( How is the horse`s ….neck posture, muscle tone, eyes, ears, nose, body tension, weight shifting, speed, responsiveness, ability to concentrate, attitude towarts humans…)
Understanding the horse's behaviour
Responding to the horse
Teaching a new and right mindset, body movements and exercises


Bonding and Connecting
Bonding and connecting through basic exercises:
Simple, logical and absolute necessary in order to be able to master various challenges with ease and joy.
You will learn aids and exercises…
…to communicate with your horse…
…to handle your horse throughout the day…
…for light movement directions…
…for easy weight shifting…
…for shaping the body…
…to master challenges together…
…for an harmonious bond with each other…
Simple exercises that build the base for a relationship and success:
- attentive leading – the most important basis in cooperation
- stopping and walking in synchrony
- moving different parts of the horses body
- bending, softening and relaxing the horses body
- moving sideways and moving different legs to encourage strengthening and stretching
- positive tension and motivation
- transitions up and down wards
- training from being close to the horse and from a distance
With these exercises the understanding for the horse and ourselves grows stronger as well as the focus on the holistic development.
Horse and human get closer to each other and trust the bond they have build.
You will learn a language with which you can go in an exchange with the horse, whether in training or in everyday situations. You can resort to the aids you and your horse know.
You will learn to trust your intuition and feel.
You will learn to pass your knowledge and experiences on.
You will learn to become one with your horse.
Module 2:
Well-being in body – well-being in mind
Biomechanics and body health
Which physical problems/difficulties does the horse show?
- is the horse rather stiff?
- is the horse tensed?
- does it „fall apart“?
- does it need more positive body tension?
- how is the horses balance?
- does it lean/fall to one side?
You will learn to feel and see what the horse struggles with and needs.
You will learn to find the right aid and exercise to help and support the horse and it's body.
For example, you will learn how to…
…master all the different side-passes on a straight and curved line…
…vary the neck position for relaxation and „tension“…
…master transitions up and down…
…vary the speed and the tact…
…start to collect the horse…
…shape the horse…
…prepare for horse riding -> in hand work…
…prepare for adventures….
Module 3:
Freedom together
Joy and happiness
Dressage in liberty
Dancing with your horse partner
Working with a horse in liberty means replacing the lead rope and the halter with our body language, connection, body presence and logical aids.
What stays is honesty, trust and love.
Working in liberty helps the horse to find trust in it's own body and helps to open up and feel proud.
You will learn to…
…call/draw/invite your horse to you…
…lead your horse without a lead rope…
…slow down and stop in synchrony…
…speed up and change transitions up and down in synchrony….
…shape your horse without any aids like a halter or a rope…
…become a team and find harmony by moving together..
…encourage your horse to become your proud partner…
…master highly difficult exercises in harmony and with ease and joy…
...become one in soul and mind with your horse...
Module 4:
In this module we will focus on precision and fine correction as well as on self carriage of the horse.
We will refine your and your horse`s sensitivity and the fine, invisible communication between you and your horse.
In this module we aim to truly dance with the horse and feel free but yet connected. You will learn to feel light in challenging exercises.
To spice up the training you can learn special extras additionally.
You can learn the spanisch walk, to lay down, the compliment and even the piaffe….
As an important ingredient to horse training we will also ride our horses.
We will start by realizing what the horse needs and struggles with. Then we pick the right exercises and respond to the horses current state and help him change. But this time from above...
We will experience the Namibian nature together with our horse friend that we trust and respect and know very well by now.
To book this course or any further questions please email to:
or


Meet your instructors
Over the past years we have formed a strong working relationship with Instructors Fiona Schuetz and Zoe Stock. Together it has been a longtime dream to start these academy courses for your here at JD.
Get inspired just as they inspired us here over the past years:
Fiona Schütz - Holistic Equine Training
Website: https://www.fionaschuetz.com
Zoe Stock - Empathic Horsemanship
Website: https://www.empathic-horsetraining.de

'Since my childhood horses have fascinated me, they have captivated me with their gentle and yet powerful charisma. For years I have been dealing intensively with their ethology and the training and use of horses in various riding styles and training paths. When I’m working with horses or when I’m teaching, it is important to me not to forget the origin of our fascination, to treat the horse with respect and to adapt my training to the individual characteristics of the horse an the human in order to better promote them.'
Zoe Stock - Empathic Horsemanship
'From an early age, l dedicated myself to understanding the emotional, mental, and physical needs of horses. Building a relationship based on trust and friendship has always been at the heart of my approach - with mutual understanding and joy in working together as the
foundation. Today, I aim to create a way of training that is accessible to every horse, regardless of breed, gender, size, or age.'
Fiona Schütz - Holistic Equine Training

Additional Information
What's included:
-
3 weeks accommodation in one of our stunning chalets at Sandwerf Namibia, kingsize bed & private bathroom & Mini Pool; breakfast, lunch, dinner and laundry service
-
Daily Lessons (Monday-Fridays) from 9:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 17:00
During your stay at Sandwerf:
Accommodation:
Our peaceful and modern shaped green village provides accomodation for you during your stay in one of our unique and light chalets; each room single occupation and each room with private bathroom. Each chalet has a veranda with it's own mini pool. (See pictures below)
Meals:
Three meals provided by our talented chef on side are included as well as water, juice, tea, coffee - extra drinks are not included and on your own account.
Extras
Transfers:
Airport Shuttle from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Sandwerf Retreat Farm: € 45.00 per person
Activities:
Guided 3 Days Horse Riding Safari to our unique Safari Camp € 490.00
Windhoek & Katutura Town-tour (Day Tour) € 75.00
Additional Day Tour Safaris at neighbouring private Conservation Park (Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs on side) € 249.00
(Offered by Marula Conservation Park Namibia directly; prices are subject to change)
Extra Week
You are welcome to book extra weeks as an exclusive equine guests directly with us to deepen your training experience and practice your newly gained skills with our huge variety of horses at stud.
Price: € 1200.00 per week (learn more)
Bookings: info@josephsdreamstud.com
Good to know
Visa:
You are entering Namibia on a Tourism Visa that you will get in form of a stamp at the airport when entering into the country
(Please note only Citizen of the People’s Republic of China will need to apply for an entry visa upfront).
Travel Vaccinations recommended for Namibia are Tetanus, Hepatitis and Typhus; as recommended in general for the whole of Africa. Please note that we are located in a non-malaria area (90km from Windhoek). No malaria prophylaxes required.
General Safety & Behaviour Rules and Regulations during your stay at Stud Farm apply.
Impressions of Sandwerf and JD Stud & Academy


JD ACADEMY
HOLISTIC HORSEMANSHIP FOUNDATION COURSE
2 0 2 6 DATES
February 01 -22 with Zoe Stock
July 05 -26 with Zoe Stock
September 06 -27 with Fiona Schütz