Blog 8: The HORSEPOWER EAL Experience: Why It Works and Why It Lasts
At HORSEPOWER, our Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program has quickly become one of the most rewarding and impactful experiences for the companies and organizations who participate. From executives to entry-level employees, participants leave with practical life skills, fresh perspectives, and unforgettable memories. What makes EAL at HORSEPOWER so successful? The answer lies in the unique combination of setting, staff, horses, and expert facilitation.
A Facility Designed for Transformation
The magic begins the moment you arrive. HORSEPOWER sits on over 50 acres of serene countryside, tucked back from the road and surrounded by trees and wildlife. The peaceful atmosphere immediately melts away the stress of the office and opens the mind to learning.
Participants are greeted by rustic barns, covered arenas, and a tranquil landscape that instantly feels like “your own piece of paradise,” as one veteran described it. Whether you’re working in our temperature-controlled classroom or practicing exercises in the lower arena—quietly set apart from the main buildings—every corner of HORSEPOWER is designed to foster connection, reflection, and growth.
This change of scenery is intentional. By stepping away from the familiar, participants naturally become more open to new experiences and insights. Here, there are no ringing phones or overflowing inboxes just the calm of nature and the presence of horses.
A Team That Feels Like Family
Our dedicated staff and volunteers are the heartbeat of the HORSEPOWER experience. Warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, they treat every participant like family from the moment you arrive. Their expertise in handling the horses and guiding group activities ensures that the day flows smoothly, safely, and meaningfully.
Visitors often remark on how welcomed and at ease they feel. It’s a true testament to the care and attention of a team that genuinely loves what they do.
The Horses: Our Greatest Teachers
While the facility sets the stage, the horses are the stars of the EAL program. Each horse is carefully selected for its calm demeanor, adaptability, and ability to read people. Horses are natural leaders and master communicators, relying on subtle nonverbal cues to interact with the world.
Whether you’ve never touched a horse or grew up around them, these incredible animals teach lessons that resonate far beyond the barn. Trust, respect, clear communication, and emotional awareness. The same skills that strengthen teams and workplaces are all brought to life in real time through your interactions with the horses.
Unlike traditional leadership seminars, the lessons you learn here are unforgettable because they are experienced, not just taught. As one participant put it, “You’ll never forget a lesson a horse teaches you.”
Guided by an Exceptional Facilitator
Powerful experience needs a skilled guide, and at HORSEPOWER, that guide is Mike, our lead facilitator. With a unique blend of corporate experience, teaching background, and over two decades of horsemanship, Mike brings unmatched insight and energy to every session.
Mike has earned a credential by PATH International as an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator in Organizations, Mike ensures that every exercise is safe, purposeful, and tailored to the group’s goals. His ability to connect with people of all backgrounds whether CEOs or new hires, creates an environment of trust and discovery.
Participants consistently praise his calm, confident leadership, describing him as “awesome, so knowledgeable and good energy” and “an understanding and highly effective instructor.” Mike’s passion for horses and people shines through every interaction, making the experience both transformative and deeply personal.
Why EAL Works
EAL is more than a team-building exercise it’s an immersive, eye-opening journey. By stepping outside the workplace and into the barn, participants engage with horses in a way that sparks self-awareness, problem-solving, and authentic communication.
Horses don’t care about job titles. They respond to honesty, consistency, and trust, offering instant feedback that translates directly to workplace dynamics. The result? Participants leave not only with stronger leadership and collaboration skills but also with life lessons they’ll carry every day.
Ready for Your Own HORSEPOWER Experience?
The combination of a beautiful facility, caring staff, wise horses, and a gifted facilitator creates something truly unforgettable. From the moment you arrive until long after you leave, the HORSEPOWER EAL experience stays with you, changing the way you lead, communicate, and connect.
So, what are you waiting for? Come discover the life-changing lessons only a horse can teach your team or group.
Book Your Team or Groups EAL Experience at HORSEPOWER Today! Email Ride@horsepower.org or call the office 336.931.1424.