"A great horse will change your life. The truly special ones define it..."

— Author Unknown

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black hat and a plaid blazer, stands next to a brown horse in an open field with tall grasses. She is smiling and holding the horse's reins, under a partly cloudy sky.

Hi, I’m maeve bandt

A BTMM apprentice trainer, bodyworker, and functional movement practitioner.

This isn’t just my career - it’s my calling.

My professional background in sales and business gives me the freedom to be selective about who I work with and how I work, choosing only what’s in alignment for horse and human. My work focuses on uncovering the root of what’s going on - restoring balance, resolving discomfort, and then helping the human understand what their horse truly needs to thrive.

Sometimes that means you both move forward together with more clarity, and sometimes it means connecting you with a specialized trainer or resource from my trusted network so you can reach your goals.

My role is to be that solid, foundational steppingstone that sets horse and human up for success - because progress only lasts when it’s built on soundness, understanding, and trust.

About me 

A young woman standing next to a dark brown horse in a grassy field, holding the horse's reins. She is dressed in black with a wide-brimmed hat, patterned skirt, black tights, and boots. The setting is outdoors with a wooden fence, open field, and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

My work begins with a simple truth: the horse comes first.
Every choice I make in training, bodywork, and collaboration is about helping horse and human find a shared place of comfort, connection, and soundness—in body, mind, and soul. Connection isn’t a bonus. It’s the baseline of everything.

I was honored to be chosen by Celeste-Leilani Lazaris, founder of Balance Through Movement Method, as a BTMM trainer; not because I was already an advanced professional, but because I stood where many horse owners stand now: in the space between loving your horse deeply and knowing something isn’t quite right… but not being sure where to start. That’s my sweet spot. I can relate, translate, and help you both bridge the gap.

My work focuses on uncovering the root of what’s going on—whether it’s a physical imbalance, a gap in education, or a misalignment between horse and rider. From there, I work to restore balance, resolve discomfort, and help the human understand what their horse truly needs to thrive. Sometimes that means you both move forward together with more clarity, and sometimes it means partnering with a specialized trainer or resource from my trusted network to meet your specific goals. My role is to be that solid, foundational steppingstone that sets horse and human up for success - because progress only lasts when it’s built on soundness, understanding, and trust.

This isn’t the only career I have, and that’s by design. My professional background in sales and business allows me the freedom to be selective—choosing work that feels aligned and in service to both horse and human, rather than saying “yes” out of necessity. That means when we work together, it’s because it’s the right fit on both sides.

With a lifetime spent on and with horses, and a background in yoga, I bring an approach that blends the physical, mental, and energetic. Through the lens of BTMM’s lameness prevention principles, I address proper biomechanics with a mix of training, functional movement work, myofascial release, and energy work.

My goal?
For the horse—to feel heard, understood, and comfortable in their body.
For the human—to feel empowered, informed, and confident in being their horse’s best advocate, even when that means trusting your gut and going against the grain.

Because when we honor both sides of the partnership, the whole story changes.

A woman in a black leather jacket, jeans, and brown boots kneels on the ground, petting a brown horse in an outdoor riding arena during sunset.

My approach

Sometimes it’s as simple as going back to the basics.
And sometimes, it’s not. But no matter where we start, there’s always value in checking in with the fundamentals—because a solid foundation makes everything else possible. Asking more than a horse is ready to give can do more harm than good, which is why I meet each horse exactly where they are.

My work begins with uncovering the root of what’s going on—whether it’s a physical imbalance, an old injury, a gap in education, or even a mismatch between horse and rider. From there, I help restore comfort and function, then guide the human in understanding what their horse truly needs to thrive.

I believe in advocacy and prevention. Empowering owners to create a lifestyle that supports long-term health means fewer injuries, happier horses, and lower vet bills—not because we don’t value veterinarians, but because prevention is the best gift we can give them and our horses.

I believe in collaboration. My network of trusted professionals is one of my greatest assets, and if I’m not the best fit for your needs, I’ll tell you—and point you toward someone who is. I also believe in healthy boundaries; I’ll step away from situations that compromise horse welfare when no willingness to adjust is shown.

Above all, I’m here to be a voice for horses carrying dysfunction in their bodies, and a partner to the guardians who know in their gut that the “normal” way isn’t always the right way.