Masterclass: Beyond the bit
Christophe Chaussy & When Horses Choose
LEARN IT. FEEL IT. TAKE IT HOME.
LEARN IT. FEEL IT. TAKE IT HOME.
It is a rare opportunity to work, ride, feel and develop — with your own horse, with When Horses Choose horses, and through Christophe’s exceptional horses and experience.
Bring your own horse and let Christophe and Mia help you develop exactly where you are. Refine your dressage.
Deepen your liberty work. Improve your timing, balance, communication and feel. And then step onto another horse.
Experience a WHC horse that already understands work through freedom, dialogue and voluntary cooperation. Feel an exercise from the inside. Understand what you are looking for.
Then take that feeling back to your own horse.
At this event you can:
- bring your own horse and develop your partnership
- receive guidance in dressage and ridden work
- develop liberty and free work with your own horse
- experience riding with minimal or no traditional control
- work at liberty with WHC horses
- learn on an experienced horse and transfer to your own horse
Experience Christophe’s own horses and his approach to liberty and advanced bitless work. Explore working with several horses in liberty
Experience an exercise on an experienced horse — then take that feeling back to your own horse. Don't just watch what is possible. Feel it. Learn it. Create it with your own horse.
With Mia, you learn how to build a relationship strong enough that the horse can work with you through trust, communication, love and free choice.
With Christophe, you discover how that connection can be refined into greater balance, precision, dressage and high performance.
And throughout the event, you get the chance to move between understanding, observing, riding and doing. From the free horse to high performance.
Without losing the horse's voice along the way.
It is a rare opportunity to work, ride, feel and develop — with your own horse, with When Horses Choose horses, and through Christophe’s exceptional horses and experience.
Bring your own horse and let Christophe and Mia help you develop exactly where you are. Refine your dressage.
Deepen your liberty work. Improve your timing, balance, communication and feel. And then step onto another horse.
Experience a WHC horse that already understands work through freedom, dialogue and voluntary cooperation. Feel an exercise from the inside. Understand what you are looking for.
Then take that feeling back to your own horse.
At this event you can:
- bring your own horse and develop your partnership
- receive guidance in dressage and ridden work
- develop liberty and free work with your own horse
- experience riding with minimal or no traditional control
- work at liberty with WHC horses
- learn on an experienced horse and transfer to your own horse
Experience Christophe’s own horses and his approach to liberty and advanced bitless work. Explore working with several horses in liberty
Experience an exercise on an experienced horse — then take that feeling back to your own horse. Don't just watch what is possible. Feel it. Learn it. Create it with your own horse.
With Mia, you learn how to build a relationship strong enough that the horse can work with you through trust, communication, love and free choice.
With Christophe, you discover how that connection can be refined into greater balance, precision, dressage and high performance.
And throughout the event, you get the chance to move between understanding, observing, riding and doing. From the free horse to high performance.
Without losing the horse's voice along the way.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Intensive days. Individual development.
LEARN IT. FEEL IT. TAKE IT HOME.
Every day at Beyond the Bit includes individual training sessions with both Christophe and Mia.
You will work directly on your own goals — whether that means dressage, liberty, communication, riding, refinement, confidence or performance.
The exact structure is adapted to the participants and the horses, but the foundation is the same every day: You train. You observe. You learn. You develop.
EVERY DAY
- individual sessions with Christophe Chaussy
- individual sessions with Mia Lykke Nielsen
- work with your own horse or selected event horses
- dressage, liberty, communication and ridden work
- shared learning from the other participants’ sessions
- time for questions, reflection
- adjustment of your individual plan
TWO EXCLUSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
During the event, Christophe and Mia will each give their own dedicated demonstration.
Christophe will open up his work in dressage, liberty and high performance. Mia will demonstrate the When Horses Choose approach — from the horse completely free, through communication and liberty, into riding and performance. These are not simply shows.
They are demonstrations where the work is explained and shared, so you can understand the choices, communication and principles behind what you see.
TWO THEORY EVENINGS
On one evening, Christophe will take you deeper into the knowledge behind his work: dressage · balance · timing · feel · liberty · refinement · performance
On another evening, Mia will share the foundations of When Horses Choose: wild horses · horse language · behaviour · communication · free choice · relationship · cooperation
There will be space for questions, discussion and connecting the theory directly to your own horse and your practical sessions.
