The biggest (and only) online ProPrio Training Course
WOULD YOU ALSO LIKE TO LEARN, HOW YOU CAN TRAIN YOUR HORSE TO BE STRONGER, MORE SUPPLE AND STEADY WITH SIMPLE EXERCISES?
If your answer is yes, then I can help you and your horse.
Actually, you can get started in three minutes...
Hello horse-friend
Do you wish you had a magic wand and could just sprinkle some fairy dust on your horse and make all your challenges disappear? That’s how I feel sometimes as a horse owner myself.
I’m not saying that ProPrio Training is such a magic wand.
But it’s the closest we as horse owners can get.
ProPrio has become my favorite training, when it comes to changing unfortunate patterns of movement or improving performance both in my own, but also my clients’ horses.
You get your personal login + invitation sent to your e-mail after payment.
NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may have problems watching the videos. Instead I recommend you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac).
ProPrio Training gives your horse a strong starting point
ProPrio Training is about giving the horse a strong starting point, a strong core stability. When the horse has a strong center, it can achieve a good posture and balance perfectly over its center of gravity - and that creates good movements in all gaits and disciplines.
In ProPrio Training, we work with relaxation, stretching, and suppleness exercises on a soft surface (mattresses and soft poles) to activate and stimulate the horse’s proprioceptors (motion sensors). In the rear part of the horse’s hooves there is a high concentration of receptors, which makes the surface crucial (I’ll tell you more about the equipment further down on the page in the Q and A section...there is a handy and cheap trick to it).
ProPrio Training is sensorimotor training, and it involves many senses. Sensory input is perceived and analyzed in the brain, which then gives feedback to the body about how it must respond to these sensory inputs. The word "proprio" in Latin means "one’s own", which, combined with “perception”, describes ProPrio Training really well - to train your own body perception (awareness).
ProPrio Training helps the horse maintain a good posture, so it can balance and coordinate its body in relation to the things it comes across during its life – or the challenges, we as horse owners present to the horse in our training.
ProPrio Training really is for everyone
Which horses would benefit from ProPrio Training? That’s a question I get a lot. And I understand why the question is raised. I know that your horse and the challenges, you face with your horse, may be unique. They’re not always the same challenges as the ones your neighbor’s or your friend’s horse have. But often the path out of your problems is similar, because increased stability, strength, and suppleness will give your horse the very best prerequisites for your daily training.
So if I could teach all horse owners to use ProPrio Training as a natural part of their training, I would be a very happy woman. I’m also happy now, but I would like to spread the knowledge of this kind of training to as many horse owners as humanly possible.
Because any horse (and horse owner) would benefit from it.
That’s one of the reasons I’ve created this online course.
To help.
No matter what type of horse, you have, it will benefit from training its stabilizer muscles, and through that achieve greater strength, suppleness, and balance. Here are some of the types of horses that have already benefitted from ProPrio Training:
- Young horses (from 1 year old) and horses being started
- Healthy and sound horses in training
- Senior horses and horses in recovery
- Western horses
- Dressage horses
- Vaulting and agility horses
- Driving horses and endurance horses
- Showjumping horses
- Hunting and eventing horses
- Icelandics and other gaited horses
- Racehorses
- and of course, also trail horses and “pasture ornaments”
All horses need a well-trained sense of movement
(watch the video and hear why)
If you’re using Internet Explorer right now, you may have problems watching the video.
Try using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac) instead.
You get your personal login + invitation sent to your e-mail after payment.
NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may have problems watching the videos. Instead I recommend you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac).
Is your horse injured?
Then you should train instead of giving him a complete holiday...
That used to be a normal way to deal with injured horses. Not training them at all if they were injured.
Some places, it’s still like that.…
But research shows that injured horses in pain should be trained so their stabilizer muscles don’t become weakened.
Studies* show that pain in horses leave the stabilizer muscles (core muscles) inactive, and they are not reactivated on their own. Reactivation requires targeted training of the stabilizer muscles.
That means that the injured horse in pain should not be taken completely out of training, as has been normal procedure.
Of course, the horse must have a break from the usual training and riding...
...but not from training the small but crucial stabilizer muscles.
ProPrio Training is exactly for training of the stabilizer muscles that are located along your horse’s spine. The muscles that, according to research, are inhibited when the horse is in pain - and not reactivated on their own.
