A paardenvisser is no ‘poppemieke’

Koksijde “It's great to be on the back of such a large boerenpaard by the sea to walk”, says Katrien Terryn (26) her passion for the special craft of the paardenvisserij together. Her two-year internship runs until the summer of next year. If she succeeds, she is the second female paardenvisser. The first, Nele Bekaert (35), we look forward.

Since last year school year, she has her degree in business management in your pocket. She grew up in Brussels but spent all her holidays at the sea, especially in Oostduinkerke, by. Her mother Martine Tempels realized six years ago her dream and bought an apartment in the paardenvissersgemeente. “I already knew for much longer that the coast me more attracted than the interior. Without a murmur I followed my mother,” laughs Katrien. “As a child I learned horse riding, but when such a large animal suddenly about me jump, fortunately without consequences, love was declined. That feeling changed three years ago when my ma decided to make a boerenpaard to buy. Why they did that, I don't know but she wanted them to walk to the sea. We jenden each other a bit and eventually I ended up on the back of such a beautiful horse. In one moment I was sold. It is such a powerful feeling to have as a little girl (Katrien is 1.67 meters red.) on the back of such a large dog to sit. It was horse Martha and she stepped so slow and quiet that the love of the past high oplaaide. And it gets even better.”

Love is

“Blacksmith Dominique Vandendriessche came along”, says Katrien. “I had an old farmer in my mind there appeared a handsome young guest. The spark ignites. By chance spoken: Dominique was a real paardenvisser. Since last week I went with him to the battle in his trekpaardencentrum in Oostduinkerke. He is a good coach. Only I dare not yet to the sea, but with him by my side is fantastic. Every time I come back, it feels like a victory.”

After a drag coming back from the sea feels like a victory”

Katrien Terryn

A feeling that Nele Bekaert but too well knows. Professionally she is a nurse in the senior home In Linden in Veurne. They succeeded in 2015 as the first woman for the examination of paardenvisser. “It was my partner Chris Vermote me guided, but now I can make my plan to pull, hear”, sounds Nele tough. “That first time with your horse in the water is indescribable. It was with Frits but that horse has since died. Now we go into the sea with Axel and Juul. The paardenvissers remain a mannenbastion. I know that not everyone welcomes that women are also part of it but I'm not going to do. Katrien is also a type and therefore I encouraged her to her internship to start. She is not a ‘poppemieke’ that is afraid to get her hands dirty. A female colleague there, of course, is always fun. I get it when Katrien speaks about a victory but for me it brings my hobby me calm. Busy with the horse, along with him to the sea in steps and enjoy. You have the feeling that the world is lying at your feet. The catch is an afterthought, but a full net is, of course, included. My personal record is 52 pounds in one pull.”