Equine Assisted Leadership Development

For leaders, teams and individuals seeking meaningful growth through experiential learning with horses.

Experiential Leadership Learning

Hands on leadership development with horses that builds self awareness, presence and authentic communication.

For Leaders and Teams

Programs designed for leadership cohorts, executive teams and organisations seeking stronger collaboration.

Delivered Across Australia

Half day, full day and multi day programs delivered in beautiful natural venues nationwide.

Transform Leadership. Build High-Performing Teams.


Experiential learning with horses for leaders and teams. Gain clarity, build trust, enhance communication, and strengthen collaboration in a safe, guided, and distraction-free environment.

All horse interactions are conducted safely from the ground, there is no riding involved, and no prior horse experience is necessary.

Three women standing outdoors on a grassy field with a horse. They are wearing black shirts and athletic shoes, and are smiling. The woman on the left is holding a multicolored leash attached to the horse. The sky is partly cloudy with blue sky visible. Trees and a fence are in the background.

Why Choose Equine Assisted Learning

To build trust and connect with a horse you must be fully present, a good listener and show up authentically. Horses provide instant, honest feedback on presence, energy and communication.

By interacting with our specialised herds, participants gain insight into their leadership style, team dynamics and how their behaviour impacts others, all in a safe, guided experiential setting.

Understand Your Impact

Gain insight into how your energy, communication and presence affect others in real time.

Build Trust and Connection

Strengthen relationships and create alignment across teams through shared experience.

Develop Self Awareness

Increase awareness of behaviour, patterns and emotional responses in a practical setting.

Strengthen Leadership Presence

Build confidence, clarity and decision making through direct experiential feedback.

“Thriving organisations depend on clarity, trust and aligned leadership. Horses operate by the same principles; they respond to congruence, calm presence and clear intention.”

Jackie Smith, Founder — The Wisdom of The Horse

Programs We Offer

We design equine assisted learning experiences tailored to your organisation’s goals, group size and schedule. Programs can be delivered in several formats including leadership development, team programs and executive retreats.

A woman wearing a tan hat and a gray shirt is talking to two men near a brown horse. The woman has a name tag that reads 'Jackie.' The scene is outdoors with green trees and grass in the background.

Leadership Development

Enhance self awareness, learn the value of being present and connected with your teams and explore the impact of formal and informal leadership and authority.

A group of people posing outdoors in front of a fence with a horse grazing nearby, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Conferences & Retreats

A unique outdoor experience for delegates, offering opportunities to relax, unwind, play and have fun.

Group of people gathered outdoors around a wooden structure, possibly for an event or demonstration, with a grassy field and trees in the background.

Team Building & Cohesion

Strengthen collaboration, trust and communication within teams.

A man wearing a light blue shirt and a black cap is petting a brown horse with a white star on its forehead near a large tree with green foliage in the background.

Individual Coaching

Leadership, personal development or career transition coaching with Jackie.

A man and a woman are standing on a grassy field with a white horse between them. The man is petting the horse's back, and the woman is holding the horse's bridle. There are trees and a fence in the background.

Executive Offsites

Build trust, strengthen relationships and lay the foundations for alignment within leadership teams.

A woman hugging a brown horse in a grassy outdoor setting.

Wellbeing & Private Retreats

Equine assisted wellbeing sessions teach emotional regulation skills and how to build resilience. 

Working With Us

We work closely with organisations to design learning experiences aligned with their goals, people and context.

Discovery Consultation

We explore your team’s needs, challenges and goals.

Tailored Proposal

Receive a detailed program outline and transparent quote aligned to your objectives.

Flexible Delivery

Programs delivered on site or at our locations, from half day to multi day.

End to End Support

Coordination of venue, participants, facilitation and post program follow up.

Two women sitting on green chairs in front of a horse barn, smiling and talking. A brown horse is standing behind a fence nearby. There is a sign that says, 'The Wisdom of the Horse.' The area outside the barn is grassy with trees in the background.

Client Experiences

“We walked away feeling connected as a team, energised and incredibly grateful for the meaningful learning experience.”

— Samantha Mueller, Head of Learning and Development, Fantastic Furniture

“Everyone was involved, everyone contributed… we got a lot out of it. Really enjoyed it.”

— Steve Durkin, Managing Director, SafeScape

“Well facilitated and far more impactful than traditional in-office training.”

— Fiona Neo, General Manager Marketing and Communications, Frasers Property Industrial

“A whole new level of self awareness… we’ve since focused deeply on communication to achieve together as a team.”

