Silke von Heart
For many years, I have dedicated my work to the question of how stress, the nervous system, and bodily memory shape the relationship between horse and human – and how both partners can find more safety, connection, and clarity. I am a Horse Behaviourist and Trauma Therapist for animals (EMDR)* and studied at the NAC in the UK, the ATN in Switzerland, and at Emanasso in France.
Furthermore, I am very pleased to be a student in Rachaël Draaisma's first training year for Calming Signals & Scentwork for Horses Professional from November 2026.
Through my advanced training as a trainer for horse-assisted personal development, stress prevention trainer, trauma-sensitive companion (TSB), EMDR Coach, and Raidho Healing Horses trainer, I combine modern knowledge of nervous systems, attachment dynamics, and learning theory with an embodied, mindful working practice in the horse-human relationship.
The development of my integrative approach H.E.A.R.T. ™ – Horse Embodied Awareness & Regulation Training – understands the horse and human as a co-regulating system, is the result of a long process in which I have experienced many ups and downs with my six horses over a period of more than 20 years, and have at times been confronted with deep fears. Even though I have been able to learn and understand an incredible amount from many clients and their horses through my extensive training and further education and over the years, I have learned the most through my horses. Without them and my journey with them, H.E.A.R.T. would not exist. ™ Ultimately, with this approach, I've created support that I often longed for for us, but never found anywhere.
I'm looking forward to seeing you!
Training
Trauma Therapy for Animals, EMDR Animal I Institute Emanasso, France
2026 - Final exam in 10/26
TSB - trauma-informed facilitation | Natalie Bürk, Germany (2025-2026)
Animal Psychology - Horse Behaviour Consultancy I ATN, Switzerland
(since 2025 - final exam in 05/2027)
Equine Behaviour and Training Certificate I NAC, United Kingdom
(2025-2026)
Certified animal acupuncturist I School of Osteopathic Horse and Dog Therapy, Germany (2018-2020)
FBT - Trainer (Functional Groundwork Trainer Horse) I Barbara Welter-Böller, Germany
(2017-2018)
Centered Riding Instructor Level 1I with Angelika Engberg, Germany
(2016)
Animal communicator trained in Penelope Smith’s method – Advanced training with Christine Tetau (2014/2015)
Certified Raidho Healing Horses Trainer, Italy
(2014)
Licensed and Certified Stress & EMDR Coach by the Society of NLP, USA
(2012)
Stress Prevention Trainer I AHAB-Akademie, Berlin (2012)
Certified coach, consultant and trainer with horses as co-trainers
Academy for Equine-Assisted Personality Development I Stade, Germany
(2010)
Further training
Addressing Over-arousal, NAC, United Kingdom (2026)
Horse Personalities and Their Response to Stress – Three-Part Course Series I Dipl. Biologist Marlitt Wendt, Online (2026)
Foal Handling Workshop I Catarina Caminha, Portugal (2025)
Enrichment & Scentwork with Horses I Finn Lux, Barnsted (2025)
Freedom Based Training with Elsa Sinclair at Sundance Ranch, Portugal (2025)
Equine Nutrition and Behaviour I Prof. Dr. Ingrid Vervuert, University of Leipzig, online (2025)
Professional Training Course in Equine Ethology and Species-Specific Communication I German Academy for Health & Competence Development, Offenbach (2025)
Hoof workshop hoof-balance I Andi Weißhaupt, Portugal (2025)
Online courses: Calming Signals and Scentworkfor Horses I Rachaël Draaisma (2024)
Intensive Week with Alex Zell & Nina Bargum I Find the Flow, Portugal (2023)
Intensive Week of Tensegrity Horse Training at Hof Jantscher I Anna Jantscher, Austria (2023)
Liberty Week I Nativehorses, Portugal (2023)
Psycho-emotional Disorders in Animals I Dr. med. vet Christina Eul-Matern, Offenbach (2020)
AOE (Acupuncture-Oriented Energy Work) I Dr. med. vet. Christian Torp, Worpswede (2020)
One-year training program TCM Herbs I Susanne Kirsten, Mühleip (2020/21)
Centered Riding Clinic with Senior Instructor Susan Harris I Bachäckerhof, Ravensburg (2018)
All courses as part of Trainer Education I | Katharina Möller (OsteoDressage), Schlossvippach (2016/2017)
Clicker training I Dipl. Biologist Marlitt Wendt, Berlin (2015)
Introduction to shamanic practices including training as a Shamanic Counselor according to M. Harner I European Foundation for Shamanic Studies (2013-present)
Complete Curriculum HP-Psychotherapy I Christoph Mahr Institute, Berlin (2012-2013)
Train the Trainer "Horse Assisted Education" at Pferdeakademie, Reinbeck (2012)
Connected Riding I Peggy Cummings, Waldbröl (2010)
TTouch, Linda Tellington Jones I Stefanie Hornung, Beelitz (2009)
Pat Parelli Level 1 I Silke Valentin, Delitzsch (2006)
