Equestrian Safety & Accident Prevention
Master falling, overcome fear: Training & therapy for confident riders.
Therapy Services
Sometimes the past holds us back – a fall, a negative experience, or a feeling that remains stored in the body. These experiences can create blockages that make us feel insecure in the saddle. Together, we work to release these fears.Using my music-based therapeutic methods, I help you rebuild trust, dissolve blockages, and rediscover the freedom and joy of doing what you love most: riding.
SERVICES
120 Swiss francs
110 Swiss francs
280 Swiss francs
110 Swiss francs
Current updates
Together on the path to more self-confidence
About me
My name is Pieter van Pletzen, and horses have shaped my life since I was a child. Growing up in the vastness of South Africa, I discovered my love for horses – and music. These two passions have remained with me ever since.
My path initially led me into the world of professional stunt riding, where I experienced firsthand the importance of technique, balance, and, above all, safety. Later, I completed therapeutic training in Zurich and expanded my knowledge of music therapy. This allows me to combine physical expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional needs of the riders who come to me.
My vision
Riding should provide freedom, joy, and connection—not fear or insecurity. Yet many riders carry fears or blockages from negative experiences and falls. My vision is to help people overcome these hurdles so they can ride with confidence and composure again.
My mission
With LearnToFall, I want to help riders gain more safety and self-confidence:
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Safe fall techniques – practical exercises that prevent injuries and minimize the risk in an emergency.
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Therapeutic support – assistance in overcoming fears, blockages, and traumatic experiences.
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Music therapy – Using the healing power of music to build emotional strength and inner peace.
Every training session has one goal: not only to convey physical safety, but also to bring back courage, confidence and the joy of riding.
✨ LearnToFall isn't just about preventing falls - it's about empowering riders so they can ride safely, confidently, and with joy.
REVIEWS
What our customers say
Maria Johnson: "Thanks to LearnToFall.ch, I feel more confident and secure while riding. I highly recommend this program!"
Elena von Dönhoff from Davos wrote on 4 March 2024 at 13:45
I had private lessons because I couldn't make it to the course dates. Pieter's fall training is incredibly helpful. I'm 53 and have fallen off a horse several times recently. The course starts simply; you fall from seat height, learn the falling and rolling technique the whole time, and then it gets higher and higher. At the end, you fall from pony height (Pieter throws you), and then you know what to do. Thanks, Pieter! I recommend this training to all riders! It can happen so quickly...and you simply feel better prepared.
Nadja from Hochdorf wrote on 27 January 2025 at 12:46
Thank you for the great course! I had a lot of fun learning something useful that I hope I won't need. I'd happily recommend the course – it's also a great event for the stables.
Eliane Bosshard from Maur wrote on May 20, 2024 at 3:32 p.m
Thank you very much for this very informative and interesting course. Pieter knows his subject and teaches it professionally, but also with a great sense of humor. Our follow-up course is already planned.
Victoria Richter from Hebertshausen wrote on 15 October 2023 at 20:06
Thank you so much for this incredibly informative, interesting, and fun course. I hope this wasn't the last time Pieter visits our stables.
Eva Weber from Hinteregg wrote on 8 April 2024 at 08:29
As a trainer for horses and riders, I encounter falls in my daily work and am convinced that many injuries can be prevented if the body internalizes fall-prevention techniques. My employees and clients, as well as myself and my son, have all successfully overcome falls under Pieter's expert yet humorous guidance. Highly recommended!
Jessica from Npz Bern wrote on April 7, 2024 at 08:15
A highly recommended course for all ages. It was fun and well-structured. A step-by-step approach for everyone, even if you're no longer among the young athletes. Definitely a course well spent! Hopefully, future falls will always be without major injuries.
Teresa Brückner from Hebertshausen wrote on 15 October 2023 at 13:56
Highly recommended course. I was a bit concerned, as at 56, I'm not as flexible as I used to be. But Pieter truly supports everyone as needed, so after all the falls and exercises, I'm not hurting or bruising. I hope I don't have to use what I've learned. But I do feel much more confident and now know from experience that you can survive falls unscathed. The three hours flew by, and Pieter delivered them with great energy and lighthearted humor.
Natalie from Birmensdorf wrote on 3 October 2023 at 11:41
A must-do for anyone who rides and is sure to fall off a horse at some point. At almost 50 years old, it was a fantastic and educational day. Pieter was able to meet us all where we were.
