Interacting with horses can be a profound learning experience for leaders and corporate teams. These interactions foster stronger connections, enhance communication, and deepen understanding of relationships and authenticity. Horses naturally seek out leadership because their lives and safety, as prey animals, depend on it. 

The current academic definition of leadership references it as a process of leading a group of followers from one place to another. For horses, this leadership journey continues their whole life. In the wild, their lead mare will lead them to food, water, safe foaling grounds and safety in the face of danger. Like humans, their individual personalities will impact how this is done, and how well it is done. Observing horse herd dynamics and the behaviours of lead mares is a profound learning experience. 

Turkish Professor Elf Bilginoglu in her 2021 article in the International Journal of Organizational Analysis Equine-Assisted Experiential Learning on Leadership Development states “In today’s fast-paced business world, where there is a need to develop divergent thinking and a wider range of skills, organizations seek original ways to be successful. Accordingly, leadership development has seen several uncommon approaches. Equine-assisted learning programs which involve innovative, underutilized, and motivating techniques and strategies, provide a dynamic process of building and developing leadership skills through horse-human interactions”.  

In her concluding statements Elf shares “This relatively new and increasingly popular approach provides a unique learning experience by incorporating human-animal interaction into educational settings. As a result, skills that can be difficult to acquire in more traditional settings are developed and enhance and complement leadership skills. While the human-horse bond can enrich and inspire learning, the equine-assisted learning workshops allow the participants to view problems differently and get new sights. They help to revise the behaviours, cognitions, and unconscious processes…Based on recent theoretical and empirical literature on equine-assisted learning, it can be claimed that working with horses can help to experience the power of the horse to teach critical life skills such as trust, respect, honesty, open communication, and to enhance a person’s self-awareness. Previous research also provides evidence that the confidence developed through equestrian experiences makes leaders more eager to face difficulties and take on new challenges”.

In a world which is increasingly divergent, it is important that leaders seek new ways to experience the world, themselves, and others.  Working with horses is a unique way to do so.  If you would like to explore this topic further Linda Kohonov’ books are a great starting point, especially: 

  • The Five Roles of the Master Herder: A Revolutionary Model for Socially Intelligent Leadership
  • The Power of the Herd: A Nonpredatory Approach to Social Intelligence

If you would like to explore opportunities for experiencing equine-informed leadership development I have listed some known service providers in Australia. Capall is my service offering in the field of Equine Informed Awareness so please feel free to explore the Capall blogs to learn more. You can also call me on 0456728961 to chat or email me at elizabethdenniss@bigpond.com 

Equine-Informed Leadership development
service providers in Australia:

Amaroo Equine Megalong Valley, New South Wales

Capall  Boyup Brook Western Australia

EQ Leaders Melbourne, Geelong

Equus Evolve Macedon Ranges Victoria 

Jackie Smith Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney

Leading Edge Terrey Hills NSW

Redshift Consulting Australian Capital Territory