Horses know better
During our lifetime, we all experience pain; no one is spared. However, the way we handle it can vary greatly. In Horses Know Better, author Ilse Melotte explains how these animals can help us map out our own identity and guide us toward a fulfilling life.
Over the centuries, these majestic animals have developed survival strategies from which humans can also draw great wisdom. They provide us with insights that make us stronger within our human herd systems, both at home and at work. Together with the horses – at a walk, trot, or gallop – we embark on new, better paths.
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- Price: €25.99 incl. VAT
- Publisher: Borgerhoff & Lamberigts
What to Expect:
- Ancient Wisdom: Learn how horses communicate and function within their herd and discover how these natural dynamics provide valuable lessons for our daily lives.
- Personal Growth: Find out how the wisdom of horses can contribute to your own personal development and leadership.
- Practical Exercises: Experience concrete tips and exercises to strengthen your connection with yourself and others by applying the lessons learned from the horses.
- Unique Photography: All the images in this beautifully illustrated book were taken at Hof van 't Rommersum, the silent farm, and feature the horses of Horse Act, the true authors of this book.
Our Mission? Growing and learning with horses. Horse Act guides teams and individuals towards more balance, connection, and better performance.
42 Inspiration Cards - Paarden weten beter
Let yourself be inspired every day by the gentle yet powerful wisdom of horses. The 42 Horses Know Better inspiration cards contain short, impactful messages and images that invite self-reflection, awareness and personal growth.
Instantly available for only €5,99 as a high-resolution PDF — perfect for viewing on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or for printing at home.
Perfect for daily inspiration, coaching or guidance sessions andoments of rest and reflection. After registering, you’ll receive the download link directly in your inbox.
ebook - The Silent Language
What can people learn from horses about leadership, authenticity and energy management?
- Imagine if your life was running smoothly and you could be more efficient but also effective in what you did. That you could be more economical in your personal energy management and no longer experience the feeling of being lived. That you would find internal peace.
- Imagine if you could be 100% yourself, powerful in difficult situations, beyond the fear of negative 'judgment' or the fear of hurting others. Beyond irrational expectations of family or friends and especially beyond your self-imposed limitations.
- Imagine if you could live your truth and hold on to that feeling of confidence. That you could make your unique contribution to this world based on the conviction that you are good and are doing well. That you could fully commit to what is really important to you, at work but also at home.
That is what this booklet is about. To better understand the lessons of horses, we first zoom in on the experience of horses and then build the bridge to our human being. Because we can (still) learn a lot from these beautiful noble animals.
ebook - Horsepower
A horse is a flight animal and will never waste unnecessary energy, but it does respond to the slightest change in environmental energy. And that is how horses communicate with each other: with energetic 'pressure'.
We use this sensitivity when learning with horses. Our energetic appearance is driven by feelings, thoughts and subconscious beliefs. By mirroring your behavior, the horse provides feedback and you will find answers to the following questions:
- How does someone else see me? What do I radiate?
- What are my qualities? And my blind spots?
- How does my energy management work, where are my losses?
- What is my energetic field - its nature, functioning and power?
- What is my energetic blueprint?
- How can I harness that horsepower within me? What's holding me back? And why ?
- How to live more intuitively and spend less time in my head?
So we get to know ourselves better based on the energy spectrum. And that leaves impressions that we will not soon forget!
ebook - Horsepower
Many take the path of personal growth... and don't give up when the going gets tough and really painful. They are go-getters, researchers. And after the workings of our energies become clear and hindering beliefs have been thrown overboard, we all end up with those same questions. Who am I? What is my objective? What does meaning mean to me? What really drives me in this life. How do I, as part of this great universe, become a better person and what can my contribution be?
Horses are a catalyst in this. They show us what this means. They really let us feel what that essence is and thus help us find answers to the following questions:
- Who am I?
- What am I doing here?
- What is my real purpose?
- What is meaningful living for me?
- How can I live more from that essence and what do I need for that?
- How can I hold on to this feeling of bliss?
- How can I further develop myself in this and still remain firmly grounded in life?
We get to know ourselves even further and we feel even more deeply. Because here we arrive at universal wisdom. That knowledge that the intellect cannot reach and that we do not learn at school. But whoever reactivates this wisdom (because it is present in everyone) will live a fulfilling life. Always.
The Italian Oak
Professor Gabriele Conti has been deeply immersed in psychiatric research since the death of his wife. Emergency doctor Monica Carlini is slowly burning out from a life spent in the service of others. After a burnout, Englishwoman Lisa Roberts opens her own dating agency in Milan. Three individuals, one quest.
Fate brings them together on a trek along the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route through Italy. Under a majestic oak tree in Lucca, something extraordinary happens...
The Italian Oak is an informative novel about love, meaning, and the invisible world around us.
“This book suggests that sooner or later, everyone has to cope with their fears and face personal limits in order to resolve them and ultimately meet their essence. In addition, the author’s opinion is that love may be both the goal and the instrument to deeply transform individuals and their lives, providing authentic joy.”
Professor of Psychiatry Donatella Marazziti, University of Pisa.
Bouwbedrijf
As a construction company, we’re used to working with hard materials, tight deadlines, and clear structures. But during our team event at Horse Act, we discovered something completely different: the gentle power of connection. Under the guidance of Ilse and her horses, we experienced how our communication, energy, and collaboration were quite literally reflected in the behavior of a horse. No masks, no hierarchy — just real interaction. It was both confronting and enlightening.
