Horse Biomechanics in Motion: A 3-Day Clinic with Thirza Hendriks

Flow, Function, and Feel—Learning from the Inside-Out

Eight horses. Three days. One clinician with a deep understanding of equine anatomy and movement. Thirza Hendriks’ recent clinic (held at beautiful Anamir Equine near Canberra) was a masterclass in functional biomechanics, blending in-hand and ridden work to help horses move with greater ease, efficiency, and flow.

Clinic Format: Three Lessons, Three Days, Eight Horses

Each participant received one lesson, per horse per day, allowing time for integration, reflection, and observation. The format was intimate and focused—just eight horses, each with their own story, strengths, and sticking points. Lessons ranged from groundwork to ridden refinement, tailored to the horse’s current needs and the rider’s goals.

This pacing gave horses time to process and riders time to absorb. It wasn’t about drilling—it was about developing feel, clarity, and biomechanical awareness.

Additionally, each day had dedicated theory sessions where the participants could deep-dive into Functional Flow and the Hip Joint specialised mechanics.

Focus: Flow Through Function

Thirza’s approach centers on restoring and optimizing movement. Whether working in-hand or under saddle, she emphasised:

• Postural alignment

• Joint articulation

• Rhythmic flow

• Soft transitions between exercises

Each session was a blend of science and art—observing how the horse moved, identifying restrictions, and guiding them toward more functional patterns.

Thirza's strength is in her theory: she's done numerous equine dissections, which supports her deep horse anatomical understanding and ability to pick up on the details and understand rehabilitation exercises that really work for the horse.

Thirza Hendriks: A Clinician Who Sees Beneath the Surface

Thirza is the founder of Functional Horse Training, an international education center that bridges the gap between equine science and practical horsemanship. Her background includes:

• Over 20 whole horse dissections

• Studies in classical dressage and rehabilitation

• Ongoing university-level education in Equine & Veterinary Science

• Teaching across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA

Her style is thoughtful, precise, and deeply respectful of the horse. She doesn’t just teach exercises—she teaches riders to see movement, to feel tension, and to respond with clarity and softness. The small stuff influences the larger mechanics, so her exercises really unpack this with the intent of improving the functional flow.

Clinic Culture: Learning, Not Performing

Thirza set the tone: curious, kind, and clear. She asked questions that made you think, offered insights that made you feel, and created space for horses to show us what they needed. Thirza was always able to answer any questions you had so you could reflect your understanding or correct it. Additionally, she challenged you as a rider/handler to progress with thoughtfulness and encouragement!