Get one-on-one support by booking a session with a certified Balance Through Movement Method™ Instructor
Whether you are trying to reach the next level of your training or are just starting out, our certified instructors will meet you and your horse where you are in your journey to offer tailored guidance.
Our community tag-teams on all cases, so whoever you choose to work with, you will have the support of the entire BTMM network behind you!
Celeste Lazaris is a biomechanical lameness specialist, an expert in equine movement and muscle development and a pioneer for developing the physical body to protect the nervous system.
Her primary focuses are releasing nerve impingements in the horse that cause restrictions and undiagnosed lameness, and teaching owners how to develop their horses body both in-hand and under saddle utilizing intrinsic motivation and proper movement to prevent injury and further nerve related problems.
She is highly valued by Veterinarians around the world for her ability to help them utilize a more holistic approach for lasting changes and because of her background as a professional trainer and competitive rider, she is approachable and easy to understand for trainers and adult amateurs alike.
Her work is truly revolutionary for equine performance, lameness prevention and helping the horse-human dynamic.
Best Suited For:
Complex Cases
Nerve Impingements
Veterinarians/Physiotherapists
Upper Level Competitive Riders
Advanced BTMM Exercises
BTMM SPECIALTY INSTRUCTORS
Rider Biomechanics Master, Yoga Teacher, Classical Dressage Instructor
BENSON, AZ, USA
katherine@equilibriumbiomechanics.com
Best Suited For:
Dressage Riders
Neurologic Cases
Riders with Complex Injuries
Horses with Complex Hind-End Injuries
Advanced BTMM Exercises
Katherine Lowry is a second generation equine professional. Her original passion was classical Dressage for its spiritual, theoretical, and philosophical advantages in the development of horse and rider. After pursuing training in a number of different disciplines including Combined Driving Western Dressage, Reining, and Eventing she developed an interdisciplinary program and has run a successful boarding and training facility for over 12 years.
After suffering an accident that left her with an injured back, concussion, and debilitating nerve pain, Katherine was pushed to look outside of equines due to a poor prognosis for recovery. She dove into how to heal with movement and massage.
Through the process of rebuilding her own body from injury she found that stepping away from the realm of classical and modern riding modalities and into more ancient movement practices allowed her - and eventually her students - to find a deeper core balance and strengthen as riders. Katherine has created a human path starting with developing connection to yourself and the world around you through breath, building to engagement and receptivity of the spine, and ending with rotational movement of the pelvis.
Katherine is available for Distance Sessions, Clinics or in-person sessions at her home ranch in Benson, Arizona.
Master R+ And Liberty Trainer, Expert In Herd Management And Equine Psychology
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA, USA
tara@unbridledgoddess.com
Best Suited For:
Liberty/R+
Complex Behavior Cases
Classical Dressage Riders
Equine Lifestyle Management
With a passion for unbridled movement at the core of everything she does, Tara Davis is an equine professional who focuses on restoring balance, power, and joy to the horses through her unique horsemanship approach. With a strong foundation in classical dressage and a focus on equine psychology, she combines energetic connection and emotional development into an approach that blends science and spirituality.
Her work with rehabilitating horses has led her to a deep practice of trauma informed care for both horse and human. Tara believes in meeting each horse/human pair wherever they are at in their journey and will facilitate both “traditional” learning modalities (pressure/release based) as well as positive reinforcement and liberty horsemanship with her clients with no judgement. Her clients come to her from all fields of horsemanship, with the knowledge that better understanding our horse’s behavior and expanding our connection can help refine communication no matter what modality is used.
Tara is available for Distance Sessions and R+ clinics.
BTMM APPRENTICE INSTRUCTORS
Best Suited For:
Behavior Cases
Connection Work
Kissing Spine
Competitive Barrel Racers
Betsy Vonda
Behavioral Specialist
Posture/Performance Educator
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
ONTARIO, CANADA
betsyvonda@hotmail.com
Betsy Vonda is an Equine Postural, Performance, and Behavioral Consultant residing in Ontario, Canada with a focus on equine rehabilitation, as well as starting and training horses for longevity and soundness. Betsy grew up competing in western performance disciplines and went on to being a successful competitive rider in barrel racing and pole bending.
As a coach and clinician she teaches owners how to recognize proper movement patterns and development, as well as how to improve their relationship and communication with their equine partner no matter the chosen discipline. Betsy is also a Paramedic and an Emergency Service Education Coordinator. This unique background coupled with her specialized horsemanship skills has enabled her to develop thorough physical assessment and observational skills, training in de-escalation and regulation of the nervous system, as well as a formal education in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
All of these things along with her kind and approachable demeanor for equestrians of all levels makes her the perfect addition to our BTMM team.
