Equine-Facilitated
Development & EQ

Although initially skeptical of equine-facilitated learning, hands-on experience led me to recognize horses as natural collaborators in helping people expand self-awareness and self-regulation. The collaboration between horses and skilled facilitators offers participants self-discoveries that are central to the development of emotional intelligence (EQ).

Learning about equine-facilitated development
My introduction to equine-facilitated work was a wonderful experience made available to me in a collaborative venture with Linda Kohanov, at EponaQuest in Arizona. I both participated in and co-facilitated two four-day workshops targeting communication and team development. The project included the EQ Profile for all workshop participants. They took the Profile before the workshop, allowing time for interpretation of their results by phone before our arrival in Arizona. I used the results in providing supplemental coaching to participants throughout the four days.

I also offered separate one-day workshops at the end of the four-day events. The design was based on one of my books, Coaching For Emotional Intelligence. These events were offered to Linda's clients and advertised in the Tucson business community. The additional income enabled us to handle travel expenses and provided more funds for division between us at the end of my stays. The fees for the EQ Profiles also contributed to this total.

Event design and facilitation
I have been designing workshops and developmental events for nearly 35 years. The design process begins with an initial phone call to explore our mutual interests and discover how collaboration might be benefit to your clients.

I am currently scheduled to co-facilitate two one-day workshops with Shannon Knapp at Horse Sense of the Carolinas, located in Marshall, North Carolina. Entitled Horse Sense and EQ, these workshops will take place on June 5 and October 2. For more information on Horse Sense, visit www.HorseSenseLearning.com.

Do you need to overcome skepticism?
Do you have a potential client who is skeptical of equine-facilitated learning? If so, refer them to my blog post of 2/23/2001, entitled "Reflections on equine-facilitated development."

The writing features the key points I would want a potential client to know about equine-facilitated learning.

Only personal experience can lead people to understand what horse people have known for so many years…that a horse's sensitivity to emotion and nonverbal communication provide a form of feedback that is not otherwise available in a workshop setting.