About Nicolett

After achieving a Masters degree in Science of Education in 1994, Nicolett started to work full time on professional stud farms for warmbloods in Germany gaining vast experience in horse breeding, breaking in & schooling.

Nicolett qualified with a Diploma in Horse Breeding, Training and Care. During years of working with high profile sporthorses in Dressage & Show Jumping including the PSI stable run by Ulrich Kasselmann and Paul Schockemöhle, Nicolett developed a passion for Horse Anatomy & Biomechanics.

She then worked & studied for 2.5 years at the German Institute for Horse Osteopathy (DIPO), one of Germany's leading educational Institutes for Horse and Canine Osteotherapy / Physiotherapy. Established in 1997, it provides education on the highest standards with nationally and internationally recognized experts in the industry . There Nicolett qualified as a DIPO Equine Therapist. During her time in the institute, Nicolett took part in and completed all equine courses several times, such as Physiotherapy, Acupressure, Stress-Point-Therapy (Jack Meagher), Fascial Release Techniques, First aid for horses, Saddle-fitting and Nutrition. She also carried out treatments for horses including Laser-therapy, Matrix-Therapy, Medication, as well as assisting with numerous equine osteopathy treatments.

Since January 2006 Nicolett has been permanently based in New Zealand. She has been tutoring and coaching students at the National Equestrian Academy for 6 years and in March 2012 she worked alongside vets/veterinary surgeons in an equine referral hospital for 2.5 years where she attended surgeries, scintigraphy examinations and did physiotherapeutic post-management in several cases.

In August 2012 Nicolett commenced intensive clinical Training in Equine Spinal Adjustments with Dr. Joy White (Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Veterinary Chiropractor) and since September 2014 Nicolett has been working full time in Canterbury under her ‘Living Anatomy of the Horse’ business alongside Dr Joy White’s ‘Select Health’. In 2018 Nicolett became a FEI Permitted Equine Therapist and is one of just a few practitioners in New Zealand who carry this accreditation. In December 2022 Nicolett completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education endorsed in Clinical Education in one-year part time study at the University of Otago.

Nicolett annually visits the "Deutsches Institut fuer Pferdeosteopathie" DIPO for her own CPD, this is a requirement for keeping her licence, and to catch up with expert knowledge in current developments, research and education in health management for horses.

Putting theory into practice

Not just a practitioner - Nicolett is also a rider, in and around a full calendar of bookings Nicolett continues to train and compete Tyson while Spot On and Tinks are now ridden lightly and enjoying attending lectures and educational seminars. Nicolett is a fan of cavaletti work and has a passion for In-Hand work.

Nicolett believes in a holistic approach to the welfare of the horses. A team approach, from regular coaching, the veterinarian, the dental vet, the farrier, saddle fitter and in Spot's case a behaviorist. Nicolett believes that this personal interaction with experts helps her to then point clients in the right direction with their equine partners.

A true passion for Nicolett is the continued learning of how horses express discomfort/pain during training by studying the behaviors and facial expressions of ridden horses. Unfortunately horses are masters in compensation and hiding pain. Nicolett hopes to help owners recognize symptoms and abnormalities.

“What you think is your horses problem is actually their solution.”