# Doctors Said He’d Never Live… Now He Rides - From Survival to Joy: Gitti Berkhoff on Horses, Healing & Germany’s Green Care Farms | EP 38

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/equine-assisted-world-with-rupert-isaacson-6332132/doctors-said-he-d-never-live-now-he-rides-from-survival-to-joy-gitti-berkhoff-on-horses-healing-germany-s-green-care-farms-ep-38
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/equine-assisted-world-with-rupert-isaacson-6332132/doctors-said-he-d-never-live-now-he-rides-from-survival-to-joy-gitti-berkhoff-on-horses-healing-germany-s-green-care-farms-ep-38.md
Podcast: [Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson](https://stenobird.com/podcast/equine-assisted-world-with-rupert-isaacson-6332132)
Published: 2025-10-02T04:17:59+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/48159aa4
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/48159aa4/00cd49cb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/equine-assisted-world-with-rupert-isaacson-6332132/episodes/doctors-said-he-d-never-live-now-he-rides-from-survival-to-joy-gitti-berkhoff-on-horses-healing-germany-s-green-care-farms-ep-38
Duration seconds: 5393

## Resource

When doctors advised abortion after a devastating prenatal diagnosis, Gitti and Henrich Berkhoff chose a different path. Their son Julian was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, enduring multiple life-threatening surgeries. Against all odds, Julian not only survived but thrived—becoming a rider, public speaker, and inspiration. Out of this journey, Gitti built one of Germany’s most innovative equine-assisted programs, blending neuroscience, horsemanship, and joy. From wheelchair fox hunting to pillow fights on horseback and even toilet-brush “microphone” interviews, her farm is a living testament to humor, creativity, and resilience. Now, as she and her husband bring equine-assisted therapy to the German parliament, Gitti shares how horses, family, and a belief in joy over suffering reshaped her life—and how they can reshape equine therapy itself. If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome ✨ “If you have something that makes you happy and you share it, then it grows. That gives you energy.” – Gitti Berkhoff ✨ “If you are not consciously creating joy, you may be unconsciously creating suffering.” – Rupert Isaacson 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Choosing life: why Gitti and Henrich refused abortion despite grim medical predictions ([00:03:00]) Julian’s early years—nine surgeries, brain infections, and the fight for survival ([00:09:00]) The role of prayer, resilience, and one unforgettable moment of recognition ([00:14:00]) From nurse to horsewoman: how Gitti’s medical background shaped her practice ([00:21:00]) Building an “active stable” and preparing horses far beyond typical therapy standards ([00:29:00]) Why play, rebellion, and humor matter more than therapy ([00:33:00]) Pillow fights, toilet-brush ga…

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