Lymphatic drainage for horses and systemic horse coaching
A special connection between horse and human.
More than 25 years of experience in lymphatic drainage.
Appointments in the Netherlands and Austria.
Welcome to Wodez
I am Ellen van Harten. For more than thirty years I have treated people as a physiotherapist, with lymphatic drainage as one of my specialisms. Horses have been a great love in my life since I was a little girl. With Wodez I give that love a place alongside my work and my experience in healthcare.
The name Wodez comes from my two horses: Wodan, my first horse, and Mendez, who now lives in Austria with all the space he could wish for. Each in their own way, both horses hold a special place in my life and have shown me how much you can learn from horses.
Read my story
How can I help you?
For your horse
Does your horse suffer from swollen legs, fluid build-up, a scar that won't heal properly or mud fever that keeps coming back? With manual lymphatic drainage I support your horse's recovery and help the body to heal itself. I come to you at the stable.
About lymphatic drainage
For yourself
Do you feel stuck in your work, your relationship or in patterns that keep coming back? In a constellation with a horse you can discover what is going on beneath the surface and look at yourself or your situation with fresh eyes. Personal, one to one and at your own pace.
About horse coaching
Lymphatic drainage for horses
The lymphatic system is the body's drainage system. It helps to carry away excess fluid, waste products and the remains of inflammation. When that drainage doesn't work as it should, you may notice it in swollen legs, puffiness or a slow recovery.
With manual lymphatic drainage I help the lymphatic system to drain fluid more effectively. It is a gentle, rhythmic treatment in which I use my hands to stimulate the natural flow of lymph. I work according to the Vodder method. I learned it in 1998 and have used it in my work as a physiotherapist ever since. For horses, I adapt the technique to their body and the course of their lymphatic vessels.
Owners often come to me when their horse has been struggling for some time. The vet has examined the horse and done what is medically possible, yet the leg stays swollen or recovery is slow. That is exactly when lymphatic drainage can make a difference.
When can lymphatic drainage help?
Manual lymphatic drainage can be a valuable addition for various conditions in which fluid build-up or impaired lymphatic drainage plays a part.
- Swollen or "stocked up" legs after standing in the stable for a long time
- Fluid build-up and swelling after an injury, surgery or castration
- Recurring mud fever, as part of the wider care
- Lymphangitis, as a complementary treatment alongside veterinary care
- CPL (chronic progressive lymphoedema): regular lymphatic drainage can help to keep the condition stable for as long as possible
- Scars and slow healing after a wound or surgery
- Recovery after illness or a period of little exercise, where fluid build-up plays a part
Not sure whether lymphatic drainage is right for your horse? Feel free to get in touch, and we will look together at what your horse needs.
How a treatment works
I come to you at the stable, so your horse can stay in its familiar surroundings.
We start with a conversation. What have you noticed in your horse? How long has the problem been going on, and what has the vet said about it? Then I look and feel for myself what is happening.
Then I start the lymphatic drainage. A treatment usually takes about an hour, but every horse is different. Sometimes twenty minutes is enough, while another horse needs a little longer. I watch closely how your horse responds and adapt the treatment to what it needs.
Where it helps, I use lymph tape alongside the treatment. This elastic tape lifts the skin ever so slightly, so that fluid can drain away more easily after the treatment too.
Afterwards, I give you the tools to carry on yourself. Self-management is a fixed part of my treatment. I teach you what you can do yourself: a few simple basic lymphatic drainage techniques, and advice on exercise, feeding and daily care. That way you can support your horse well between treatments too, and together we hold on to the results.
Systemic horse coaching
A horse sees who you are, not who you are trying to be. That makes it a very special mirror.
Horses are prey animals and herd animals. To survive, they constantly have to sense what is happening around them: is there tension, is there calm, does what someone shows match what they feel? They respond to your breathing, your posture and your tension, often in ways we don't notice ourselves at first. A horse is not easily led by what you try to express in words.
In a systemic constellation we look at the bigger picture you are part of: your family, your relationship or your work. Sometimes old patterns, expectations or events from the past play a part in it, without you always being aware of them. The horse responds to what happens in the moment. By looking together at what you see and experience, new insights can emerge, and you may discover a different way of looking at yourself or a situation.
How a session works
- Getting to know each other and your question. We start calmly with a conversation. Where do you feel stuck? What is on your mind and what would you like more insight into?
- The constellation. In the meadow or the arena, you give yourself and whatever matters to you a place. The horse moves freely and chooses for itself where to go, whom to stay with and when to keep its distance.
- Watching and feeling. Together we look at what happens and what it stirs in you. Sometimes a small movement or an unexpected reaction shows you something you hadn't thought of yourself.
- Taking it home. We close by looking at what you have experienced and which insights you can take with you into your daily life.
Who is it for?
For anyone who wants to understand themselves or a situation better. Perhaps you notice certain patterns keep coming back, you are facing an important choice, or you want to discover why something touches you so deeply. You don't need any experience with horses. You stand next to the horse on the ground, and I am with you the whole time.
What you share stays between us
Privacy is something I hold very dear. As a physiotherapist I have worked with professional confidentiality for more than thirty years, and I naturally bring that same care to my coaching. What you tell me and experience stays between you, me and the horse. That way you can feel free to truly share what is going on.
I always work one to one, so there is room for your story and you can experience the session at your own pace. How long a session lasts differs each time. Sometimes the horse takes its time, sometimes it shows earlier that it is done. In that, we follow the horse. In Austria we work with Mendez in Lannach, and in the Netherlands in the Heemskerk area.