YOUR DAYS ARE STRUCTURED — BUT NOT FIXED
- We begin by understanding your goals.
- Then we adapt the training as the event develops.
- Some days you may need more dressage.
- Another day, liberty may unlock something important.
- Sometimes working with another horse may give you the feeling you need before returning to your own.
THE PROGRAMME FOLLOWS YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Not the other way around.
Train with both. Learn from both.
Experience both worlds.
Every day.
It is a rare opportunity to work, ride, feel and develop — with your own horse, with When Horses Choose horses, and through Christophe’s exceptional horses and experience.
Bring your own horse and let Christophe and Mia help you develop exactly where you are. Refine your dressage.
Deepen your liberty work. Improve your timing, balance, communication and feel. And then step onto another horse.
Experience a WHC horse that already understands work through freedom, dialogue and voluntary cooperation. Feel an exercise from the inside. Understand what you are looking for.
Then take that feeling back to your own horse.
At this event you can:
- bring your own horse and develop your partnership
- receive guidance in dressage and ridden work
- develop liberty and free work with your own horse
- experience riding with minimal or no traditional control
- work at liberty with WHC horses
- learn on an experienced horse and transfer to your own horse
Experience Christophe’s own horses and his approach to liberty and advanced bitless work. Explore working with several horses in liberty
Experience an exercise on an experienced horse — then take that feeling back to your own horse. Don't just watch what is possible. Feel it. Learn it. Create it with your own horse.
With Mia, you learn how to build a relationship strong enough that the horse can work with you through trust, communication, love and free choice.
With Christophe, you discover how that connection can be refined into greater balance, precision, dressage and high performance.
And throughout the event, you get the chance to move between understanding, observing, riding and doing. From the free horse to high performance.
Without losing the horse's voice along the way.
Masterclass:
Beyond the bit
Christophe Chaussy & When Horses Choose
LEARN IT. FEEL IT. TAKE IT HOME.
It is a rare opportunity to work, ride, feel and develop — with your own horse, with When Horses Choose horses, and through Christophe’s exceptional horses and experience.
Bring your own horse and let Christophe and Mia help you develop exactly where you are. Refine your dressage.
Deepen your liberty work. Improve your timing, balance, communication and feel. And then step onto another horse.
Experience a WHC horse that already understands work through freedom, dialogue and voluntary cooperation. Feel an exercise from the inside. Understand what you are looking for.
Then take that feeling back to your own horse.
At this event you can:
- bring your own horse and develop your partnership
- receive guidance in dressage and riding
- develop liberty with your own horse
- experience riding with minimal or no traditional control
- work at liberty with WHC horses
- learn on an experienced horse and transfer to your own horse
Experience Christophe’s own horses and his approach to liberty and advanced bitless work. Explore working with several horses in liberty
Experience an exercise on an experienced horse — then take that feeling back to your own horse. Don't just watch what is possible. Feel it. Learn it. Create it with your own horse.
With Mia, you learn how to build a relationship strong enough that the horse can work with you through trust, communication, love and free choice.
With Christophe, you discover how that connection can be refined into greater balance, precision, dressage and high performance.
And throughout the event, you get the chance to move between understanding, observing, riding and doing. From the free horse to high performance.
Without losing the horse's voice along the way.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Intensive days. Individual development.
Every day at Beyond the Bit includes individual training sessions with both Christophe and Mia.
You will work directly on your own goals — whether that means dressage, liberty, communication, riding, refinement, confidence or performance.
The exact structure is adapted to the participants and the horses, but the foundation is the same every day: You train. You observe. You learn. You develop.
EVERY DAY
- individual sessions with Christophe Chaussy
- individual sessions with Mia Lykke Nielsen
- work with your own horse or selected event horses
- dressage, liberty, communication and ridden work
- shared learning from the other participants’ sessions
- time for questions, reflection
- adjustment of your individual plan
TWO EXCLUSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
During the event, Christophe and Mia will each give their own dedicated demonstration.
