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Equicoaching

Equine-assisted coaching, also called equicoaching, uses horses as co-coaches to help individuals develop their personal and professional skills. Equicoaches use the natural behaviours and instincts of horses and encourage individuals to create a relationship with the horses. They use their interactions with the horses as a mirror of your own comportment and attitudes to develop skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, trust, and emotional intelligence.


Associated coaching categories.

Equicoaching is often associated with various coaching categories, including the following:


Associated coaching topics.

Equicoaching can assist you with matters related to the following topics:


Interesting to know

1. What is equicoaching and how does it work: In this section, you'll find an overview of the basic principles of equicoaching, including how horses can serve as powerful mirrors for human behaviour and emotions.

2. What are the benefits of working with horses for personal growth and development: Explore how equicoaching can help individuals develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication skills, as well as improve confidence and leadership abilities.

3. What's the connection between horses and nature, and why this can be important for personal well-being: Spending time in nature and building relationships with animals have some therapeutic aspects. Learn more about the benefits of developing a deeper connection with the natural world.

4. What are the differences between equicoaching and other coaching methods: Explore the unique benefits of equicoaching and compare it to other forms of coaching, such as life coaching or executive coaching: the differences in approach, techniques, and outcomes between these coaching methods.


What is equicoaching and how does it work?

Equicoaching, involves working with horses to facilitate self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication skills. In a equicoaching session, the coachee typically engages in activities with the horse, while a trained coach observes and guides the interaction between the coachee and the animal.

The horse is used as a mirror for the coachee‘s emotions and behaviour at the present time, without any judgement on the person, his/her past and future. Equicoaching helps in very different contexts, including leadership development, team building, communication skills, decision making, emotions and personal growth.


The benefits of working with horses for personal growth and development:

Equicoaching may be an effective way to develop the skills and mindset needed to achieve career goals and to help individuals overcome challenges:

  • Communication: In a professional setting, effective communication is essential for building relationships, resolving conflicts, and achieving goals. Through working with horses, individuals develop more effective communication skills, including nonverbal communication, active listening, assertiveness and improve their relationships with others. Horses are very perceptive animals and can help individuals become more aware of their own communication style and how it affects others.
  • Leadership: If horses are herd animals that search confident and assertive leaders, equicoaching help individuals develop leadership skills such as assertiveness, effective communication, decision-making, and problem-solving, useful in management, team leadership, and entrepreneurship.
  • Self-esteem: Low self-esteem can hold individuals back from pursuing their career goals and reaching their full potential. Working with horses is challenging but can be incredibly rewarding. Horses provide a non-judging environment that helps individuals build confidence and self-esteem. Through successfully working with horses, coachees can gain a sense of accomplishment and feel more capable and self-assured. As we develop our skills and form a bond with our equine partner, we may find that our self-confidence grows.
  • Emotional regulation: In today’s high-pressure work environment, it is essential to manage stress, maintain focus, and make important choices in an emotional balance to take clear decisions. Horses are very sensitive to human emotions and learn them to regulate their emotions, focus on the present, and reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Trust issues: Horses are social animals that rely on trust and communication to function effectively in a herd. The horses learn individuals to develop greater trust in themselves and others, increase their capacity for empathy and connection and team spirit.
  • Trauma recovery: Horses can provide a safe and accepting environment for individuals who have experienced trauma. Through working with horses, individuals can learn to develop greater emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The connection between horses and nature can be important for personal well-being.

Horses have been part of human culture for thousands of years, living next to us to serve us in different roles, from transportation to agriculture to sport. However, we often forgot the connection between horses and nature, that is so important today for people living in cities, disconnected from the nature, fresh air, and landscapes, living inside, and working the whole day on a computer. Spending time with horses in a natural environment has a deep impact on personal well-being. It can positively influence our mental, emotional, and physical health, as studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety:

  • Calming influence: Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels, and horses are no exception. Horses have a calming presence that can help us feel more relaxed and centred. The rhythm of their breath, their peace, and their gentle movements can create a mental state that helps us let go of our worries and connect with the present moment.
  • Increased social interaction: Working with horses means interacting with other people and animals, that asks us to build social connections and improve our communication skills. Being around horses encourages to be connected to other humans and to animals around us.
  • Sense of purpose: Working with horses gives us a sense of purpose and fulfilment. When we care for them, we are contributing to their well-being, giving us a sense of purpose to feel more motivated and engaged.

The next time you're feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, go to the barn, and spend some time with these majestic animals in nature.


What are the differences between equicoaching and other coaching methods?

Equicoaching involves interacting with horses to develop personal and professional skills. While other coaching methods, such as life coaching or executive coaching, focus on developing skills and achieving goals through conversations and exercises, equicoaching adds an experiential element to the coaching process. In equicoaching, the coach guides the coachee through exercises with the horse, which can help develop communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence skills.

One of the key differences between horse coaching and other coaching methods is the use of horses as co-coaches. Horses are highly intuitive and responsive animals that can sense a person's emotions and intentions, providing immediate feedback on a person's communication and leadership skills. This feedback can help the coachee develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with others.

Another difference is that equicoaching is often done outdoors in a natural setting, such as a farm or ranch, rather than in an office or meeting room. This natural environment can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, allowing the coachee to be more open to the coaching process.


Testimonials

John, 34 y/o, Switzerland

"I met communication issues at work and decided to try horse coaching as my friend proposed. Coaching with  horses helped me to become more aware of how I was coming across to others."

Sabine, 32 y/o, Belgium

"I've been riding horses my entire life, but I never realised how much they could teach me until I started working with an Equicoach. Through various exercises with the horses, I've been able to develop a deeper understanding of myself and improve my emotional intelligence."

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