Questions and Answers

Background Information

Who can take part in the trainings and coachings?

People who are in a position where they lead, people who have recently been appointed a leader and of course people who want to prepare themselves to become a good leader: Entrepreneurs, CEOs, managers and executives of all levels, team and project leaders, and everybody who wants to invest in their own growth process by strengthening the inner-guide and sovereignty within.

Which companies profit by booking a training?

Most of all those companies which have dismissed the traditional appreciations of hierarchies or companies which have begun the process of doing so. Organisations that value creative knowledge management instead of blindly plugging along hierarchical structures and chains of command. Companies that value and support a leadership culture based on honesty, trust and respect.

What is the benefit for the participants?

Clear feedback about the intuitive and subconscious leadership behaviours and attitudes observed. Feedback about the effects these behaviors and attitudes have on others. The experience of sovereignty and natural authority. Fundamental insights in the subconscious processes of personnel management. Cognitions about structures of relationship and leadership.

What is the benefit for the companies?

Experienced executives and managers leave the trainings refreshed and with more clarity. Constructive and empowering character traits and ways of managing people and business become once again apparent and are reinforced. Emerging leaders may experience a significant leap in their social leadership skills. Both feel empowered to contribute more consciously to a transparent and credible leadership culture in the company.

What methods are adopted?

• single sessions, group sessions and practical exercises with horses
• mutual feedback amongst the participants and from the trainers
• video reflection
• theory input and practical models
• moderation and discussion
• guided self-reflection
• leadership case studies
• exchange of experiences

Why are horses powerful coaches?

Horses display, unlike cats or dogs e.g., the inherent, instinctual, behavioral characteristic to follow a person right at that moment when she or he excels in credibility, self-confidence and awareness for the goal. Horses, being flight animals and living in herds, have the ideal instinctive behavioural patterns to challenge the person in lead to the maximum as natural coaches and give just as much as a friend and partner.

Are the seminars for horsemen?

The seminar's focus is on leading people, not on leading horses. The horses are just the means and the medium in the trainings and coachings. Having experience with horses comes at no advantage and is not required.

What is the role of the horses in the trainings?

The horses mirror people's behaviour intuitively in situations of leadership, negotiation and decision-making. They are the catalyst for processes of great insight which become transparent in the mutual feedback and in the video reflection. The impact of subconscious behavioural patterns towards staff members, superiors and customers is made conscious and, if applicable, a change process initiated.

Is there a psychotherapeutic approach in your work?

No, we do not do therapy. We exclusively provide training and coaching for the progression of leadership in the workaday life of managers and executives. In many cases this initiates a healing process in a holistic sense, while communication patterns and structures get better and teams develop positively. People suffering from serious psychic problems, i.e. an advanced burnout-syndrome, can gain new insights through our trainings and coachings but needs additional professional therapeutic support.

How long have these seminars been offered?

The concept was developed by Gerhard and Karin Krebs in 1996. We adopted it and have been working in close cooperation with the pioneers of horse assisted leadership training since 2002. We are continuously developing new concepts for coaching and training together with them. We offer up to four trainings or coachings every month: Open seminars with 6 to 12 participants, in-house and team trainings for up to 20 people and coachings for individuals.

What if somebody is scared of horses?

Our horses have interacted with many participants already, amongst them some who were initially afraid of horses. After just a short while this fear disappeared for most people. At the end of the seminar fear turned into self-assurance and self-confidence - facilitated by the trainer's coaching but above all by the amiable faith of the horses.

What is the participant age range and what is the seminar atmosphere like?

The open seminars are booked by people from all walks of life – entrepreneurs, CEOs, top executives, managers and emerging leaders of all ages alike. The people are usually very open, sincere and respectful of each other contributing to a creative and unique atmosphere.

How to dress properly?

The practical exercises with the horses take place in an indoor riding arena. Casual clothing and robust shoes are advisable. Bring rain gear or other equipment, if the weather conditions call for it.