Christophe will open up his work in dressage, liberty and high performance. Mia will demonstrate the When Horses Choose approach — from the horse completely free, through communication and liberty, into riding and performance. These are not simply shows.
They are demonstrations where the work is explained and shared, so you can understand the choices, communication and principles behind what you see.
TWO THEORY EVENINGS
On one evening, Christophe will take you deeper into the knowledge behind his work: dressage · balance · timing · feel · liberty · refinement · performance
On another evening, Mia will share the foundations of When Horses Choose: wild horses · horse language · behaviour · communication · free choice · relationship · cooperation
There will be space for questions, discussion and connecting the theory directly to your own horse and your practical sessions.
YOUR DAYS ARE STRUCTURED — BUT NOT FIXED
- We begin by understanding your goals.
- Then we adapt the training as the event develops.
- Some days you may need more dressage.
- Another day, liberty may unlock something important.
- Sometimes working with another horse may give you the feeling you need before returning to your own.
THE PROGRAMME FOLLOWS YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Not the other way around.
Train with both. Learn from both.
Experience both worlds.
Every day.
Every day at Beyond the Bit includes individual training sessions with both Christophe and Mia.
You will work directly on your own goals — whether that means dressage, liberty, communication, riding, refinement, confidence or performance.
The exact structure is adapted to the participants and the horses, but the foundation is the same every day: You train. You observe. You learn. You develop.
EVERY DAY
- individual sessions with Christophe
- individual sessions with Mia
- work with your own horse or selected event horses
- dressage, liberty, communication and ridden work
- shared learning from the other participants’ sessions
- time for questions, reflection
- adjustment of your individual plan
TWO EXCLUSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
During the event, Christophe and Mia will each give their own dedicated demonstration.
Christophe will open up his work in dressage, liberty and high performance. Mia will demonstrate the When Horses Choose approach — from the horse completely free, through communication and liberty, into riding and performance. These are not simply shows.
They are demonstrations where the work is explained and shared, so you can understand the choices, communication and principles behind what you see.
TWO THEORY EVENINGS
On one evening, Christophe will take you deeper into the knowledge behind his work: dressage · balance · timing · feel · liberty · refinement · performance
On another evening, Mia will share the foundations of When Horses Choose: wild horses · horse language · behaviour · communication · free choice · relationship · cooperation
There will be space for questions, discussion and connecting the theory directly to your own horse and your practical sessions.
YOUR DAYS ARE STRUCTURED
— BUT NOT FIXED
- We begin by understanding your goals.
- Then we adapt the training as the event develops.
- Some days you may need more dressage.
- Another day, liberty may unlock something important.
- Sometimes working with another horse may give you the feeling you need before returning to your own.
THE PROGRAMME FOLLOWS YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Not the other way around.
Train with both. Learn from both.
Experience both worlds.
Every day.
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
5 days. 3 ways to join. Or join as a spectator.
Beyond the Bit is designed so you can choose the experience that fits you best. Join for one Open Day. Dive into the full 3-Day Masterclass. Or stay for the complete 5-day journey.
OPEN DAYS
9–10 September 2026
Choose one day — or join both.
The Open Days are flexible, hands-on training days where you can work with your own horse, learn through WHC horses and experience Christophe’s approach to dressage and liberty.
Use the day to explore exactly what matters most to you:
- dressage and ridden work
- liberty training
- bitless riding
- developing the partnership with your own horse
You can bring your own horse or join without one.
2,200 DKK per day
SPECTATOR TICKETS
350 DKK Per day (incl. lunch)
3-DAY MASTERCLASS
11–13 September 2026
Three immersive days with Christophe and Mia. This is for those who want to go deeper. You will have time to build on what you learn, develop your own horse, work through specific challenges and experience how communication, liberty and dressage can develop together over several days.
The Masterclass gives you more time to:
- refine your dressage with Christophe
- deepen your liberty work
- develop communication and free-choice work with Mia
- work with your own horse
- learn through WHC horses
- experience Christophe’s horses
- follow the development of horses and riders across the days
5,800 DKK (limited participant places)
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
9–13 September 2026
9000 DKK
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
5 days. 4 ways to join.
