JD Academy
JD signature
Connection & Communication
Liberty Course
Duration 2 weeks
This intense 2 weeks training course we developed out of our experience in training and teaching hundreds of Equine Volunteers from all over the world our gentle JD signature liberty and connection work for a decade.
The course is a professionally guided academy course and provides a structured program to touch on all our famous modules in a compact two weeks experience.
Start feeling connected to horses our genuine JD way and learn communication with honesty, understanding, freedom and joy!
2 Weeks Connection & Communication
Liberty Course Dates 2026:
with JD Trainers Simone Van Zyl/Jaqueline De Lange
April 05 -19
May 03 -17
June 07 -21
August 02 -16
October 04 - 18
November 01 -15
December 05 - 19
Price:
2900 Euro
You will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
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What you will learn
Although the main focus in this workshop is liberty work and connection, this course goes beyond the ground-work experience and introduces meditation and bodywork techniques to you, as well as a base introduction to aroma therapy and certain massage techniques.
Learn about the deeper connection to the equine soul that is beyond training methods or the spoken languages.
Understand how to read and communicate with your equine partner, the magic of staying connected without ropes and reigns. Sharpen your sensitivity and learn how to trust your ancient communication skills and to communicate from your intention and feel.
Our holistic approach always aligns with the horses' unique biomechanics. You will learn to feel and see what the horse might struggle with and its needs. You will learn to find the right aid and exercise to help and support the horse to find joy in movement in harmony with you and in its own body.
Our 8 different Modules you will cover in this course:
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Module 1: Our Foundation of JD Horse Training / mindset / stage of mind / bodylanguage / the 3 training energies
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Module 2: Our tools - develop feel / flagwork / groundmanners / be & become equal partners
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Module 3: Liberty - tricks & challenges
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Module 4: Bodywork & awareness / sharpen your eyes and senses
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Module 5: 'Parking' & riding / seat training / riding from feel
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Module 6: Reward-based-training / target training
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Module 7: Biomechanics / healthy movement / balance / in-hand work / healthy working on the circle versus lunging
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Module 8: Trusting techniques & mindful sharing / building confidence from true connection
How you Will live
Your day always starts with a delicious breakfast buffet at our stylish Sandwerf Retreat Restaurant. In the summer outside in the charming courtyard surrounded by weaver birds and the morning light breaking in the refreshing water features around you. We are one with nature. In the winter inside our renowned Sandwerf Restaurant, flooded by morning light and accompanied by a cosy open fire space.
At 9:00 your course starts with a morning meeting to learn the daily schedule before you are heading down to the stables for your daily program. The course is put together from theory blocks, demo sessions, group sessions and one-on-one sessions. The maximal number of participants per course is six.
The course takes place daily from 9:00 - 12:00 interrupted by a lunch break at the restaurant and continues from 14:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday. The weekend is off and leaves great opportunity for safari activities to nearby conservation parks to round off your African adventure or possible desert excursions (subject to number of participants interested) - please note extra charges apply for these free time activities.
Our famous JD Academy and Volunteer House raised on the best look -out point of the farm and overviewing all the JD paddocks and stables will be your accommodation during this course. Each room has a kingsize bed and private bathroom with a big communal lounge and pool area.
You also have the option to book a complete private free standing Sandwerf Retreat Chalet for this course on request (extra charges apply).
You will be spoiled with the culinary skills of our Sandwerf Restaurant chefs and we do cater for all diets and food intolerance. Please inquire with booking!
What you will experience
Learn not only to work with but to live with horses in harmony and in true relationship. Enjoy your time under our Namibian sun surrounded by our stunning African nature and wildlife while sharing your adventure with like-minded people from around the globe!
Expand your horizons by interacting and learning from our amazing JD and Sandwerf hospitality team, their warmth, their smiles, their world.
Joseph's Dream has become a philosophy over the years, a mindset and a way of living in harmony with animals all around you! Join us here in the silence of the Namibian Bush and make this unique experience a dream of your own come true!
To book this course or for any further inquiries please email to:
or
Meet your instructors
'Horses have formed part of my life since as far back as I can remember and I have practiced many different methods and disciplines over the years.The biggest fundamental insight is that less is more and that we should continue striving for growth and becoming better for the horses.There is no room for pride or ego.
I enjoy walking the journey with human-horse partners building trust and aiming for clear communication.
Simone Van Zyl - JD trainer since 2021
'For as long as i can remember, the stables and the horses in them, were my safe place. Working with rescues taught me to slow down, to listen, and to truly see each horse for who they are. In many ways helping them, saved me. My passion lies in liberty and groundwork—helping horses feel safe and free in their bodies, and guiding people toward trust, softness, and connection over force.'
Jaqueline De Lange - JD trainer since 2023
Free-time activities
There is plenty of free time for you to enjoy the surrounding nature from your veranda (we have free roaming game like kudu, giraffes, zebra, waterbuck, ostriches etc on the property); go for hikes onto the mountain trail (even together with our miniature horses), enjoy all the farm animals, your beautiful pool with sunset view or get involved with our community project. You will have time to read and relax amongst the therapy alpacas & bunnies, practice your newly achieved horsemanship skills (on approval of trainers), or practice your art or photo skills in the amazing Namibian light. You can book our shuttle to visit the Capitol Windhoek for a day and souvenir shopping over the weekend. Safari with elephants, rhinos and co can be arranged with nearby conservancies for the weekend days on your own costs.
During your stay there will be opportunities to book a day safari at the nearby GocheGanas Game Reserve or maybe two nights camping excursions to Etosha Nationalpark, the Namibian coast or the Namib Desert (minimum number of participants is three). You can also book Spa treatments at our Sandwerf Retreat in-house spa or therapeutic carpet weaving sessions with our skilled local Sandwerf weavers.
Additional Information
What's included:
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2 weeks accommodation in our JD Academy & Volunteer house, each room with kingsize bed & private bathroom; (please contact us if you would like to book a private chalet at Sandwerf-Retreat instead) breakfast, lunch, dinner and laundry service
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Daily Lessons (Monday-Fridays) from 9:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 17:00
During your stay at Sandwerf:
Accommodation:
Our modern JD Academy and Volunteer House is located at the best view point of the farm, overlooking the JD paddocks, JD stables and the wildlife waterhole. It features 8 comfortable rooms each with private bathroom and a spacious communal lounge and pool area. (Please contact us if you would like to book a private chalet at Sandwerf-Retreat instead)
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. Special diets like vegan are not included in price but can be catered for. Vegetarian meal option is included.
Extras
Transfers:
Airport Shuttle from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Sandwerf Retreat Farm: € 85.00 per person
Activities:
Guided 2 nights Horse Riding Safari to our unique Safari Camp € 550.00
Windhoek Town-tour (Day Tour)
Additional Day Tour Safaris at neighbouring private Conservation Park (Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs on side)
(Offered by GocheGhanas or Marula Conservation Park Namibia directly; prices are subject to change)
Spa Treatments
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.
Bookings: info@josephsdreamstud.com
Good to know
Visa:
You are entering Namibia on a Tourism Visa.
(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
