I created this blog to both inform and inspire people who feel drawn to learn from the wisdom of the horse. It includes personal stories, client experiences, feedback, lessons and images of the beautiful horses and people I work with around Australia. Immerse yourself…
The horse requires us to be present and aware, a good listener, and to show up authentically so that they can trust you and your intentions.
The Wisdom of The Horse create unique, memorable and deeply powerful experiential equine assisted learning programs based on equine leadership intelligence.
All of our workshops are custom designed to support each organisation’s specific learning goals. We provide our services direct to organisations and also partner with Business Schools, Management Consultancies and Training Companies to supply the experiential component to Leadership Development Programs across Australia and Internationally.
By developing partnerships with equine venues around Australia we can deliver our programs in locations that suit our clients including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Canberra/Southern Highlands, Hunter Valley and Byron Bay / Tweed Valley. Our facilitators are all fully trained and accredited.
Contact us to discuss your organisation’s needs or request a brochure.
“Client Feedback
”We used Equine Assisted learning on the last day of a three day program that focused on leadership and team behaviours, understanding the system, relationships and communication.
Participants were able to receive immediate feedback from the horses about how they were showing up and the impact that they were having both positive and not so positive. Participants could not rely on their ‘technical’ competence and so observable behaviour both as individuals and in their teams, generated lots of responses, insights and great discussion…comments such as ’the horses never lie’ – ‘listen to the horse’…’the horse is always right’ were just some of the phrases that were used during the reviews.
For many, it was a very powerful and meaningful experience. Highly recommend it as a wonderful experience in a great setting, away from the office.””
Leadership Decanted Podcast October 2024 : Jackie, KG and Paul explore how being aware of how we 'show up' in our workplaces, how we interact with our colleagues and what our bodies are telling us in even the most seemingly trivial interactions (am I anxious, tense, relaxed, energised?) is a critical set of skills for anyone practicing leadership - at any level. What if we told you that acquiring this most valuable of skills can be found in the paddock, by exploring your connection with a horse?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sIzw33lsqTs8cRKJgzrZa
Leadership Moments Podcast February 2020: Jackie andMurray Wright discuss why horses are such good feedback instruments and talk about what conscious leadership really means, how it can build better connections and confidence.
https://murraywright.com.au/leadership-moments-podcast/jackie-smith/
Xypex Leadership Team at an Equine Assisted Leadership Development Workshop with Jackie Smith
Nature Based
Spending the day outside in nature, away from distractions helps participants to ground, relax, be focused and therefore more open to learning.
The Way of The Horse
Horses are sentient beings with innate emotional intelligence and leadership skills that have supported them to live effectively in social groups (herds) for millions of years. Horses also live entirely in the present moment and use their whole of body/senses and we can learn energetic presence and awareness skills. And, when happy and healthy, horses have a very effective ability to self-regulate (deal effectively with stress) - something most of us need support with.
Authentic Feedback
Horses are highly sensitive beings. They pick up intention and emotions by reading non -verbal body language and personal energy. They will react to you authentically without consideration of your title or position. Horse can help bring clarity to the question “How does my state of being influence those around me.”
Experimenting/Change
The horses offer a safe way to experiment with changes in behaviour such as setting clearer boundaries, practicing deep listening skills or noticing the impact of shifting our emotional state.
In Equine Assisted Learning participants learn by doing and through being in relationship with the horses. The horse’s response will provide authentic feedback in a non-judgmental way about how the participants are showing up, mentally, emotionally and physically. The facilitators encourage participants to observe and reflect on the impact in real time and make subtle changes noticing any shifts. This unique aspect of Equine Assisted Learning is where the power lies in this process.
Connection and Communication is essential to our Wellbeing