Betsy is available for Distance Sessions, Clinics.and in-person sessions in her area.
Heather Kornemann
Californio Vaquero Trainer
Hoof Expert
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
BENICIA, CA, USA
9xlivestock@gmail.com
Best Suited For:
All Levels
Complex Hoof and Posture Cases
General BTMM Exercises
Heather Kornemann, BTMM Certified Trainer and Instructor, Certified in Lazaris Techniques Nerve Release, California Vaquero Bridlehorseman, hoof care specialist, Owner/Trainer/Clinician and Instructor at X bar 7 Livestock and Equine Services and a full time cowboy. Yes - a Cowboy!
Her 30+ years of experience in multiple facets of the equine industry, has developed her knowledge and shaped her passion for overall horse health and soundness. Heather focuses her program on the health and development of the whole horse. Bringing horses along to be balanced in body, mind and spirit. Rehabilitating horses who suffer from postural dysfunction, anxiety, trauma and other mental/physical pain related behaviors. She places the upmost importance on educating horse owners on everything from proper hoof care to how to recognize tension and anxiety and early signs of dysfunction.
The Balance Though Movement Method is a foundational component of all training and rehabilitation. Heather is committed to her belief that training for soundness is the way to a better future for horses and their humans. Along with her continued passion for teaching the art of the Californio Bridlehorse Heather is now expanding her business to join Celeste and her team of experts to bring the BTMM to the world!
Heather is available for Distance Sessions for hoof and body evaluations and clinics on BTMM and Bridlehorse.
Best Suited For:
All Levels
In-Hand or Under Saddle
Stacia Strong
Dressage and Biomechanics Trainer
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
MOORESVILLE, NC, USA
luv2ride152@yahoo.com
Stacia Strong resides in Mooresville NC, where she is the owner and trainer of Southern Tier Equestrian Center. She turned her love for horses into a career at the age of 22 when she opened her first boarding and lesson barn. Fast forward through 20+ years of trials and tribulations of training and teaching in traditional methods with a background in dressage, Stacia found herself looking “outside the box” for better ways to teach her students and improve the relationship with their horses.
Her personal journey has allowed her program to evolve into mindful horsemanship, with science based rider biomechanics, that is always advocating for the betterment of the horse. Stacias kind and nurturing approach for equestrians of all levels along with her rider biomechanics experience makes her an incredible asset to the BTTM team.
Stacia is available for Distance Sessions, Clinics or in-person sessions at or near her home ranch in Mooresville, NC
Samantha Watt
Equine Rehabilitation Specialist
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
info@sixbarconsulting.com
Best Suited For:
All Levels
In-Hand or Under Saddle
Samantha was raised on a 400 acre cattle farm in Kingaroy, QLD where she first discovered her love for horses. As Sam furthered her career in project management outside of the horse industry, she developed a passion for rehabilitating horses that were thought to be hopeless and unsafe. Determined to give them the best life possible, Samantha has not only built a program based on mutual respect for her equine partners, but she has produced athletes capable of competing at the highest levels across all disciplines of the equestrian field. This program is proven in the competition ring, with numerous state and national titles to her name, including her top gelding having just won Horse of the Year 3 Consecutive years in a row.
A specialty component of her program and offerings is the Werkman Black Gait Analysis software which is used to support Farriery decisions to improve overall hoof and limb health, which in turn drastically improves soundness and movement in horses. Samantha is only one of a handful of people in Australia to use this breakthrough technology. Samantha is always expanding her knowledge base & is currently completing her Certification in Advanced Distal Limb training under one of the worlds leading podiatrists. Her determination, tenacity and never ending passion for overall horse health has helped her build a rehabilitation program like no other. She always has the horses health at the forefront of every decision and takes pride in building horses from ‘the hoof, up!’ All whilst having solid, scientifically proven practices.
Samantha is an asset to our team here at BTMM for many things, but largely because of her expertise being a a hands-on amateur owner monitoring care and interventions to build her horses to the top level without sacrificing their health and wellness. She understands deeply how to navigate harnessing both competitions, trainers, judges all while honoring the BTMM principles and how to effectively communicate between the lines.
Best Suited For:
Complex Bodywork Cases
In-Hand Postural Training
Under Saddle Connection Work
Yasmin Stuart
Professional Trainer
Equine Physiotherapist
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
BISHOPS STORTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM
yasmin@yasminstuartequinephysio.com
Yasmin Stuart is an Equine Physiotherapist and Lazaris Nerve Release Practitioner based in the UK. She is particularly passionate about the relationship between manual therapy and movement therapy to help rehabilitate from compensatory injuries such as kissing spines and sacroiliac disease, which is where Nerve Release blends beautifully into her practice.
