Equine teachers help women in business

Human teachers were replaced by horses when women from across the northwest took part in a leadership and development course with a difference.

Harness Change, based in Haverthwaite, hosted ten delegates as part of a Chamber of Commerce event called Harness Confidence.

It aimed to help businesswomen develop their confidence and leadership skills through Equine Facilitated Learning.

Zara Myers, director of Harness Change, and Coach and Business Development Specialist, said: “It is incredible to see how people adapt their behaviours as individuals and as part of a team when they are working with the horses.

“The sessions we deliver are far removed from standard leadership and development courses; by harnessing the horse's natural reaction to want to form a bond with the herd leader, we are able to give our delegates a real insight into how their intentions and behaviours affect those they work with.”

The day consisted of refreshments and introductions at the centre's teaching room followed by an overview of the day’s session explaining how Harness Confidence is about the individual, how they work within a business, their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

The group was split into smaller working groups and moved to the stables where they were introduced to Prada and Pepper, their equine teachers. Zara, alongside her mother Sheelagh, a facilitator with over 10 years of experience working with horses, worked with the group.

Each delegate was asked to work with the horse and could choose how and what they wanted to do. Through this, the delegate could see their habitual behaviours, how they approach situations and their usual way of working with others.

Zara said: “It may seem like a simple task, but a horse will not walk alongside a person who doesn’t command their respect. The exercise is all about making sure the person has set their intentions, is confident and assured. Only at that point will the horse agree to go with them.

“This exercise works well because each person’s individual anxieties are brought to the forefront and then we address it. We talk about how those issues affect the working environment, and we help them to overcome that.

“Once they have overcome their obstacle, the horse will move with them, and in the long term, they have different strategies to take into work. Perhaps a new sense of confidence, or a new approach to conflict.”

The day ended with feedback on the session and an opportunity to network.

Dr Hayley Willacy, a retired GP and senior lecturer at Lancaster Medical school said: “I attended this session to regain my confidence after retiring.

“I spent the last 30 years observing human behaviour as a clinician in the NHS. Although the Harness Confidence session was only three hours, I probably gained five years' worth of human behaviour knowledge in that time. It was a really enlightening afternoon.

“The session was very professionally run. Both Zara and  Sheelagh very obviously had an enormous amount of expertise in interpreting horse behaviour and could use that to illuminate the human behaviours that led to it. The ‘wow’ moment is when by changing the human’s actions you see an immediate change in how the horse responds. It was a very emotional experience for some and everyone was buzzing by the end of the team session.”

Evie Rogers, net zero advisor at Carbon Metrics, based in Kirkby Lonsdale said: “I attended the Harness Confidence session as I was looking to build my confidence in terms of project delivery and gain a deeper insight into the way I work and strategise. I also thought it would be a great networking opportunity.

“Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect but the session was brilliant. I met women with similar interests and who have experienced similar feelings at work like self-doubt and a lack of confidence.

“I definitely got a greater understanding of how I work, and how I can use my introverted way of thinking to my advantage.

“I would definitely be interested in future workshops with Zara.”

Katie Glascott, mortgage and protection specialist at Hather Financial Services Ltd, said: “I came into the session with an open mind, but I certainly wasn’t expecting to get as much out of it as I did.

“I work remotely so it was a great opportunity to network. It was nice to meet new people and be involved in a group setting as well as all the learning and personal development that came from the event.”

Eve Halliday, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s head of commercial and business growth, said: “It’s really important that we run these types of events. The Chamber is always looking to work with our members to showcase their businesses. Zara offers a unique perspective through her training, something that we really appreciate as people came away from the day with a new perspective on the way they work.

“It’s great to have networking events where you are actually taking part in some activities. Many people don’t feel comfortable coming to traditional networking and their confidence holds them back from attending. Events like Zara’s are perfect for creating a relaxed and positive atmosphere where real connections can be made. I think the proof is in the pudding on this one as there’s now a women’s horse riding group set up.”

There is now a Women in Business horse riding group and networking session which takes part on the first Friday of every month at Bigland Hall Equine, which can be booked online.

The Chamber runs quarterly events around the county creating a safe space for any gender to make connections and network

Zara Myers is the founder and director of Harness Change, a company that through equine facilitated learning is dedicated to developing people and businesses in their goals.

The event took place at the Cumbria Rural Academy in Haverthwaite.

The next leadership skills training session will take place at Bigland Hall Riding Centre in Haverthwaite on Tuesday 15th November. For more information visit the event page.