Beyond the Bit is designed so you can choose the experience that fits you best. Join for one Open Day. Dive into the full 3-Day Masterclass. Or stay for the complete 5-day journey.
OPEN DAYS
9–10 September 2026
Choose one day — or join both.
The Open Days are flexible, hands-on training days where you can work with your own horse, learn through WHC horses and experience Christophe’s approach to dressage and liberty.
Use the day to explore exactly what matters most to you:
- dressage and ridden work
- liberty training
- bitless riding
- developing the partnership with your own horse
You can bring your own horse or join without one.
2,200 DKK per day
3-DAY MASTERCLASS
11–13 September 2026
Three immersive days with Christophe and Mia. This is for those who want to go deeper. You will have time to build on what you learn, develop your own horse, work through specific challenges and experience how communication, liberty and dressage can develop together over several days.
The Masterclass gives you more time to:
- refine your dressage with Christophe
- deepen your liberty work
- develop communication and free-choice work with Mia
- work with your own horse
- learn through WHC horses
- experience Christophe’s horses
- follow the development of horses and riders across the days
5,800 DKK (limited participant places)
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
9–13 September 2026
9000 DKK
SPECTATOR TICKETS
350 DKK Per day (incl. lunch)
MEET CHRISTOPHE CHAUSSY
Dressage. Liberty. High performance
MEET MIA LYKKE NIELSEN
High performance through relations.
Christophe Chaussy is known around the world for a way of working with horses that combines technical precision, freedom, expression and extraordinary connection. His performances are powerful to watch.
But at Beyond the Bit, you get something much rarer: You get to learn from him. Christophe comes to Denmark not only to perform — but to teach, develop and work directly with participants.
This is your opportunity to:
- refine your dressage
- improve balance, timing, feel and precision
- develop your liberty work
- explore advanced bitless riding
- understand how Christophe creates lightness and expression
LEARN THROUGH HIS HORSES
Christophe brings his own highly trained horses to Denmark. This gives participants a rare opportunity to experience the work from the inside. Ride and feel exercises on an educated horse.
Explore liberty with horses who already understand the communication. Experience working with several horses in freedom. Then take that feeling, understanding and precision back to your own horse.
NOT JUST TO WATCH WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
TO FEEL IT. UNDERSTAND IT. AND LEARN HOW TO CREATE IT.
Christophe’s experience takes riders beyond technique alone. Into greater feel. Greater precision. Greater expression. And a higher level of performance.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DENMARK, YOU CAN STEP INTO HIS WORLD.
Then Christophe’s high-performance world meets When Horses Choose — where freedom, communication and the horse’s own choice become the foundation.
Mia Lykke Nielsen is the founder of When Horses Choose and travels internationally teaching, performing and demonstrating what becomes possible when horses are trained through relationship rather than force.
Her work is rooted in the study of horses — especially wild horses — their natural behaviour, social structures, communication and language.
From liberty and free work to riding, dressage and performance, Mia’s work is built around one central idea:
THE RELATIONSHIP CAN BECOME STRONGER THAN THE EQUIPMENT.
Horses are intelligent, social beings.
They can understand us.
They can communicate with us.
They can make choices.
And when we learn to communicate in a way the horse understands, we can develop extraordinary results without taking away the horse’s freedom or voice.
The ambition does not disappear.
The precision does not disappear.
The performance does not disappear.
What changes is how we get there.
No rope holding the horse there.
No rein creating the relationship.
No equipment making the decision for the horse.
And still, the horse can choose to stay.
Choose to connect.
Choose to learn.
Choose to perform.
THIS IS WHEN HORSES CHOOSE.
MEET CHRISTOPHE CHAUSSY
DRESSAGE. LIBERTY. HIGH PERFORMANCE.
Christophe Chaussy is known around the world for a way of working with horses that combines technical precision, freedom, expression and extraordinary connection.
His performances are powerful to watch.
But at Beyond the Bit, you get something much rarer: You get to learn from him. Christophe comes to Denmark not only to perform — but to teach, develop and work directly with participants.
This is your opportunity to:
- refine your dressage
- improve balance, timing, feel and precision
- develop your liberty work
- explore advanced bitless riding
- understand how Christophe creates lightness and expression
LEARN THROUGH HIS HORSES
Christophe brings his own highly trained horses to Denmark.
