Oct 23, 2024
A Groundwork Guide to Careers in Equine Therapy
Through Groundwork Equine Therapy we’ve seen firsthand how working with horses can be transformative. Below, we explore why horses are ideal partners in team-building and personal development, and how these lessons apply to everyday life, the workplace, and collaborative settings, and why more and more people are “hoofing it” to benefit themselves, their team, and their colleagues.
Horses have an abundance of traits and characteristics that make the human-horse connection possible, and so powerful. Horses are intuitive, emotionally intelligent animals that are able to read and react to non-verbal cues. This makes them excellent collaborators when it comes to reflecting human behaviour. Combine that with their magnificent size and gentle nature they have a quiet confidence about them that invites respect and encourages individuals to reflect on how they approach leadership, conflict, and connection. Horses also require clear communication and authentic interaction, two traits that are vital in both personal growth and teamwork.
Horses communicate primarily through body language, much like humans do, even if we’re not always aware of it. When working with horses, individuals and teams learn to refine their non-verbal communication, picking up on subtle cues in the horse’s body language to adjust their behaviour. A horse responds to someone who is congruent in how they are acting and feeling. Congruency creates safety. It is not about always being calm but being able to identify to yourself how you are feeling and recognising the impact of that on those around you.
These lessons translate directly to human interactions, especially in team settings where effective communication is key. In a work environment, much of what is communicated among team members occurs in between words: eye contact, posture, tone of voice, and facial expressions all contribute to the messages we send. Improving non-verbal communication leads to better understanding and cooperation, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and conflicts.
Horses are prey animals and naturally cautious, requiring patience and consistency from those who work with them. Similarly in human relationships, trust must be earned and built over time. Participants learn that trust can’t be forced; it comes from a place of mutual respect and dependability. Horses will not follow a leader they do not trust, which emphasises the importance of consistency and reliability in leadership roles.
In the workplace, trust is the foundation of any successful team. Managers and colleagues who demonstrate integrity, competence, and empathy are more likely to foster a trusting environment where employees feel safe to take risks, collaborate, and innovate. Working with horses teaches participants the patience and commitment needed to build this kind of trust, not just in the field, but back in the office as well.
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and others and is a critical skill for personal and professional success. Horses are incredibly sensitive to human emotions and can pick up on feelings like anxiety, frustration, or confidence. As such, they provide immediate bio feedback about the emotional state of the individual working with them. For example, if someone is nervous, or upset the horse may respond in certain ways allowing an opportunity for the person to understand and address their own emotional states and what is going on for them.
Learning to manage one’s emotions and respond appropriately to the emotions of others is crucial for effective teamwork. Whether in a family, friendship, or work environment, the ability to remain calm under pressure and navigate emotionally charged situations is essential. Working with horses helps individuals hone their emotional regulation skills.
Practising Leadership and Influence
Effective leadership is about more than giving orders; it’s about inspiring others, communicating a clear vision, and empowering the team. Horses respond to strong, calm, and focused leaders and those who project confidence without aggression. In equine-facilitated team building, participants are sometimes tasked with guiding a horse through an obstacle course or specific tasks. They quickly learn that force or frustration doesn’t work; instead, they must guide the horse with clear intentions and mutual respect and collaboration.
This lesson is invaluable in the workplace. Leading a team requires balancing authority with empathy, vision with flexibility. The confidence developed in guiding a horse can help individuals step into leadership roles in professional settings, working with others through respect and collaboration rather than with fear or coercion.
In everyday life, in business or elsewhere, challenges and changes are inevitable. Horses too can sometimes be unpredictable, and situations in the barn or the paddock don’t go exactly according to plan. Working with horses teaches participants how to think on their feet, adapt to the unexpected, and find creative safe solutions to problems. If a horse has other ideas about what is happening, participants must figure out what needs to change and why. For example, is it their approach, their communication, or their mindset, or is something else going on here that requires attention?
The ability to solve problems creatively and adapt to change will ultimately minimise stress day to day and is also a highly prized skill in today’s fast-paced work environments. Teams that can navigate setbacks with resilience and flexibility are better equipped to handle challenges and seize opportunities. Equine-facilitated activities nurture this adaptability, teaching individuals to stay calm and open-minded when faced with obstacles.
When a group works together with horses, the focus naturally shifts from individual success to collective achievement. The horse also becomes part of the team to navigate. Team members must rely on each other’s strengths to achieve a common goal, such as guiding the horse through a task or completing a group exercise. Everyone’s input is valuable, and success comes from understanding how to work together harmoniously.
This emphasis on teamwork translates seamlessly into workplace settings. Effective collaboration is key to driving results, fostering innovation, and maintaining morale in professional environments. The lessons learned with horses - listening, communicating, and respecting each other’s contributions - help build stronger, more cohesive teams in the workplace.
So as you can see, the skills learned when working with horses are not confined to the paddock, they are practical tools that can be applied in everyday life. Whether it’s improving relationships with family members, becoming a more effective leader at work, or fostering better collaboration within a team, the insights gained from working with horses are long-lasting.
At Groundwork Equine Therapy, we believe in the transformative power of equine-facilitated activities for personal and professional development. Horses offer unparalleled opportunities to learn about communication, trust, leadership, and adaptability. The lessons learned here lead to healthier, more productive relationships both in and out of the workplace.
By working with these magnificent animals, individuals and teams are able to break through barriers, build stronger connections, and develop the emotional intelligence and leadership skills necessary for success and contentment in today’s world.
Interested in learning more about how equine therapy can benefit you or your team? Contact us at Groundwork Equine Therapy or explore our personal & professional development program.
Combine your passions.
Discover a career with horses,
serving the community and making
a meaningful impact.