LE from Frauenfeld wrote on 24 April 2023 at 16:37
Thank you for a truly fantastic course. A great build-up from the ground and further steps up. Pieter explains key points in an easy-to-understand manner and shows how it should look. He provides helpful feedback right from the start – encouraging, building up, correcting, etc. It's also helpful for your own mental imagery and experiences: learning is so much easier with fun and laughter – even beyond previous experiences. The fact that falling can be fun... it took some time to get through to me – but there's definitely something to it – even if I'm never going to be a stuntman. Thank you so much!
Erika from Thun wrote on 13 November 2022 at 17:55
Thank you so much for the fantastic course at the NPZ. Our 9-year-old daughter needed a lot of confidence after having a few bad falls. Through the course, she learned that falling isn't a big deal. She received excellent support from Pieter during the course. The course was perfect for her! Thank you so much!
Tanja Rofka from Birchhof Gebenstorf wrote on 30 June 2022 at 12:56
The course with Pieter was educational, entertaining, and very fun. Pieter has a great way of teaching his skills and taking away everyone's fear of falling. We all had a lot of fun and were thrilled. Thank you for a great course. Best regards
Ursina Rietmann from Winterthur wrote on 19 June 2022 at 19:44
Thanks Pieter. It was a very educational and superb course. Today, in 35-degree heat, we threw ourselves onto the mats. We, the not-so-young riders, were once again able to feel the sensation of falling and now know that a fall doesn't necessarily mean an injury. There will be a fall lesson once a month to practice what we've learned. Best wishes from Zell im Tösstal.
Barbara from Lurtigen wrote on 16 May 2022 at 13:23
Yesterday's class with Pieter was fantastic and will remain with me fondly. It's a bit physically demanding, but that's no harm. Pieter has a great teaching style, always has a good saying ready, and it's amazing what he can do and how easy it all looks with him. I learned a lot and had a blast. I definitely recommend the class. Thank you, Pieter.
Mirjam Gassmann from Boppelsen wrote on April 3, 2022 at 9:16 a.m
It was a fantastic course, and I'll definitely attend again. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and took a lot of practical experience with my horse.
Julia T. from Boppelsen wrote on 31 March 2022 at 19:53
On March 27, I attended Pieter's fall-falling course and can highly recommend it! In one afternoon, you learn the basics of proper forward and backward falls. The highlight is the "falls" from a height of 1.50 meters... Despite a few bruises and tension, I would take the course again anytime!
Stefanie Buettner wrote on 15 March 2022 at 10:27
This course is a must for every rider. Riding can be unpredictable, and being able to learn techniques in a controlled environment that can help you in a difficult situation is a huge help! Pieter is extremely knowledgeable with great energy and enthusiasm for what he does. I definitely recommend it!
Marlen Weidmann from Obfelden wrote on 27 February 2022 at 20:41
I learned a lot in Pieter's class. The course was informative, exciting, and fun. I'll have a few bruises and sore muscles (aftermath), but it was worth participating.
André said on November 16, 2014 6:46 PM
The course is very well structured, and Pieter demonstrates and explains the exercises in a playful and engaging way. Each exercise can be practiced easily and safely under his guidance. I can recommend the course for riders of all ages, from children to seniors.
Susanne from Rufi wrote on 13 February 2022 at 18:21
A follow-up to my previous comment: The contact with Ms. Brechbühler beforehand was also extremely professional and courteous. I felt in good hands from the very first moment. Thank you very much!
Susanne from Rufi wrote on 13 February 2022 at 18:15
A super cool afternoon course. We were active practically the entire time, which allowed us to learn in a truly hands-on way. Thanks to Pieter's involvement, we were even able to simulate the energy of a fall (several times). Highly recommended! Very enriching, interesting, and extremely entertaining!
Roland Minnig from Kavallerieverein Dielsdorf wrote on 22 November 2021 at 19:49
On Sunday, December 14, 2021, several members of the Dielsdorf Cavalry Club attended fall training with Pieter van Pletzten. I highly recommend this course. It was truly impressive, and above all, the practical aspects, including fall exercises, were incorporated. The course was conducted very convincingly and with great dedication. Thank you very much!
Raffaela said on November 29, 2016 1:49 PM
Thank you for the great Learn To Fall training!
Chiara said on February 22, 2016 8:31 PM
I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot from it.
Morgane said on February 22, 2016 9:57 PM
Great course. It was a lot of fun and taught us a lot. The course is well structured, and the sore muscles the next morning will definitely be worth it.
Annette said on November 11, 2016 2:48 PM
Very good course! Thank you, it helped me overcome my initial fears of falling. I highly recommend it!
Ursula said on April 10, 2016 11:09 PM
And hopefully, in the future, I'll be able to fly off the horse with ease – thanks, that was really fun!
