Aspetar Magazine 2026

117 ASPETAR MAGAZINE ASPETAR CHAMPION How has your academic background contributed to your work as a physiotherapist and horse trainer? Scientific knowledge provided me with what I would describe as a compass. It enabledme to interpret a horse’s behaviour from both biological and psychological perspectives, rather than relying on superficial explanations. I became able to distinguish between pain and behaviour, between resistance and fear, and between natural responses and those caused by excessive pressure. This integration of scientific knowledge and practical experience has helped me develop a more precise, effective, and compassionate approach to working with horses, because I am able to identify the true problem and address it at its root. How do you balance high performance with horse welfare and psychological wellbeing? Balance begins with a simple understanding: a horse cannot perform at a high level if it does not feel safe, and it cannot feel safe if we do not understand its psychological state. For that reason, I always start with the psychological aspect, followed by physical wellbeing, and only then focus on performance. I believe performance is a natural outcome of doing things correctly, not a goal that should be forced. When we build the horse from within — both mentally and physically — the results come naturally. What achievement do you consider the most meaningful in your equestrian journey? For me, true achievement is not winning a race or a championship. The accomplishment I value most is the moment when I can transform a fearful or anxious horse into one that is confident and balanced. In many cases, horses do not display difficult behaviour out of stubbornness; they are simply trying to communicate with us through body language. When we understand that language and address the real issue, the horse’s response changes dramatically. For me, that feeling is far more rewarding than any competitive result.