That means that after a break due to injury, you will be left with a horse that has less balance and stability than before – if you don’t work with or train your horse at all.
NB: Has your horse been ordered confinement in a stall and complete rest?
It’s important for me to underline that if your horse has been ordered complete rest, you need to stick to it. Horses with tendon injuries, for example, require confinement and very controlled exercise in order to heal well. There are, however, plenty of exercises in ProPrio Training for horses in confinement as well – the standing exercises that engage the small stabilizer muscles which helps blood circulation in the horse’s body. The injured horse especially needs good blood circulation to promote the horse’s health and healing. It also stimulates the horse mentally – an important factor for all horses, but particularly horses in confinement, because they can become very frustrated during the time when they’re not allowed to move very much.
*Dynamic mobilisation exercises increase cross sectional area of musculus multifidus.
Stubbs NC, et al. Equine Vet J. 2011.
"ProPrio Training is always a good way out of a negative spiral or bad habit"
Most horse owners will face challenges in their daily training at one point or another. Such is the life of a horse owner. Some challenges are small, while others become huge and can leave even the most enthusiastic horse owner stumped.
ProPrio Training is a type of training that both prevents, but also restores. When you train ProPrio Training, you train the horse’s posture, suppleness, and strength, and through that, it can alleviate both smaller and larger issues. For example, when the horse:
- Has difficulty bending to one side or the other, or can readily perform exercises to one side, but not to the other.
- Falls out through the shoulder or hindquarters, struggles with straightness, cocks his head, or moves in more than two tracks (when the hind hoof print is not in line with the same side front).
- Struggles with transitions, is crossfiring at the canter, or often transitions into the wrong lead in canter on one side (left circle – right lead or the opposite).
- Easily loses focus, is sluggish, or runs.
- Is girthy, weaving, bucks, or rears up.
- Has (had) tendon injury, arthritis, misaligned sacrum, or hip issues.
- Is nervous, insecure, explosive, panics, or is overly alert.
- Is stressing out or is aggressive and angry.
Alle horses with one or more of these issues can benefit from ProPrio Training. Of course, it’s very important to have the horse examined first, determine the origin or cause of the issues, and start treatment if necessary. But ProPrio Training will always be a good way out of a negative spiral.
You get your personal login + invitation sent to your e-mail after payment.
NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may have problems watching the videos. Instead I recommend you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac).
I will guide you through all these steps – as if I was at the stables with you
You will learn the preliminary theory, so you are well-prepared and understand the point of each exercise. Most of the course is practical and focuses on the exercises that you will be shown in videos. The course will lead you through the 7 steps of ProPrio Training:
- Desensitizing
You will be guided through the desensitizing process. The more focus and attention you give this part, the better your result will be in the end. That’s why you also get step by step videos with examples of how to work with your horse at this step. - Body relaxation
The relaxation exercises become, for most people, a great little break with their horse. You will learn relaxation exercises for the whole horse, from muzzle to tail, while also learning how you relax your own body as a rider. - Stretching
You learn stretching exercises to extend the horse’s warm muscles and tendons gently, and through that achieve more supple and dynamic muscles and tendons. - Coordination and Balance
You will learn small and simple swaying exercises and coordination exercises. Here’s where you’ll really start to feel the effects of your training, and most people see an effect on their other training very quickly, once they’ve started the balance and coordination exercises. - Shape
Poor shape and movement in the horse’s body is something, I see with many of the horses I meet as an equine dentist and chiropractor. Fortunately, we can fix it with some simple exercises and a lot of patience. You learn how to shape your horse on the longe and with a rider with the help of poles and mattresses. - Strength
When the horse’s small stabilizer muscles are well-trained, you can start to work on the large muscles, the movers. In this part, I will show you how to strengthen the horse’s body without losing focus on the stabilizing muscle groups. - Challenges
Some challenges are positive - you may have training goals. Now it’s time to revisit those goals – I’ll show you how to work towards them. Other challenges are more troublesome – for example injuries and unwanted or dangerous behavior. In this step, I’ll also address horses with injuries.
In other words, you learn how using the ProPrio exercises can make your horse stronger, more supple, and more balanced as a whole. You’ll also learn exactly how to do the exercises, and how you can modify them to fit your horse’s needs and challenges right now. As if I was at the stables with you.
You get access right away
You get access to everything right away. That means that the moment you register, you will receive your personal login and a link to the course.
