Katherine Harberd - Pioneer in Equine-Human Harmony

Katherine Harberd is at the forefront of equine-human movement, performance and well-being.

With a riding passion that began in the 1960s and spans multiple continents, she has become an expert and innovator in fostering harmony between horse and human beings. Katherine's approach blends time-honoured horsemanship and traditional wisdom with cutting-edge methodologies — from the Feldenkrais Method® and Connected Riding® to the Masterson Method™, BHS, NH and Classical Training and anatomical science — creating transformative outcomes for horse and rider alike.

LIFELONG PASSION

A Lifelong Journey with Horses

Horses have been Katherine's teachers and companions since the 1960s, guiding her journey across continents and disciplines.

Early Years in the Saddle

She grew up riding and wherever life took her in Africa, Britain, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and America, horses were always a part of the story. She developed a keen interest in eventing and competed in both dressage and show jumping, gaining firsthand appreciation for the dedication and balance those disciplines demand.

Corporate Career & Constant Passion

Even as she built a successful corporate career outside the equestrian world, her passion for horses remained a constant force, always seeking ways to deepen her understanding of the horse-human partnership.

$Katherine's Indonesian Chapter at Jakarta Polo Club$

The Indonesian Chapter

A turning point came in the late 1990s when Katherine moved to Indonesia for corporate work and became deeply involved with the Jakarta Polo & Equestrian Club. At the turn of the century she helped restructure JPEC, managing 30+ horses, 20+ staff and thriving riding programme. This international adventure expanded her perspective beyond the immediate activities of horses and riders into the business structure and welfare of animals and staff.

Returning to England

Katherine returned to the UK with her Australian thoroughbred mare and Indonesia-bred Dutch Warmblood colt, Kizmet. She established her practice in the tranquil countryside of Herefordshire. Over the years she opened her heart to rescue horses in need, including an injured Dutch Warmblood mare, a PRE mare and a friend's aging Hanoverian. Rehabilitating these horses reinforced Katherine's belief that compassion and patience can transform even the most challenging cases.

DIVERSE EXPERTISE

Mastering the Art and Science of Movement

Eager to help horses and riders on a deeper level, Katherine immersed herself in an extraordinary range of training and certifications, mastering many of the world's most respected movement and bodywork modalities.

The Feldenkrais Method®

A revolutionary somatic education system for human beings, which unpicks habitual movement patterns and reminds the student of easier, more efficient ways of functioning.

The Masterson Method™

An interactive form of equine bodywork that alleviates soreness and tension in horses by gently investigating underneath the bracing response to encourage releases, resulting in freer, more fluid movement.

Connected Riding®

Peggy Cummings' approach to riding and groundwork that teaches both horse and rider to step out of bracing and tension, and into self-carriage and harmony in motion.

AlignmentHORSE

Liz VanRoss's innovative approach teaches horses how to find alignment so that they can release undue effort during locomotion and rely on skeletal support. Science-based AlignmentHORSE unlocks inherent equine biomechanical power for peak performance without strain.

Tellington TTouch® and TTEAM®

Linda Tellington-Jones's renowned bodywork and training methods (which Katherine studied with Linda's sister, Robyn Hood) that use gentle touch and mindful exercises to improve a horse's behaviour, biomechanics and trust in people.

Holistic Approach

Rather than follow a one-size-fits-all formula, Katherine draws on modalities as needed — often blending techniques — to address the unique needs of every horse and rider. This holistic approach allows her to address horse and rider as individual entities and as one unit.

WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION

Learning from the Masters

To achieve such broad expertise, Katherine sought out and learned directly from many of the world's leading equestrian experts: in riding and training horses, therapeutic and bodywork, at liberty and with behaviouralists, in hoof care and nutrition, anatomy and dissection and a wide range of equitation styles from BHS to Natural Horsemanship to Classical.

Jim Masterson

Creator of the Masterson Method™

Katherine studied extensively with Jim Masterson to embody his innovative, interactive approach to equine bodywork and tension release.