Pro Horse Training said on March 21, 2016 2:00 PM
Fear is GOOD! One of the mottos of the LEARN TO FALL fall training with Pieter van Pletzen last Sunday in Düdingen. Falling is good! Fear is positive! Full of energy, Pieter coached us through the day. What looks so simple actually requires some practice, courage, and above all, coordination. Just as with riding, so too with falling, thinking often gets in the way. JUST DO IT! Pieter professionally guided all participants forward and backward from the 1.30m high horse dummy – we trained the left and right sides of the fall equally. The bottom line: A LOT of fun – a great group, and the next round is being planned for the fall! Thanks again to all participants and the course leaders! It was simply fantastic!
Nicole said on March 14, 2016 6:32 PM
A course I can only recommend. Pieter has so much fun and enjoyment in falling that you just have to have fun too – even when I was peeing myself. But as Pieter says, if he says, "Do it," then just do it. And so I fell from the 1.50-meter-high "horse" and I'm so glad I did. Every rider should do it at least once.
Herbi said on November 30, 2014 7:49 PM
Great course, delivered by Pieter in a relaxed, humorous, and competent manner. We had 20 participants, ranging in age from 6 to 66, and we had a fun afternoon and learned a great deal. The sore muscles were quickly forgotten by the ride the next day—thanks, Pieter. A course I highly recommend.
Irina said on November 17, 2014 10:46 PM
Until now, I had no idea that there were techniques for falling off a horse. Knowing about such techniques, and especially practicing them in a specific course, is a must for every rider. And with Pieter, the whole thing is really fun – thanks, Pieter!
Annette said on October 20, 2014 10:12 AM
An instructive afternoon with lots of fun. Although I've never been into gymnastics, I managed to overcome my laziness and throw myself off my horse. I'll definitely repeat this training session, even if everything hurts the next day. Thanks, Pieter, I learned a lot.
Diana said on June 30, 2014 2:35 PM
The fall training with Pieter taught us a lot of new and exciting things and should be part of every rider's training. A fantastic afternoon that was super entertaining! Thanks Pieter.
Jeanne said on Jan 20, 2014 1:43 PM
It was an informative and exciting workshop, led by the trainer with infectious cheerfulness and exuberant energy. Pieter sensitively addressed the participants' abilities and skills. I have already enthusiastically recommended the course to others.
Katharina said on June 29, 2014 8:54 PM
Falling off a horse is really very easy. It was a very educational afternoon with a great trainer! The atmosphere was great, there was lots of laughter, and at the end, everyone threw themselves off the horse with great momentum. The structure of the exercises was ideal for getting used to the unfamiliar movements. Thanks Pieter, it was great fun.
Bettina said on April 28, 2014 3:30 PM
Yesterday's workshop was very informative and interesting! I highly recommend this course to every rider! The atmosphere was relaxed, and Pieter shared his knowledge with us with enthusiasm! I will definitely recommend the course!
martin said on Jan 20, 2014 10:10 AM
The training was extremely well organized. The theory was very understandable and the practical exercises were excellent. The trainer had extensive expertise and was able to convey his knowledge perfectly. All in all, it was a very successful afternoon where we learned a lot and had a great time.
Raffaela said on Jan 19, 2014 6:28 PM
The fall training was very educational and a lot of fun. I liked the practical exercises and the numerous repetitions; I was able to improve with each exercise and almost completely overcome my fear of falling. – Thank you so much! I highly recommend this course to every rider!
Ruth said on Jan 19, 2014 8:30 PM
Thank you so much – the training was fantastic. I learned a lot in a short time, received great tips, and had a lot of fun. The expertise, guidance, and support with the exercises were top-notch. I'd love to come back!
Monika Schibli Sutter said on Sep 6, 2013 2:27 PM
Piet led the fall training really well. With a lot of expertise and humor, he taught us how to drop fairly competently and gracefully at the end. No matter how experienced riders we are, a fall can always happen. While this training doesn't guarantee safety, it does at least give you the opportunity to react appropriately in the event of a fall. Thank you very much, I'd love to come back!
Franziska said on Sep 3, 2013 8:13 AM
The fall training with Pieter was very educational and a lot of fun for all of us. It takes courage to fall from a height of 1.5 meters, but these are precisely the situations that need to be practiced and internalized. Thank you very much!
Minara said on Sep 2, 2013 7:06 PM
The fall training was a thoroughly successful workshop for me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun – I'd love to do it again!
Alexandra said on Sep 1, 2013 8:02 PM
It was really great today. We had a lot of fun. I think it's important that all riders learn proper fall technique and can highly recommend the course to everyone! However, sore muscles and a few bruises are unavoidable...
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