All videos are located there, so you can watch and review the videos at whatever pace suits you best. And most importantly: you can bring the videos with you to the stables and watch them before you do the exercises.
This is what it looks like when you log in




Your personal training guidebook
(with over 100 videos available to you)
Even though I call it an online course and of course recommend that you start by reviewing the material in the order that I’ve set it up in, you can log on the page at any time and find exactly the exercise you need for that particular training session
Maybe you need to find inspiration for relaxation exercises. Or maybe you’d like to work more with your horse’s coordination and balance. Perhaps you need to rewatch the video where I show you how to improve the haunches-in by using ProPrio Training. It’s all ready for you on the page like an enormous guidebook to inspire your daily training.
*** BONUS ***
In addition to the thorough introduction, examples, and exercises in the seven fundamental steps of ProPrio Training, I have added extra videos and materials for you, so you can continue to be inspired.
Bonus 1: ProPrio Training in nature
I have recorded some exercises and ideas for how you can benefit from training in nature – I take you with me out and show you how I train walk, trot, and canter on hills, how I train lateral work on hills, and finally why "roadwork" is a good idea.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bonus 2: Access to closed Facebook group (only for subscribers) where you can share with other participants
I will also add articles and news in the group, when I find studies, surveys, and research that’s relevant to you.
100% guaranteed satisfaction
If you’re not satisfied, you get your money back. I would hate receiving money from a client who is not happy and satisfied. I know that this works. That’s why I’m so excited about it. But if you experience that after having completed the course and done all the exercises, your horse has not improved, and you have had your horse examined for underlying issues by an equine chiropractor, then of course I will give you your money back.
Why do I do it – offer a satisfaction guarantee? Because I know that if you do the exercises and follow my instruction, and if your horse has no issues in his/her body, then you will see your horse improving.
To get your money back, you just have to send me videos, where you show the exercises to me and a journal from your equine chiropractor that shows your horse does not have imbalances or other issues that could be the cause of the missing results. Then I will return your money. That is my guarantee to you.
You get your personal login + invitation sent to your e-mail after payment.
NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may have problems watching the videos. Instead I recommend you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac).
"You can stop the video as you go, then work with the horse, before watching a bit more, taking it step by step."
I had an injured horse that was not allowed to be ridden, so she just stood there and lost muscle mass etc. Then I read about ProPrio Training and thought that was a good idea, so I could work a bit with my horse again, because I was out of ideas for exercises, I could do without making the injury on her leg worse. So I have definitely been able to use some of the different exercises available. Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten very far with the course. But I will definitely start with my new horse, and I will also be booking an appointment to visit Heidi and try out the real equipment.
I chose ProPrio Training Online because it makes a lot of sense for me. How it’s set up and that you can always watch the videos. I tend to lose focus when I have to sit and read everything, and it can be hard to understand specifically what to do. But this is just so easy and straight forward. The way it’s organized, and if you know what you’re looking for, it’s very easy to find it on the page.
I lost my horse due to the injury, so unfortunately it wasn’t possible for the training to fix anything. But I got closer to my horse in the end, by doing some of these exercises right up until the end.
Something I was very happy about was the way it’s structured. And that I can see everything being done in the videos, instead of always having to read about it and being left insecure and wondering if what you’re doing is right or wrong. I think the videos are great and I will always prefer that.
I really liked that you could always go back. You can stop the video as you go, then work with the horse, before watching a bit more, taking it step by step. And the tools and the knowledge you get along with it. It’s just a really good course to find solutions.
It wasn’t long from I ordered until I was logged on and started on my page. That was great.
I would definitely recommend ProPrio Training Online, and I have recommended it to others. I think it’s a great way of training, and more people should be using it.
Steffi Christensen
"The course has given me a 6-year-old gelding with great balance, and movement"
I signed up for ProPrio Training Online, because I would like to give my young gelding the best possible conditions to build muscle and train balance BEFORE starting under saddle to ensure that I have a healthy and steady horse for many years to come, and because Heidi told me about ProPrio Training during one of her visits as chiropractor and it just made sense. So when the online course came out, I chose to buy access because it would be a great help to me when training alone.
ProPrio Training Online has given me a 6-year-old gelding with great balance, and movement - also when turned out - and therefore loses very little muscle mass in times when he’s not ridden very often.