The welfare of the horse is paramount to Yasmin's practice and she strongly believes that compassionate application of evidence based techniques is the key to a happy, healthy horse. This includes teaching movement therapies with a solid underpinning of equitation science, and manual therapies founded upon a firm understanding of equine anatomy and research around the efficacy of their application.
Yasmin is available for clinics and currently offers bodywork and lessons.
Jodi Pierce
Equine Massage Therapist
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
BRISTOL, VT, USA
betterhorsebodyworks@gmail.com
Best Suited For:
In-Hand Work
Bodywork, Muscles, Biomechanics
Communication Techniques
Jodi Pierce resides in Bristol, VT where she owns & operates Better Horse Bodyworks. As a horseless rider, she has worked in many different facilities, with different breeds, training methods, and disciplines. The highlights include Dude Ranches, OSU Polo club (where she met her spouse), an Equine Assisted Therapy barn for emotionally challenged kids, and Legerte Dressage Pedagogy Student training.
For the past seven years, ever since she bought her first horse, her focus has been on Holistic Horse Management, Bodywork, & Biomechanics. She left her career as a Science Teacher to become certified in Equine Massage Therapy. Since then she has continued to educate herself and added Canine Massage, Reiki, & Lazaris Nerve Technique certifications. Her approach with horses (and dogs) is hands-on, intuitive, heart-centered, and horse-led. She is excited and honored to be a BTMM trainer and excels at In-hand Halter & Bridle Pillars while she continues to train in the Under Saddle work.
Jodi is available for Distance Sessions, Clinics or in-person sessions around Bristol, VT and surrounding areas.
Best Suited For:
Postural Rehabilitation
Rider Biomechanics
Relational Work
Kaylie Hanson
Yoga Teacher
Biomechanics Trainer
Equine Massage Therapist
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
EUGENE, OR, USA
symbiosisequestrian@gmail.com
Kaylie Hanson is based out of Eugene, OR where she operates Symbiosis Equestrian. As a child you could often find her asking her parents two things - to spend more time at the barn and “Why?” about nearly everything. Her inquisitive nature and passion for helping horses and humans has led her to a holistic approach to training. She is passionate about helping horses and riders find softness, relaxation and balance in their mind and bodies.
Her career started as an assistant trainer at a large dressage sales barn, where she discovered how many horses struggled with physical and mental tension. She then began seeking alternative approaches and tools. Her journey includes a two year apprenticeship with a USDF gold medalist and rider biomechanics coach; a trauma informed 200 hour yoga teacher training in Costa Rica; and a certification in Equine Bodywork through Equinology. Whether your goals are high level competition or pleasure, she can help you and your horse with postural development and finding a deeper layer of softness and balance.
Kaylie is available for clinics and currently offers nerve release bodywork and lessons.
Niki Gibbs Wilde Broadhead
Cowboy Dressage Judge
Professional Trainer
Apprentice BTMM Instructor
HONEYVILLE, UT, USA
showskinz@gmail.com
Best Suited For:
Cowboy Dressage Enthusiasts
Youth/Beginner BTMM Sessions
In-Hand Postural Work
Niki Wilde Broadhead has been studying Horsemanship for over 25 years. After completing the levels in the Parelli Program and riding on Pat’s Savvy Team in 2005, she continued on her journey to learn from world renowned horsemen and women such as, Karen Rohlf, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, Lyn Ringrose-Moe, Garn Walker, Jeff Sanders, Dr. Robert Miller, the legendary Jack Brainard, Craig Johnson and even traveled to Portugal to learn Classical Dressage from Señor Luis Valenca and his talented family. Most recently, Niki has been studying Celeste Leilani Lazaris’ Balance Through Movement Method. Niki graduated the BTMM Nerve Release Course, can teach the Pillars on the ground, and is currently apprenticing to be able to teach them while riding.
Niki is an Endorsed Cowboy Dressage Clinician and Judge, recently judging at Cowboy Dressage World Finals. She continues to travel around the world to teach people and their horses. Niki has been focused on every facet of a horse’s life; handling hundreds of foals and young horses to starting them under saddle, and working with hundreds more problem horses and their owners. While her study of horses is extensive, it is not her primary objective. She wants to help others to be able to train and enjoy their own horses. Her intense study and real world practice led her to make a promise she would have a place where anyone, and any horse, could come to learn.
Her motto is; “Where the horse, not the sport, comes first” and it is still her guiding principle.
She wants to empower other people to become students of the horse. She wants to help you find the love, peace, and joy in helping your horse overcome the obstacles that could be in the way of building a partnership where anything is possible.
Niki is available for clinics and lessons.
