How it Works | WorkHorse Team Building

Through a detailed discovery process of in-depth conversations and surveys, we develop a customized proposal designed to help your team achieve its goals. We trust the answer lies within the team.

Then, we develop unmounted activities with the horses, balanced with some experiential classroom activities and theory, to challenge the team’s verbal and nonverbal communication, creative thinking, and problem-solving. Important patterns emerge with the horses, mirroring the team dynamic. We process the experience with the team, and allow their insights and metaphors to emerge.

Team members soon realize that when they shift their attitudes, intentions, and reactions, the horses shift, and the dynamic changes in the arena, creating immediate accountability.

Because the experience with the horses is so unique, and the feedback in non-judgmental, people are willing to engage in conversations and actionable next steps that pave the way to a more connected, meaningful, and efficient work environment.

Sample Experiences & Agenda

Building Winning Teams (with Horses!)	Coaching Tomorrow’s Leaders (with Horses!)	Competing to Win In the Marketplace (with Horses!)
Workshop promotes cohesion and communication among team members, who collaborate to achieve common goals. Participants recognize individual strengths & how they contribute to team dynamics.	Leadership workshop is designed for top performers undertaking the responsibilities of leadership. Focuses on developing management and supervisory skills, as well as cross-functional relationships.	Participants work together to overcome competitive obstacles that are specific to the client’s industry and company. Workshop can be designed as a breakout activity at corporate meetings and conventions.

Sample Agenda
8:30 a.m. Depart Office or Hotel
9:00 a.m. Arrive at Equestrian Facility
Welcome and Introduction
Coffee and Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Review Program Goals
10:00 a.m. Intention Exercise with Group
10:30 a.m. Break and Move to Arena
10:45 a.m. Safety Review and Arena Activities with Horses
12:00 noon   Lunch
1:00 p.m.  Recap Morning Arena Activities
1:30 p.m. Second Arena Activities with Horses
2:45 p.m.  Discussion: What We Learned
3:00 p.m.  Departures

On the day of the workshop, team members arrive at the equestrian facility for a welcome reception, discussion of workshop goals, and how they relate to their own experiences in the workplace.
After orientation, team members enter the arena with the horses, guided by specially-trained facilitators.
Team members work with the horses to reach a predetermined goal
Afterwards, team members de-brief and discuss learnings to capture key learnings which will be applied in the workplace, and summarized in a final report.

From Arena to Office
How to create lasting results back at work!

Allocate Enough Time

Part of creating a meaningful experience is allowing your team to slow down and take time to celebrate their successes and explore the challenges at hand.

Be Vulnerable

Encourage your team to openly discuss roadblocks at work during the experience. Have the conversations you are not having back at work. Be willing to listen to your team and be ready to implement some changes back at the office.

Offer Affirmations

Reach out to your team after the event whether it’s through an email or over a cup of coffee. Hearing what they are doing well builds trust & encourages them to show up with renewed energy.

Follow Through

Don’t let the momentum you’ve achieved fall flat! Hang up facilitation maps and pictures from the event back at work. Build a map of “next steps” and be accountable with one another to complete them.