Peggy Cummings

Founder of Connected Riding®

Katherine organised UK clinics for Peggy and for 6 years studied her revolutionary approach to creating true balance and harmony between horse and rider through subtle biomechanical adjustments.

Philippe Karl

Founder of the School of Légèreté

From 2010-2016, every quarter Katherine audited Monsieur Karl's Teacher Training Clinics and was auditioned for one of the prized places on the 2015 programme. Philippe Karl rode Conquer at the end of the audition.

Robyn Hood

Tellington TTouch® Senior Instructor

Katherine studied with Linda Tellington-Jones' sister, mastering the gentle bodywork and groundwork techniques that improve equine well-being and behaviour.

Sharon Wilsie

Creator and Co-founder of Horse Speak®

Since 2021 Katherine has studied and practiced Precise Equine Body Language Skills with Sharon and Laura Wilsie, deepening her ability to understand and respond to horses' subtle signals.

Maureen Tierney

Creator and Founder of the Hoof Guided Method

Katherine had the great privilege of studying HGM hoof trimming directly with Maureen, until her untimely death in December 2017. Maureen helped Katherine to rehabilitate her horses' feet, even those with extreme navicular issues and with radiograph evidence of chronic laminitis.

She has traveled far and wide to study under luminaries from liberty trainer Carolyn Resnick to classical master Philippe Karl. Through countless clinics, workshops, and hands-on case studies with these and other pioneers, Katherine absorbed invaluable insights that few practitioners ever gain. She also isn't afraid to venture outside the traditional: whether delving into equine biomechanics with Dr. Sharon May-Davis on the dissection table or learning from holistic horse-care specialists, Katherine has left no stone unturned in her quest to understand what truly helps domestic horses thrive.

"She stands on the shoulders of giants," as the saying goes, offering this compilation of knowledge and consideration to others. Riders and horse owners who work with Katherine benefit not only from her own skills and insights but also from the distilled wisdom of great teachers from around the globe.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Horsemanship as a Path to Alignment, Balance and Connection

Two-Way Conversation

Katherine approaches development, training and therapy as a two-way conversation — listening to the horse's body language and feedback, and responding with empathy and clarity in every interaction. Listening is paramount because 'everything means something'.

Patience & Compassion

Quick fixes, force, or domination have no place in Katherine's philosophy. Instead, she emphasizes patience, kindness, and consistency in every interaction.

Willing Partnership

Katherine creates an environment where the horse willingly participates in their own healing and learning, building a relationship based on mutual trust and respect.

At the heart of Katherine's work is a simple belief: true horsemanship is a path to harmony, connection, and compassion.

By combining her scientific knowledge of biomechanics with an intuitive feel for each animal, she helps horses release fear and resistance and helps people become more mindful, compassionate riders, as well as horse and human being moving more easily and harmoniously. The outcome goes beyond improved performance — it borders on transformation of the horse-human relationship. Under Katherine's guidance, tense horses soften and become eager partners, and frustrated riders discover the joy of true connection.

HOME BASE

Continuing the Journey in Herefordshire

Katherine remains a lifelong student of the horse. Based in the tranquil countryside of Herefordshire, England, she lives with her supportive husband, two beloved Labradors, and a small herd of horses that are very much part of the family.

Kizmet — the home-bred Warmblood from her Jakarta days — still thrives by her side, now accompanied by an older Hanoverian, the rescue mares and offspring. On any given day, you might find Katherine out in the field observing her horses' interactions, teaching AlignmentHORSE in the barn or arena to her horses or clients, so that they can teach their horses. We all move from student to professor, as do our horses.

Continues to attend advanced clinics and host guest instructors

Avidly researches the latest in equine health and training

Fuelled by unwavering commitment to keep learning

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

What Clients Say

Katherine is such a giving kind person. Nothing is too much trouble she will go to the ends of the earth to try and make a horse and owner happy. She runs the ALH clinics with so much enthusiasm, which is admirable - Katherine puts her heart and soul into it. I wish she was nearer to me as she's got so much knowledge to share, she knows something about nearly everything horse related.

Beverly Dyer

Ever hopeful dressage rider that strives to keep her horse happy and well!