— Lynn Butler, General Manager, Xypex Australia

“The day helped us have more honest conversations and embrace discomfort as a leadership team.”

— Beth McGuinness, Chief People Officer, Credabl

“A unique learning experience we will never forget.”

— Amanda Holenstein, Group Sales Director, NOVA Entertainment

Organisations across Australia trust The Wisdom of the Horse to deliver impactful leadership development experiences that create lasting change.

The logo of the shoe retailer SKF in blue capital letters.
The Foot & Ankle Institute logo featuring a gray abstract geometric design above the text 'The Foot & Ankle Institute' in gray serif font with a horizontal line underneath.
A circular logo with the words "THE BODY SHOP" inside, surrounded by two curved lines, on a black background.
Naspers logo with an orange circular emblem above the company name
Logo of Fantastic Furniture with a stylized pink armchair above the company name in pink text.
Logo for PVH Brands Australia featuring black background with white text
Suntory logo in teal text
Logo for Erasers Property featuring stylized abstract shapes in red and gray and the company name in black text.
XYFEX logo with the slogan 'Sustainability In Concrete Structures'
Red and black 'HBO' logo in a stylized font.
KPMG logo with four stylized squares above the company name.
Colorful pixelated bar graph with an upward arrow on top and a large outline text that reads 'STOCK'.
Logo for 'The Biggest Loser' featuring a stylized blue 'B' and the show title in bold blue and purple text.
Yieldbroker logo with stylized red wing symbol and black and red text
Logo of the Queensland Firebirds team featuring a stylized phoenix with a purple and orange color scheme and team name in bold purple and yellow letters.
Lifebridge Australia Ltd logo with a curved light blue line above the text
Logos of NSW Government and Health Education & Training Institute.
Telstra logo with a blue stylized 'T' and the company name in blue text.
Logo of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDA) Australia featuring a stylized face and a horse silhouette.
A cartoon illustration of a girl sitting on a hay bale with a duck and a dog, next to a windmill. Text reads "Bahrs Scrub Early Learning Centre."
Blue circular logo with the word 'ten' in white lowercase letters.
Longchamp Paris logo in black and white
Safescape logo with black and yellow stripes and the text 'Safescape Practical Innovation'.
PayU logo with green text and design elements
Guide Dogs logo with an illustration of a golden retriever and the text 'Sight lost, freedom found.'
Black and white photo of a company logo named PHOENIX
Credabl logo in blue, with a colorful C shape icon
McCain logo with black background, yellow border, and white stylized text

Frequently Asked Questions

Close-up of a black and white horse's face with a white blaze on its forehead, standing outdoors on a grassy field.
  • Our programs are designed for groups of 6 to 30+ participants, depending on the venue and program design. We can tailor experiences for small executive teams through to larger leadership groups.

  • We deliver programs across a range of partner venues across Australia, close to conference venues and accommodation. Locations are selected based on your needs, accessibility, and the type of experience you want to create.

  • Programs are flexible and can be designed as:

    • Half-day experiences

    • Full-day workshops

    • Multi-day leadership programs

    We align program length to your objectives and desired outcomes.

  • Each program is custom designed, so pricing varies depending on group size, location, duration, and facilitator requirements.

    We provide a tailored quote following an initial consultation.

  • Yes. Catering is included as part of your program package:

    • Half-day programs: Morning or afternoon tea

    • Full-day programs: Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea

    Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

  • No prior experience is required. All activities are ground-based (no riding) and fully facilitated to ensure participants feel comfortable and supported.

  • Most venues offer covered, all-weather arenas, so programs can proceed safely. Where possible, we use outdoor environments to enhance connection with nature.

    Participants receive pre-program instructions outlining what to wear and bring.

  • Participants must wear enclosed shoes or boots.

    We recommend sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor conditions, which may be dusty or muddy.

  • Safety is a priority in all programs:

    • Facilitators are trained and accredited

    • Horses are well-handled and accustomed to people

    • All activities are ground-based (no riding)

    • A safety briefing and grounding process is included

  • We recommend:

    • Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (layers)

    • Hat and sunscreen

    • Rain jacket if needed

    • Enclosed shoes or boots

    • Water bottle

    Detailed instructions will be provided prior to the program.

  • Programs are designed to support:

    • Leadership development

    • Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    • Communication and influence

    • Team effectiveness and trust

    • Resilience and adaptability

    Each experience is tailored to your organisational context.

  • Yes. Every program is co-designed to ensure relevance, alignment, and meaningful impact.

    We work with you to understand your challenges and design an experience that delivers practical outcomes.