Something I really loved is that not everything is done from the back of the horse, but a lot is trained from the ground. And in addition to strengthening the horse’s body, it also strengthens the bond between horse and rider. It gave me a way to train my young horse’s muscles and balance BEFORE starting him - something I had been looking for for a while but hadn’t found. So it gave me an opportunity to train his whole body and not just drag him around on the longe.
The whole experience from signing up to getting started was really simple and easy - and it awesome that it’s so easy to go back, if you’re standing on the training grounds and have forgotten something, like after the summer holiday for example.
I often recommend ProPrio Training Online to others, because it’s a way of training that’s gentle for the horse while being really effective. It can be used for basically anything – from training to rehabilitation.
Lisa Holst Nicolajsen
Owner of a 6-year-old Frederiksborger gelding
"The vet was surprised by how well the horse had stayed in shape during the recovery period"
Min horse injured a tendon in a front leg and faced a longer period of stall confinement and exercise in hand. The challenge was to keep it supple and minimize muscle loss, while reducing the risk of new injuries during rehabilitation. That’s why I signed up for the ProPrio Training Online course.
I was looking for methods of training a horse that wasn’t allowed to move much and certainly not in a circle. I had already heard Heidi speak about the importance of the stabilizer muscles.
I used the course by picking from the videos as the horse was allowed to move more and more. When the horse could be ridden at a walk again, it was just as supple as before the injury. The vet was surprised by how well the horse had stayed in shape during the recovery period.
Something I especially liked was that exercises are done standing or at a very slow pace and always with a relaxed horse. That turned out to be very effective. The training is done on the horse’s terms. If my horse is relaxed, it’s feeling good and is participating, and then you’ll see the effect of the exercises.
The videos in the course are high quality and very illustrative, and the exercises are easy and don’t take long. For example, the swaying exercise can be done anywhere and only takes a few seconds. I typically spend 15 minutes on a training, and I don’t have an expensive mattress, but use soft poles with sawdust in them that the horse can step on and walk over. I can make a course quickly. It’s also great that you continue to have access to the videos as needed.
I recommend ProPrio Training, because I can see that it increases my horse’s body awareness and balance and makes it more steady on its legs in the field and in varied terrain.
Ellen Andersen
Owner of a 25-year-old Danish Warmblood mare that is ridden and does groundwork every day
"I especially like that it’s on the horse’s terms"
I signed up for ProPrio Online because I have a five-gaited Icelandic that’s hypermobile. And it sounded like a great supplement. The course looked professional. And I needed ideas for exercises.
The videos in the course helped me by having a lot of information. It was nice to sit in peace and quiet, and to be able to go back if something wasn’t working. Something I’m very happy with is that it fits me great, because I ride academic dressage and do a lot of lateral movements. I don’t do traditional longeing. And I was already doing stretches. Now we do them on a mattress. I especially like that it’s on the horse’s terms with focus on cooperation. The horse takes part in the work, and it must be soft and relaxed.
I recommend ProPrio Training Online because it is a way to supplement your training that gives great results. It’s nice time to have with the horse, and the positive effects can be felt on the horse.
Annette Degn Marcher
Owner of a 10-year-old Icelandic Horse.
"A bit like having a lesson, but being able to rewind and getting things explained one more time"
I signed up for ProPrio Training Online because I had just bought a horse with sidebone. On top of his condition, his balance was poor, and he lacked strength. I wanted to build a good core strength and balance, so he could become a riding horse again, without long-lasting problems caused by his condition.
I had read about the positive effects of ProPrio Training in horses with sidebone, and it was a training philosophy that fit well with the way I already train my horses.
We are still working on it, but I have experienced a massive change in my horse’s movements. I also use ProPrio Training for my horses in training and here I also see a clear effect, as the horses gain more body awareness and are able to work with their bodies more beneficially.
In the case of my horse with sidebone, I’m certain that his problems with balance have improved more quickly and efficiently, than if I had trained as I normally would. In addition, he has become more confident working at a distance from me, after he became familiar with the mattresses.
I especially liked the whole idea behind the training, and I love the videos that show how you work with each exercise individually. It’s been a bit like having a lesson but being able to rewind and getting things explained one more time.
I recommend ProPrio Training Online to others because I myself have experienced what an effect it has had on several horses and how the videos have helped me use the tools in the best possible way.