That gives participants a rare opportunity to experience the work from the inside. Ride and feel exercises on an educated horse.
Explore liberty with horses who already understand the communication. Experience working with several horses in freedom.
Then take that feeling, understanding and precision back to your own horse.
NOT JUST TO WATCH WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
TO FEEL IT. UNDERSTAND IT. AND LEARN HOW TO CREATE IT.
Christophe’s experience takes riders beyond technique alone. Into greater feel. Greater precision. Greater expression. And a higher level of performance.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DENMARK, YOU CAN STEP INTO HIS WORLD.
Then Christophe’s high-performance world meets When Horses Choose — where freedom, communication and the horse’s own choice become the foundation.
MEET MIA LYKKE NIELSEN
HIGH PERFORMANCE THROUGH RELATIONSHIP
Mia Lykke Nielsen is the founder of When Horses Choose and travels internationally teaching, performing and demonstrating what becomes possible when horses are trained through relationship rather than force.
Her work is rooted in the study of horses — especially wild horses — their natural behaviour, social structures, communication and language.
From liberty and free work to riding, dressage and performance, Mia’s work is built around one central idea:
THE RELATIONSHIP CAN BECOME STRONGER THAN THE EQUIPMENT.
Horses are intelligent, social beings.
They can understand us.
They can communicate with us.
They can make choices.
And when we learn to communicate in a way the horse understands, we can develop extraordinary results without taking away the horse’s freedom or voice.
The ambition does not disappear.
The precision does not disappear.
The performance does not disappear.
What changes is how we get there.
THE HORSE IS FREE TO CHOOSE.
No rope holding the horse there.
No rein creating the relationship.
No equipment making the decision for the horse.
And still, the horse can choose to stay.
Choose to connect.
Choose to learn.
Choose to perform.
THIS IS WHEN HORSES CHOOSE.
"WHC is guided by a hope — that together, we can create a shift in how we relate to horses"
When horses are free to choose, transformation begins — and there is a shift in their breath, posture, and especially their eyes. Tension gives way to trust. Resistance becomes relationship. This is the heart of When Horses Choose.
I teach clinics and courses in Denmark, the US, Brazil — and sometimes in other places like Iceland or China. I often welcome guests from many other countries in my stables I Denmark - just as I do one-one-one online video trainings with owners and horses all over the world.
Each year, I host youth camps in Denmark and Brazil. These are about much more than riding — they also focus on personal leadership and emotional awareness through connecting with horses.
Beyond training, I work to protect wild horses, especially American mustangs. I follow and document herds in the US and Brazil. They inspire everything I do.
Whether I’m working with a family horse, a wild stallion, or a young rider, the message is the same: When we listen more and connect better, the horse shows us the way...
Use the top menu to see WHC's current activities in either Denmark, US or Brazil - in each place we have different events through out the year.
Below I will share some of my more recent blog posts highlighting key aspects of how we work with horses — and why it matters
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom' in California
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom', where the real horse 'Spirit' resides. Beautiful place where amazing work is done for the Mustangs. Magic experience. I met the foal (now 12 years old)... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•3 min read
Epic's Story
Epic with her two freeze marks from being captured twice. One on her neck and one on her back. First time she ended up being a brutally abused rodeo horse, next time she ended up in an illegal slaught... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
Visiting Florida Wild Horse Rescue in 2011
DescriptionIn the years leading up to 2011 I was following all the information about the federal round-ups of the mustangs. Many ugly stories and footage from the captures were available online and I ... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•4 min read
Galaxy - The Mustang with the blue eyes
Galaxy is one of the wild Mustangs captured in one of the federal round-ups in the wild dessert and now (luckily) ended up at the Mustang rescue 'Return Freedom'. He will have good life and freedom fo... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
New Jersey: Moonlight - 18 years old gelding and had never been ridden
I was working with Moonlight for a few days in a NJ Clinic. He was already 18 years old and the owner would like to be able to ride him. ...more
Clinics US
August 12, 2025•1 min read
Philadelphia: Riesling - 3 year old sports horse
Riesling is a sweet and beautiful 3 years old mare. She lives in a stall most of the day, every day - besides a few hours alone in a paddock. ...more
Clinics US
August 12, 2025•2 min read
The Magic of Working Together in Horsemanship
Visiting the horsemanship star and true horse artist, Christophe Chaussy, in France
I always seek to collaborate with other horsemanship trainers – or skilled horse trainers in general. To me, it is not essential that we agree on every single detail or come from the exact same background.
