It’s now commonly recognized that only ten percent of human communication is verbal. And yet in our culture, we’ve virtually become mesmerized by words as our social and educational systems teach us to dissociate from the body, the environment, and the subtle nuances of nonverbal communication. True empowerment, involves engaging that “other 90 percent,” that dimension of nonverbal intelligence so grossly underdeveloped in modern society. And horses are remarkably efficient at drawing attention to the feelings, intentions, and perceptions behind our words.
In this respect, it’s absolutely no accident that the most effective historical leaders – from Alexander the great to George Washington to Ronald Reagan – had something else in common. They were skillful horsemen, equestrians who had close relationships with horses who were spirited, even heroic in their own right. Such animals were not mindless machines. They required – and continued to foster – a high level of nonverbal intelligence and leadership presence capable of motivating others to face incredible odds and create innovative, highly ambitious empires.
In our Equine formats you’ll discover how to gain valuable information from emotions .You’ll practice how to set effective boundaries. You’ll also learn how to motivate others without dominating or micromanaging, creating mutually respectful partnerships that allow you to dance with the changing needs and perceptions of clients, co-workers, family members, and the world at large. A tremendous boost in self-esteem and confidence comes from learning how to establish boundaries and direct a thousand pound creature through mental focus, presence and clarity of intent. These skills, which can be difficult to teach in a conventional classroom, business coaching, or counseling session, have far ranging applications linked to increased success in personal relationships, career and parenting.
What is Equine Experiential Learning?
EEL uses a team approach, bringing together a horse specialist, a trained facilitator and the horse, to assist individuals and groups. Through a collaborative learning process, people use experience and reflection to facilitate learning. The equine-assisted model helps individuals learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses and then processing feelings, behaviors, and patterns, recognizing how these may relate to the workplace or at home. While EEL is related to other experiential programs, equine assisted programs have the added element of horses with as many different personalities and attitudes as the humans they are working with.
Why Horses?
Domesticated horses retain the thought and behavior patterns of their nomadic ancestors. Interacting with these animals on their own terms encourages a fluidity of human thought, emotion, and behavior that sedentary twenty-first-century life makes difficult. Horses also model the strengths of what are often referred to as “feminine values”: cooperation over competition, relationship over territory, responsiveness over strategy, emotion and intuition over logic, process over goal, and the creative approach to life that these qualities engender.
Typical outcomes through a Challenge U EEL program:
- Experience consensual leadership and how to create mutually respectful relationships.
- Uncover unconscious limitations and become empowered to change old dysfunctional patterns of behavior.
- Expand nonverbal awareness.
- Develop listening to the “two other brains”, the heart and the gut, and the information they hold.
- Hear the messages behind your emotions.
- Identify patterns inhibiting movement into the personal satisfaction you seek.
- Create authentic relationships and community.
- Reduce stress and increase mind-body awareness.
- Learn effective and congruent communication skills.
- Redefine power and leadership.
- Identify barriers to effective communication.
- Increase teamwork.
- Develop responsibility, team and leadership skills.
- Learn to identify and set healthy boundaries.
Testimonials:
My husband and I created amazing value from the Couples Ropes and Equine Course weekend. We have both done significant self growth work individually and as a couple, and I have to say that this particular course was incredibly unique and unlike any workshop we’ve done before. Everything from the DiSC assessment to the energy and horse exercises to the ropes challenge all gave us invaluable ”tools for the toolbox” to utilize in our relationship. The horse work we did in particular was incredibly moving and really sets apart this training from anything I’ve ever experienced. Hats off to Andi and Cathy who created an empowering workshop by being some of the most empowering ladies I have had the pleasure to meet. I would recommend this course to any couple looking to deepen their relationship to a whole different level and develop an entirely new layer of communication.
Ryan & Lisa Wagner
Andi,
The couple’s weekend was magical. Working with the horses was such a unique and vivid experience of connection. It was incredible to receive feedback that was so tangible from a majestic creature like that. The ropes course was the perfect finale to the weekend. This was my 3rd time doing one of your ropes courses, and each time as been a unique and inspirational experience. This time in particular was very special. Every couple should get to experience what Lisa and I did this weekend. We had an amazing weekend and are grateful.
A week has slipped by since by equine experience. At all levels of my consciousness I continue to “know” today what I thought I knew before I meet a beautiful horse that will live in my heart through the connections of a few moments. When my coach asked me why I was walking backwards to lead the horse forward, I was caught doing something that I was completely unaware of. The horse was moving forward despite my physical posture. I learned that when I connect with other beings my focus, awareness, and sensitivity is for the other. Balance is so important for me and the other being. Moving into balance will enhance my health and the health of all relationships. Thank you for this insight at a level never experienced before and thank you for your gift of caring.
Rebecca, Partner in Bottom Line Results
I wanted to thank both of you today for sharing your day off with us. The experience personally, professionally and as a couple is not only a gift but also something that will forever live inside of me as something that I can tap into when needed. I am very clear on how much of a need there is for business people and corporate teams to live this experience. I honestly can’t thank you, Samson and Scarlet enough for the feedback and truly the gift you have all shared with me and us. As I am writing this I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. I will spend the next couple days reflecting and getting very clear on what will best serve as an offering to the public. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to our next time together, sooner than later J oh yeah did I say thank you J Thank you!
Stacey O’Byrne
