Why Horses?
Horses don’t speak and have no interest in verbally spoken language, however they are highly attuned to energy in their surroundings as their survival has depended on it. Their ability to read the environment and act accordingly can provide us with precise and powerful feedback.
Horses read intention and energy and are able to spot, sometimes at quite some distance, whether we are being congruent, even when we may not have noticed for ourselves. They need to feel safe and are assessing the impact we are having on them.
Another key factor that makes working with horses so powerful is that they are free from ego, which means any feedback we get from them is free of judgement. This creates a really safe space to explore whether you’re showing up in the way you intend, and in a way that will enable you to be the most successful.
The work is experiential rather than theoretical and quite hard to explain in words, some of the testimonials below may bring this to life.
I came without expectation, I came from a relaxed place and I left similarly; we talked about this and agreed that, being in the ‘right’ mood is of equal importance and value. I was chosen, that in itself is an odd expression, but true, there were other stablemates but just Alfie decided to want to be my pal for that time. I think Moonie would have too but Wilfred had other ideas. I felt ‘associated’ hard to precisely describe what I was feeling; much more like being with a friend.
I think under Caryl’s guidance but not influence I was helped - horses are so very sensitive they make the move and if you are in the right frame of mind you are receptive to them; it’s a time of peacefulness, unusual in our busy lives. This was an evocative, personal experience.
If you are looking to find your place in a team, group or working on your own, I would highly recommend some moments of mindfulness with (insert business name) and Caryl Roberts.
As part of my personal coaching programme I had been focusing on how I show up authentically and with confidence, in both my personal and business life. Caryl suggested we work on an aspect of this in her equine coaching practice. In all honesty I was apprehensive, working and being around with horses is not natural for me - I find horses awe inspiring and slightly intimidating- however I am up for trying new experiences and I’m so glad I did.
It’s hard to describe just how amazing the experience was - I felt a huge sense of safety ( Caryl’s guidance around the horses and also the horses them selves ) like I had stepped into the presence of old wisdom and they already had me sussed out! They knew me and what I needed. The connection I felt as I spoke and worked with them was so natural all my fears subsided and I could show up as me. I learned a huge amount ( with Caryl’s guidance) about myself and what’s holding me back - I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. It’s so different, unexpected but life changing and will stay with me for a long time.
I was very keen to try equine coaching when I first found out about it. It sounded like a different and exciting way to get to know myself better. I attended my session without a very clear view on what I wanted to get out of it, but Caryl was extremely good at helping me set objectives and set out what I could expect.
Throughout the session, being able to spend time with the two fantastic horses outdoors immediately made it worth it for me. Caryl waved the equine experience with professional coaching really incredibly, allowing me time to reflect, try new approaches and learn.
I can confidently say that the session exceeded my expectations and provided unexpected findings about my approaches and principles. Whilst I may have been able to get this through a traditional coaching session, I believe the setting and the platform made me feel a lot more connected to my thoughts and conclusions.
I cannot wait to have another opportunity to see Caryl and her excellent horse helpers, and I cannot recommend equine led coaching enough.