What truly matters is that we all share the same purpose: improving horses’ welfare and health. And that we bring with us curiosity, knowledge, and a genuine interest in practicing and showcasing softer approaches — liberty, light equipment, and a no-force philosophy. I am always happy to invite other trainers – from both Denmark and abroad – to collaborate with me at events or in other contexts where it makes sense.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit – in my eyes – one of the very best riders and horse trainers in the world, Christophe Chaussy in France. In my opinion, he is among a very small handful of the absolute top trainers worldwide. His skill is nothing short of extraordinary.
Visiting him at his place in France only confirmed to me how exceptionally talented he truly is. Although he has not previously explored or realised that it is possible to also ride dressage bitless he always had a wish to do so - he just didn't know it was actually possible. He is without doubt a horsemanship star through and through.
Watching him train his horses moved me deeply, and it was immediately clear that, to him, his horses are an essential part of the family. That shines through in every aspect of his work and life.
I couldn’t be more proud — seeing Christophe Chaussy ride in my bitless bridle. And once again it proves to me that if he could make this transition in just one week, then perhaps the transition to riding bitless is easier than many riders might imagine.
During my visit, I gave Christophe a few of my own bitless bridles. He told me that he would train with them the following week, leading up to a major horse show in France the next weekend. His plan was to train bitless all week – and then perform at the show in a bitless bridle.
I was very curious to see how it would turn out, especially considering the number of horses he usually rides at the same time in the arena. But of course, it went beautifully. The following week, Christophe performed his horse show both in a bitless bridle and even with cordeo.
I had sent a photographer to capture clips from the show and to get a comment from Christophe afterwards. Seeing it all come together filled me with nothing but admiration – for his great skill, his horsemanship talent, and the depth of his entire body of work.
We have already agreed to explore exciting ways of working together in the future, and several good ideas are already in motion. You will definitely hear more about this collaboration. I can hardly wait...
If other trainers out there is interested in collaboration, mail me at [email protected].
See clips from Christophe's show in France below. In a bitless bridle and in a cordeo. I am not surprised, but I am impressed!
The Magic of Working Together in Horsemanship
Visiting the horsemanship star and true horse artist, Christophe Chaussy, in France
I always seek to collaborate with other horsemanship trainers – or skilled horse trainers in general. To me, it is not essential that we agree on every single detail or come from the exact same background.
What truly matters is that we all share the same purpose: improving horses’ welfare and health. And that we bring with us curiosity, knowledge, and a genuine interest in practicing and showcasing softer approaches — liberty, light equipment, and a no-force philosophy. I am always happy to invite other trainers – from both Denmark and abroad – to collaborate with me at events or in other contexts where it makes sense.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit – in my eyes – one of the very best riders and horse trainers in the world, Christophe Chaussy in France. In my opinion, he is among a very small handful of the absolute top trainers worldwide. His skill is nothing short of extraordinary.
Visiting him at his place in France only confirmed to me how exceptionally talented he truly is. Although he has not previously explored or realised that it is possible to also ride dressage bitless he always had a wish to do so - he just didn't know it was actually possible. He is without doubt a horsemanship star through and through.
Watching him train his horses moved me deeply, and it was immediately clear that, to him, his horses are an essential part of the family. That shines through in every aspect of his work and life.
I couldn’t be more proud — seeing Christophe Chaussy ride in my bitless bridle. And once again it proves to me that if he could make this transition in just one week, then perhaps the transition to riding bitless is easier than many riders might imagine.
During my visit, I gave Christophe a few of my own bitless bridles. He told me that he would train with them the following week, leading up to a major horse show in France the next weekend. His plan was to train bitless all week – and then perform at the show in a bitless bridle.
