Robyn van Lijsdonk-Taylor D.O.
Human, Equine & Canine registered European Osteopath | Australian trained remedial massage therapist.
Introduction
With over 30 years of international experience, Robyn van Lijsdonk is a highly respected practitioner in the fields of osteopathy, soft tissue therapy, and performance optimization—working with both humans and animals.
Robyn began her manual therapy career on the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2000 as a Remedial Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer. Her exceptional skills earned her a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport, where she specialized in soft tissue therapies and worked closely with elite-level athletes.
This led her to Europe, where she began supporting the Australian cycling team, before going on to work with British Cycling and eventually a World Tour Cycling Team, offering a combination of remedial therapy and corrective exercise.
Robyn’s growing reputation in elite sport opened another historic door: she became the first woman to be employed full-time as a Remedial Therapist and Personal Trainer in Formula One, working with Williams F1.
Despite her success, Robyn felt there was more she could offer her clients. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Osteopathy (Osteopaat) in the Netherlands, expanding her scope of practice to deliver deeper and more integrative care. She continued to treat a wide range of athletes—from Olympic-level professionals to dedicated amateurs—across multiple sporting disciplines.
In 2014, Robyn was introduced to Animal Osteopathy, and it quickly became a central focus of her work. Initially drawn to equine osteopathy through her athletic clients, she soon expanded her practice to include dogs, which has since become a personal passion. Robyn strongly believes that many dogs live with undiagnosed pain that affects both their behavior and quality of life—something osteopathy can significantly improve.
Equine & Elite Sport Involvement
Since shifting into equine and animal osteopathy, Robyn has become a trusted figure in high-level sport horse care. She has provided preparation, recovery, and performance support for athletes and horses competing at:
- Tokyo & Paris Olympic Games
- FEI World Equestrian Games
- European Championships
Her clients have included world-renowned names such as:
- Hans Peter Minderhoud (Netherlands Dressage)
- Henrik von Eckermann (Swedish Showjumping)
- …as well as numerous Olympic and FEI-level riders and teams across Europe.
Robyn’s wider experience also includes:
- Tour de France (professional cycling teams)
- Formula 1
- World Cup equestrian disciplines including Dressage, Para Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, and Driving
Philosophy & Vision
Robyn’s approach is rooted in restoring harmony, balance, and communication—whether that’s within the horse and rider partnership, or the individual athlete and their body. She believes in supporting the whole system, not just treating symptoms, and her goal is always the same: to help her clients—human or animal—move, perform, and live at their very best.
