14-07-2025
Learning about leadership with horses
A few years ago, I was invited to spend a day at an equestrian centre as part of a training programme designed to learn about yourself as a leader.
I was a little apprehensive having no previous experience of dealing with horses but this turned out to be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
The day started by learning about the similarities between leading people and leading horses.
We were then split into small groups, and each group was allocated a horse.
The first exercise seemed simple: get the horse to walk alongside you around a short circuit.
I volunteered to start. I didn’t know how to go about it, so I stood next to the horse, and I simply told it to follow me.
I made a few steps but when I looked back, the horse had not moved.
I went back to the horse and tried again several times without success.
The people watching me observed that I was giving conflicting signals to the horse.
On one hand I was asking it to follow me but on the other hand I was looking behind indicating that I didn’t really think it would follow me.
Having taken this into account I changed my posture, and the horse followed me!
Throughout that day we learnt about striking parallels between leading these powerful animals and leading people.
Trust is earned, not demanded.
Just as a horse will not follow someone who is unpredictable or harsh, your team needs to feel safe and respected before people will truly commit to your vision.
Body language speaks louder than words.
Horses read your energy instantly and so do people. Confidence, calmness, and authenticity can't be faked. Your team picks up on your stress, excitement, and genuine care just as quickly as any horse would.
Pressure and release matter.
The best horse trainers know when to apply gentle pressure and when to give space. Great leaders do the same: pushing for excellence while recognising when their team needs support or breathing room.
Every individual is different.
What motivates one horse might terrify another. Similarly, each person has unique strengths, fears, and motivations that require a tailored approach.
Patience builds stronger partnerships.
You can't make a horse do anything by force, and you can't force lasting change in people either. The best results come from consistent, patient guidance.
This eye-opening session was a perfect illustration that leadership is not about dominance but about partnership, understanding, and earning the right to be followed.
If you ever have the opportunity, I would thoroughly recommend attending such a session.
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