I was very curious to see how it would turn out, especially considering the number of horses he usually rides at the same time in the arena. But of course, it went beautifully. The following week, Christophe performed his horse show both in a bitless bridle and even with cordeo.
I had sent a photographer to capture clips from the show and to get a comment from Christophe afterwards. Seeing it all come together filled me with nothing but admiration – for his great skill, his horsemanship talent, and the depth of his entire body of work.
We have already agreed to explore exciting ways of working together in the future, and several good ideas are already in motion. You will definitely hear more about this collaboration. I can hardly wait...
If other trainers out there is interested in collaboration, mail me at [email protected].
See clips from Christophe's show in France below. In a bitless bridle and in a cordeo. I am not surprised, but I am impressed!
The future is bitless...
...and I encourage all my students and clients to go bitless. There is really no difference once you try and your horse will most likely appreciate it. We know from various studies that bits can damage the horses teeth, jaws, tongue bone etc.
In all my clinics or camps around the world, I haven't met one rider that wasn't able to ride bitless so after just 1-2 days of training - many never going back to riding with a bit again.
In my webshop you will find bitless bridles of my own design and production, all padded with a memory foam layer on all pressure points. And cordeos in all colors and styles.
My bitless bridles comes in a traditional vegan leather version and a new braided cord version. You'll find my webshop in the top menu above.
See my video about using bidless bridles in general
See my video about riding with a bitless bridle
See my video about riding with a cordeo
The future is bitless...
…and I encourage all my students and clients to go bitless. There is really no difference once you try – and your horse will likely appreciate it. It’s not just a trend — it’s a shift toward greater awareness and connection with our horses.
We now have solid scientific research showing that traditional bits can cause harm to sensitive structures in the horse’s mouth, including the teeth, jaw, tongue, and the delicate hyoid (tongue) bone. In addition, the bit exerts pressure against the hard palate and the underlying cranial bones, which can contribute to microtrauma within the skull itself. Equally important, the bit is in direct contact with the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve.
Repeated irritation of this nerve is believed to play a role in trigeminal neuralgia — the neurological condition underlying most cases of equine “headshaking syndrome.” This syndrome involves neuropathic sensitization of the trigeminal nerve, resulting in chronic pain responses and hypersensitivity in the facial region.
In all my clinics or camps around the world, I haven't met one rider that wasn't able to ride bitless after just 1–2 days of training with my method — most of them never going back to riding with a bit again. Even riders who are hesitant at first are surprised at how natural and intuitive it feels.
In my webshop you will find bitless bridles of my own design and production, all padded with a memory foam layer on all pressure points. And cordeos in all colors and styles. My bitless bridles come in a traditional vegan leather version and a new braided cord version. You can find my webshop in the top menu above.
If you're curious, I invite you to explore — and experience what happens when we listen more and connect better...
See my video about using bidless bridles
See my video about riding with a bitless bridle
See my video about riding with a cordeo
WHC is driven by a vision —
that together, we can create a shift in how we relate to horses
The heart of When Horses Choose is knowing that when horses are free to choose, transformation begins — and there is a sudden shift in their breath, posture, and especially their eyes. At the very center of this transformation is love — a universal energy that every living being recognizes and responds to, creating immediate trust and safety.
At WHC, we also look at all aspects of the horse’s life and well-being — its physical condition, living environment, herd and social needs, turnout opportunities, feeding and daily care. True connection can only grow when the horse’s basic needs for health and welfare are respected.
I teach clinics and courses in Denmark and abroad. I often welcome guests from many other countries in my stables I Denmark - just as I do one-one-one online video trainings with owners and horses all over the world.
Each year, I host youth and teens camps in Denmark and Brazil. The camps are about much more than riding — they also focus on personal leadership, emotional awareness and social intelligence through connecting with horses.
Beyond training, I am engaged in protecting wild horses, especially the American mustangs. I follow and document herds in the US and Brazil. They inspire everything I do.
Whether I’m working with a family horse, a wild stallion, or a young rider, the message is the same: When we listen more and connect better, the horse shows us the way...
Use the top menu to see WHC's current activities in either Denmark or Brazil - in each place we have different events through out the year.
To the right I will share some of my more recent blog posts highlighting key aspects of our work with horses — and why it matters...
