Horse-assisted coaching in The Hague & Portugal
a força is Eefje Gilbert's practice for horse-assisted coaching with trauma, PTSD, burnout and neurodivergence, in The Hague and Leiden, and from spring 2027 in Tomar. You work with a horse from the ground, not on its back. The horse doesn't respond to what you say, but to what your nervous system does.
Trauma, stress and neurodivergence. body-based and safe.
Talking doesn't always help. Sometimes it sits deeper: in your body, in patterns you can't explain but can feel. At a força you work with horses to find your way back to yourself.
A horse doesn't respond to what you say. It responds to what your nervous system is doing. Say “I'm fine” while your shoulders are up around your ears? The horse will show you. Every time.
That makes this work confronting. And effective.
Who is it for?
Individual
I work with people for whom talking isn't enough. In particular:
- High-masking individuals who compensated for years. Burnout, multiple diagnoses, dropping out.
- Professionals with PTSD or trauma looking for more than cognitive therapy alone.
- Neurodivergent people who want to learn to work in a low-stimulus, body-based way.
- Expats looking for support in Dutch, English or French
Teams & Organisations
Team days with horses reveal what meetings keep out of sight:
- Teams with communication problems, unclear roles or tension.
- Psychological safety and collaboration under pressure.
- Leadership programmes that go beyond theory.
- Neuro-inclusion in the workplace.
For coaches
The Train-the-Trainer programme is for coaches who want to work trauma-sensitively with horses:
- Coaches who support neurodivergent clients (or want to).
- Deeper grounding in polyvagal theory and interoception.
- CRKBO-registered, no open enrolment.
- Selection through an intake conversation.
Locations
Office
Goudenregenstraat 170 – unit 3, 2565 GC, The Hague (South Holland), or a video call via Google Meet. This location is easy to reach by public transport (trams 12 and 3 stop nearby).
If you come by car, parking is free until 6 pm.
Elza Hoeve farm
Vlietweg 82, 2323 LG Leiden
By car you can park on the farm grounds. This location is also reachable by public transport (bus and train), though do allow for a (lovely) 15-minute walk.
I'm often still busy caring for the horses when you arrive, so the easiest thing is to give me a quick call once you're there. I'll come and meet you at the car park.
Stables in The Hague
Poeldijkseweg 47, 2544 NS, The Hague
By car you can park on the grounds of the riding centre: Hippisch Centrum Westland. The car park is shared with restaurant Hudson. This location is well served by several public transport options (trams and buses).
I'm often still busy caring for the horses when you arrive, so the easiest thing is to give me a quick call once you're there. I'll come and meet you at the car park.
From spring 2027 also in Tomar, Portugal.
How does horse-assisted coaching work?
Horses are prey animals. They read their surroundings continuously in order to stay safe. That's why they don't respond to your words, but to your nervous system: your heart rate, your breathing, your tension.
It makes them living biofeedback. Without judgement, without an agenda. They show you what is really going on, beyond what you're used to saying or showing.
Leadership
Who are you when you can't steer with words? Horses don't follow job titles.
Mirroring
A horse responds to what your nervous system is doing. Not to what you say.
Here and now
Horses live in the moment. They invite you to do the same.
Trust
You don't build trust with words. It starts with congruence: do your outside and your inside match?
Faith-sensitive coaching
There is no quick fix for getting out of deeply rooted behavioural patterns. Knowing where to look is what makes the difference.
Recovery sometimes reaches further than body or mind.
For some people it touches on meaning, trust and faith.
I work faith-sensitively: if that matters to you, it is welcome as part of our work together.
Specialisms
PTSD & trauma
Body-based work with trauma, alongside or after therapy. Horses help you experience safety and boundaries rather than talk about them.
Neurodivergence
For high-masking professionals with autism, ADHD or giftedness. Low-stimulus, with no pressure to perform.
Retreats in Portugal
From spring 2027: small-scale retreats in Tomar, Portugal. Intensive work with horses in a setting of quiet and space.
About me
Eefje Gilbert
horse-assisted coach
I'm Eefje Gilbert, founder of a força.
My background is an unusual one: from linguistics and fieldwork in Africa, then on to (digital) transformation and IT architecture.
Boardrooms and conflict zones. Every setting taught me the same thing: real change only begins once people stop performing.
Horses taught me that honesty is not negotiable.
Curious?
Click the calendar icon to schedule a free, no-obligation introductory conversation with me quickly and easily.
You're welcome to come to the office, or we can meet by phone or video call.
Testimonials
“There is an enormous amount to learn from being in contact with animals that are so present and so open to you, as long as you stay aware of how authentically you show up. What a wonderful way to learn about leadership.”
“Tygo and you were completely there for me: compassionate and without judgement. By taking away the ‘you're not good enough’ voice in my head, the challenge of what I was trying to do was normalised and I came to feel safe. It gave me so much support. You held the space open so that I could find the courage to look myself and my feelings straight in the eye. I was able to take on the challenge and I managed to shift my energy from anger and fear to openness, calm and receptiveness.”
“You helped me get my focus back and learn how to handle my triggers. And far faster than I ever thought possible. By practising with the extra exercises at home, I feel safe in my body again.
Thank you Eefje and Eros!”