Cecilie Skov Mathiesen
Owner of a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding with sidebone and challenges with his balance
"It keeps the horse cool"
I signed up for ProPrio Training Online because I had a trotter with issues (back, balance and more), who had been through pretty much everything, and that’s why I decided to try this. In addition, I use it for all my horses as prevention. It sounded interesting and it was an opportunity to try a kind of training that I didn’t know much about.
I use the exercises from ProPrio Training Online as prevention and mental training for my horses. The training gives you attentive horses that learn how to focus better. It keeps the horse cool, and, to me, that’s an important quality in a racehorse. The whole horse is strengthened by the training, and it builds trust between horse and human.
Something I really liked was that I could use it when I have time, because it’s an online course.
Kirsten Rask
Harness racing trainer
"It is good training, which has become an integrated part of my dealings and companionship with my horses"
I actually didn’t have a specific problem, but just an interest in doing nice things with my horses. That’s why I chose to sign up for ProPrio Training Online and because I am very fond of Heidi’s approach and her videos.
I was especially happy about the horse itself taking part in achieving better balance and greater awareness of its own body. That’s nice. I also liked the versatility of the course, and I appreciated Heidi’s calm, gentle, and patient approach to everything.
For me, the videos work great, and I watch them now and again to revise and I hand-pick from them to clarify the exercises. It is good training, which has become an integrated part of my dealings and companionship with my horses.
I recommend ProPrio Training Online because Heidi’s videos are good, and because it’s a great way to spend time with your horses.
Anette Grøn
Owner of two Icelandic Horses (6 and 11 years old) and two Shetlands (8 and 10 years old)
“It can be used for horses of all ages”
I signed up for ProPrio Training Online because I was looking for something to supplement the regular training, as it’s great to have other tools. And it also strengthens the horse. In addition, I wanted to find something that would work well with my ST training. I thought Heidi’s online course sounded interesting, and especially that I could look at it when I had time and felt like it.
Something I was especially happy about was that it can be used for horses of all ages. And when we also have young horses, it’s great. I like Heidi’s calm approach – also regarding desensitizing to poles. I recommend ProPrio Training Online to others who would also like a course they can follow whenever they have time, which is handy in the sometimes busy everyday life.
Agnethe Kristensen
Owner of 5 Icelandic Horses, ages 3 months to 12 years old
"I would never have thought it would be that effective"
It’s just gone so incredibly well. I had a feeling that ProPrio could help us, but I would never have thought it would be that effective. I really think a lot has happened with her. We’ve had a good start with riding, and she’s very relaxed. I’ve just started doing sitting trot a little, and she’s really cool about it. It was a big problem before, because she would tense up when I did sitting trot. It’s a really big deal.
Kristina Kristensen
Questions and answers about the course
Do I have to spend a lot of money on ProPrio equipment?
No, that’s not necessary at all. And especially not to begin with. If you get two regular used foam mattresses (maybe you can find some at a thrift shop or something). One you can cut up into four long pieces, which will give you four soft poles and one whole mattress.
The simple starting kit looks like this: One mattress and four soft poles, and then you’re set to start. If you can begin with the long (3 meters) poles, that’s best, but the short ones will also do just fine. That means, if you’re lucky enough to have two old foam mattresses lying around, or get them second-hand, you’ll be able to start up without expenses.
(The “real” ProPrio equipment is of course more durable and made specifically for the purpose, so if you can get a hold of it, maybe pooling together with others at your stables, I would always recommend that.)
How long do I have access to the videos?
Always and as long as you need. You get your personal login as soon as you register. Your personal login gives you access to the course right away, and indefinitely.
What if I don’t have time to watch all the videos right away?
That doesn’t matter at all. You can take the course in your own time. That’s the whole point of this online course. You have access to the material 24/7 and indefinitely. Actually, I encourage everyone to go slow, and not rush through the exercises. Use all the time you need.
Will this course help my horse specifically?
Of course, that depends on the types of issues and challenges you’re facing right now. If I could teach all horse owners to use ProPrio Training as a natural part of their training, I would be a very happy woman. Because any horse (not to mention horse owner) would benefit from it. That’s one of the reasons I’ve created this online course. To help.
You are of course welcome to write to me at post@heidi-nielsen.dk, if you are in doubt, whether this course will help you and your horse.
If you have questions about the course, write to me at post@heidi-nielsen.dk.
You get your personal login + invitation sent to your e-mail after payment.
NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may have problems watching the videos. Instead I recommend you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (mac).