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom' in California
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom', where the real horse 'Spirit' resides. Beautiful place where amazing work is done for the Mustangs. Magic experience. I met the foal (now 12 years old)... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•3 min read
Epic's Story
Epic with her two freeze marks from being captured twice. One on her neck and one on her back. First time she ended up being a brutally abused rodeo horse, next time she ended up in an illegal slaught... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
Visiting Florida Wild Horse Rescue in 2011
DescriptionIn the years leading up to 2011 I was following all the information about the federal round-ups of the mustangs. Many ugly stories and footage from the captures were available online and I ... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•4 min read
Galaxy - The Mustang with the blue eyes
Galaxy is one of the wild Mustangs captured in one of the federal round-ups in the wild dessert and now (luckily) ended up at the Mustang rescue 'Return Freedom'. He will have good life and freedom fo... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
WHC is driven by a vision — that together, we can create a shift in how we relate to horses
When horses are free to choose, transformation begins — and there is a shift in their breath, posture, and especially their eyes. Tension gives way to trust. Resistance becomes relationship. This is the heart of When Horses Choose.
I teach clinics and courses in Denmark, the US, Brazil — and sometimes in other places like Iceland or China. I often welcome guests from many other countries in my stables I Denmark - just as I do one-one-one online video trainings with owners and horses all over the world.
Each year, I host youth camps in Denmark and Brazil. These are about much more than riding — they also focus on personal leadership and emotional awareness through connecting with horses.
Beyond training, I work to protect wild horses, especially American mustangs. I follow and document herds in the US and Brazil. They inspire everything I do.
Whether I’m working with a family horse, a wild stallion, or a young rider, the message is the same: When we listen more and connect better, the horse shows us the way...
Use the top menu to see WHC's current activities in either Denmark, US or Brazil - in each place we have different events through out the year.
Below I will share some of my more recent blog posts highlighting key aspects of how we work with horses — and why it matters
The heart of When Horses Choose is knowing that when horses are free to choose, transformation begins — and there is a sudden shift in their breath, posture, and especially their eyes. At the very center of this transformation is love — a universal energy that every living being recognizes and responds to, creating immediate trust and safety.
At WHC, we also look at all aspects of the horse’s life and well-being — its physical condition, living environment, herd and social needs, turnout opportunities, feeding and daily care. True connection can only grow when the horse’s basic needs for health and welfare are respected.
I teach clinics and courses in Denmark and abroad. I often welcome guests from many other countries in my stables I Denmark - just as I do one-one-one online video trainings with owners and horses all over the world.
Each year, I host youth and teens camps in Denmark and Brazil. The camps are about much more than riding — they also focus on personal leadership, emotional awareness and social intelligence through connecting with horses.
Beyond training, I am engaged in protecting wild horses, especially the American mustangs. I follow and document herds in the US and Brazil. They inspire everything I do.
Whether I’m working with a family horse, a wild stallion, or a young rider, the message is the same: When we listen more and connect better, the horse shows us the way...
Use the top menu to see WHC's current activities in either Denmark, US or Brazil - in each place we have different events through out the year.
Below I will share some of my more recent blog posts highlighting key aspects of our work with horses — and why it matters...
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom' in California
Visiting the mustang rescue 'Return to Freedom', where the real horse 'Spirit' resides. Beautiful place where amazing work is done for the Mustangs. Magic experience. I met the foal (now 12 years old)... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•3 min read
Epic's Story
Epic with her two freeze marks from being captured twice. One on her neck and one on her back. First time she ended up being a brutally abused rodeo horse, next time she ended up in an illegal slaught... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
Visiting Florida Wild Horse Rescue in 2011
DescriptionIn the years leading up to 2011 I was following all the information about the federal round-ups of the mustangs. Many ugly stories and footage from the captures were available online and I ... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•4 min read
Galaxy - The Mustang with the blue eyes
Galaxy is one of the wild Mustangs captured in one of the federal round-ups in the wild dessert and now (luckily) ended up at the Mustang rescue 'Return Freedom'. He will have good life and freedom fo... ...more
Mustang, WIld horses, USA ,Mustangs, Wild horses, USA
August 19, 2025•2 min read
