• We are all leaders at some moment or in some situation. Our parents were our first leaders, later our teachers and lastly our bosses at work. When we hold an executive or directive position we are carrying all those leaders in our “personal back pack”. When we learn to recognise what limitations we have and are able to modify inadequate behavioural patterns, we improve our leadership skills.

• There is a clear difference between “dominating” and “leading”. New leadership tendencies are based on less aggressive and distant approaches and favour a more emotional, warm and connected relation. A good leader knows how to stir emotions in others and effectively communicate with his colleagues. This implies honesty. This implies knowing oneself and being sufficiently humble to want to change and improve. We must know we cannot always win but, the importance lies in the effort we make to achieve our aims. Horses teach us to take our time to reformulate and to find new strategies.

• Equine Assisted Learning helps and promotes communication, group dynamics, creativity and flexibility. To successfully complete a task with a horse requires much of the same talents which are required to be successful in the business world: empathy, communication, planning, analysis, collaboration, problem solving, clearly defined goals, responsibility, adaptability, mutual trust, constant learning and shared leadership.

• Non-verbal communication helps us identify personal qualities.