Why Horsemanship?

This is not a gimmick!

Horsemanship has been my medium since I discovered it at the age of 9. It was the practice that made the outside world make more sense and that provided me with skills I have used throughout my life and career. To this day while sitting in my own professional development training I can see the connections or potential learning opportunities working with horses has instilled in me and I want to share that knowledge with you and support you in making your own connections.

The best definition of horsemanship is: the art and practice of riding and working with horses.

At the root of this practice is the ability to build a relationship, to make a connection. The skills required to build a healthy relationship with a 1000 pound animal are the very same skills employers require, HR Departments facilitate and employees are said to need to be successful. Things like: empathy, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, assertiveness, communication and active listening are practiced in each and every interaction we have with horses.

Although referred to as “soft” skills, in truth these skills can be the most challenging to learn and apply - especially in high stress environments. When dealing with a looming deadline for example - taking a break to talk about empathy can seem like a pointless waste of time in the face of the very real, very important task at hand. Yet, without empathy, how effectively can you help your team manage the stress and anxiety they are undoubtedly dealing with?

Enter the horse.

Learning\practicing horsemanship requires us to first become aware of where we are currently in these skill sets and provides us the opportunity to work on them in a practical, hands on, safe and non-judgemental environment. Our work at HJC is led by a horsemanship skills focused approach. This means that when you leave HJC not only will you have gained skills, self-awareness and insights which can help you at home or the office - but you will also have gained real (although basic) skills with horses.

I look forward to working with you in the future!

R. Ellen Jones