Horse and People Project

09/08/2025

Careful or hesitant?

A client came for a session at H&PP believing she was assertive and in control.

But the horse ignored her.

I noticed her energy was hesitant. She mentioned she had recently undergone surgery and was being careful with her movements. This led to a discussion about the difference between being careful and being hesitant.

There is a way you can be careful, but your intention can still be clear and strong.

She came into the pen a second time, and even though her movements were careful, her intention and body language was confident. When she stepped into a place of clarity and confidence, the horse responded immediately. ☺🐴

08/28/2025

Well, this is exciting! An article in CEO World (link to full article in comments)

In this article I share how my work with horses transformed the way I communicate and lead. I am focusing on public speaking, sharing the lessons learned to help audiences connect with their own emotions and lead from a place of presence, not performance, whether in the boardroom or the backyard.

"The clarity and presence required in the ring are the same qualities that make a leader effective, and a parent deeply connected."

Horses are unconventional teachers for sure! Who or what have/has been your unconventional teacher(s)? Someone once told me pickleball was their teacher 🙂

Please share your unconventional teacher in the comments!

08/25/2025

It's Not About the Horse ☺🐴
When I think back over the many sessions I’ve had in the round pen, my own journey, and that of my clients, what strikes me the most is not the horses’ behavior, but the people’s faces when something clicks. There’s a moment when the lesson becomes less about the horse and more about the person. Whenever the horse becomes the focus, I remind them, ‘this is not about the horse, it’s about you”.
I love being part of a client’s aha moment. When they realize, “Oh… this is how I’ve been showing up with my kids,” or, “No wonder my team avoids me.” These have always been moments that matter the most to me. When the horse becomes the mirror, the teacher, the partner in growth. Not only do I keep learning, but I get to witness people step into a new kind of leadership, one rooted not in force, but in clarity, trust, and connection.
I also see a lot of hesitation and skepticism. “What are we going to learn?” “How is this horse going to help me personally?” are often questions I get. It is hard to get people to trust the process, to be open to learning about themselves in an entirely different way. And then the joy and astonishment after each session, talk or workshop, when individuals realize how practical and real the lessons are to each of them.

Follow me for book updates, to learn more, or to book me for speaking engagements, www.horseandpeopleproject.com

08/20/2025

There’s a saying in the horse world: “Green on green makes black and blue.”

It means that when you have two novices (like an untrained horse and a beginner rider) the results can sometimes have unintended, even painful consequences.

Asking for help isn’t always easy, but things tend to go much more smoothly when at least one of the participants knows what they’re doing. I'm terrible at asking for help, but my horses are teaching me that I don't always have all the answers (and that's OK). ☺🐴

08/14/2025

Horses are 100% Honest

And they expect that from us. This is one of the reasons it is such a pleasure to work with them. They do not care what we look like, what we say, what our title is; they judge us by our energy. If they don't like what they see (smell, feel) they don't willingly interact.

It's nice to be able to let your guard down every now and then.

The Horse and People Project provides individuals and groups the opportunity to interact with horses for better self-awareness and to improve communication and leadership skills. A unique outdoor activity!

08/13/2025

I'm making house calls (in-office sessions) where I get to tell stories and share lessons learned
☺🐴

08/11/2025

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is not the same as self-awareness. It's the ability to read the energy in the room and adjust with intention.

Horses do this naturally. As prey animals they are constantly evaluating situations around them. Sometimes it's hard for people to change course or direction when the energy is off, but this is a key aspect of good leadership.

Great leaders do it easily, the rest of us can practice.

08/07/2025

Leadership and Parenting Are Not Contests; Force Vs. Flow

The moment we focus on winning a power struggle, a point of view, a situation, we try to force outcomes instead of letting them flow. At this point, we risk losing trust and the relationship.

Sometimes the harder you force, the more resistance you get. Learning to encourage positive momentum and flow will yield more successful results and better relationships.

08/04/2025

Do You Zig Zag?

Unclear direction creates confusion. With horses, with children, with colleagues, in life. If you zig-zag, changing your mind, your plan, or your tone, don't be surprised when people stop following you.

07/31/2025

Leadership is Not about Strength

In a physical battle with a 1,000-pound horse, I won't win (I've tried 🤫). But I can still be his leader.

I can earn his respect and his trust. I can be consistent and clear with my directions. With practice I can be a really good leader and not try to push my horse (kids, colleagues, friends) around.

07/28/2025

When Momentum Stops

You might be doing all the right things, but if your energy isn't clear, people (and horses) will hesitate.

Leading from behind is a better way, when energy and intention are encouraging and supporting.

07/24/2025

Autopilot is not leadership.

During a recent session, my horse stopped following a client mid-exercise.
Why? Because the client stopped leading with clarity. He thought the horse 'knew what to do'. Yes, my horses know what to do (!), but they will only do it when led. I don't expect them to go into autopilot mode; if anything, I discourage that. Autopilot is not leadership.