Does equine assisted development involve riding horses?

No, all the work is on the ground. It does not require any knowledge of horses at all.

What if I someone is afraid of horses?

Fear is something which is present in our organisations and which is rarely dealt with. Often the opportunity to work with fear and anxiety within sessions proves very useful. Whilst we support people to move out of their comfort zone into their “learning zone” we are careful to ensure that their emotional and physical safety is maintained.

I have heard that working around horses is risky.

Learning to manage risk and boundaries is very much part of leadership development role and is inherently part of this work. Horses are independent, sensate creatures and respond appropriately to the stimulus around them, which is how they help us learn about our impact and influence on others.

What do I wear for an event?

Events are almost entirely outdoors although facilitation takes place under the cover of a yurt. Please dress appropriately for the season. Waterproofs and lots of layers are recommended, and sturdy boots or shoes are essential. Please avoid open toed shoes and high heels. In the summer please bring sun screen and a hat!

Can an event be organised somewhere other than your facilities at Chesham?

Yes, we can locate to suitable premises anywhere in the UK and bring our horses with us. For longer distances we find horses to use locally. We also work internationally by arrangement and have run programmes worldwide including Dubai, Spain and New Zealand.

Can working with horses be combined with classroom based development programmes?

Yes, absolutely. Combining equine assisted development with other organisation development modalities is very effective. At Equest we have many years experience in “indoor” development programmes and can design and facilitate these for you or work with other suppliers to create a bespoke solution which meets your needs. Equally many of our clients find that horse-centred learning solutions are enough to meet their needs.

How many people can you take on a programme?

Ideally a maximum group size is 10, although larger groups up to 20 can be catered for. We also work with individuals in or as part of a coaching programme.