My story
When I was nine, I was finally allowed to take riding lessons. That is where I met Wodan. Five years later, when I was fourteen, I heard that he was going to be sent to slaughter.
I started a fundraising campaign: Save Wodan! With 1,200 guilders raised, I was able to buy him. And so Wodan became my very first horse. He showed me how sensitive horses are, and how much you can learn from them if you take the time to really listen.
After that I chose a life in healthcare. I have now worked as a physiotherapist for more than thirty years, more than twenty-five of them in oedema and oncology care. In 2016 I started my own practice, De Verbinding in Heemskerk. A place where people can feel at ease, and where I have been supporting many patients for years.
My love for horses has stayed with me all these years. In Wodez I can combine my knowledge and experience from healthcare with my many years of experience with horses.
Mendez now lives in Austria, where he has all the space he needs. In both Austria and the Netherlands, Wodez is how I care for horses through manual lymphatic drainage. I also guide people through systemic horse coaching, where meeting a horse can help them gain new insights.
With Wodez I make room for a love that has always been there, alongside the work I have enjoyed doing for so many years.
Ellen van Harten-Nederstigt
Training and experience
- 1995Physiotherapy (bachelor's degree)
- 1998Manual lymphatic drainage (Vodder method) and oedema therapy
- 2005Lymph taping
- 2011Oncology physiotherapy (postgraduate, Avans+)
- 2016Own practice De Verbinding in Heemskerk
- 2020Master's in oncology physiotherapy (MSc, Avans+)
- 2022Training in systemic horse coaching
- 2024Manual lymphatic drainage for horses
Prices
Lymphatic drainage for your horse
- First treatment including intakeapprox. 1.5 hours
- € 120
- Follow-up treatmentusually about an hour
- € 100
Lymph tape included. I come to your horse at the stable. Travel costs by arrangement, depending on the distance.
Book a treatmentHorse coaching for yourself
- Introductory callby phone, 15 minutes
- free
- Individual sessionone to one
- € 145
Including a preliminary talk and a follow-up talk. The price is per session. In the Netherlands in the Heemskerk area, in Austria with Mendez in Lannach.
Book a sessionAll prices include VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Lymphatic drainage for horses
Does lymphatic drainage hurt?
No, manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle treatment with light, rhythmic movements. I keep a close eye on how your horse responds and adjust the treatment accordingly. Some horses visibly relax, lower their head or start to yawn. Every horse responds in its own way.
How many treatments will my horse need?
That varies from horse to horse and from problem to problem. Sometimes you notice a difference after one or a few treatments, while long-standing problems can take more time and support. After each treatment we look at how things are going and agree together on a suitable next step.
Can lymphatic drainage be combined with veterinary treatment?
Yes, in many cases manual lymphatic drainage can complement veterinary treatment. Where needed, I coordinate the treatment with your vet. With new or acute problems, such as fever, lameness or a sudden swelling, it is important to consult your vet first.
Are there situations in which lymphatic drainage is not suitable?
Yes, there are situations in which lymphatic drainage should not be done, or where your vet needs to be consulted first. This may be the case with fever, certain infections or serious heart problems, for example. That is why we discuss the symptoms, your horse's health and any other treatments beforehand. If in doubt, I check with the vet first.
What do I need to prepare for the treatment?
A clean, dry horse and a quiet, safe spot are all you need. It helps if the stable isn't too busy. If your horse is calmer with a familiar companion nearby, that is perfectly fine too.
Systemic horse coaching
What exactly is a systemic constellation with a horse?
In a systemic constellation we look at a situation or pattern in your life and how it connects to, for example, your family, relationship or work. You give yourself and what matters to you a place in the space. The horse moves freely and together we look at what happens and what it stirs in you. This can give you new insights and a fresh way of looking at your situation.
Do I need experience with horses?
No, you don't need any experience with horses. You don't have to be able to ride, and you don't have to touch the horse either. You stand next to the horse on the ground, and I guide you throughout the whole session.
Do I need to know exactly what my question is beforehand?
No, you don't. It is nice if there is something you would like to reflect on, but it doesn't have to be completely clear. We start with a conversation and explore together what matters to you at that moment.
What if I feel nervous standing near a horse?
That is not unusual at all. Horses are big animals, and it can feel quite daunting to stand close to one if you are not used to it. You don't have to force anything. We take our time to get to know each other calmly, and you decide what feels comfortable. I stay with you throughout the session and respect your boundaries.
What can horse coaching give me?
A session can help you recognise patterns, look at a situation from a different perspective, or pause and reflect on feelings and questions you are struggling with. What you take from it is personal. There is no fixed outcome, and you don't have to experience anything in a particular way.
Practical
Where do appointments take place?
For manual lymphatic drainage I come to your horse at the stable. In the Netherlands I work in and around the Heemskerk area. In Austria I work in the state of Styria (Steiermark).
Horse coaching takes place in the Heemskerk area in the Netherlands and with Mendez in Lannach (Teipl), Austria.
How do I pay, and can I reschedule an appointment?
Afterwards you will receive an invoice by email, with a QR code and a payment link, so paying is easy. Can't make it after all? Please let me know at least 24 hours before the appointment. If you cancel in time, there is no charge. If you cancel later, I charge half of the fee. In case of illness or an emergency, we will find a solution together.
Contact
Would you like to make an appointment, or first get to know each other? Feel free to send me an email. I read everything myself and will always get back to you personally.
- Emailellen@wodez.eu
- Urgent+31 6 10 46 78 85Appointments and questions preferably by email. Do call if it is really urgent.
- AreaNetherlands: Heemskerk areaAustria: Styria, coaching in Lannach (Teipl)
- AppointmentsBy appointment only