As a professional coach, you know that supporting your clients to big breakthroughs can be a challenging endeavor. Partnering with horses through equine assisted coaching will not only set you apart from other coaching professionals, but also exponentially increase your clients’ growth and satisfaction with your services.
And here’s a special bonus – not only will horses help your clients up their game – they’ll also help you increase your self awareness, communication skills and emotional fitness, making you a more effective coach and human being.
Your clients’ transformation starts with you.
You cannot lead others where you are not willing to go. Your ability to create a safe and supportive space for your clients’ self-discovery and growth relies heavily on your willingness and ability to do the same for yourself. To show up powerfully for others, you must be able to show up powerfully for yourself.
By creating and participating in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programs, you’ll develop greater self-awareness and be able to deliver better results to your clients. You’ll become a better communicator and better able to manage your emotions and maintain focus during your coaching sessions.
Horses can teach us not only about our energy and non-verbal communication, but they also help us check in with ourselves with greater patience and compassion. They’re non-judgmental and bring a calming energy, supporting you and your clients during your work together.
How do horses support transformation and growth?
For those new to horses, the idea may seem far-fetched. How could a horse help you and your clients become more effective humans?
Horses are always honest, highly empathetic and non-judgmental. They see us exactly as we are in any given moment, and reflect that information back to us, helping us to see ourselves more clearly. When we see our thoughts, behaviors and patterns clearly, and the outcomes we are creating in our lives, we can then make more informed and conscious choices about how we’d like to show up going forward. We go from acting unconsciously and habitually to consciously and intentionally.
Horses are also master teachers of communication, emotional and social intelligence, teamwork, healthy boundaries, time and energy management, and leadership skills.
Simply spending time with horses is very calming to the nervous system, helping our clients open up and be more honest with themselves and others.
Some of the lessons you’ll learn with horses:
- Understanding emotions and choosing to respond rather than to react.
- Communicating and interacting with others more effectively, compassionately and assertively.
- Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Learning to trust ourselves and others.
- Confronting our fears.
- Staying present and focused.
- Setting clear intentions.
Add horse power to your coaching practice with E3A certification
Join our next Arena Side Chat to learn more about our certification program to become an E3A certified equine assisted learning practitioner. The Arena Side Chats are always held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Then become a member and attend the next Introduction to Equine Experiential Education Facilitation Method. These are offered monthly as well. Learn more at e3assoc.org.
