From Germany to New Zealand – A Journey of Transformation

Hi, I’m Britta – Your Guide to Comfort, Confidence & Connection, often also called “The Calming Coach” by clients.

Occupational Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Stress Relief Coach, and Rider Confidence Specialist
​with 25+ years of experience in holistic therapy.

I’m originally from northern Germany and moved to New Zealand in 2015 to follow my heart
(and my Kiwi husband 😉). You can see me and my American Pain Horse “Sunny” in the pictures here.

As a lifelong rider and horsewoman, I understand how deeply connected our body, mind, and nervous system are when we work with horses. I also know first-hand how fear, tension, pain, overthinking, and stress can affect both rider confidence and the relationship with your horse.

After my own riding accident and recovery journey, I became passionate about helping riders feel calm, confident, balanced, and connected again — both in and out of the saddle.

My work combines:

  • nervous system regulation

  • hypnotherapy & mindset work

  • somatic movement & body awareness

  • stress relief & emotional support

  • Yoga and Breathwork

  • deep understanding of horse and rider dynamics

Alongside my professional background as an Occupational Therapist, I also spent many years working on a horse farm in Germany with breeding, young horses, training, showing, and daily horse care. Since 2011, I have also worked as a bodyworker for horses, specialising in Craniosacral Therapy and nervous system regulation.

I support riders who:

  • struggle with fear or confidence after accidents or setbacks

  • feel tense, stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected

  • experince pain or stiffness in their body

  • overthink while riding

  • want a calmer, more trusting partnership with their horse

My approach is gentle, practical, and tailored to you. Sessions are designed to help you feel safer in your body, calmer in your mind, and more able to enjoy riding again.

Because when the rider feels safe and balanced, the horse feels it too.

Britta and her American Paint Horse Sunny in Germany
Britta experinced a fall with her horse and used hypnotherapy to overcome her fear and enjoy riding again.
Britta Bruns is a lifelong rider and your expert in confidence coaching for riders.
Britta is also a bodyworker for horses using connection and gentle approaches to enable release and relaxation.
Britta is calm and present when helping horses release tension through bodywork.
Britta using gentle touch on the poll and forehead helping the horse deeply relax.

Training & Qualifications

Professional Background

  • Qualified Occupational Therapist (Germany) with 25+ years of experience supporting physical, emotional, and nervous system wellbeing

  • Rehabilitation Coach supporting people recovering after an accident

  • Holistic Mind-Body Coach specialising in pain relief, stress management, and confidence coaching for equestrians

Specialist Studies & Certification

  • Advanced Hypnotherapy Practitioner

  • Master Practitioner NLP

  • Clinical Somatic Exercise & movement instructor

  • Nervous System Regulation Coach

  • Stress Management

  • Mindfulness Practitioner

  • Yoga Instructor

  • Adnanced Behaviour Change for clinical practise

  • Rider Mind - Body Coaching

Equine Experience & Studies

  • Lifelong rider with personal understanding of rider fear, tension, overthinking, and confidence challenges

  • 15 years working on a horse farm in Germany assisting with:

    • breeding & foaling

    • young horse handling & training support

    • showing & competition preparation

    • daily horse care and management

    • assisting vets and farriers

  • Experience assisting riders and horses at German & European Championships for American Paint Horses

  • Horse bodyworker since 2011 specialising in:

    • Craniosacral Therapy for horses

    • Nervous System Regulation practices

  • Ongoing studies in:

    • equine behaviour & stress responses

    • neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory in horses

    • pain signals and body awareness

    • relationship-based horsemanship and connection-first approaches

My Approach

I combine professional therapeutic training, practical horse experience, and a deep understanding of the horse-rider connection to help riders feel calm, comfortable , confident, and therefore more connected with their horses.

Have a Question? Ask Away!

I am happy to hear from you.