TEAM-BUILD with HORSES
Hudson Valley, NY
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ABOUT US
TBWH custom designs and facilitates experiential learning opportunities with horses to help teams - their members, managers and leaders - optimize strengths and explore challenges with this exciting and unique learning model.
Founder and lead facilitator Cori Nichols brings her creativity, expertise and enthusiasm to custom create activities to meet clients' goals. All workshops co-facilitated with members of the herd - horses chosen for this work because of their various quirks, personalities and habits.
Let our team help your team succeed!
What will you do?
Have a peak at these sample activities
WHY HORSES ?
TeamWork
Horses are powerful teachers of teamwork because they are social animals and rely on each other for survival. In a herd, they work together to find food, protect each other from predators, and care for their young. By observing and interacting with horses, humans can learn valuable lessons about communication, trust, and collaboration that can be applied to any team setting.Think corporate group, sports team, and family!
And, like people, horses come with a wide range of personalities, moods and quirks. They'll react differently to each person and each situation.
Leadership
Horses are highly attuned prey animals that are excellent readers of the room. They are experts at reading body language, can sense a person's intentions, even smell their pheromones and pick up on emotions. When providing leadership to the horse, we must exercise awareness and respect, build trust, and work with empathy and assertiveness all at once. We are tasked to embody an emotional intelligence in order for the horse to feel safe with us.
The learning comes in the form of reading the horses' responses to our behaviors and trying different approaches if necessary. The horse will always be 100% honest - and immediate - with their feedback. No matter who you are - CEO or mail clerk - the horse will tell it like it is. (And without judgement.)
An important note: like people, horses come in a wide variety of personality types . . with their own quirks, moods and baggage even!
How better to practice the necessary shifts to effectively lead and manage? Think: co-workers, board members, employees, patients, clients, prospects.
Come, play with horses. See what happens.
Workshops from 2 hours to a full day.
Offered March - November.
Absolutely no horse experience is required.
All HorsePlay activities take place on the ground.
There is no riding.
Safe and suitable for those with physical impairments or limitations.
Health Care Teams
Human Service & Direct Support Providers
Educators, School Administrators
Team Leaders & Managers
Managers-in-Training
Sales Professionals
Boards of Directors
Restaurant & Hospitality Teams
Entrepreneurs . . . ..
WHY TEAM-BUILDING ?
*Forbes "Why Team-Building is the Most Important Investment You'll Make"
*The Journals of Business "The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Business"
*TRUST: What the Google Study Found About Great Teams
Working with horses helps build people-skills!
Our team-building activities are fun - and powerful for teams and team members to:
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form and deepen social bonds with one another
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contribute to positive team-culture
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discover individual and team strengths
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solve problems in new ways
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broaden awareness of communication
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explore alternate methods of interaction
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develop leadership
As opposed to stressful ropes courses or a wordy motivational speaker, team-building with horses provides a unique and exciting learning experience. During your team-building activity, participants will have fun, be challenged and make constructive discoveries about themselves and others.
CURIOUS? Take our free Team Strengths Discovery here.
IMPRESSIONS
"This was an excellent experience. The exercises helped my staff become much more aware of their non-verbal communications and better understand the impact of their tone and manner of verbal communication. Feedback from staff was positive and I personally found the entire program to help me to better communicate with my employees, patients and the public."
- Steve Kelley. CEO Ellenville Regional Hospital
It was a beautiful bonding team-building experience with amazing animals and humans - will stay with me for a long time."
C. S.
"I learned so much through this experience. I'm blown away by the subtlety and depth of communication that is possible between humans and horses"
Participant of the HorsePlay Experience
"As a manager, It was a tremendous gift to be able to share this experience with staff and see them working together in different environment. We learned a lot about each other, how we work as a team, and how we can improve. The experience really highlighted each person’s individual strengths and reinforced that when we blend our strengths together we are highly successful. Everyone expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to experience EAP at Horseplay.”
Kimberly Addesso, Manager, PHP Adolescent Program, HVHA Kingston
"Horses are of great value in helping humans to understand better our approach and interpretation to situations.”
D. Briggs, Dir. of Human Resources, Ellenville Regional Hospital, Ellenville, NY.
FAQ
How long are workshops?
Workshops can run 2-3 hours, all day, or all weekend. Fees are based on duration and group size.
Do I have to ride?
No, there is no riding involved and no horse experience is necessary. All activities take place on the ground.
What do I wear?
This is outdoor stuff. We do have covered areas in which to work, but there is no heated or air conditioned space. Please come prepared for temperatures, precipitation and outdoor conditions. Remember too, that you'll be working with horses. Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes . No sandals.
How many people can come?
Groups can range from 2 -22 participants. Additional participants can observe and/or rotate into activities.
How much does it cost?
Let's discuss. You can afford this! Discounted rates for non-profits , schools and civic organizations.
What about catering and transportation?
Choose from BYO to catering coordinated for you.
Shuttle service to and from greater NYC, airports and other points and accommodations if desired.
Is it safe?
Safety always comes first. Our seasoned and professional staff will vigilantly safeguard both participants and horses alike.