What struck us most? That true connection isn’t about control, but about trust and alignment. That realization was an eye-opener — not only for us as a team but also as leaders. The session with Lander, the wise leader of the herd, showed us how subtle leadership can be when it comes from a place of calm and respect. It’s an experience that will stay with us for a long time — on our worksites and in our meetings alike.
A unique and powerful day that brought us closer together as a team — and to ourselves. Highly recommended.
Katrin
“ I wanted to let you know how wonderful the workshop was and what beautiful reflections I received. Due to my enthusiasm it may not have been so clearly noticeable, but I am at a turning point in my life and starting yoga classes is a start of that. This comes with the necessary moments of doubt and uncertainty. I realize that I may not have stated this clearly, but at least your horses have responded to this 😊. I am very grateful that with all the information I see more pieces of the puzzle and can move a little further on my way..."
Bart from Tessenderlo
Naomi - daughter from Bornem
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful horse workshop you organized for my mother's birthday. It was a truly fantastic experience for her and she thoroughly enjoyed it.
The fact that the workshop not only included riding, but also taking the horse from the pasture and brushing it made it really special. My mother loved having such direct interaction with the horses and feeling more connected to these beautiful animals.”
Iris
“My horse was getting too old to compete anymore. Until I attended the groundwork workshop. Really cool, I didn't know there could be so much interaction between her and me. The horses of Rommersum are sweethearts. It was a very interesting course. ”
Eline from Wellen
Frieda uit Geel
"The Horse Power Scan was a truly eye-opening experience. Without needing many words, the horses showed me how I really show up — in life and in my work. What energy I radiate, how I use (or block) my inner strength, and where I still hold myself back. The session took place in the peaceful surroundings of the Horse Act retreat, in a natural, safe environment where you immediately feel: I can just be myself here. Ilse and her team guide the process with care and without judgment — but it’s the horses who do the real work: pure, intuitive, and honest. You immediately sense what’s aligned — and what’s not. I discovered that I often try too hard, while it’s actually my softness that allows for true connection. That insight hit me deeply, not because someone told me, but because I felt it — through the horse’s response to my presence. The combination of the typetest results, the live interaction with the horse, and the debriefing afterwards makes this a very transformative journey. No fluff, just clear and meaningful feedback you can actually use — both in your professional and personal life... the Horse Power Scan is an absolute must."
Esther & Fleur
" Wat gebeurt er als je je jaarplan laat beginnen met… een paardencoaching? Meer dan je denkt.
Een keer per jaar plannen sparringpartner Fleur de Bruijn en ik (Esther Janssen) in december een moment van reflectie in. Dit jaar kreeg onze traditie een bijzondere dimensie, want die stond volledig in het teken van iets nieuws: paardencoaching.
Niet verrassend, want wij zijn allebei paardenmeisjes. 😊 We vulden vooraf twee vragenlijsten in, deden live sessies met Oya en Ucardo en ontvingen deze week onze uitgebreide testresultaten. Samen met ons Vision Board vormt dit de basis voor ons jaarplan 2026.
Waarom paarden coaching werkt: Paarden reageren niet op woorden, maar op energie, intentie en innerlijke congruentie.
Ze oordelen niet, maar spiegelen precies waar je staat. En ze volgen alleen wanneer het klopt: wanneer je gegrond, helder en aanwezig bent.
💚 Mijn sessie met Oya: Oya, de intuïtieve merrie, bood me een ongelooflijk heldere spiegel. Ze stond vaak achter me, alsof ze me wilde dragen, en liet direct merken wanneer ik uit contact met mezelf was. In een oefening kwam ze pas in beweging toen ik volledig gegrond stond. Adem laag, echt voelde en intentie helder. Mooi, verrassend en soms confronterend.
🔥 Fleur & Ucardo: Fleur werkte met Ucardo, de vlamhengst. Hij testte haar door in de hoek te blijven staan — een duidelijke krachtmeting. Fleur bleef rustig, stevig en bij zichzelf.
Esther’s belangrijkste inzichten voor 2026:
• Rustige kracht & zachte vastberadenheid
• Leiderschap vanuit visie & vuur
• Sterk in structuur, ritme en overzicht
• Ruimte innemen & energie belichamen
• Grenzen duidelijker uitspreken
Deze inzichten neem ik (Esther) mee in mijn Businessplan en Vision Board.
Voor mij wordt 2026 het jaar van energie belichamen, ruimte innemen en helderder communiceren, zonder mijn zachtheid te verliezen. "
Marijke
“Dear Ilse,
Coaching means going into depth. But it's so nice to give each other feedback in the middle of the horses. Forget everything for a moment and pay attention to yourself. And pay attention to pain points, to allow them to surface and release without too much pain. Indeed in a place in the here and now. Realizing that we are all perfectly fine. We can be there. Thank you. I return home with a warm feeling and a broad smile. Grateful and full of love. Love Marijke”
Sigrid - architect Dendermonde
was very much on my mind before, all the time actually. But during the sessions I was quietly invited to witness that horsepower, to embrace it… Fear gives way to confidence. How beautiful how the exercises with the horses are a great metaphor for what is happening deep within me. The area is the ideal setting. Very natural and you immediately feel at home, not judged and without expectations. Everything is OK. Rommersum, they are the right people in the right place
”.
