Why Equine Facilitated Learning?

By Razelle Janice Drescher

Janice has worked with business owners for more than 20 years. She's always inspired to see the potential for success within reach of her clients when they put their attention on their vision for their life and business. Janice has seen highly effective results from her equine facilitated learning programs. In this interview, she discusses how this method of teaching has been a reflection of her own life and business vision. 

1. What events inspired you to start a business where horses act as leadership coaches? 

More than 10 years ago, when I experienced this work with horses called ‘equine facilitated learning’ for the first time, I understood that horses have a great deal to teach us about how to have healthy relationships and how to work together toward a common goal. As a business coach, I already knew that many of my business owner clients didn’t feel like leaders. They didn’t know how to be a leader or what they should be doing as a leader. Working with horses on the ground, who are free of equipment, gives business owners and their employees the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be a leader that a horse will follow.

2. How long have you worked with horses?

I have worked with horses in this way since 2004. I have loved horses since I was a child. Having horses in my family is a dream come true.

3. Why work with horses over another animal?

Horses are prey animals and for that reason they count on the safety of the herd to survive. They naturally look for a leader from the moment they are born. They will follow a human leader if that leader expresses the leadership qualities that they count on for survival. This natural inclination gives us the opportunity to engage with horses and understand where we stand leaders.

4. What have horses taught you personally? 

Horses will tell you in an instant the degree of presence, authenticity, and intention you are expressing. They will tell you if you are inviting or if your tendency is to send people away. They teach us about our boundaries and the true messages we are sending to others. Horses reflect what we are up to without judgment or criticism. They show us how to influence others in the ‘field’ we share.

5. What are some of your favorite takeaways or milestones you have noticed from working with clients and horses?

Working with horses at liberty (free of equipment) on the ground (not riding) can be life-changing. Participants in this work often experience ‘ahas’ that clarify questions they have had about their relationships with themselves and others. The lessons learned with the horses are transferrable to the workplace. The leadership model related to this work with horses is one of invitation and allowing, based on intention; not efforting based on force or control. Why? Because you can’t force such a big animal to do anything really, if they are free to make their own decisions. This model of leadership is based on trust and respect, not fear.

6. What are your horses' names? What's their story?

My first horse came to me at a difficult moment in my life. She arrived with the name Joyful Day and she taught me how to have joy in spite of a health challenge I was facing at the time. Currently, my equine partners are Ginger Snap (Ginni) and Queenie. Ginni was rescued from slaughter by a rescue organization. She is a very sensitive horse and an amazing teacher. I met Queenie during her first week of life. She joined my ‘herd’ 2 years ago when she needed a new home and I needed a new colleague.

7. What is your favorite type of client or group to work within your leadership with horses retreat and why?

Individual coaching with the business owner or team members is a fast track to positive impacts in the workplace. The Leadership/TeamBuilding 1-day retreat provides the opportunity for a team to learn to move together with intention for creative collaboration based on trust and respect.