Horses Help Leaders Build Communication Skills in Cumbria

Equine-facilitated learning workshops set against the rolling hills of the Lake District are being used to sharpen leadership skills. Participants focus on communication, teamwork and self-awareness while working directly with horses, allowing them to experience feedback in a physical and immediate way.

Equine feedback versus traditional assessments

She explains that horses, as prey animals, react instantly to subtle cues in a person’s posture, breathing and energy. This level of responsiveness provides a kind of insight that peer reviews or psychometric tests cannot match.

Before adapting the method for businesses, Myers applied it in Cumbria primary schools. In those classrooms the approach helped reduce anxiety, boost confidence and encourage mindfulness among students.

She then transferred those insights to corporate settings, designing programmes that teach both verbal and non-verbal communication. The aim is to break down departmental silos and create a more open flow of information.

Customised sessions with Gaia

Participants engage with Gaia, a grey Lusitano mare, performing groundwork tasks that range from simple obstacle navigation to group coordination drills.

“Every workshop will be tailor-made, depending how participants present themselves on the day,” the facilitator explained, adding that she evaluates each group’s interaction with the animal to shape the session.

She may also select a different horse if the group’s goals require a distinct temperament, highlighting the flexibility of the approach.

CEO Leadership and Documented Successes

She is CEO of Harness Change, a Community Interest Company at the Cumbria Rural Academy. The organisation offers Equine Facilitated Learning courses and alternative education. Myers’ background includes management consultancy and dressage competition at the Prix St Georges level. She has designed training packages to improve communication, teamwork and break departmental silos.

Leaders report rapid results

Jacqui Gale, MBE, chief executive of Reframe Cancer, attended a recent session while her organization was undergoing major change.

She said the experience allowed her team to step away from daily pressures and focus on how they communicate, build trust and collaborate.

“Working with Gaia brought all of that to life in minutes. There was no hiding behind words or explanations,” Gale observed, noting the instant visual feedback.

Gale was surprised by how quickly the mare responded to minor adjustments in her behaviour, highlighting the animal’s sensitivity.

The exercise also helped the group see how individual actions affect colleagues, encouraging a shared learning moment in real time.

“The real value for me is the speed and impact of the learning. In business, time is precious, and we need development experiences that genuinely make a difference,” she concluded, recommending the programme to other leaders.