Become an Equine Partner
Words cannot do justice to what people experience when they find themselves face to face with a huge horse that weighs over a ton. (HRH The Prince of Wales, in Stewart 2017, p.5)
Your horses can make the difference to people’s lives helping them to gain insight into themselves
What is Equine Assisted Coaching?
Equine Assisted Coaching, also referred to as Equine Assisted Learning, is an awareness development methodology which sees horses interact with people (individually and in teams). Thanks to this interaction, people gain insight into themselves and into the dynamics that impact their lives.
As prey animals, horses have a need for safety and seek it instinctively. This characteristic enables them to sense what we as humans have inside: our intentions and emotions are revealed with honesty, clarity and purity in such a disarming way that leaves no space for interpretation, denial or defence.
They help us experience the result of our actions with immediate and crystal clear effect and the nuances in our behaviours. Horses are just not able to tell us white lies to make us feel better because anything that is not authentic is perceived as dangerous.
Working with horses in this setting is therefore just like looking into a clear mirror which only shows what we can also accept. It is a very gentle approach.
Are your horses suitable for coaching?
Almost every horse is suitable for coaching.
Here you will find some important characteristics along with some frequently asked questions.
Age and gender
It is important that the horses are not too young, especially from a maturity perspective because they have to be already in balance.
Generally speaking, 3/4 year old ones are still too young, however, there can be exceptions. Young horses are often very playful and could take the initiative to come into contact with the participants. While this is not a problem, if it happens inconsistently, it can make it difficult for the coach to understand whether it’s due to the horse’s own behaviour or to an underlying dynamic from the participant.
Therefore as a guideline, we work with horses from 6 years and above.
In terms of gender, we choose for mares and geldings.
Stallions can be playful and physical which could be dangerous and not very revealing of the participant’s themes and dynamics.
Character and behaviour
Balance is the most important characteristic. Horses that are too playful could be a bit difficult to interact with and to understand.
It is also very important that the horses are accustomed to humans and to other horses and that we can work together safely.
Do the horses need to be trained for this type of work?
Training a horse for coaching would actually go against the principle of a clear and genuine mirror. As coaches, we trust their nature and behaviour. This is why no training is required for the horses.
Are the horses ridden during the sessions?
The purpose of the sessions is to explore the interaction with the horse and the behaviour it provokes. It is therefore necessary to give the animal enough space to take distance, come into contact, connect and explore boundaries.
This is why no riding is involved and the work is done entirely on the ground.
This approach is closest to the horse’s nature and allows it to be a clear mirror.
What happens during a session?
Assessment
I arrive at the stables much earlier than the participants and the first step is to discover which horses will work with me for the day. This choice is made by the horses rather than by me. I set an intention to connect with the session participants and their themes (which are still unknown to me at this point). The horses come forward.
I then assess the horses who came forward for fitness, I touch them making sure there are no pain points and that they are stable enough to take on the role. I do this every day because the situation can change and nothing should be taken for granted.
The horses also always have a choice to say no or leave a session at any point in time.
Creating the setting
After the assessment, I prepare the setting creating a round pen inside a sand school. For this I use some thin poles and a tape or rope. It is important that the setting is “light” and the horse as well as the participants can get out easily if needed. The sand school door remains closed during the session so that the horse cannot escape. The safety of all parties involved is rule number one.
The start of a session
Once the setting is ready, I lead the horse to the round pen I have created.
The participants arrive and the session begins. After an initial conversation during which I share important information about equine behaviour and what to do in certain situations, I invite them to join the horse in the round pen and the session begins.
During the session
There are several reasons why people choose for a coaching session with horses. Often they have clear questions and objectives they want to achieve, other times they are attracted to this way of working and want to try it for themselves. They always go away with more awareness of themselves and more confidence thanks to the gentle, authentic and non-confrontational approach of a horse.
In certain situations, I give participants concrete tasks to do with the horse. However, the point is not to perform them well, but rather to discover dynamics and see what happens when they try to perform them.
After the session
After each session, I ask the participants to say Thank You to the horse, and at the end of each day, it is very important to remove the horse from the coaching role clearly.
I do this with a ritual in which I say Thank You to the horse for being my coaching partner that day and tell them clearly that whatever belongs to me stays with me, whatever belongs to the participants stays with them and whatever belongs to the horse stays with the horse. This done, I set them free to get back to their life. Sometimes I give them a brush to help them shake off the energy and/ or Reiki to help them settle back.
How can we work together?
Leadership75 is currently looking for stables, and horse owners in the Greater London area to work with for the delivery of Equine Assisted Coaching sessions.
The idea is to agree together on suitable days and times when I could bring in my clients and on the price I will pay to use your facilities and horses.
Why this is great for you and your horses
Equine Assisted Coaching can offer your horses a new way of working in an intimate and social distancing setting because the sessions are very small: in most cases with one participant at a time.
The fact that there is no riding involved can also be an opportunity for some older and retired horses who are very mature and wise generating you some extra income this way. These older animals often make the best equine partners.
Horses are helpful animals who are happy to have a task and contribute. Just like people, they have talents and ambitions: many seem to be born to do this.
It will be an opportunity for them to discover a new skill and express their talent.
About me
Hello, I am Federica Esposito, founder and coach at Leadership75.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been passionate about horses and felt nurtured and protected by their presence. I started riding at the age of about 10 years old.
Riding was my passion and soon enough I became a show jumper with my pony Bavarese. A few years later, I became ill with a severe form of pneumonia and I clearly remember the strength and motivation I felt each time I thought of getting back in the saddle and jumping again. This helped my recovery process enormously.
Growing up, next to my passion for horses, I also developed a passion for personal development. Until one day, during an event, I came across a workshop called The Horse as Mirror which revealed how horses can help humans to gain insight into themselves. This was such a life changing discovery: I felt like I had found my mission.
These days I live in London and my dream is to bring as many people and companies as possible to experience the transformative power of Equine Assisted Coaching.
Get in touch
If the words you read resonated with you and you would like to know more, please get in touch.