Hilka has been passionate about horses since the tender age of 10 when her best friend persuaded her to have her first riding lesson. Hilka soon started helping out around the yard in return for lessons and shared her friend’s pony. After time away from horses during her twenties, she joined a work-based riding club in her early thirties and soon started training towards her BHS instructor qualification. She first became interested in improving horses’ well being through massage and bodywork in 2014 and when researching the topic, it happened to be Jim’s book ‘Beyond Horse Massage’ that she came across, read and then tried out the techniques on her share horse.
In 2016, Hilka certified as an Equine Sports Massage therapist with Equissage Europe and worked as an ESMT for three years. Then, in 2019, when looking for a CPD course, she signed up for a Masterson Method® seminar. Seeing the method in action, seeing the positive results and how much the horses enjoy it, she decided to switch modalities and certified as a Masterson Method® Practitioner in May 2021. Hilka is passionate about helping horses and helping their owners build a better partnership with their horse. She also works as a freelance BHS Stage 3 coach and holds the Stage 4 Care & Management certificate.
Hilka is registered with the IAAT in the UK. She is currently studying towards becoming a certified equine strength & conditioning coach with the UK-based Animal Rehabilitation & Health Academy.
She is based in North London and also covers the home counties.