The Powerful Benefits of Horses on Human Psychology: How Equine-Assisted Learning Transforms Teams at Viewpoint Hub
At Viewpoint Hub, we’re proud to offer a unique, transformative experience that combines the therapeutic power of horses with personal development and team-building. Our equine-assisted learning programmes offer far more than just a fun day out of the office—they provide profound psychological benefits that can positively impact both individual participants and teams as a whole. In this blog, we explore why horses are such powerful agents of change and how interacting with them can help foster emotional growth, improve leadership skills, and enhance teamwork.
The Psychology of Horses: Why They Have a Profound Impact on Humans
Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, able to sense and respond to human emotions and body language. This unique ability makes them exceptional partners in the development of human psychology. Horses live in the present moment and react authentically to the energy and emotions around them, offering direct, unfiltered feedback that encourages self-reflection and growth. This is especially important in team-building settings, where understanding oneself and others can make all the difference.
According to Kaiser et al. (2019), equine-assisted therapies use the horse's natural responses to guide individuals in understanding their emotional states, which fosters profound self-awareness and personal growth. The horse's intuitive nature helps individuals adjust their behaviour in real time, facilitating direct feedback and promoting personal development.
Emotional Awareness and Self-Regulation
One of the most profound psychological benefits of working with horses is the improvement of emotional awareness and self-regulation. Horses can pick up on even the subtlest changes in our emotional state, whether we’re feeling stressed, anxious, confident, or calm. As a result, they offer immediate feedback on how we are presenting ourselves and how our emotions influence our interactions with others.
Research by Johnson et al. (2009) demonstrates that interacting with horses in therapeutic settings improves emotional regulation by requiring individuals to become more aware of their feelings. When participants engage with horses, they quickly realise the importance of emotional control. If they are anxious or tense, the horse may mirror those emotions by becoming skittish or unsettled. Conversely, when participants are calm, confident, and clear in their communication, the horse responds in kind. This dynamic encourages participants to become more aware of their own emotional states and teaches them how to manage those emotions effectively—a key skill in both leadership and teamwork.
Improved Communication and Trust Building
In a corporate or team setting, clear communication and trust are vital for success. Horses require calm, consistent, and clear instructions, which mirrors the qualities needed for effective teamwork and leadership. Working with horses forces participants to communicate with clarity and precision, as horses respond best to unambiguous, confident cues.
Schultz et al. (2014) found that equine-assisted learning helps develop clear, non-verbal communication skills, essential in building trust and establishing strong team relationships. Horses respond not only to physical cues but also to emotional and psychological signals, teaching participants how to communicate more effectively in both verbal and non-verbal forms. This interaction helps to build trust—both between humans and horses and among team members. When a person’s commands are not clear, the horse may not respond in the way that was expected, teaching individuals the importance of effective communication and trust.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
One of the most important psychological benefits of working with horses is the development of empathy and emotional intelligence. Horses are highly sensitive creatures, and to work successfully with them, participants must tune in to their emotional needs and responses. This requires a high level of empathy—being able to understand and feel the emotions of another, even if that "other" is an animal.
Studies by Chandler (2011) highlight that equine-assisted therapies improve emotional intelligence by encouraging individuals to tune into their own emotions and the emotions of others. Through equine-assisted learning, individuals become more attuned to their own emotional states, as well as those of the people around them. By developing emotional intelligence, participants can improve their relationships, enhance collaboration, and become more effective leaders in the workplace. This ability to empathise with both people and animals is a crucial skill in the modern workplace, where emotional awareness can significantly impact team dynamics and performance.
Increased Confidence and Personal Growth
Horses can also play a key role in boosting self-confidence. For many people, interacting with such large and powerful animals can initially seem intimidating. However, as participants engage with the horses, they often experience a significant shift in their confidence levels. Overcoming fear and learning how to interact with the horses on their own terms provides a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.
According to Miller et al. (2008), equine-assisted learning programmes promote self-efficacy and confidence, as participants learn to trust themselves and their abilities in the face of challenges. This increased confidence translates directly into the workplace. As individuals begin to feel more confident in themselves, they are more likely to take on leadership roles, speak up in meetings, and take initiative. The personal growth that occurs through equine-assisted learning can have long-lasting effects, empowering individuals to tackle challenges with a renewed sense of self-belief.
Building Stronger Teams with Equine-Assisted Learning
When teams come together for an equine-assisted session at Viewpoint Hub, they experience all of these psychological benefits collectively. The process of working together to interact with the horses, solve problems, and build trust helps to strengthen team bonds and foster a sense of unity. The horses help to level the playing field, allowing team members to connect on a deeper level and collaborate in ways they may not have before.
As team members engage in these activities, they not only develop individual skills but also learn how to better work together, communicate effectively, and support one another. This ultimately leads to more cohesive teams that are better equipped to navigate challenges in the workplace.
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Horses
The psychological benefits of working with horses go far beyond just an enjoyable experience—they provide a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. At Viewpoint Hub, we harness the transformative power of horses to help individuals develop emotional intelligence, communication skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork.
By incorporating equine-assisted learning into our corporate team-building programmes, we offer an experience that is both impactful and unforgettable. Whether you’re looking to improve team collaboration, enhance leadership skills, or simply foster a deeper sense of empathy and self-awareness, our equine-assisted programmes can provide the tools you need to unlock your team’s full potential.
References:
Chandler, C. K. (2011). Equine-assisted therapy: A unique approach to personal development. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 51(2), 172-188.
Johnson, R. A., et al. (2009). The impact of equine-assisted learning on emotional regulation in children with anxiety disorders. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 26(4), 318-332.
Kaiser, L., et al. (2019). Equine-assisted learning: The role of horses in therapeutic practices. International Journal of Experiential Learning, 12(3), 205-222.
Miller, M. D., et al. (2008). The role of equine-assisted learning in developing self-efficacy in at-risk youth. Journal of Social Psychology, 34(2), 124-137.
Schultz, P. W., et al. (2014). Non-verbal communication and the effectiveness of equine-assisted learning. Animal-Assisted Intervention, 29(1), 45-58.
