A Memorable Day with the Herd: Highlights from Our Open House
By Razelle Janice Drescher
What happens when curious minds, open hearts, and horses come together? You get something that feels a lot like magic, and that’s exactly what unfolded at our June 11th Open House in Watsonville.
Guests arrived with thoughtful questions and a willingness to explore something new. They stepped into the arena (some a bit nervous, others excited) and participated in mini-sessions with our horses, no saddles, no reins, just presence and connection. Occasionally, a halter may be used to make a participant feel more comfortable.
Toward the end of the day, we gathered for a team activity where participants got to experience including a horse in their “team.” What they discovered was both simple and profound: the horse responded not to force, but to leadership qualities we often talk about but rarely get immediate feedback on: presence, intention, clarity, and authenticity.
Because horses are prey animals, they’re finely tuned to the energy around them. They naturally seek trustworthy leadership for their survival and their sense of peace. When we show up grounded and focused, they feel it. And when we don’t… they feel that too.
One of the eye-opening parts of the day was a one-on-one activity called ‘Say Hello.’ Each participantasked a horse for permission to enter their space. Some needed a bit of support, understandably, but every single one found their own way forward. And the horses responded in kind.
Whether people walked away feeling more confident, more curious, or simply more connected, they left with something real, and that’s what this work is all about.
If you’re intrigued, I invite you to learn more at intentionalleaders.com, reach out at
Leadership doesn’t start with strategy. It starts with self-awareness, and maybe a horse or two.